Style Hack: Learn How to Make a Copper Shoe Rack from HGTV’s David Jaime

The perfect shelf for women, or fashion editors, out there who are in desperate need of more storage for their haute steppers.

August 9, 2017

Stacey Makiya,

Photos: Aaron K. Yoshino

D David Jaime avid Jaime knows all about making concrete plans. He’s the co-owner of Blue Star Design and Builders, a design firm that specializes in interior design and construction. He’s the face of HGTV’s Aloha Homes (which will air in 2018), along with his sister Michelle. Their combined talent and creativity shine through in the first episode; and now, he can add shoe rack-maker to his résumé. Yes, we recruited Jaime (bribed him with dim sum) to create a D.I.Y. shelf for all those women, or fashion editors, out there who are in desperate need of more storage for their haute steppers.

Project Time:

About one hour

Supplies:

From left to right: pipe cutter, tape measure, finishing pads for sanding, a five-minute epoxy kit, (2) 10-foot copper pipes, (12) 90-degree elbow connectors, (20) T connectors, (4) pipe caps.

Step 1:

Sand, cut and measure pipes to required lengths: six 20-inch pieces, 24 1-inch pieces, eight 5-inch pieces, four 7-inch pieces and two 3-inch pieces.

Step 2:

Dry fit (no epoxy) all pieces to ensure fit. Connect six-inch pipe with elbow, T and tube (1-inch pieces cut from copper pipe) to form first rack tier. After fitting, take apart rack and apply a thin layer of epoxy to inside connectors and outside pipes. Reassemble to form tier. for first shelf to ensure fit. Connect one 20-inch pipe with two elbow connectors on its ends, followed by a tube piece and T connector (facing out). Attach another tube connector, followed by a T connector (facing in). Connect second 20-inch pipe into the two T connectors that are facing in. Attach another tube connector one both sides of to the T connector holding the second rack. Add another T connector to both sides (facing out), followed by a tube connector. Attach elbow connectors to the end of third 20-inch pipe. Connect this to the last set of tube connectors on the second rack. Repeat steps for second shelf.

Step 3:

After all the pieces have fit together, take the rack apart. Go through each step again and apply one thin layer of epoxy to insides of all connectors and outsides of all pipes. Lay flat to dry.

Step 4:

Build two upright side supports. Dry fit all the pieces. Connect the end of a 3-inch pipe with two elbow connectors, followed by a tube connector. Attach two 7-inch pipes on each side, followed by another tube connector. Attach a T connector (facing in), followed by a tube connector and a 5-inch pipe. Attach a tube connector and another T connector (facing in). Attach another 5-inch pipe to each side and repeat the previous step. Add cap ends to both end legs.

Step 5:

After all the pieces have fit together, take apart the side support. Go through each step again and apply one thin layer of epoxy to insides of all connectors and outsides of all pipes. Lay flat to dry.