We found this bed frame at the local landfill and decided to rescue it.
This particular frame must have been insanely popular at some point because I've seen a lot of them through the years.
In any case, I had a spare room that needed a bed and this one was complete with the headboard, footboard and 2 side rails.
In any case, I had a spare room that needed a bed and this one was complete with the headboard, footboard and 2 side rails.
Striving to keep this project free, I gathered supplies I already had and discovered I had everything I needed for a crackle finish.
The supplies I used:
Sandpaper
Gray spray paint
White latex paint
White glue
Paint brush
Fancy brush cleaner ( recycled milk jug filled with water )
The supplies I used:
Sandpaper
Gray spray paint
White latex paint
White glue
Paint brush
Fancy brush cleaner ( recycled milk jug filled with water )
I also had a project supervisor. If you don't have a cornish cross hen, any breed of chicken will work fine. Do not substitute with a duck, they're too impatient and bossy.
I lightly sanded the bed frame just to scuff up the shiny finish.
I sprayed the front of the headboard and footboard with gray spray paint. I did not spray the back or the side boards because I didn't have enough paint. I wanted this project to be cost free so buying paint wasn't an option.
Once the paint was dry, I coated it with white glue. I applied the glue in small sections and immediately painted the white latex on the glue. This was necessary because the glue was drying too quick.
We have crackle!
I just repeated the glue and paint process until the front of the headboard and footboard were completely covered.
I painted the back of the headboard and footboard with the white latex paint. I also painted the outside of the side boards with the white paint, leaving the inside untouched.
Yay! We now have a free updated bed frame that looks very shabby cottage chic!
Of course the rest of the bed wasn't free. I purchased a 6" mattress (bed in a box) from Walmart for $89.00. While at Walmart I also purchased a mattress eggcrate topper for $14.00 and 2 pillows for $5.00 each. I already had sheets, blankets and pillow cases.
I measured the inside of the bed frame and went to Lowes for plywood. I selected the plywood and had them cut it to my measurement. The cut was free and the plywood was $14.00.
I don't know what the bed frame originally had under the mattress. Perhaps it was slats or maybe just a box spring.
I placed the plywood in the frame, resting it on the ledge that ran down both side boards. I put the mattress on the plywood and the egg crate was large enough to place it on the mattress doubled over.
I was really pleased with this project. The pictures don't convey how very sweet this bed looks. But...what good are looks if a bed isn't comfy? My sister, who suffers from severe back problems, was my first guest. The bed felt great to me but I only tried it out for a few seconds so how would it feel to someone with back pain after an entire night? When I asked my sister in the morning she said it was very comfortable!
I painted the back of the headboard and footboard with the white latex paint. I also painted the outside of the side boards with the white paint, leaving the inside untouched.
Yay! We now have a free updated bed frame that looks very shabby cottage chic!
Of course the rest of the bed wasn't free. I purchased a 6" mattress (bed in a box) from Walmart for $89.00. While at Walmart I also purchased a mattress eggcrate topper for $14.00 and 2 pillows for $5.00 each. I already had sheets, blankets and pillow cases.
I measured the inside of the bed frame and went to Lowes for plywood. I selected the plywood and had them cut it to my measurement. The cut was free and the plywood was $14.00.
I don't know what the bed frame originally had under the mattress. Perhaps it was slats or maybe just a box spring.
I placed the plywood in the frame, resting it on the ledge that ran down both side boards. I put the mattress on the plywood and the egg crate was large enough to place it on the mattress doubled over.
I was really pleased with this project. The pictures don't convey how very sweet this bed looks. But...what good are looks if a bed isn't comfy? My sister, who suffers from severe back problems, was my first guest. The bed felt great to me but I only tried it out for a few seconds so how would it feel to someone with back pain after an entire night? When I asked my sister in the morning she said it was very comfortable!
