Build Your Own Headboard [Guest Post]

Hello!  My name is Katie and I blog over at Running A Ragnar- a health and lifestyle blog. I also have a passion for restoring and creating old furniture.  I wanted to share my tutorial on building a headboard and Michael was nice enough to let me guest post it here!

There is something really sad about a bed without a headboard. 

 First off, your pillows are constantly falling behind the bed, if you lean up against the wall it is so uncomfortable and the bed moves, and lets be honest- it just looks like a dorm room without one. 

With all that being said, headboards are very expensive.  If you look online, a fun padded headboard in a nice print will run you at least $200.  

But what if I told you you could make one in one night for under $50?  You would run to Lowe's with your supply list and get to work.  

I used This tutorial from May Richer Fuller Be and made a few tweaks.  Head to her site for the full STEP BY STEP guide.  I am going to give you an overview with labeled pictures.  I also had to tweak mine because she uses a curtain to cover the headboard (cheaper and correct size).  I couldn't find a curtain I liked so I bought fabric from JoAnns.  You can use your favorite fabric print, but know that it may be more expensive, and may not cover the bottom of the headboard.  

Supply List:  From May Richer Fuller Be 

• Two 10' 2x4s cut down to four 54" lengths (HD or Lowe's will do this for you for free)
• One 7/16" 48"x96" (4'x8') OSB sheathing(plywood) cut down to 62"x48" (62" wide for a queen sized mattress)
• About 40 1" panel nails (I bought these)
• Hammer
• 1" twin foam mattress topper
• Measuring tape
• Serrated knife
• Painter's tape (or any other kind of tape)
• Fairfield Extra Loft Bonded Polyester Batting Quilt, King
• One 54"x84" curtain panel (I bought the Threshold Shell Print Window Panel in coral)
• I used 2.5 yards of farbic instead of the curtain panel but the curtain will cover better and be cheaper  
• Scissors
• Staple gun
• Staples
• Studs if you want to trim the headboard- buy 6 packs (at least!)  

You will use all of the 2x4, but will have leftover plywood.  I also carried all this wood into the car and into the apartment on my own.  Proud Moment. 
Depending on the size of your mattress, the width of the headboard will change, I suggest adding two inches to the overall width of your mattress to make sure it is the right size in width. Here is a chart that will help you determine the width you need for your headboard. remember, the measurements are (width X length) and you need the width measurement, the height should be the same for most beds. 

Foam is really expensive at the crafting store ( I use JoAnn Fabrics).  For a lot cheaper, you can just stop at Walmart and pick up a foam mattress pad for $9.99.  

I picked up the batting at JoAnns.  I only got 2.5 yards but I would double it so you can cover the bottom as well and maybe even an extra layer on top.  Batting is cheap and you can always find coupons on their website.

I couldn't pick a fabric to save my life.  I ended up with these two but when I got home, I noticed I didn't love how small the prints I picked were.  I ultimately picked the navy green design but I recommend finding a fabric with a bigger print.  

Make sure you iron the fabric before stapling it onto the headboard-  Nothing is worse than large pleated folded lines in the middle of your headboard.  On that note... make sure you line up the pattern nice and straight when tacking it on. 

I liked it without studs, but I thought the trim would be a nice little touch. 

My neighbors probably hate me- and I didn't get it as straight as I would like (and could not find my rubber mallet) but all in all-  the trim is another fun element on this DIY headboard. 

Find them here

Buy extra nails/tacks. 

 I ran out and had to go back out to Lowes (as you can see in the picture below). 

I am really happy with the finished product.  It took me one night, just under $50 for supplies (always look for JoAnn coupons).  It adds some fun color to the room, blocks off the window, and prevents my pillows from falling back.

By putting this one on legs, you do not have to figure out how to drill it into the wall, another plus for someone renting like me.  Even if you do own your own, putting it on legs and not having to drill it into the wall or bed just makes life easier. 

  Bye Bye dorm room style bed and hello beautiful! This is a great project for anyone with minimal wood working and crafting skills, So don't worry, you can do it! Make your own beautiful headboard, you will love the look! I would love to see your finished headboards too, so Feel free to post them in the comment area below!

   

Cottage Whimsey, sometimes a small home can be just what you need.

Taking a home that is less than 1000 square feet(964SqFt) and making it fully functional can really be exciting and fun. The Not So Big House movement is really taking off around the country, tiny homes are popping up all over, and there is a very high level of strategy involved in planning for their layout and functionality. It's very challenging and fun to make everything fit in a not so big house. This is a summer home in Madison, Connecticut that I have been working on for about 5 years for a wonderful customer who just happens to live outside Paris, France. They have fantastic ideas of ways to take this small home and make it warm, inviting and spacious. Let me show you some of the features of this 964 soft home.

The living room is a very comfortable space, with lots of window space and the spiral staircase to the basement bed room tucked away in its own glass enclosure at the other end of the room.  The wall to the main section of the house has a bead board treatment as an accent wall, with a chair rail of flat stock tying it into the walls in the hall and kitchen area.

The entire house is painted in shades of white, giving it an airy feeling even with the existing low ceilings thru out. The ceilings took some extra work to blend the seams and give a white glow at such close range.

A reference that is never far from my side is Sarah Susanka's wonderful book The Not So Big House: A Blueprint for the Way We Really Live , she is a leader in making tiny spaces explode with potential, and I highly recommend her books for anyone.

To create a driftwood look, the maple floors are finished with a white wash, "pickled", that really gives a warm feeling to the house in keeping with the white tones of the entire interior.

The Living room has a beautiful view of the marshes, and even in the dead of winter at 4 pm, the sunlight floods the room. In the mornings it is awash with sunlight, heating the living room by sunlight alone.

The spiral staircase lends a very cool element to the living room, it is closed off with a glass door and windows to give privacy to the bedroom downstairs and painted gray with stair treads of maple "pickled" to match the floors.

Bead board on the ceiling carries the design element from the first floor to the stairwell and into the lower level in a unique way.

The stairwell brings you to the basement bedroom and bath, allowing for a more private master suite or guest area. The detail in the trim keeps the cottage look with a flat "crown" moulding and bead board behind the bed. the ductwork is also hidden behind trim work with a custom  heating register that has a sliding over to regulate the amount of air by sliding it over the vents.

The stone floor gives it a rustic feel and some warm tones. For such a small area it feels large. The bathroom is to the right on the far end of the room.

With a small window over the sink, this tiny bathroom (4x6 approx) feels spacious and inviting. Not cramped at all.

Back on the main level this bedroom makes use of cabinets installed on one wall to hide a TV and give plenty of storage for clothing. It also carries the headboard and flat "crown" style moulding in from the rest of the house. 

This third bedroom doubles as a children's room or home office, I like the bright splash of color, it warms the room up and makes it feel light.

The kitchen is compact, using compact sized appliances, a 24" wide refrigerator, and 24" wide range, to give the feeling of more space. It is a comfortable workspace and for having about 12' of cabinets it has a nice amount of prep space on the concrete countertops. 

You can get a feel for the size of the house with this photo, The two bedrooms off the kitchen area and the living room at the end of the hallway show that it doesn't take much square footage to make a comfortable home.

This is a rear view of the cottage, looking up from the dock area on the river. The Annabelle Hydrangeas are stunning as they bloom through out the summer, making this not so big house the perfect home for a family.

20 Dream Closets! Amazing closet ideas to create your dream closet.

Beautiful walk in closets are fast becoming the trendiest new additions to homes all over the country. With access to so many beautiful closets online, it's fun to imagine all the great ideas you would include in your dream closet. I have 20 amazing closets pictured here and from these photos and all the beautiful closets I have built over the years I want to share some of the top ideas of features to include in your dream closet.  

Closets are a private space that can reflect your tastes as much as your style in clothes says who you are. It's fun to personalize them, the accent wall here in pink stained wood paneling with the glass shelves and the awesome bench really give it a signature look. 

I think one feature that is in the top ten is having a seat in your closet, from a simple bench to an elegant armchair, it helps make your closet a relaxing and comfortable space to spend time. Another feature that is often overlooked is having a place to display or hang clothing you are picking for the day. The three hangers on the end caps of this closet are a perfect spot to hang outfits, then kick back and choose the perfect outfit in your comfortable chair.

                                                 

Having a chandelier in your closet also adds an elegant look to your dressing area. It's a wonderful way to make a smaller room look huge. 

A spiral staircase? I think it's very cool and makes you wonder where it leads? This is a great way to make use of a basement space under your bedroom, I have seen it done with wine cellars, why not a dream walk in closet? The end wall can have simulated windows built in and lit from behind, giving the impression of being upstairs. This is a fantastic way to use that empty basement area.

Did I mention mirrors? no self-respecting dream closet would be caught dead without a full length mirror... or two. I think it is a must have in a closet. A trick I use when designing closets is to place mirrors so they face each other, this makes it easy to see a 360 degree view of yourself without contorting and bending over backwards. It should also be long enough to see a full length view of yourself, and lit with natural light if possible to present the most accurate view of how you look. 

Shoe racks, did I mention shoes?

Lots of shelves for shirts and sweaters with hanging above, this style closet allows for the neat freak in us all to shine. Organization is the most important feature to have in your closet. I know from experience, no matter how big the closet there is never enough room.

Light and space are very hard to achieve in closets. This pass-thru closet makes the room feel open and spacious. The window seat is a great spot to bring color into the space.

Center islands are very popular, giving a ton of storage for messier items like socks and underwear. The countertop is a great way to express your style, from stone to wood, and it provides a perfect spot to lay out outfits for the day.

Built in cabinets can provide you with much more space for storage while keeping things neat and out of sight. I love the accent color on the ceiling, this is your private space, you can totally express yourself!

Dark stained woods can add a richness to a closet, The well lit shelves help to keep it from making the room look too dark. I love the tray ceiling accent with the Up-lighting hidden behind the crown. I use this trick a lot in new homes, it adds great muted accent lighting to the space.

Speaking of lighting, this is the closet in my Electricians house... Just kidding.  Lighting is critical in a closet. I recommend people think hard about where they will have lights in their closet, making sure its well lit goes a long way to making it comfortable. the Crystal pendant lights make this closet look very elegant.

Directional lighting is also a great feature if you like to showcase certain items you have. Track lighting above the cabinets let you personalize what you have lit.

Glass doors on certain cabinets ad a level of elegance to a closet, providing an area for you to put your valuable items, protecting them but also allowing them to be showcased as well.

Built in laundry baskets are also a good thing, because one thing closets don't help with normally is dirty laundry. Don't you know, your dirty laundry is supposed to stay in the closet? Large drawers that pull out with baskets allow you to keep your beautiful closet neat.

Maximizing space is important too, floor to ceiling shelving can help to utilize every square foot to its max.

Warmer colors On the trim in the closet can go a long way to make it feel more inviting, a cream or linen are a great step away from stark white that really make a closet feel warm.

Hardwoods on the floors and counter tops also help to warm up a closet. notice the glass doors on the long hanging on the back wall, that makes it feel like a high end clothier's shop.

Walk in closets are a huge new trend in home renovation. Any size space can be made into your dream closet, it just takes a little planning and thought about what features you want to include. I love building closets for people, it appeals to my sense of order and neatness. I find it very relaxing to look into a well organized closet where everything has its place. I hope this blog post helps you create the closet of your dreams. Please comment below, and tell me what you would love in your dream closet, I'm always looking for new great ideas!

Are you missing the obvious when you give your home an exterior makeover?

People love to make their house look beautiful on the outside. Most often the way to do that is to add landscaping, shutters or a nice front door color. It can really make their home look cozy and warm. There are a few thing that get overlooked by most people when beautifying their homes exterior. I really like adding a few features to the outside of a house that go a long way towards making it look neat and tidy. Let me reveal a few of my tricks to improve your house's look.

The first thing I recommend is to hide those trash cans! If your neighborhood is like mine, it is populated by those horrible bright blue or green trash cans and recycling bins. You can neatly line them up on the side of your house, but they still stick out like a sore thumb. 

 This is a relatively simple way to hide your garbage bins. It is made of 1x6 tongue and groove pine with the beveled edge out. its nailed to a pressure treated 2x4 frame and stained to match the house. The top has roofing to match the house, and the hinges and hardware are painted to blend in. It's very simple and clean looking, and instead of horrible trash cans, you have a nice feature that adds to the attractiveness of your home.

Something else that effects the look of your house is the electrical meter bolted on the side of your house. Its so common that I bet you don't even notice it on your own home...  Until it's gone, that is. This is a matching enclosure to compliment the trash storage on the other end of the house. The electrical meter is inside, hidden from view as you approach the house, but easily accessible to the electric company or anyone who needs to get at it. It is a much better look than the pipes and metal case of the electrical meter.

 The last feature added to this house doesn't hide anything in particular, But it lets the homeowner add a vertical bit of greenery to a blank wall on the side of the home. Using square lattice instead of the normal diagonal keeps to the traditional New England beach home style. A climbing hydrangea growing up it adds woody vines, a dark green leaf and beautiful flowers to the muted gray of the wall.

The lattice is sandwiched in the rectangular frame keeping to the simple square trim work that is a design feature on the rest of the house. By hanging the lattice right on the house, it prevents it from being moved by weather or the plants themselves and looks clean for years to come.

 These are just a few tricks to make your house look neater and cleaner year round. Attention to detail is important to make your home look its absolute best. You can easily add little features like these to make a huge difference in the way your house looks from the outside. These tricks can be applied to all sorts of the necessary parts of your home that just don't look good. Just look around, I am sure you will find something to hide...  Hmmmm, that air conditioning condenser could use a makeover too. 

My First DIY video, How to replace a shower head. I Install "The Moxie" from Kohler. a Shower head with an integrated speaker.

Well here it is... my first video DIY project. I show you how to replace a shower head with a new Moxie from Kohler. This is an easy project suitable for beginners, and takes about 10-15 minutes to do with minimal tools. simple DIY project that really brings your shower into the 21st century. 

The Moxie shower head (See my review here) is a shower head with an integrated bluetooth speaker that lets you listen to your music while in the shower. It lets you play music from your phone or tablet right from your shower head. I like it a lot, it makes getting ready for work a really nice experience. 

Have fun watching this awful video of me showing how to replace a shower head and demonstrate the cool speaker feature. This is my first video, I will be making many more, and hopefully improving with each and every one. I would love to hear from you, give me your thoughts on the video and what i can do to improve. I would also love comments telling me what I can demonstrate for you. This channel is for you, I want to help you get all those little projects done in your home.

Thanks again for watching TheBuilderFix 

Mike

P.S. Here is a link to The KOHLER Moxie Showerhead and Wireless Speaker only  $98!!! Now that I have used it, I highly recommend it. It makes showering a lot of fun!

Got coffee? A great organizational idea for all those Keurig K-cups.

If you are like me, you like your kitchen to be neat and organized. I love nothing more than to be able to see what pantry items I have available and be able to choose easily. I really dislike drawers with piles of utensils, and shelves packed with boxes and cans jumbled together. My goal is to someday have a kitchen where I don't have to root around for anything, everything is available at the touch of a finger.  I am working on adding new organizational features to my kitchen to make all utensils and kitchen gadgets as well as food organized and visible.

I am planning a series of posts to my blog showing as I retrofit my kitchen to make it more organized. 

I love having coffee in the mornings, its part of my morning rituals and really screws up my day when I miss it. I use a Keurig coffee brewer. It makes great coffee and is very convenient for that morning rush. The problem is the Pods for the coffee. I just don't have a good way to store them out of sight but available near the Keurig brewer. Sure there are racks and displays that take up counter space, but my kitchen is not that big. I hate having things cluttering up my counter. I like this new idea from the Rev-a-Shelf company. I know the prefect drawer to install this in, its right below my Keurig coffee maker and is full of junk, a perfect solution to solve two problems, get rid of a junk drawer, and organize my keurig coffee pods. 

I love being able to see the selections available, and also to be able to tell well in advance when I'm running out of K-Cups. There is nothing worse than thinking that you have another box of K-cups in the pantry hidden away and finding out that you were wrong and you are completely out of coffee!

In the next few days I will be making my version of this drawer rack. I will keep you posted on the finished project and my next kitchen upgrade!

And if you want your very own custom rack, or have an idea for a new organizational gadget, please let me know, I love to make kitchen organizers especially when they make working in my kitchen more enjoyable!