Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Mockingbird Hill Cottage

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The Headboard Story

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A little back story (as they say in the movie biz): When husband and I first moved out East from California, we rented a tiny little cottage on the property of a much bigger house. It had two small bedrooms upstairs. We used one as an office/studio. Our landlady was a lovely person who didn’t mind that we had dogs – believe me, that was a rarity. Anyway, after about a year of living there, our landlady had to sell the house. She worked for Enron…need I say more? We were unsettled by this news, of course. One day she came over to our cottage to explain that try as she might, the town powers-that-be were insisting she take down the wall that separated the two bedrooms – also the doorways – and it had to be done before she could sell the property. Something about no record of a permit, blah, blah, blah. We were very upset, needless to say, because now we would have no place to put the dogs if we needed them out of the way for say, a repairman. We also would no longer have two separate rooms and the privacy that brings – or a way to shut out the noise from downstairs if either of us was sleeping in or sick. The contractor came and tore down the wall and the doors. All of this was happening while our dog, Winston, was suddenly critically ill and had to be put down. A terrible time.

Since I wanted to keep one area of the now large room for the computer, etc. and one for the bedroom and there was no longer a wall to place the bed against, I made a headboard. Using some two by fours and a big piece of plywood, I hammered away. The plywood was padded and covered with some fabric that coordinated with the quilt we were using at the time.

And this is the way the headboard has looked for quite a few years now, even though I’m tired of the check and it really doesn’t go with my pale blue coverlet. But then again, the bedroom sorely needs some decorating.

Fast forward to yesterday. I seem to have two methods of getting through the day. Either I’m a slug or I’m at full throttle. Yesterday was full throttle. I decided to mow. I’ve mentioned before that we have lots and lots of lawn to mow and we don’t have a rider mower. I have to do it in sections over the course of a few days. You can see where this is going; I mowed like a crazy woman, did way too much which resulted in sore legs and aching back.  No sooner had I taken a shower and had a bite to eat – exhausted, by the way – when I started to obsess about the headboard.  I remembered this vintage fabric that I bought last year:

I had a sneaking feeling there was enough to cover the headboard and there was. Husband was consulted – did he like this potential new look? Yes.

Here is where it gets ugly.  We have the type of attic bedroom with eaves and sloping ceilings. The bed can only be placed against one of the low ceilings. It backs up to the sloping ceiling, creating a space between the bed and the lower portion of the wall. Does that make sense? Since we are sadly lacking in storage space, I stash our luggage back there. Let me add that the bed is difficult, make that impossible to move. Working back there in that minuscule area requires crouching and the ability to contort one’s body into the shape of a pretzel. So there I was, staple gun in hand, yelling for husband’s help as I tossed out pieces of luggage and crawled around like I was in a fox hole. Every time I had to crawl back out for something annoying like loading more staples, my body cried out in pain. I had just taken a shower and was now sweating like a pig. I would shout out to my husband – who was downstairs by this time, no doubt trying to escape me – from my position behind the headboard that I needed more staples, I needed a hammer, please bring up the vacuum!

I was obsessed and determined. Husband has been through this with me before. I finally finished and duck-walked my way out from behind the headboard. Much painful straightening of my back.  Vacuuming ensued, luggage was put back. Here is the transformation:


I obviously didn’t style this shot – just threw the pillows back on the bed – and no, I don’t iron my pillowcases. I need some new throw pillows, but you get the idea. It really brightens the room. I’m sore, but happy. Here’s a view that gives you an idea of the placement of the bed against the sloping wall. And our tiny windows. And my yet-to-be-painted walls.

By the way, back at the rental: our new landlords graciously agreed to re-build the wall and put in the doors. Several months later, we had our two rooms back and all was well. And we got a headboard in the bargain.

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Comments

  1. Hi Claudia:
    You’re a girl after my own heart…lawn mowing to home dec! I love the look of your headboard (with either fabric, actually!), and the story of the disappearing/reappearing wall is quite the tale. Thanks for sharing.
    xoxo
    Donna

    Reply

  2. It looks fantastic, Claudia! So sorrry to hear about the pains you went through to get you there, but the results are sure pretty!!!!

    And get this… You know how we have the exact same dog bed? And the identical Simply Shabby Chic shower curtain? (And the list could go in, I’m sure)… Your pale robin’s egg spread looks just like one I bought several years ago from L.L. Bean during a catalogue sale! It was going to be for my “inspiration bedroom” (for after we transformed our dark mauve wallpaper bordered 80’s bedroom into a more updated color scheme and decor – which has yet to happen!).. But anyhow, I was too impatient to wait for the makeover so I finally started using the coverlet. And when I saw your photos I said, “That’s my spread!!” Or at least one that looks just like mine!!

    Enjoy our beautiful northeast weather, Claudia!!… Donna

    Reply

  4. Now there’s a story of perseverance, and I love the result. It was worth all the effort. Well done.

    There was a word in there I wasn’t familiar with: i.r.o.n. ?? Not sure what that means (:

    Reply

  5. Your day of energy and soreness paid off beautifully! I like the new headboard look and enjoyed reading the backstory – because, let’s face it, EVERYTHING has a backstory, at least around my house.

    Ironing pillowcases, hmmmm, nope, not going to happen. I’d have to peel the Bostons and the cats off of them first. My pillows always look as if there has been a huge fight going on at the top of my bed – I have given up!

    Reply

  6. Your headboard looks wonderful– well worth all the pilates/yoga moves you must have been doing to finish it!

    Iron a pillow case?? Do people really do that? I rarely iron my own clothes, let alone a pillow case!! My pillows look rumpled and cozy– I call it shabby chic :)

    Hugs,
    Jill

    Reply

  7. Hi Claudia,
    Hey, you could of called me. We were a good team with staple guns at HiHo! Really, I’m a stone throw away! Next time! Great look. Love the fabric you picked. Hugs, LizlovesVintage

    Reply

  10. Hello Claudia,
    Thank you so much for coming by and sharing about friendship with me.

    Your head board is so pretty! What a cheery update. And so functional at the same time. What a great idea to put the luggage behind it.

    Hugs,
    Terri

    Reply

  13. Ha! ‘Slug or full throttle’ — I’m the same way. Your bedroom is so cozy and the splash of vintage pattern is lovely. I let my dryer do my ironing – it doesn’t do a great job but it’s probably better than what I would do. If I were to iron, that is. :-)

    Reply

  18. I’ve been wanting to do something similar to our headboard but it has appliques on it and it quite lovely. I may just paint it next spring. I’ve wanted to do this for 2 years now but…well, life gets in my way sometimes, sugar, and I dragged off to California or Washington or the wilds of Idaho camping. Next summer for sure though….
    xoxo,
    Connie

    Reply

  20. wow,Claudia, you are a fighter, I can tell—-
    I would be like you, when first having a thought, it is off-and run….My husbond not at all the same!!!!
    You did a wonderfull job, with the headboard- I love the new rose fabric-beautifull .
    xo Dorthe

    Reply

  21. It looks really great Claudia. I like it very much. Our bedrooms are small in our home too, but we don’t have the sloping ceilings, or I’d be claustrophobic for sure.

    You have a great eye for decorating.

    Lena

    Reply

  22. WHAT A GREAT JOB, I LOVE THE HEADBOARD WITH ITS NEW COVER, IT REALLY LOOKS NICE.
    I LOVE READING YOUR BLOG, YOU ARE SO FUNNY. HOPE YOUR ACHES AND PAINS ARE BETTER. RIZZI

    Reply

  24. You know Claudia, your post today got me thinking…..why are we artistic types glutton for punishment! LOL!
    I can just see you down there all scrunched up and yelling for help!
    Been there, done that.

    Your headboard turned out quite pretty and I love the fabric.

    hugs
    Sissie

    Reply

  27. hi claudia,

    awesome tale. you and i share that fierce determination when we set our minds to something — as physically uncomfortable as it might make us — to make it happen.

    i can completely related to the slanting ceilings and the “duck walk” — awesome!! so much of this story was me painting my bedroom. sweating and ducking and hating every minute but loving the results!

    i think you deserve some pretty red flowers for the little table beneath the window!

    go claudia!

    xo
    elyse

    ps
    makes me think of your boston dresser story!

    Reply

  28. It’s beautiful, Claudia! Did you have any material at all left over to add to something else to make a pillow? I’m thinking not. All right. Do some stretching exercises, take a bath, put some ice on your back and take it easy. Orders.
    Brenda

    Reply

  29. Claudia~ your headboard looks wonderful! I’m amazed you got the pattern on so straight, as hard as it was to do! But looks like it was so worth it! Thanks for stopping by my blog and for your nice comments!

    Reply

  30. Hi Claudia,
    What a wonderful story with a beautiful happy ending. I love the headboard and the fabric is gorgeous. You did a great job.
    Hope the sore muscles are better soon. I have so been in your spot. But what we will do for our cottages!!

    Have a great week.
    Hugs, Celestina Marie

    Reply

  33. Hi Claudia, I definitely know what you mean about working in two speeds!! I’m like that often, and when I get into full throttle, poor FHFB – he has to deal with my craziness until all is completed to my liking! I’m determined to get something done and have a picture in my head about how I think it should look. If something gets in that way, look out! I try to leave FHFB out of things but I usually end up needing his help. Poor guy.
    I love your new headboard by the way, and I think you do a great job working with the space you have and making it functional and beautiful! Ciao, bella!

    Reply

  36. Hi Claudia! I’m with you, either full throttle or no speed at all. I love the fabric you chose for the headboard. Your bedroom is charming, comfy and serene. Great job! Now, take it easy and enjoy the fruits of your labor.

    Lots of love,
    Susan and Bentley
    xxoo

    Reply

  38. it is just beautiful!!! i have missed your blog!! i just caught up!!!
    who irons anything? oh….really. i’m lucky if anything even gets washed, lol.
    take care claudia. i just love that headboard. it’s spectacular.
    sue

    Reply

  40. Laughing like crazy! I can SOOOO relate… Sometimes I wonder why I start one of those projects. I get sooo darn frustrated.

    In this case all of the sweating and frustration was so worth it. I LOVE it! Isn’t it amazing what a little bit of floral fabric will do? It’s BEE.U.TI.FUL!

    Huggies,
    Spencer

    PS… Nope, I don’t iron pillowcases either. I actually did that for years… WHY? :-)

    Reply

  41. Today I’m a bit of a slug myself and not completing a single project – my back’s gone out and I’m in pain, big time!

    My two upstairs bedrooms – one the guest room and other the office – have sloped ceilings too. Fortunately the slope is higher so no problems with headboards. I’m thinking of padding and covering my master headboard in linen which is downstairs…………another project on the long list!!

    Reply

  42. LOL Substitute the project and put me in the story. I could see myself overdoing like that. Wait, I HAVE overdone many times before. I love the new look on your headboard. At least you had a pretty place to lay your weary head that night ;-)

    Reply
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