Hi it's Sarah Sherman Samuel here again from Smitten Studio & A Sunny Afternoon with a gilded bookend DIY. I have been coveting this vintage pen & pencil holder which inspired this inexpensive project that came to my mind when I was once again perusing the aisles of my local hardware store. I was able to pull together all of the supplies there for this functional and sculptural piece.
Supplies needed for 2 Bookends: Two 2' PVC pipe with 1.25" diameter // Two 2' PVC pipe with 1" diameter // Mitre Box & Saw // 400 grit sandpaper // electric drill // gold spray paint // 20(ish) – #4-40 Machine Screws 3/4" long + matching nuts.
Step 1: Using the Mitre box and Saw (or if you are lucky and have an electric reciprocating saw, you might save yourself a blister or two) cut the 1" PVC pipe to make 3 pieces that measure 1", 4", & 5.25". Cut the 1.25" PVC pipe into 4 pieces that measure 1.25', 2.5", 4.5" & 6" (image 1).
Step 2: Sand the pieces of pipe down to remove any rough pieces of plastic that were left from the saw as well as to prep it for paint (The pvc is really smooth and if you don't sand it all over the paint won't really stick).
Step 3. Spray paint all the pieces (image 2).
Step 3: Drill holes 1/4" from the bottom of each pipe wherever you want to make a connection with another pipe. (image 3).
Step 4: Thread the machine screw through the drilled hole from the inside of one pipe (image 4) and out into another. Secure the connection by screwing on the nut on the inside of the sec on pipe.
Repeat steps 3 & 4 until all of the pieces are used.Voila, enjoy your new bookends! They'd make pretty cool candle holders as well. xo Sarah
Credits // Author and Photography: Sarah Sherman Samuel
Totally cute for the kitchen cookbooks that I just keep hidden in a drawer. This would be the perfect way to showcase them!
xx
http://freshhealthynatural.blogspot.com
Alex
So creative! It looks beautiful- I would never think it’s DIY based on the pictures. Love it.
I do not have an addictive personality. Well………….I didn’t have an addictive personality till I started following you girls!! I swear, I think I have to make everything you show! lol Great ideas and such fun! BTW, I am probably old enough to be your grandmother. This whole blog thing is the best tech *invention* yet. A great way to stay connected and up on the world! Thanks so much!
That looks so awesome…
I though they were just those pencil and bit and pieces holders that you can buy from Office Works that look just like that but painted gold?
Thats what I’m going to do anyway but thanks for the idea!!
Love these, I dint have the materials to make unfortunately, I need a nice bookend!
Lauren
livinginaboxx
What a great idea! It looks so good! xx
http://www.sweetcandydreamer.com
Crazy cute! I might just have to try this with my silver paint!
Ooooh I LOVE this!
Ooooh I LOVE this!
So cute and creative. I love this. Gives it just the right amount of chic-ness with still some lived in vintage vibe. Perfection.
Casey
http://ImperfectWonder.com
What a cool idea!
Great idea! I can’t wait to have a bigger library of books.
Obsessed!! So pretty! Great idea.
xo Denise
lovelybohemian.blogspot.com
SO cute and I love bookends!
I love these! Very pretty bookends. I’d even love them around the house as a vase! If I could seal the bottom somehow…..
These are so super cute. I love that once they are painted you can’t tell that they were ever PVC!
PVC pipe glue would simplify the project further, but use it in a well ventilated space. Ready set cement in the pipes half way would provide enough weight to hold heavy books as well. Awesome project, can’t wait to try it.
love love love these!! book storage is a problem in my home and I’m constantly looking for fun ways to display them!
xoxo
Taylor
www.welcomehometaylor.com
Those are great! I’m obsessing over gold these days and those bookends would really liven up any living room.
http://poshpurpose.blogspot.com
these look absolutely fantastic sarah!
Molly {Dreams in HD}
http://www.dreamsinhd.blogspot.com