Industrial Book Rack

We have been invited to join a talented group of bloggers in a DIY monthly gift challenge. Each month a different item from The Home Depot will be chosen and each blog will share a fun tutorial using that item. This month’s pick was a copper fitting. I decided I was up for the challenge, purchased several copper elbows and other parts, and got to work making my hubby a Restoration Hardware inspired Industrial Book Rack.

My shopping list from The Home Depot consisted of:
– (4) 1/2″ x 2′ PVC pipes
– (4) 3/4″ copper elbows – 90 degree
– (2) 1/2″ PVC crosses
– (4) 1/2″ PVC elbows – 45 degree
– (4) 1/2″ PVC reducers (I found these in the electrical aisle.)
– Can of Rustoleum Spray Paint and Primer- Oil Rubbed Bronze
– PVC Pipe Cutters
– Twine (I used it for a gift wrapping embellishment.)

I decided to start with this book stand’s feet.

1. I measured out four 1 1/4″ sections and marked one of the 2′ PVC pipes with a pen.
2. I cut each marked section with the PVC cutters. I paid $10 for the pair of cutters I used, but they cut with ease and were totally worth it.
3. Each cut PVC piece was placed between a reducer and a 45 degree elbow and connected together.
4. At this point I could no longer see that 1 1/4″ piece, as it was completely inside the other two,
and now I had completed all four of the book racks feet. Yay!
* Tip: Use a hammer to make sure the pipes are completely in the fittings for each step. *
Next, I cut the remaining 2′ PVC pipes so I had eight 4 1/2″ long pieces that will be used for the legs and two 19″ long pieces (not pictured below) for the book supports. After the cuts were all made, there was still a little extra pipe remaining. But I am sure there will be a future project I can use it on.
* Tip: At this point in the process, you can paint all of the parts. For tutorial purposes, I did mine later. This way in the pictures you better differentiate the pieces from one another. *

Then, I inserted four 4 1/2″ pipes into each of the PVC crosses. This created two wonderful “X” shapes for the sides.

After that, I placed two feet on each “X” shape. Making sure the feet were on adjacent pipes. The remaining two pipes of each “X” were fitted with the copper elbows. The long 19″ support pieces connected the entire thing together. (See photo below.)

Finally, the parts received several coats of Rustoleum Spray Paint and Primer in Oil Rubbed Bronze and the book rack was reassembled.

I chose this color because it stays a little more true to my husband’s taste and our decor than the copper would. Because this is a gift for him, I suppose I should take his likes and dislikes into consideration. Right?

I love it! Hope hubby likes it as much as I do.

The Restoration Hardware look for the price I like paying. Perfect!

So, I am absolutely horrible at wrapping gifts. (You can read more about that in this gift wrapping post.) Typically when I have gift wrapping needs, I enlist my husband’s help. Because this was a present for him, I had to seek help elsewhere. My three year old son was the only one around at the time so I turned to him for assistance. He was a willing participant, but as it turns out, I think maybe he got his gift wrapping gene from me. Good thing he’s cute!

Now it’s time to hop on over and check out all of the amazing copper fitting projects. Make sure you come back next month to see a whole new challenge.
You may also like:
29 Comments
Kristi
SUCH a fun idea!
Emily
Thanks Kristi! I just love the Restoration Hardware version, but can’t justify the price.
Amy@HomeRemedies
I love this! I’m always finding cute things at RH, but pretty much everything there is out of my price range. Thanks for showing an alternative that doesn’t break the bank (and looks totally awesome!)
Emily
Thanks Amy! I always love a good budget – friendly project.
Roxanne
I always love a good RH hack, this turned out great!
Emily
Thanks Roxanne! Restoration Hardware always has the best stuff.
Cat @ therusticwillow
This looks incredible! What a great idea.
Emily
Thanks Cat!
Lindi
Hahaha! Love the wrapping tale :) lol. My first idea needed crossed copper fittings, but I couldn’t find them. Never thought to use PVC – Great idea!
Emily
Thanks Lindi! I searched and searched for copper cross pieces. When I finally asked a store employee, he directed me to the PVC ones. I guess they don’t make the cross pieces in copper. I wish I could wrap gifts better, but I guess it just is not my thing. :)
Carmody
This sleek and brilliant. Love it.
Emily
Thanks Carmody!
Shannon Churchill
I love, love, love this book rack! I seem to obsessed with decorating with books lately and this is such a fabulous way to display them. Nice job!!
Emily
Thanks Shannon! So glad you like it!
Shelly
Such a great idea! This would be great for a kid’s room as well!
Emily
Thanks Shelly! Amanda at Dwelling in Happiness recently made one for her daughter’s room that turned out beautifully. http://www.dwellinginhappiness.com/diy-pvc-pipe-book-storage/
Emily @ Table & Hearth
Love this!! I had to modify my project when I couldn’t find copper 3-way connectors and dangit! I could have just spraypainted the PVC ones. Der! Great project!!
Emily
Thanks Emily! This was such a fun challenge!
Kat@Home. Made. Interest.
This is an awesome idea for a book rack! love it!
Emily
Thanks Kat!
Amanda @ Dwelling in Happiness
LOVE how it turned out!!! I love it way more than mine, too. Ha, I should have waited and followed your tutorial! I love how you made the legs with the caps, and love that color you painted it! I bet your hubby loved it. :)
Emily
Thanks Amanda! Yes he love it! Yours is pretty awesome too!
Rena @ Lemon Peel
How cool is that! I loved seeing all of the industrial challenge projects. You are all so inventive!
Emily
Thanks Rena! This was such a fun challenge!
Jenna @ Wife in Progress
This is so smart! I love it!!
Emily
Thanks Jenna! It was pretty fun to make too!
Jesica
I’m so addicted to pipe DIYs… I love your book rack, that’s something I never would have thought of but it looks so chic!
Emily
Thanks Jesica! So glad you stopped by!
Becky @dempsterlogbook
I’ve been eyeing the Restoration Hardware one for a while and thinking about creating one of my own. Great idea! Thanks for linking up at Motivational Monday. Hope you will link up again tonight!