20. Concrete and Reclaimed Wood Bookends
Keep your textbooks, graphic novels, and gaming art books standing upright on your shelf with heavy, brutalist bookends made from cast concrete and warm reclaimed wood blocks.
Materials and Tools Needed:
- Quick-setting concrete mix
- Small milk cartons or plastic food containers (as molds)
- Reclaimed wood blocks cut to match the concrete footprint
- Strong epoxy adhesive
- Sandpaper and felt pads
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Mix and Pour Concrete: Mix your concrete and pour it into your plastic container molds until they are half full. Tap out air bubbles.
- Embed Wood Anchor: Press a small piece of mesh wire or screws halfway into the top of the wet concrete. This will help anchor the wood block later. Let the concrete cure for 48 hours.
- Demold and Sand: Remove the hardened concrete block from its plastic mold and sand any sharp edges smooth.
- Attach Wood Face: Use strong epoxy adhesive to attach your cut reclaimed wood block onto the face of the cured concrete block, creating a striking dual-material contrast.
- Protect Shelves: Stick felt pads to the bottom of the bookends to prevent scratching your bookshelf.
Tips and Variations:
- Stamp a custom geometric pattern into the wet concrete using a carved wooden stamp before it fully hardens.
- Cast metal letters or initials into the front face of the concrete for a personalized touch.
