Average But Inspired

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February 11, 2015 by Bre

Plumbing Pieces Kitchen Art

Whew! It’s time for another Monthly DIY Challenge! Can you believe it? I sure can’t! (In case you’re new here, some blogger friends and I team up to share projects with a common theme on the second Wednesday of each month. You can check out all of the projects, which are linked at the bottom of this post!)

This month we had to use plumbing pieces.  [Insert LOUD, annoying, negative buzzer sound here.]  plumbing_graphic

I am NOT a fan of plumbing pieces. They scare me. They took me outside of my comfort zone (aka any aisle in Michaels). I was a TOTAL fish out of water** on this one, folks. Literally, I was wandering the aisles of the home improvement store looking at all of this plumbing stuff, just praying that NOBODY would ask me if I needed help. I didn’t want to be like “Oh yeah, I’m just browsing.” ‘Cause who browses for plumbing pieces?! Awkward.

Luckily there were no helpful sales associates at the store that day, so I sucked it up and did the best I could on my own.  I found some cool looking copper pipe straps and used them in a piece of DIY art for my kitchen.

Average But Inspired shows you how to make unique art for your kitchen using copper pipe straps, wooden utensils and some paint!

SUPPLIES

To make this, I used the following supplies:

  • Copper pipe straps
  • Optional: White vinegar & table salt (if you want to gently age the copper pipe straps)
  • 12″ x 12″ piece of plywood
  • Wood stain
  • Americana Decor Chalky Finish paint in white
  • Americana Multi-Surface paint in Blue Bird, Apple Green, and Vanilla Shake (mixed together)
  • Americana Decor Creme Wax in Brown
  • Wooden kitchen utensils
  • Upholstery tacks

DIRECTIONS

First I placed my copper pipe straps into a bowl of salt and vinegar in an effort to artificially age them a bit.  I let them sit there for about six hours.  There are many methods of aging copper if you do a Google search, but this used ingredients I had on hand so I went with it.  It didn’t age them a lot, but that was OK for this project.  Plumbing Pieces - Aging Pipe StrapsPlumbing Pieces - Aged Hardware

While my pipe straps were soaking, I stained my 12″ x 12″ piece of plywood.  Plumbing Pieces - stain board
And after the stain dried, I dry brushed the entire board with a coat of white Americana Decor Chalky Finish paint.  Plumbing Pieces - Whitewash Board
I then painted plain bamboo kitchen utensils with a mix of Americana Multi-Surface paint. Once they dried, I lightly applied a layer of Americana Decor Creme Wax in deep brown to give the utensils an aged look.   Plumbing Pieces - Paint Spoons Plumbing Pieces - Age the Spoons
Next up, I freehand painted the word “Eat” on the plywood. I used the white Americana Decor Chalky Finish paint again for a tone-on-tone look. Plumbing Pieces - EAT
Once that dried, I marked where I wanted my pipe straps to be and got to work hammering them into place. This was the most difficult part of the whole process because I am totally incapable of hammering a nail in straight. So nothing really lines up despite my best efforts, but oh well. Let’s pretend that’s part of the charm of the piece, shall we?Average But Inspired shows you how to make unique art for your kitchen using copper pipe straps, wooden utensils and some paint!

Well now that you’ve seen what I created using plumbing pieces, make sure to check out what my very talented friends created as well!  You can click on the pictures below to be taken to each project.

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Pipe Strap Kitchen Art
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DIY Steel Pipe Hooks
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Industrial Pipe Toilet Paper Dispenser
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Industrial Pipe Floor Lamp
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Faucet Wall Hooks
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DIY PVC Pipe Table
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PVC Desk Organizer
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DIY Bedroom Canopy
InLinkz.com

– Bre

To see where I’m sharing this post, please click here.

**My husband will tell you that this is surprising. He contends that I must be an expert plumber because I regularly suffer from the age-old problem that accompanies low-rise jeans – – – plumbers’ crack.

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Comments

  1. Seana Turner says

    February 11, 2015 at 6:50 am

    You are so creative, Bre. So many good ideas!! Kitchens are a great place to add a touch of whimsical art:)

    Reply
    • Bre says

      February 12, 2015 at 2:11 pm

      Hi, Seana! Thank you!! The ladies in this group really pulled through with some great stuff! I appreciate your nice note because this project is far from my favorite! 🙂

  2. Breanna says

    February 11, 2015 at 8:42 am

    Breeeee this is so cute! For not ever using plumbing pieces, you rocked it!

    Reply
    • Bre says

      February 12, 2015 at 2:12 pm

      Hi, Bre! Thanks, friend! 🙂

  3. Amy | Canary Street Crafts says

    February 11, 2015 at 12:10 pm

    Too cute, Bre!! I love the color you mixed up for the utensils too!

    Reply
    • Bre says

      February 12, 2015 at 2:12 pm

      Thank you, Amy! I appreciate it!

  4. Kristi says

    February 11, 2015 at 2:18 pm

    How creative!!! LOVE the colours you chose!

    Reply
    • Bre says

      February 12, 2015 at 2:12 pm

      Thanks so much, Kristi! 😛

  5. Kendra @ www.joyinourhome.com says

    February 11, 2015 at 4:38 pm

    Love it Bre! What a neat idea! Plumbing pieces was totally out of my comfort zone too! But it was fun 🙂

    Reply
    • Bre says

      February 12, 2015 at 2:13 pm

      Thanks, Kendra! I feel like I took the easy way out, but oh well! I am excited to check everyone’s projects out. I am a little behind on that!! Hope you’re having a great day!

  6. Katie @ Little House of Four says

    February 11, 2015 at 6:31 pm

    This is such a cute idea! I LOVE the mint and copper together.

    Reply
    • Bre says

      February 12, 2015 at 2:14 pm

      Thanks, Katie! I am excited to check out your hooks – they look adorable in the photo! xo

  7. Christina @ Operation Home says

    February 12, 2015 at 11:51 am

    What a creative idea! This came out so cute!! I love it!! 🙂

    Reply
    • Bre says

      February 12, 2015 at 2:15 pm

      Hi, Christina – thank you! Can’t wait to check out your TP holder!! 🙂

  8. Angela @ Simply Beautiful By Angela says

    February 12, 2015 at 12:16 pm

    Oh my I love this!! What a creative idea 🙂

    Reply
    • Bre says

      February 12, 2015 at 2:16 pm

      Hi, Angela – thank you so much!! That is so sweet of you. Happy Valentine’s Day (a bit early)!

  9. Tara @ Anything & Everything says

    February 12, 2015 at 1:03 pm

    Bre, I love this! Then colors and everything! So creative my friend!

    Reply
    • Bre says

      February 12, 2015 at 2:17 pm

      Hi, girl! Thanks! 🙂 You’re so sweet. Hope you’re having a great week.

  10. Kelly says

    February 12, 2015 at 2:06 pm

    This would look so great in my house! Excellent tutorial. Thanks for sharing the specific paints you used. Pinned!

    Reply
    • Bre says

      February 12, 2015 at 2:17 pm

      Hi, Kelly. THANK YOU! 🙂 I appreciate your sweet note and that you pinned it. Have a great day! 🙂

  11. Meredith @ The Palette Muse says

    February 12, 2015 at 5:14 pm

    Oh my gosh, I love this! Those copper fittings just make the whole thing POP! Pinning, and heading off to Home Depot… 🙂

    Reply
    • Bre says

      February 16, 2015 at 7:52 am

      Hi, Meredith – thank you!! You are too kind. 🙂 Hope you had a great weekend!

  12. Jenna says

    February 12, 2015 at 5:57 pm

    So cute! love the plumbing hardware, super idea!

    Reply
    • Bre says

      February 16, 2015 at 7:52 am

      Hi, Jenna – thank you! I really appreciate your sweet comment. Have a great day!

  13. Brittany says

    February 12, 2015 at 6:19 pm

    What a creative idea! I love the look of copper. You would have never known you were “out of your comfort zone”! I think I need to make one for my kitchen! Love love love this idea! Pinned!

    Reply
    • Bre says

      February 16, 2015 at 7:53 am

      Hi, Brittany – thank you so much!!! You are too kind. I appreciate your note and that you stopped by. Thanks again and have a great day!

  14. Angela, blue i style says

    February 12, 2015 at 8:57 pm

    This is adorable! I’d love you to come link up with us at The Creative Circle! http://blueistyle.blogspot.com/2015/02/TheCreativeCircleWeek2.html

    Reply
    • Bre says

      February 16, 2015 at 7:51 am

      Hi, Angela – thank you! Thanks for the invitation as well! I think I’m probably too late to link up now, but I will try to remember to join you this week! Thanks again!

  15. Paul @ eco stores says

    February 13, 2015 at 5:46 am

    Love the coat pegs, simple but effective. Thamks

    Reply
    • Bre says

      February 16, 2015 at 7:50 am

      Hi, Paul – thank you! Have a great day!

  16. Shannon Churchill says

    February 13, 2015 at 11:49 pm

    This is so cute, Bre!! I want one in my kitchen now.:) Great work!

    Reply
    • Bre says

      February 16, 2015 at 7:49 am

      Hi, Shannon! Thanks so much! 🙂 You are too sweet. 🙂

  17. Nicole B. says

    February 16, 2015 at 5:55 am

    Bre, I LOVE how this turned out! SO cute! And my favorite colors! I had no idea you could age copper either! Thanks for the tip! 🙂

    Reply
    • Bre says

      February 16, 2015 at 7:48 am

      Hi, Nicole! Thank you!! 🙂

  18. Erica says

    February 16, 2015 at 1:49 pm

    This is super creative! I love the idea of using actual kitchen utensils in the art. And I have to say, I think copper + aqua might just be one of my new favorite combos! I had no idea they worked so well together 🙂

    Reply
    • Bre says

      February 18, 2015 at 2:46 pm

      Hi, friend! Thank you! Yay for copper and aqua! It’s a fun springy combo, which is just what I need right now with this arctic weather! 🙂 xo

  19. Erin says

    February 16, 2015 at 6:05 pm

    Okay – so this is as cute as can be! I seriously might borrow this idea for a little wall in our kitchen!
    I love the colours you chose too!

    Reply
    • Bre says

      February 18, 2015 at 2:45 pm

      Thanks so much, Erin! 🙂 Hope you’re having a great day and staying warm!

  20. Chelc | Inside the Fox Den says

    February 17, 2015 at 9:21 am

    This is such a simple idea but makes a great art piece! Nice job!

    Reply
    • Bre says

      February 18, 2015 at 2:45 pm

      Thank you so much! I appreciate it!! 🙂 Have a great day!

  21. Samantha says

    March 14, 2015 at 8:31 pm

    Oh my word, I love this! You nailed it! Makes me want to wander down the plumbing aisle…definitely not something I ever thought I’d say! And, you cracked me up with your low rise jeans comment! Haha!

    Reply
    • Bre says

      March 17, 2015 at 9:16 am

      Hahaha, thanks, Samantha! The low rise jeans are such a problem, but I can’t give in to mom jeans just yet! 🙂

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Hi, I'm Bre! I believe in working with what you've got to create a home you love. I hope to inspire you to do the same!

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