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Jaime Costiglio

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DIY Carved Headboard with Monogram

June 25, 2012

How to make a curvy, carved headboard complete with handpainted monogram.
diy carved headboard with monogram


I built and painted this simple carved headboard for my girl #1:

diy carved headboard with monogram
Inspired by the Monarch bed from Land of Nod:
land of nod monarch bed
I designed a similar layout and cut the headboard from 1/2″ MDF with a jigsaw.
It has a low profile and pretty, girly, curvy lines:

diy carved headboard using MDF
And I added her monogram to make it personal and add a bit of color:

handpainted swirly monogram
Her bed sits in a funky spot right under the eaves so this headboard made for a good fit:
It’s attached to the wall with a French cleat and not to the bed.

diy carved headboard with handpainted swirly monogram
Supplies cost:
1/2″ MDF (4′ x 8′ sheet) = $24
French cleat = $15
primer, paint, poly (had on hand)
Total cost to make this headboard = $39
I gave her space a makeover, here’s the complete before and after:
girls bedroom before picture

girls bedroom after picture
Here’s how I made the headboard:

1. Draw headboard design on craft paper (only half of size needed):
This is a full size at 55″w, the paper is 27.5″.
carved headboard pattern on kraft paper
2. You need 1/2″ MDF cut at 55″w x 48″h.
Layout the pattern at the halfway point and trace the curvy edge:

kraft paper pattern on mdf
3. Flip the pattern over and repeat for the other side:

kraft paper pattern on mdf
4. Cut curvy design with jigsaw:
(MDF cuts like butter but it’s heavy, you could use plywood but it’s much more difficult to get a smooth, curvy cut.)

jigsaw to cut curves in mdf
5. Sand rough edges:

sanding curves smooth
6. Prime one coat Zinsser cover stain.
Paint two coats Benjamin Moore high gloss white enamel:
cover stain primer and high gloss enamel
7. Print out monogram.
I used Monogram KK font at 500 and 625 point:
printed monogram pattern
8. Using a ballpoint pen trace the letters with heavy pressure:

how to handpaint a monogram onto mdf
9. The pressure of the pen leaves a slight indent in the MDF, just visible enough here:
imprint from ballpoint pen
10. Using a DecoArt Traditions round #3 brush and Americana acrylic paint in peony pink:

DecoArt Americana acrylic paint
11. Paint on and inside the indent, two coats needed:

handpainting the monogram
12. Seal with spray clear acrylic gloss:

handpainted swirly monogram on curvy headboard
13. Attach one side of French cleat to back of headboard:

french cleat on back of headboard
And other side to wall:

french cleat on wall
Hang and enjoy.
curby headboard hanging on wall
diy cuvry headboard with handpainted monogram

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Filed Under: BEDS, BUILD, DIY, FURNITURE, FURNITURE, HOME DECOR, PAINT22 Comments

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Cassie @ Primitive & Proper says

    June 25, 2012 at 12:31 PM

    i love the shape of that! awesome!

    Reply
  2. the cape on the corner says

    June 25, 2012 at 2:16 PM

    fabulous! exactly like the inspiration, but better b/c you made it!

    Reply
  3. Vickie @ Ranger 911 says

    June 26, 2012 at 11:03 AM

    Wow! You are a one woman dynamo! What a sweet bed for a little (or big) girl!

    Reply
  4. KCoake says

    June 26, 2012 at 1:34 PM

    So pretty! You sure are great with wood! Do you think this same idea would work for a King size bed? I was thinking I could try it to make a headboard for us.

    Reply
  5. Elizabeth @ The Little Black Door says

    June 26, 2012 at 2:47 PM

    Hi, I'm visiting from Primitive & Proper and I just love your headboard!! What an amazing job you have done! 🙂

    Reply
  6. Twigs and Twirls says

    June 26, 2012 at 6:58 PM

    This looks beautiful. Great inspiration as I am looking to make a headboard for my daughter.

    Reply
  7. Karen Mary Butterfly says

    June 26, 2012 at 7:51 PM

    Better than Land Of Nod…..it's great! Love the before and after pictures. Wow, it's a wonderful transformation.

    Reply
  8. Meg I am..... says

    June 28, 2012 at 1:59 PM

    I've been dying to make a headboard… just can never decide what I want! LOVE this one! Totally girly shape! Wonder what my husband would think of that in our room….. 😉

    Stopping by from Primitive & Proper

    http://megschmitt-neveradullday.blogspot.com/

    Reply
  9. PitterAndGlink says

    June 28, 2012 at 6:07 PM

    Sooo beautiful! I am in love with this!

    Reply
  10. The Bold Abode says

    June 29, 2012 at 12:35 AM

    Your headboard is beautiful! I'm so impressed!

    Reply
  11. Rosemary@villabarnes says

    June 29, 2012 at 12:35 AM

    What a fabulous build. Great shape, and I love the lettering.

    Reply
  12. Courtney says

    June 29, 2012 at 9:54 AM

    I so thought you were going to say you used your silouhette to do the monogram…but no!! You hand painted it, well done!! Looks gorgeous!!

    Reply
  13. Mel says

    June 29, 2012 at 10:00 AM

    Thank you for sharing how you made and hung this adorable headboard.

    Adorable.

    Reply
  14. Rasonda @ Lake Cottage Dreams says

    June 29, 2012 at 7:36 PM

    Wow! That is awesome. It makes me nervous just looking at it though. I do not think I could EVER do that. Great job.

    Reply
  15. Addicted2HomeDecor says

    July 2, 2012 at 12:06 AM

    Just beautiful!!! I found you at DIY Project Parade and I'm your newest follower! Would love to have you stop by for a visit! Blessings ~ Judy

    Reply
  16. Tara says

    July 3, 2012 at 2:47 AM

    I love that! We just made a headboard (an upholstered one, not painted) too! You did a great job. I TOTALLY thought that the monogram was a vinyl decal…I'm SO impressed that you painted it!

    Reply
  17. DIY Show Off says

    July 6, 2012 at 11:16 PM

    Super pretty! Amazing job and great tutorial. I've been wanting to make a headboard so bad – I've considered donating the ones we have! lol You're not helping! 😉

    Thanks so much for sharing your creativity and hard work. I always love seeing what you've been up to!

    Reply
  18. Frugal Home Designs says

    July 15, 2012 at 9:37 PM

    That looks awesome. Great job.

    Reply
  19. Kerry says

    July 20, 2012 at 4:40 PM

    What is the bed on now? A metal frame?

    Reply

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