This is my challenge. I have been asked to make this Queen size antique headboard into a King size.
My client had asked me to built a head board for her, I was busy and said it would be a few weeks before I could commit to it. She found one on an internet classified add for a lot cheaper than what I could build hers for. The problem is that it was advertised has a King size but is in reality a queen size ( you get what you pay for right). Now $350.00 later she came back to me to see what I could do to “fix it”.
When I brought it home my family’s first idea was to “burn it!” Sorry not our style.
But since the clients is almost always right I pondered my options.
It is 78 inches wide by 18 and half tall.
The average King size bed is 88 wide and the new pillow top mattress are about 24-30 high, you could literally loose the headboard behind the bed ( maybe not a bad thing). There is cool carvings on 10 individual panels which I think was the attraction for my client. I think it ( I have spend a lot of time looking at this thing) tells the story of some sort of ancient king ascension to the throne. The frame itself is weak and of poor craftsmanship. The finish is black and red paint with Gold leaf ?( as advertised) but I would hazard a guess it is just gold colour paint.
My options are 1.To build a frame around the existing one . This would be a nightmare because the outside edge is tapered. Also this leaves a weak centre frame.
2. Salvage the carved panels and build a custom frame to fit. I really like the second option and will try to convince the client to go this route.
The 3rd is to bring back the frame and tell her I can not do anything. I would really rather not execute my 3rd but will not take a loss on this project ( see previous blog) and will have everything on paper before I even sharpen my tools.
Your thoughts and comments are always appreciated .
Thanks for reading
-- All bleeding will eventually stop.
5 comments so far
jlsmith5963
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183 posts in 242 days
posted 168 days ago
A variation on the first option would be to build an entire ‘backboard’ that the existing headboard could be mounted to. Mounting to the ‘backboard’ would make the panel secure structurally. You could wrap the ‘backboard’ with a frame and then extend the frame down into legs. All the new construction could be square and if you make the area for mounting larger than the existing frame you can make a reveal that avoids having to match the existing taper. Once made the new ‘backboard’ could be painted black to match the existing panel. If this description is confusing and you would like a visual let me know, with some actual dimensions I could whip up a sketchup drawing of the basic idea.
-- criticism: the art of analyzing and evaluating the quality of a artistic work...
bentlyj
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783 posts in 363 days
posted 168 days ago
I agree with jlsmith, except for painting the reveal in between the new frame and headboard black.
I think I would paint it red to match.
jlsmith5963
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183 posts in 242 days
posted 168 days ago
matching the red could prove to be tricky (even if you get the color correct you will probably have an ‘aged’ red vs new red)... perhaps a red reveal and a black frame/legs…
-- criticism: the art of analyzing and evaluating the quality of a artistic work...
bentlyj
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783 posts in 363 days
posted 168 days ago
Your right, the red would be hard to match.
I think it would be too much to have the new Frame and the reveal both painted black. I wonder what else could be done with the Reveal portion? Maybe a gold color?
Red Rocks School of Fine Woodworking
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6 posts in 168 days
posted 168 days ago
Could you go somewhere in-between your first and second plans & playing along the ideas already mentioned. Rip/cut off the outside portion of the old bed frame. It looks like both on top and sides that the area with the panels is sort of separate from the outside framing. This would remove the need to work around the existing tapered legs. Use this new panel as a basis to make a new frame. Suspend the old frame with bronze rods or black rods so that there is a visible space between the old and new (you don’t have to paint anything). Your new frame could be a very simple maple, which is lacquered in black. You foot board could play with the same idea. The bottom portion of the old frame looks like it could be separated from the rest. Use this smaller section (is it 3” x 48?) as an inlay in a very simple black lacquered foot-board – or again suspend this portion – so there is a visible space between the old and new
-- Rand Richards, Wood.Shop@mac.com, wood-shop.org