Painted Headboard Tutorial

I have had several ask me how I painted my headboard in the master bedroom.  Since I am definitely not an expert, this was trial and error, however I love how it turned out.  Here are the steps I went through.

This is the after:

This was the before.  I found this at Hotel Liquidators.  The wood however was really orange and super ugly.

The price convinced me that I could paint it and make it fantastic.

 Since it was 103 outside, I painted it in the house.  A light sanding to scuff it up, then a coat of flat black paint.

 After that dried I started distressing a little - baby steps, just a little at a time.

  

A little more distressing.

 Next I wiped on a coat of minwax walnut stain.  It gave it a little shine and character to the black.

 It really needed more distressing, so this time I just went for it.

I wanted some more character to the color, so I took a red marker and just put a few streaks in here and there.  After that, another coat of walnut stain to tone down the red and to give the raw distressed wood a walnut color.

 With that, I called it done.  Really hard to see in a pic, but it has a ton of character and looks amazing.  Trial and error, so just play until you get what you like.

 In real life the red undertone shows up and looks fabulous with the red tones of the dresser, just hard to capture all the detail in a photo.

  Like I said, just play, have fun and you will find just the right finish for you.  If you don't like it the first time, you can always repaint it.

I am joining the following parties:
Kristen at Kristen's Creations for Share Your Creations

Wendy at The Shabby Nest for Frugal Friday
Richella at Imparting Grace for Grace at Home

Honey at 2805 for Potpourri Friday
Cindy at My Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday

Alison at Stuff and Nonsense for Friday's Unfolded
Courtney at French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday
Heather and Vanessa At The Picket Fence for Inspiration Friday

Diann at The Thrifty Groove for Thrifty Things Friday
Debra at Common Ground for Vintage Inspiration Friday
Sherry at The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home Friday

Kate at Chic On A Shoestring Decorating for Flaunt It Friday

Jane at Finding Fabulous for Frugalicious Friday

Becca at Home Is Where My Story Begins for Home and Family Friday

Remodelaholic for Home Sweet Home on a Budget
 SNS @ Funky Junk Interiors

 Classy Clutter for Spotlight Saturday
 Show and Tell Saturday @ Be Different Act Normal