Daniel from Manhattan Nest has done it again. First he transformed an old dresser into a sleek desk, and now he's fashioned his own upholstered headboard (in the likes of the Tate bed from Crate & Barrel and the Ella bed from Room & Board) by using a wool army blanket he picked up for a song at a U.S. Army Surplus store. See how he did it below:

What You Need

Materials
1/2″ Plywood ($17.50)
Fabric ($25)
6 Yards of Batting ($36)
1.25″ wood trim for frame ($9)
Minwax stain ($6.50)
Total Cost: $94

Tools
Scissors
Automatic staple gun
A ton of staples

After looking at various textiles on eBay, in fabric sources, at thrift stores, etc., Dan realized that his "affordable" DIY idea was about to turn into one expensive ordeal if he didn't find a good alternative. His problems were solved when he came across a $25 wool army blanket at Kaufman's Army & Navy Surplus in Midtown, Manhattan. Even better when he realized the color and texture was almost identical to the lush (and expensive) Knoll textile fabric swatches he'd picked up. What follows is a detailed and quite entertaining How To if you want to undertake this project for yourself.

Thanks, Dan!

(Images: Daniel Kanter. Originally published 2010-07-23)