As many of you know I’ve been re-decorating my bedroom and the next major purchase on my list is a great headboard. I want an upholstered headboard with some curvature and I love tufting. One realization that I’ve come to in all of my searching is that upholstered headboards are expensive! To cover all bases, I’ve been looking at options that cover many different price points. Here are a few upholstered headboards that I’ve been eying recently:

The Woodhouse bed from Jonathan Adler. Very mid-century modern. Love the shape, the contrasting piping and love the tufts!

This is the Sutton headboard from Williams-Sonoma Home…

And here it is in an actual room setting.

Another option I like from Williams-Sonoma Home is this Newport headboard…

Looks amazing here doesn’t it?

What I would really love is to have a custom-made headboard so I can get exactly what I want in the fabric of my choice. The Furniture Joint in New York’s NoLita neighborhood is the go-to upholstery shop for many of New York’s top decorators as well as many home decor magazines including Domino. They also offer great upholstery classes for anyone who wants to learn craft for DIY projects. Above is a headboard they made for a client, upholstered in a great David Hicks fabric. This is exactly the style I’m looking for, although I think I want to upholster mine in a solid silk linen. The downside…it’s so expensive and I’m not yet sure if I can splurge right now. The tufting is also more labor intensive which definitely ups the cost quite a bit. I’ve requested quotes from The Furniture Joint and their prices are insane. However- they’re highly regarded, often recommended and their work is top notch so I’m sure you get what you pay for! I’ve also gotten quotes on this style headboard from other upholsterers but right now they’re still out of my range…which has led me to explore some less expensive options from places such as Tar-jay (or Target as most people call it!)

This photo was featured in the recent June/July issue of Domino (Photo by Justin Bernhaut). I think everyone who saw this photo fell in love with this room and these headboards. Can you believe they’re from Target!? And only $299 for a queen size. This “Tudor” headboard is upholstered in a microsuede fabric and features brass nailhead trim. It also comes in a number of colors…

Here it is in Khaki…looks amazing!

This is the Barcelona headboard, also $299 for a Queen size at Target!

Here it is in a photo from Domino that was featured in their Feb ’07 issue. The room was designed by David Netto. (Photo by Justin Bernhaut)

So…Now is where I ask for all of your great advice and input. Has any one ever seen either of these Tar-jay headboards in person? AND–do any of my New York readers know of any amazing upholstery shops in or near the city that don’t charge an arm and a leg for custom work? Would love your help!