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Decorating and Home, Our Home, Tutorials

Plastic Elephant Book Ends

February 27, 2013

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Our playroom makeover is almost complete, and I’m so excited about some of the finishing touches we’re adding! First we found the perfect toy storage and made adorable chalkboard labels so the boys know where everything goes. Then we added a vintage record wall, herringbone watercolor art, magnet boards, and simple animal artwork to help decorate the space! Everything is looking so fun and colorful, and today I’m super excited to show you my latest little addition to our playroom!
Plastic Elephant Book Ends!
Plastic Elephant Bookends from www.lovegrowswild.com #diy #book

I spotted this photo on Pinterest awhile back, and instantly fell in love. I knew I had to have them for our play room!

{Source}
Come to find out, these adorable Labrador Bookends are from Pottery Barn Teen, which means definitely not in my price range! 
One day while shopping with my blog buddy, Jocelyn, I spotted some little plastic elephants in the dollar bin at Michael’s and just knew they had to come home with me! Ever since my youngest son, Wyatt, was born, I find myself drawn to elephants for some reason. There’s some connection between the two. My aunt says it has something to do with the strong maternal instincts Mommy elephants have when their babies are born. Whatever it is, I just love them! 
So I picked up two elephants from the store and came home to see what else I needed to DIY some book ends. I had a couple spare pieces of 1 x 4’s at home, so I decided to use those to create the base of my book ends. I cut the 1 x 4’s into four 5″ pieces and sanded down the rough edges. 
Plastic Elephant Bookends from www.lovegrowswild.com #diy #book
Next I spray painted all the wood and the elephants. I first used a spray primer and then painted everything in a pretty teal blue, allowing to dry between coats. To protect the paint and give everything a nice, glossy finish, I also sprayed on a few coats of clear gloss sealer. 
Once all the pieces were dry, it was time to assemble the book ends. First I laid one wood block down on a table. I applied wood glue to the long edge of another wood block and placed it sitting upright on the far edge of the bottom block, creating an L shape. Perpendicular to the bottom block, if you prefer : )
Plastic Elephant Bookends from www.lovegrowswild.com #diy #book
I held the block in place for a few seconds to allow the glue to set a bit, and then repeated the process with the other two wood blocks. To attach the elephants to the book end bases, I used a dab of my favorite E-6000 glue on the bottom of the elephant’s feet and placed him centered on the bottom wood block. You can use whatever super glue you have on hand! 
After allowing the glue to adequately dry, I set the adorable new book ends on our shelves in the playroom:
Plastic Elephant Bookends from www.lovegrowswild.com #diy #book
I was worried they wouldn’t be heavy enough, but they hold the books up perfectly! And seriously, how cute is a tiny teal elephant? Swoon!!
Plastic Elephant Bookends from www.lovegrowswild.com #diy #book
Just think of all the other fun animals you could use too!
Plastic Elephant Bookends from www.lovegrowswild.com #diy #book
But these little elephants are definitely my favorite : )
Plastic Elephant Bookends from www.lovegrowswild.com #diy #book
And they look adorable sitting next to the Framed Giraffe Art I made with a simple dollar store frame and scrapbook paper!

Plastic Elephant Bookends from www.lovegrowswild.com #diy #book
It’s the fun little details like these book ends that give a room huge personality. I cannot wait to show you the playroom makeover room reveal soon! 

Want to see all the projects from our Playroom Makeover?
Click here to check out the room reveal!

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Crafts DIY Decor Playroom
by Liz Fourez 
42 Comments

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Comments

  1. [email protected] says: February 27, 2013 at 4:16 am

    Adorable project! Love the knock off!

    Reply
  2. Jenna LaFevor says: February 27, 2013 at 1:42 pm

    So cute! Love them! I recently did something similar with horses!

    Jenna @ http://rainonatinroof.com

    Reply
  3. Amber S says: February 27, 2013 at 4:13 pm

    These are so cute, Liz. I have always loved elephants! I wish I could use book ends but our shelves are so packed with books there is no room. šŸ™‚

    Reply
  4. Jocelyn says: February 28, 2013 at 2:28 am

    Liz, those little elephants turned out so cute!!! I am suddenly feeling the urge to make some fun bookends for all the cookbooks on my shelves…I need some zebras šŸ™‚

    Reply
  5. Christina at I Gotta Create! says: February 28, 2013 at 3:19 am

    They’re adorable! I already pinned your giraffe… I’ll have to pin these, too šŸ™‚ I want to make some someday…

    <3 Christina @ I Gotta Create!
    Wildly Original link party is open.

    Reply
  6. Gretchen says: February 28, 2013 at 5:51 pm

    LOVE those elephants! And the color is perfect, too šŸ™‚

    Reply
  7. Jessica says: February 28, 2013 at 10:52 pm

    This is just too cute. New follower.
    I would love for you to link it up at: http://viewfromrivermountain.blogspot.com/2013/02/show-it-off-wednesday.html

    Reply
  8. Lizzie Browning says: March 1, 2013 at 12:37 am

    Love the bookends, so creative!

    Reply
  9. Diana - FreeStyleMama says: March 1, 2013 at 2:00 am

    The bookends are so cute!!

    Reply
  10. Daniela @Frugal Aint Cheap says: March 1, 2013 at 3:21 am

    really cool! love the color too!

    Reply
  11. Sam @ Thrive 360 Living says: March 2, 2013 at 4:44 am

    These are amazing! I’m pinning and making them immediately.

    Reply
  12. Stitches says: March 2, 2013 at 6:21 pm

    OMG love it! They came out great!

    Reply
  13. Kelly @ Corner of Main says: March 4, 2013 at 2:46 am

    So cute! I saw something like this on pinterest also, and have been thinking about making some. I love how they turned out =)

    Reply
  14. Laura @ Cute Junk Ive Made says: March 4, 2013 at 2:39 pm

    These are so adorable and the color is fantastic! What color spray paint did you use? I need more of that color in my life!

    Reply
  15. Alison LaFortune says: March 4, 2013 at 3:14 pm

    Such a cute idea! This goes under the catagory of “why didn’t I think of that??”:)

    Reply
  16. Vanessa says: March 4, 2013 at 4:44 pm

    These came out great! I’ve been wanting to make these. Thanks for the reminder šŸ™‚

    Reply
  17. Fender's Mom says: March 5, 2013 at 12:23 am

    How cute!!! The possibilities are endless! Thank you for sharing!

    Reply
  18. Lolly Jane says: March 5, 2013 at 4:12 am

    Oooooh I love these!!! I have those PB Teen dog bookends pinned, too- love your version. Great find with the elephants. Just cute cute cute! Thanks for sharing at The Scoop (:

    PS: I am also a recent city-turned-country girl with 2 boys!! Crazy!

    Reply
  19. VMG206 says: March 5, 2013 at 2:28 pm

    What a super fun idea! I love the doggies, too. I’m going to start looking for a pair of my own animals to make these for myself!
    I found you today thru the Linky Party at Sugar Bee Crafts, where I’m #245. I hope you get a chance to stop by my blog and leave a comment, too!
    ~ Megin of VMG206

    Reply
  20. SayNotSweetAnne says: March 5, 2013 at 3:59 pm

    Oh my goodness these are AMAZING. Like, totally something I would buy. I love it when unusual things are brought up to a chic level, you did such a great job!! New follower! ♄ If you have a minute, I’d love for you to link up to Sweet Sharing Monday! http://saynotsweetanne.com/2013/sweet-sharing-monday-40/

    Reply
  21. Trish - Mom On Timeout says: March 5, 2013 at 4:43 pm

    These are so adorable! Elephants happen to be my very favorite animal so I’m sold! Featuring tonight at Mom On Timeout!

    Reply
  22. Selene @ Restoration Beauty says: March 5, 2013 at 6:40 pm

    These are super cool….with endless possibilities! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  23. Lauren says: March 5, 2013 at 8:24 pm

    Love these. So cute. I would love it if you share this on my Tuesday link party.

    http://www.ifitsnotbaroquedesignblog.blogspot.com/2013/03/tuesday-link-party-9.html

    Reply
  24. ashley rachelle says: March 6, 2013 at 12:02 am

    so fun! what a great way to add some personality to a space, especially in children’s rooms! love the color choice. xo

    -ashley
    ashleyrachelle.com

    Reply
  25. Jennifer @ Delightfully Noted says: March 6, 2013 at 3:03 am

    These are fabulous!! Look just like the pricey ones!

    Reply
  26. Alicia says: March 6, 2013 at 5:36 pm

    These are so awesome! I’m kind of oddly obsessed with bookends. šŸ™‚ I can’t wait to make some myself for my daughters’ room!

    Reply
  27. Emilee says: March 7, 2013 at 3:00 am

    This is adorable! We don’t have a pottery barn in our area so I haven’t seen them before but holy crow they are awesome!
    Re-doing our play room soon and these may have to be a new addition!

    Reply
  28. Lyuba @ Will Cook For Smiles says: March 8, 2013 at 9:45 pm

    The book ends are adorable! Love it šŸ™‚
    Thank you for coming to the party, hope to see you again!

    Reply
  29. Jenn @ Clean and Scentsible says: March 9, 2013 at 11:51 pm

    These are adorable Liz! They go great with your art work! šŸ™‚
    Thanks so much for coming out to the party at Clean and Scentsible. I will be featuring these tomorrow. Hope you are having a wonderful weekend!
    Jenn šŸ™‚

    Reply
  30. [email protected] says: March 10, 2013 at 6:05 pm

    So super cute!! Featuring today at Mop It Up Monday!!

    Reply
  31. Christine says: March 11, 2013 at 11:06 am

    Totally AWESOME Liz!!!! xoxo

    Thanks for sharing this at The DIY Dreamer.. From Dream To Reality! Can’t wait to see what you link up tomorrow evening šŸ™‚

    Reply
  32. maggie says: March 11, 2013 at 4:22 pm

    I love this idea! I want find labs and do them for my husband’s bedside table. His books are always a mess!

    Reply
  33. Julie{isCocoandCocoa} says: March 11, 2013 at 6:08 pm

    I love these! And I love the idea of making them with other animals, too.

    Reply
  34. Carissa Rasmussen says: March 11, 2013 at 9:33 pm

    i can’t wait to make some for our play room! i love them

    Reply
  35. Jill says: April 18, 2013 at 7:06 pm

    LOVE THIS! Just pinned it!!! Thanks for sharing! have a super day! Smiles, Jill
    everydayisanoccasion.com

    Reply
  36. Danielle Doerr says: May 31, 2013 at 10:23 pm

    These are too stinkin’ cute! I need to find some old animals and do the same! I’m hosting a “Craft With What You’ve Got” party and the featured crafting supply this week is craft paints. This project would fit in perfectly! I’d love for you to link it up here.

    Danielle atĀ Framed Frosting

    Reply
  37. Lynn says: July 20, 2013 at 2:09 pm

    I think this may be my Christmas gift project. I have some old sheets of acrylic that could be cut to size & screwed or glued to the bottom and extend under the books to hold it in place. I find bookends slide if heavier books are in them or some of that material to put under rugs to help them grip would also help. Thanks for the idea!

    Reply
  38. Rachael says: May 1, 2014 at 9:04 pm

    This is great! I just made some DIY A & Z bookends… I saw the animal bookends at PB Teen & some dipped wall letters there too… prices are outrageous! Love your tutorial – Thanks!

    Reply
    • Liz Fourez says: May 6, 2014 at 11:20 pm

      Your bookends sound SUPER cute, Rachael! I love re-creating that high-end look on a budget! Thanks for stopping by šŸ™‚

      Reply
  39. Julia says: December 3, 2014 at 11:37 am

    Loved this idea so much I shared it on my blog with my readers! I included a link back to your site for the full details, nice post!

    – Julia from Bunny Baubles Blog

    https://bunnybaubles.wordpress.com/2014/12/03/10-quick-and-thoughtful-diy-gifts-for-everyone-on-your-list/

    Reply
    • Liz Fourez says: December 4, 2014 at 11:12 pm

      Thanks so much, Julia!

      Reply
  40. Michael L Harville, Sr. says: January 9, 2016 at 6:21 pm

    Thank you so much Julia. Elephants are through out our house . . Paintings, statues and in our hearts. My wife was a missionary in Tanzania.

    Reply

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Welcome, sweet friends! My name is Liz, and I started Love Grows Wild in 2012 with a passion for interior design and homemaking and a dream to help others create a home they love.
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Liz Fourez started Love Grows Wild in 2012 with a passion for interior design and homemaking and a dream to help others create a home they love.  From simple project tutorials, to holiday and entertaining ideas, to her journey renovating a 1940’s farmhouse, Liz demonstrates how to create a beautiful and inviting home with a handmade touch. She turned her signature cozy, neutral style into a best-selling book in 2016 and continues to inspire readers with her captivating photography and easy decorating ideas. Read more about Liz > > > >

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