that's outrageous. try JcPenney, Ballard, Sears.

It depends upon the headboard and your geographical location. A Restoration Hardware Queen Tufted Headboard is $1000 on sale in plain linen, and a Queen tufted Headboard at Calico Corners is $979 + fabric --so you are in the ballpark for custom, since both RH and CC consider these "custom orders". That said, RH and CC tend to be on the higher end for retail.

A recent episode of Sarah's House on HGTV had her renovating two attic bedrooms, and one had a custom upholstered headboard. I don't remember the price but it made me gasp, and was definitely over $900. The fabric alone can be $90/yard.

You could try making it yourself with plywood and batting and tacking on the fabric with upholstery nails. Check youtube, there are directions there. But if you're not an experienced do-it-yourselfer it might be better to go with that shop.

Try ethan allen. They have several styles that can be customized: 3 different shapes, +/- tufting, +/- nailhead and hundreds of fabrics. I think they're on sale right now.

You can probably get the headboard including the fabric for $900. Here's mine:

{{!gwi}}

do not pay $900 for a tufted queen headboard. why a tufted headboard anyway? I know they are beautifl.
Like the above poster said, you can do this by yourself.

You can def. get a queen headboard cheaper. Here are two good ones under $600:

Nate Burkus for HSN:
http://home-decor.hsn.com/nate-berkus-furniture-bedroom_c-hd0061_a-5936_xc.aspx?prev=hp!sf!5936!dept

Here is a link that might be useful: Urban Home

{{!gwi}}

We have this one in the shop for around the same price. Your price sounds pretty typical for a custom headboard. We do have lower priced ones available, but not with the braided trim, covered legs, shaped top, etc. The one in the picture is very heavy and was constructed to our specs. by a family owned small upholstery shop.

thanks to all of you for the kindness, replies and suggestions.
I really thank you. So many of the headboards were lovely.
I guess I wanted a tufted headboard because I thought it would make
an elegant statement. it is for a guest bedroom. I'd like to ask if Shabby Chic is dated or is it still popular?
I have funds to purchase some shabby chic furniture or I have a nice cherry dresser and i could look for some nice end tables to position near the bed and have more of a Southern Living look. Any thoughts on some good websites to review as far as those two looks?
My home is basically a second home on the coast and I want to make it
welcoming to friends and guests. I have the bare bones completed but need to look for rugs and panels/draperies as I have nothing absorbing the sound.... hard to carry on a conversation.
I don't r need a lot of draperies as i have plantation shutters throughout the house. One lady told me about a site called www.curtainexchange. Has anyone ever had an experience with them? I hope it is okay to post that site.
I just wondered if someone out there could help me. I am running out of steam making decisions.
Thanks for reading the post .........and yes, like everyone else I am on a budget looking for something tasteful but yet won't break the bank.
Again, thanks to all that replied.
dixied

I think there is a huge range in this type of thing, especially since fabric cost and quality can vary so widely. Urban Outfitters sells velvet quilted headboards for $375+ - but I have not seen them in person.

The Curtain Exchange has lovely window treatments, mostly silk, but it is not inexpensive. JCPenney would be less costly for purchasing drapes.

dixiedoll, I have most of my curtains from Country Curtains (they are also on-line) and they have beautiful curtains in many different styles at very reasonable prices, definitely not just country.

We have a tufted headboard that we bought on-line, can't remember where, but I don't think it was more than $300 and it looks quite nice.

If you google tufted headboards, there were at least 4 tufted ones that popped up at 299 and that's without opening any of the multiple hits. I'd try someplace like Overstock.com where the shipping is $2.99 before I paid $900 for one.

From a designer and woodworker, my first question would be what are the materials being used..wood vs mdf vs particle board, etc. I’ve seen clients spend $5000 for a bed made of mdf and veneer, from restoration hardware, west elm, etc.- no longevity, but better than the above mentioned options. You are paying for style, for a lot of manufacturers. If you are going for custom, by a private person, yes, the prices will be higher. We typically use better materials and better joinery methods, which last a lot longer…I honestly think 900 is cheap! On that note, and from the designer perspective, do you plan to pass it along to children, do you want something that not everyone has? If so, custom is the way to go….and not from chains. Or, do you plan to redecorate again in the next few years, is it only used a handful of times/year? If so, buy cheap. It’s much cheaper to have machines reproduce the same thing, with lower quality materials. Being that it’s a second home, my advice would be to spend money in areas that will gain you money. Decor, sadly isn’t one of them.