2. Industrial Pipe and Reclaimed Wood Bookends
Black iron plumbing parts and a chunk of old lumber make a bookend that looks like it came from a loft apartment. The pipe fitting provides the weight and the visual anchor, while the wood softens the metal and gives you somewhere to show off grain and patina.
Materials:
- Two 3/4-inch black iron floor flanges and two matching caps
- Two 3/4-inch pipe nipples, about three inches long
- Two pieces of reclaimed wood, roughly 6 x 6 x 1 inch
- Wood screws, drill, sandpaper, paste wax or tung oil
- Felt or cork sheeting for the base
How to make them: Sand the wood just enough to remove splinters while keeping the weathered surface. Finish with wax or oil and let it dry. Screw the flange to the center of each wood block, twist the nipple into the flange, then cap it. If the metal looks too new, rub it with a rag dipped in a little dark wax to knock back the shine.
Time: about 45 minutes. Difficulty: moderate — you need a drill and a steady hand with the screws.
Try this style with a rustic bookshelf, a bar cart, or a reading nook with leather and wool textures. If you cannot find reclaimed wood, a hardware store board stained in a walnut tone works just as well. Anchor the pipe slightly off-center for a less symmetrical, more custom look.