"It's better to be absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring" - Marilyn Monroe
If you are a new reader, hello and welcome to the Fancy Fam! With over a decade of furniture painting experience, I can honestly say that sharing my projects through this blog is still my favorite way to inspire! I've got years worth of fun and creative ways to update your home decor and furniture through paint! If this sounds like something you'd like to have delivered to you every Sunday be sure to sign up for my weekly newsletter here!
Before: look at this find!
When I first laid eyes on this bed.....I couldn't believe the beauty I was seeing! In fact, I may have actually referred to it as ridiculous.
I had to have it and was willing to take anyone down that tried to get in my way of owning it!
And would you please take note of the warehouse conditions it was living in?? A true "furniture pickers" DREAM! A dilapidated old building full of years and years of discarded treasures......thank you JESUS!
The Design Plan: Marilyn Monroe Pop Art Headboard
As much as I'd like to take credit for the Marilyn idea.....I cannot. My oldest daughter threw her name out as soon as she saw the bed! She said...."Mom, you have to make that a Hollywood bed....with Marilyn Monroe blowing the bubble"!
And THEN.....as much as I'd like to take credit for the sunburst pattern....I cannot! LOL! A long time and loyal follower of mine suggested the starburst pattern after hearing me say I wanted to combine a pop art vibe with glamour. I have used this pattern on many of my pieces but hadn't considered it on this one. I LOVE my social media friends....and am always open to their input and suggestions! Her idea was exactly what I needed!
Supplies Used
Other Headboard Inspiration
I have painted SO many headboards over the years! I LOVE seeing so many of them here together! I have so many favorites but be sure to check out my most popular ones.
Creating Pop Art Headboard
I worked on this project from start to finish on my Whimsical Wednesdays broadcast on Dixie Belle Paints Facebook page at 7:00 pm every week. It is here that we laughed at the poster being lost in the mail saga, the paint color combination discussions took place and the decision to use spray adhesive over mod podge or the ironing method happened.
I shared step by step how I cleaned and primed the bed. Choosing the correct primer seems to be a tough decision for some people...and I love explaining when to prime...and which primer to use!
I showed how to measure off the sunburst pattern....and even how to achieve the most perfect stripes ever!
Gold Highlights
Now can we just stop for a moment and take in this GOLD??? This is the Moonshine Metallics in Gold Digger by Dixie Belle!
Admittedly, I've been a Modern Masters metallic paint user for years! No other company has been able to achieve the coverage and shimmer and gaudiness that they offered.
UNITL NOW!!!! Dixie Belle has created the absolute perfect formula!! Which completes my Dixie Belle palette through and through! For those of you looking for the perfect bold gold, look no more! Gold Digger is your answer!
Depth & Dimension
Did you happen to notice the depth and dimension added to this bed with color?? Even when furniture pieces have a lot of depth and dimension with carvings, the tiny details still need to be enhanced. You can do this several ways.
I added the deep magenta around the central carvings with an artisan powder. I applied a light dustin of clear wax with a small brush followed by Mesdames Merlot dust by Prima. It just settles into the cracks and adds just a pop of color and depth that was needed to tie in Marilyn's bubble gum.
And take note of the dark black that is settled into the crevices of the carvings that are painted in gold.
You can see below in this little video clip how I apply the Best Dang Wax in black....and then wipe away with a baby wipe. This leaves the dark wax in the crevices for a perfectly aged appearance!
Marilyn Monroe Pop Art Bed
I did not paint Marilyn! She is a poster that I used spray adhesive to adhere her to the center of the bed. The paper did not trim out perfectly no matter how hard I tried! So I used Dixie Belles Dixie Dirt in Ash to "age" (aka....cover the mistakes) very artfully the outer edges of the poster paper. You can see below the gray and aged appearance around her photo. I feel that it actually accentuates her vs. having her surrounded by a pure white!
I am in love with this bed like with my whole heart. And my heart is huge so that is a lot of love! I never intended to keep this bed for myself but I have decided to do just that! Marilyn will be moving into my guest room. I just can't bare to see her go. She's fun and flirty and full of personality and she belongs in my house! So bye bye to the 1800's family heirloom bed. Okay not really a real bye bye, just bye bye to the storage until Zadie leaves for college in 6 years and we will bring it back into the home. For now, we are going a little Hollywood!
Other Headboard Inspiration
I have painted SO many headboards over the years! I LOVE seeing so many of them here together! I have so many favorites but be sure to check out my most popular ones.
See you next week!
XOXO,
Tracey
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