Bedrooms

DIY Coral Velvet Bed

I finished reupholstering our old bed frame right before we moved out of the loft, and I still really love it. Remember how I was trying to figure out what fabric to use? I thought a lot about the color… I was leaning toward this pretty silk velvet from Kravet, but it was pricey (like,…

I finished reupholstering our old bed frame right before we moved out of the loft, and I still really love it.

Remember how I was trying to figure out what fabric to use? I thought a lot about the color…

I was leaning toward this pretty silk velvet from Kravet, but it was pricey (like, very pricey), but I loved the color and sheen.

Then I stumbled across this really pretty cotton velvet when we were in Arizona this summer, for only $13 a yard at Home Fabrics in Mesa. I bought six yards and had to carry it on with me on the plane right home — it was so heavy! (and I had too many Last Chance finds stuffed in my suitcase)

I used this basic approach to the upholstery process after pulling off the old fabric, but I actually removed some of the footboard so that it would be easy to climb over in our small room. I also used the same nailhead trim roll. This time, after tapping in the nailhead strips, I quickly colored over the nailheads with my gold leaf pen. (see how bright the bottom few are here?) The key is to not color too perfectly. A messy job looks more real.

I’m in love with how low the head and footboards are – it feels more modern to me. The top of the headboard is about 38″ high. It’s nice because my head sort of rests on the top edge when I’m reading in bed and my back can be supported by the euros and standard shams. It’s really comfortable.

And, hey, do you recognize the pillow fabric? I wish I had a 100 yards of that vintage stripe.

PS In case you are struggling with the corners of a piece like this, I did the reverse approach I shared in this project. Corner strip first, edge pieces last.

PPS More photos of how this bed used to look a couple years ago HERE (including a folding screen DIY)
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46 thoughts on “DIY Coral Velvet Bed

  1. Thanks! Glad you guys like the color! It's not for the faint of heart. :)

    Anon – I bought the bedside lamps about two years ago from the Pottery Barn outlet! I see them pop up on eBay from time to time though, so maybe try your luck there.

    xx

  2. I love your blog so much and you've knocked it out of the park yet again with this headboard. The colour is so lush and fresh. One question, can you tell me where the bedside lights are from? They are amazing!

  3. Thanks! Glad you guys like the color! It's not for the faint of heart. :)

    Anon – I bought the bedside lamps about two years ago from the Pottery Barn outlet! I see them pop up on eBay from time to time though, so maybe try your luck there.

    xx

  4. Hey Melissa, I'm not sure what you mean about the footboard? I upholstered it the same way as I did the headboard. The backside of the footboard is covered by the mattress so I just kept the fabric on the back of the footboard long so it wouldn't show at all. I hope that makes sense! It's hard to describe!

    For a daybed, you'll probably have to use a tack strip? Best of luck!

  5. These photos were taken in the loft!

    And actually, we're doing a little room switcheroo here at the brownstone. Still figuring out the details, but I'll share soon. That bedroom that is/was ours will probably now be the guest room (and will still go black!) Stay tuned!

  6. Love, love, love it! Gorgeous choice of fabric and it all looks so beautifully styled!
    Mary @ At Home on the Bay

  7. Can you explain to me how to upholster the footboard? I am still puzzled as to how you did it so seamlessly and without any staples showing?? Please help bc I want to upholster a daybed for my son.

    thanks!!

  8. Hey Melissa, I'm not sure what you mean about the footboard? I upholstered it the same way as I did the headboard. The backside of the footboard is covered by the mattress so I just kept the fabric on the back of the footboard long so it wouldn't show at all. I hope that makes sense! It's hard to describe!

    For a daybed, you'll probably have to use a tack strip? Best of luck!

  9. Beautiful! I have roman shades in a VERY similar fabric to your vintage pillow fabric. It's from Christopher Farr.

  10. Jenny! I thought you were painting your room black?! I was anxiously awaiting photos…

    This is my favorite version of your headboard yet, amazing!

  11. I was just thinking the same thing about no black walls! The room looks amazing still :) So glad the hurricane didn't eat you!

  12. These photos were taken in the loft!

    And actually, we're doing a little room switcheroo here at the brownstone. Still figuring out the details, but I'll share soon. That bedroom that is/was ours will probably now be the guest room (and will still go black!) Stay tuned!

  13. I love Home Fabrics – they have stores in Southern California too. My whole house is upholstered with fabrics from there. Great selection and amazing prices. I picked up a wonderful toile with American colonial scenes for $2 yard. Love your velvet.

    Sandy

  14. Genius on going over the nailhead trim with the pen. I used some of the roll nailheads on our headboard a few months ago, but ultimately ended up taking it out (it didn't leave any marks, whew!). The gold was way too bling-y.

  15. I love your blog! I was wondering if you can recommend where I can get custom roman shades in the NYC area. I'm having issues finding the right window treatment and I recall you getting custom roman shades for one of your clients. Thanks!

  16. Can you tell us more about that nightstand?? Was that a DIY or real draper? If it's DIY, please share the details! I love it!!
    Love your site.

  17. I love the color of the headboard fabric. I think I may try this project myself. You know there are sources for custom nail heads. I one gave box of reflective silver ones to my upholster to use on a chair with blue cut velvet, and the silver nail head shimmer with blue.

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