Help with decorating this pillar
by
Estelle
+59
This is a huge steel pipe we converted into a pillar for the stairs to go around. What can I do with it to make it focal point? (We are renovating the house.)
This is at the one entrance to the house.
54 answers
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This pillar is ideal to turn into a marble column. Go to your local Home Depot or Lowes and find a brochure on how to marble. Buy the paint and follow the simple instructions. You might consider using a darker faux marble color as a base to match your steps. Have fun, this is fairly easy.
Msa9536088
on Sep 02, 2016
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Yes, marble column! With a capital at the top.
Dale
on Sep 02, 2016
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Marble would be pretty, but I am one for color! I would paint it a pretty color...anything from red to sunshine yellow...whatever your favorite is...and then I would paint a 2x4 the same color and attach it to the outside edge of the pipe. I would then attach brackets for hanging baskets filled with flowers in the warm weather and seasonal decorations during the winter months!
Jeanette S
on Sep 02, 2016
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Me? I'd put a concrete shell on it - w/look like part of the structure.
Melody McSweeney
on Sep 02, 2016
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It is impossible to tell what the final renovation goal is to be, rustic exposed stone, Mediterranean, modern, open barn ceiling? You have to give more for advice.
Johnchip
on Sep 02, 2016
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I would paint it a color that accents the color of the room. Want it to be warm and inviting look, marble is really nice to see but I am afraid it will not accent the area you are trying to put into use. Good luck, be sure to post your finished project. I would love to see what you end up doing.
Cheryl Toth-Nickerson
on Sep 02, 2016
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I would wrap it in very wide rope, similar to nautical rope. I believe that would make it pop!
Robin Lueddeke
on Sep 02, 2016
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Wrap rope around it
Maria Clark Fowler
on Sep 02, 2016
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Please post a photo when you're done!I'm so curious:)
Polly Zieper
on Sep 02, 2016
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paint it and then paint something like a vine going around maybe even with flowers like a moon flower vine anything to pick up the color of the room
Fran Eriksen
on Sep 02, 2016
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You could cover in fabric or stencil it. Build a couple rows of round shelves and layer with plants.
Melissa Leach
on Sep 02, 2016
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That is what I would suggest, as some others did...wrap wide thick rope around it. You can glue the ends and add glue every now and then as your are wrapping. Be sure the rope is tight and very close together so none of the pillar shows through. This would go with most any decor...rustic, country, rustic modern, and etc.
Judith Watson
on Sep 02, 2016
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Estelle your staircase is beautiful. I have attached 2 photos of ideas for the center part of your pillar where the 62 is. You must keep the curve that is on the pillar to compliment your stairs if you like. Find someone that works with metal and have them torch cut the pillar in that area, it will still be strong enough I think to accomodate this modificationl. The top and bottom areas you can cover with the same material that is coated on your stairwell where the banister is. If you want to paint the center where the 62 is a bronze or dark brick red depending on your taste and then sponge on copper or gold on the edges of the cutouts. You can also have your electrician wire the inside with small lights that will shine through the cut outs. I hope my explanation was clear enough for you. Good Luck
Leslie
on Sep 02, 2016
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chalk paint?
Susan
on Sep 02, 2016
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I saw a hack that uses pool noodles. Cut in half lengthwise and spiral down the pipe. Paint, and it looks like a stone column.
Marilee H
on Sep 02, 2016
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Tile it with beautiful small mosaic glass or ceramic tiles. That would make a great artistic focal. Or, You could faux paint it like stone.
Gr810695037
on Sep 02, 2016
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Decoupage it with some of your favorite designs, using old news papers, letters or scrapbook paper.
Linda
on Sep 02, 2016
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wrap it in a heavy jute/rope. I see this on stairway rails and posts in lighthouses. It's not expensive and beautiful.
Michelle
on Sep 02, 2016
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Simply paint artistically to represent a tree trunk then create branches at the top sprouting out on the ceiling! Go with it,minimal expense with great conversation aspect! Don't hesitate to add large vines climbing to the top let them meander carelessly!
Hon4725278
on Sep 02, 2016
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Wrap columns with mosaic tile sheets and then grout. It will look like jewels
John
on Sep 02, 2016
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Go to new buildings that appear to have round columns of marble or other stones, knock them with your fingers, most will 'thud' or 'ring' as they are nothing more than a concrete form tube, sometimes called a sono-tube, or they are just what you have, a steel pipe. Look up faux painting on the web, using scant more than a few paint brushes and feathers, you can create the look of any stone you have ever seen. The most important thing for a structural piece like this (i.e. if the pipe fails the house falls down-some people would consider this to be a negative action) is to be able to see the pipe from top to bottom to check on any deterioration of the pipe. While it appears you live in an arid region where moisture may not be an issue, rust still happens. Rust will wreck the structural integrity of the pipe. Being able to inspect the pipe therefore is a paramount concern. Things that 'hide' the pipe will also hide structural issues. And the most important thing, do not grind flat the welds that wrap the pipe, just work that into your design. If you grind the welds, you are removing the strength of the pipe that holds up your house. After having worked in construction for many years, trust no weld completely. I have seen 'perfect' in appearance welds fail.
Russ Ford
on Sep 02, 2016
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Faux marble painting looks great and is inexpensive.
Pamela
on Sep 02, 2016
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It really depends on the style and look you're going for in your home. You could use a faux finish paint treatment on it.
Linda Johnson
on Sep 02, 2016
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I like the faux marble cover with some fancy molding cut for the bottoms and tops. Just like you see in expensive homes, churches, etc.
Helen
on Sep 02, 2016
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You can wrap it in thick nautical rope and then shellac or polyurethane or add a stain color to it and see if you could put a mirrored porthole window trimmed in copper.
Michelle
on Sep 02, 2016
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If your going for a nature outdoor look you could use some White birch wallpaper ,make a "collar" of pine cones or acorns to surround the top and bottom.
Michelle
on Sep 02, 2016
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You could wrap it in a faux leather (color your choice) and then collar it with brass nail heads.
Michelle
on Sep 02, 2016
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I would paint it out with whatever is going in that area of your house. It is so big already anything you do will make it appear bigger.
Lori
on Sep 02, 2016
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If your making it like a cinema you could decoupage black & white photos of movie stars and the use tube lighting to go on top and bottom
Michelle
on Sep 02, 2016
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To tie in with your steps and wall there, I would suggest covering it with a stacked stone veneer. It would look stunning.
Gma Kirk
on Sep 02, 2016
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Faux paint in a marble pattern. Lots of websites have directions on veining with a feather to get that marble look.
Sharon
on Sep 02, 2016
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t point or tile it like a ancient Egyptian column! But, I love ancient Egyptian architecture...
Diane Schule
on Sep 02, 2016
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All great ideas! Depending on your budget and time. Wrap it with wire mesh, parge it with cement to match the wall going up the stairs.
William
on Sep 02, 2016
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A friend of ours covered her stair pillar with the labels from wine bottles.
Caro
on Sep 02, 2016
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Cover it with textured paint-able wallpaper. Lots of beautiful textures available @ Graham and Brown Inc. Use the paste the wall method.
Sheryl Sumpter
on Sep 02, 2016
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Get you a quality Wisteria Stencil and go round and round on your way up ... paint ... stencil and stencil brush shouldn't be more than about 20 bucks
Tauni
on Sep 02, 2016
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Perhaps you could put something like stucco on it and sculpt it to look like an old tree!
Jennie Lee
on Sep 02, 2016
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I'd paint it a striking colour that will go with the decor. There is a kind of paint that looks like stucco, or looks like bubbles, so many out there, Depends on your decor. If you keep it simple regular paint, put a few lines of different colour on top or bottom
Moni Batthish
on Sep 02, 2016
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Faux marble of course.
Chrislee
on Sep 02, 2016
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id say faux marble or paint it to look like a giant pencil! There is a product at home depot or lowes and it is strips of wood anf bendable. it comes in faux brass also, you wrap it around unsightly poles
Toby
on Sep 02, 2016
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I would paint it whatever color will work with you scheme and stencil it with large numbers or letters possibly even a saying or two. Jay
Jay Richards
on Sep 02, 2016
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Paint it like a pillar with vertical detailing, to resemble a Roman style column and draw the eye upwards
Ellen
on Sep 03, 2016
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Depending on the "look" you are wanting for your home, you could cover it with narrow verticall wood or cedar strips for a rustic/ natural feel. Or tile it with small mosaic or mirror style tiles that will curve around the pillar. Please post a photo of the finished project so we can see what you came up with Good luck - it will be an amazing focal point
Sharon Wood
on Sep 03, 2016
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faux stone or marble
Marcia Proven
on Sep 03, 2016
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wrap with thick rope
Wayne Bennett
on Sep 03, 2016
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You could paint it to look like a Greek or roman column, whatever you do please post 'after' photos!
Polly Zieper
on Sep 03, 2016
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I think it should depend on how you want the room to feel. If it is to have a garden theme then you could paint vines and flowers on it, but if it is more formal then go with the marble. There is so much that can be done and I'm sure you will figure it out. I would love to see how you work it out.
Patty
on Sep 04, 2016
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Although it's pricey, covering it with glass tiles would be awesome. There are some vinyl tiles out there that look like glass tiles that are more affordable and they would probably be easier to do on the rounded shape. Good luck!
Pamela Robertson Pullmann
on Sep 05, 2016
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There is some textured spray paint that you could use to make it similar to the steps, etc. I used it on an aluminum pool and a fountain. Found it at Home Depot. Good luck!
Sarah A. Victory
on Sep 06, 2016
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It depends on the look you want in your house. a hard surface, soft even a a sturdy fabric drawing colors from the room.
Fran Eriksen
on Sep 06, 2016
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Stucco seems appropriate.
Tricia Jackson Jones
on Sep 06, 2016
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Paint it to look like the rock behind
Too6543479
on Sep 07, 2016
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I know! I know! I just saw a vision of marble type mosaic tiles that create an image of an animal the wraps around and spirals up but not necessarily all around. It would be nice to see all of it. Like a lizard or snake where you can see the head near the top and slowly winds its way down and around on the right so that the tail could be wrapped that way. Or any animal for that matter. A lion or a dolphin. A perfect way to draw people in with a beautiful mosaic to greet them! Please please post pics however way you do it!
MK McDonald
on Sep 09, 2016
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a giraffe, not a snake
Fran Eriksen
on Sep 10, 2016
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