Pipe Dream

We used to live in a house that had all kinds of plumbing issues a few years ago. We came to know our plumber very well.  His name was Boomer, and he was missing all but six or so teeth, and his gray wiry hair was always standing on end like he’d simultaneously survived a tornado and woken up from a nap. Boomer was a great plumber, but it never really occurred to me to ask him for style advice.How wrong I was! He could have directed me to the beauty and enchantment of copper pipes, and I could have been making beautiful makeovers with them all those years ago instead of just learning about it now.  Thanks for nothing Boomer.

I love what Katie at Upcycled Treasures did with about $28 worth of pipes and fittings on this dresser. Ultra fabulous against the navy paint.

Here’s a tip if you want to try this yourself: Copper pipes get grimy and fingerprint-covered fast.  First use ketchup (yes, ketchup!) to polish them, then spray with a lacquer to maintain their shine.