"N" is for Nightstand (the finish)

Paint: modern 2-drawer nightstand

The complete how-to finish the mod nightstand with paint.

I used one coat of Zinsser cover stain primer.

Two coats Benjamin Moore summer shower.

Two coats Minwax clear satin polycrylic.

 

Start by constructing the nightstand with plans from Ana White:

Step 1: Sand all surfaces, vacuum and wipe with damp cloth:

Step 2: Protect any portion you DO NOT want painted with painters tape:

Step 3: Begin with primer, Zinsser cover stain is oil based = hard to clean up but so worth it for the coverage and smooth soft surface it provides.

After primer dries, sand.

Step 4: Vacuum again.

Step 5: Using a 2" angled Purdy brush apply Benjamin Moore summer shower paint to all corners and crevices where roller cannot reach:

Step 6: Then use roller on larger surface areas:

Sand and vacuum again then apply second coat.

Step 7: Apply protective polycrylic in clear satin finish.

Use a small foam brush in corners and crevices then a roller on larger surface areas.

Apply two coats.

Step 8: Mark drawer fronts at center for hardware pull.

Predrill hole with proper sized bit:

I used Martha Stewart medallion knobs in polished nickel available at Home Depot:

Attach knobs and insert drawers into nightstand:

Here you can see the nice soft, protective satin sheen from the poly:

This completes the bedroom makeover for my girl #1:

"N" is for Nightstand (the build)

Build: modern 2-drawer nightstand

I worked with Ana White again to make this nightstand.  She drew up the plans and I did the construction for my girl #1:

Inspired by the Monarch nightstand from Land of Nod:

It's perfectly Mad Men in style, especially with those canted legs and curved front corner edges:

But even better that it has two drawers for concealed storage and one open shelf for easy access:

Fresh and sleek and fits perfectly just below the window:

(Right next to her Monarch inspired headboard and ruffle trimmed bedskirt.)

Here's how I made the nightstand:

1. Using plans from Ana White here cut wood and construct:

2. To make drawer fronts cut 1/2" plywood to size as per plans.

Then rip 1/4" scraps at 1 1/4" wide to 'frame out' drawer front.

Glue and clamp in place:

3. Once dry and sanded, chaulk seam between 1/4" and 1/2" to make for smooth finish:

4.  Secure drawer fronts to drawers:

5. Finish as desired.

(To see the complete how-to finish this nightstand as shown click here.)

I'm linking up to:

Weekend Wrap Up @ Tatertots and Jello

Whatcha Got Weekend @ Lolly Jane

SAS @ Funky Junk

Sister Sunday @ Sisters of the Wild West

Just Something I Whipped Up @ The Girl Creative

DIY Fall Festival @ The DIY Showoff

Nifty Thrifty @ Coastal Charm

Tuesday Treasures @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

Tutorials & Tips Tuesday @ Home Stories A to Z

Good Life @ A Beach Cottage

Transformation Thursday @ The Shabby Creek Cottage

Strut Your Stuff @ Somewhat Simple

Share Awesomeness Thur @ The 36th Avenue

Flaunt it Friday @ Chic on a Shoestring

Frugal Friday @ The Shabby Nest

SAS @ Just a Girl

Feathered Nest @ French Country Cottage

Remodelaholics Anonymous @ Remodelaholic

inspiration board @ Carolyns Homework
All Things Furniture @ Perfectly Imperfect
Furniture Feature Friday @ Miss Mustard Seed
POWW @ Primitive & Proper

"B" is for Bedskirt

Sew: ruffle trimmed bedskirt

Made from white cotton sheets and pink gingham cotton fabric:

This bedskirt has a 20" drop:

But the real purpose of this bedskirt is to hide the bed risers and storage bins:

Space is at a premium in this room, we already had these storage bins from here and reused them here:

But you can't see them behind this fun girly ruffled bedskirt:

The touch of pink around the bottom edge compliments the painted monogram on the headboard.

(To see the how-to on the windowseat click here.)

And I added the matching nightstand:

Here's how I made the bedskirt:

1. Tear up 2 twin size flat white sheets into thirds the long way.

(For a 20" drop be sure each third is at least 22" wide.)

2. Seam short ends together to make one long, long 22" wide strip.

Hem the raw edges using a rolled hem:

(For a good tutorial use see kate sew's here.)

3. Cut gingham fabric strips on the bias at 1 1/4" wide.

You need lots and lots of length, triple the amount you see in this pic:

4. Sew gingham onto bottom edge of bedskirt, 4" from hem edge.

Ruffle the gingham as you go:

5. Double check width of entire white strip,

for a 20" drop I needed 20 1/2" to allow for seam allowance when attaching to the main bedskirt piece:

6. Attach to existing bedskirt main piece.

Pin in place by marking halfway points then ruffle as you go:

Now we can hide that storage space:

Definitely worth every minute of ruffling spent on that sewing machine!

I'm linking up to:

Whatcha Got Weekend @ Lolly Jane

SAS @ Funky Junk

Sister Sunday @ Sisters of the Wild West

Sunday Showcase Party @ Under the Table & Dreaming

DIY Project Parade @ The DIY Showoff

Nifty Thrifty @ Coastal Charm

Tuesday Treasures @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

Tutorials & Tips Tuesday @ Home Stories A to Z

Transformation Thursday @ The Shabby Creek Cottage

Strut Your Stuff @ Somewhat Simple

Share Awesomeness Thur @ The 36th Avenue

Flaunt it Friday @ Chic on a Shoestring

Frugal Friday @ The Shabby Nest

SAS @ Just a Girl

Feathered Nest @ French Country Cottage

Remodelaholics Anonymous @ Remodelaholic

inspiration board @ Carolyns Homework
Textiles @ Freckled Laundry

"H" is for Headboard #2

Build: monogrammed carved headboard

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

Inspired by the Monarch bed from Land of Nod:

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:

And I added her monogram to make it personal and add a bit of color:

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.

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:

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".

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:

3. Flip the pattern over and repeat for the other side:

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.)

5. Sand rough edges:

6. Prime one coat Zinsser cover stain.

Paint two coats Benjamin Moore high gloss white enamel:

7. Print out monogram.

I used Monogram KK font at 500 and 625 point:

8. Using a ballpoint pen trace the letters with heavy pressure:

9. The pressure of the pen leaves a slight indent in the MDF, just visible enough here:

10. Using a DecoArt Traditions round #3 brush and Americana acrylic paint in peony pink:

11. Paint on and inside the indent, two coats needed:

12. Seal with spray clear acrylic gloss:

13. Attach one side of French cleat to back of headboard:

And other side to wall:

Hang and enjoy.

I'm linking up to:

Weekend Wrap Up @ Tatertots and Jello

Whatcha Got Weekend @ Lolly Jane

SAS @ Funky Junk

Sister Sunday @ Sisters of the Wild West

Just Something I Whipped Up @ The Girl Creative

DIY Fall Festival @ The DIY Showoff

Nifty Thrifty @ Coastal Charm

Tuesday Treasures @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

Tutorials & Tips Tuesday @ Home Stories A to Z

Good Life @ A Beach Cottage

Transformation Thursday @ The Shabby Creek Cottage

Strut Your Stuff @ Somewhat Simple

Share Awesomeness Thur @ The 36th Avenue

Flaunt it Friday @ Chic on a Shoestring

Frugal Friday @ The Shabby Nest

SAS @ Just a Girl

Feathered Nest @ French Country Cottage

Remodelaholics Anonymous @ Remodelaholic

inspiration board @ Carolyns Homework
All Things Furniture @ Perfectly Imperfect
Furniture Feature Friday @ Miss Mustard Seed
POWW @ Primitive & Proper