Antique Bike UpCycle and Industrial Bike Holder
Hi all and welcome back!
Ever since we’ve moved to Stillwater, we’ve been doing a lot more bike riding. The hubs has been riding to work and we all ride with the kids to and from school everyday. This is the first summer that we have no training wheels! So, when I saw some antiques bike downtown at one of my new favorite stores, Urban Rescue, I thought it might be cool to incorporate it into the decor. I had the perfect spot for it, so I decided to pick one up, paint it and build an industrial bike holder to go with!
This is what the bike looked like to start with.
It was covered in rust, and I don’t know a thing about rust. It was also pretty dirty, so I had to clean it up a bit.
Then I found some of this stuff in the store and decided to try it, rather than to clean off all the rust. Since we wouldn’t be using the bike, I figured covering the rust was a good option.
It actually covered really well!
Then I started painting it with Rustoleum Metcallic spray paints.
It was a little tough getting the black and white contrast, but I worked it out. On the places I couldn’t get with the spray paint, I touched up with acrylic.
It took a bit longer to paint all the little details, but once it was all done, I loved the contrast. I cut out some brown paper that I have a huge roll of, for just such an occasion. Hint-it’s also a great to have in case you want to do a gallery wall like mine HERE.
Once I knew where I wanted it, I built my industrial bike holder. It was so easy! Plumbing pipe is all the rage right now in industrial decor, and I used it to build my throw ladder holder, so I knew it would “go”. So here is what I bought
I put it all together like so. I wanted a little “lip” on the front because we get a lot of earthquakes here and I didn’t want it to shake off.
Then I scraped off all the stickers and spray painted it with the leftover black metallic spray paint. I used drywall anchors to attach it to the wall, and then got some help to hoist it up to the ledge.
The holder would have held it just fine, but because we had a little earthquake that very day, I added that little chain and double secured it to the wall :).
Almost done, but I was looking for a way to display this cool road sign my old neighbors bought for us as part of a going away present. I love that it reminds me of those guys and the time we spent on Fennimore Rd. So, I made a little faux road sign post out of leftover PVC pipe from my TV faux industrial shelves.
I actually bought the bike when my best friend from growing up was here visiting, so the whole little project makes me think of friends, so double bonus.
I tried to take a picture of the room, which is almost done. I’m not the best photographer, and I’m still shooting with my iPhone, but this is a general idea. I have a ton of DIY projects in this room, so take a look around and let me know if you have any questions!
Thanks for stopping by!
April
No way! That is SO cool! I am certain I would never think to hang a bike in my home, but that looks incredible. great job on the restoration and on crafting that awesome industrial holder!
Hey Bre, thanks so much! Glad you stopped by!
So cute! Love the little display you have going on!
Thanks Jess!
What a fun idea! That spray paint color is perfect!
Thanks Heather!
I love how this turned out and it looks great in that space!! Beautiful!
Thanks Ruthie!
Hi April! Just saw your post on Wow Us Wednesdays and couldn’t resist taking a closer look at an upcycled bike. I love it! You have such unique, fantastic style. I know some Stillwater folks also–have never lived there myself but spent several years in NW Arkansas and am in the Dallas area now. Anyway, I love your site and look forward to seeing more of what you create 🙂
Thanks so much for stopping by Melanie, what a small world! I’m going to head over and check out your party!
How handy that you had an earthquake that very day to test it out! That is a really neat idea na dit turned out great!
Haha, I know, right?! Thanks for coming by!
Wow! April your creativity is off the charts.. just amazing! The room is looking so good. I love seeing what you will come up with next. The bike looks gorgeous and it fills up that space wonderfully. Shared!!
AH, Thanks so much Kim! You are so kind!
If that’s what you can do with a bike what can you come up with for two guitars? We have two that are stored behind the couch in a case and they never see the light of day. Would love to know how we can appreciate them in a more appealing way.
The bike looks absolutely beautiful!
Guitars would be so cool! My friend who is a builder is looking for guitars to turn into shelves, which I think would look awesome. Thanks for stopping by!
I love this April! My boys are super into bike riding right now and my husband used to ride professionally so this would be a fun piece to add to our living room…now to just get a gorgeous home like yours with the space for it 🙂
How cool! A professional biker? I always that would be interesting. And don’t let this room fool you, we love this house, but oh my the amount of work that needs to be done is sometimes overwhelming :). At least I’ll have plenty to blog about for years to come 🙂
This is such a great idea! I love the bike as a piece of art! I have been looking for an old bike for a while with no success. You have given me inspiration to keep looking!
Cool! I do rather like it up there, especially if you can find a super cheap one!
I LOVE this! The added road sign as it gives it a little color. Great job!
I LOVE this! The added road sign gives it a little color. Great job!
Thanks Erin!
This was quite the project! I never would have thought to decorate with a bike! It turned out great! Nice job!
Thanks Emily!
I love this up cycle bike! It looks great in your space!
Thanks Mary!
I love how much of a change it was before and after!
Thanks Jenny!
First off, I think it’s really cool that you bike together as a family, especially to school. That makes the addition of the bike to your decor not just a decoration, but something meaningful to you. As always, your ingenuity amazes me. I’m interested to learn about that Rustoleum primer, as I am not crafty AT ALL but have a couple of rusty old porch chairs I want to fix up.
Thanks Leslie! The primer worked really well, I was very impressed! I wasn’t sure about it. It was not a nice finish on it, so you’ll have to paint after you get it on, but I barely did any sanding and it still covered and stuck on really well! Good luck with your chairs!
I would never think to use a bike as a decoration in my house, but you pulled it off beautifully! Looks so good!
Thanks Sara!
I love bike riding and Im hopefully I can get the kids out there on their bikes in the Fall when it’s a little cooler. On another note, I love how you incorporated the bike into your decor. So creative!
Thanks Yanique!
Very cool. Vintage bicycles have a really great look. Love what you did with the whole ledge.
I am co-hosting the #HomeMattersParty link party this month and would love to have you stop by for a visit. The door is open now through Monday night. http://alaynascreations.co/2015/09/18/home-matters-linky-party-55/
Thanks Alayna and thanks for the heads up on the party, I’ll head over now!
So Creative, I would never thing of using a bike for decor – Thanks for linking up to Pin Worthy Wednesday, I have pinned your post to the Pin Worthy Wednesday Pinterest Board.
Thanks Amberjane!
How cool is this! You are too good girl! Love the old bike! Thanks for linking on Merry Monday! Sharing your post tomorrow on my FB page! Come back next Monday for another great party share! Party opens Sunday night! Have a great week!
Best,
Kim
Thanks so much Kim! So glad you came by :). I’ll be back!
I’m in love with the bike in that space! And I’m equally in love with your entire space. I can’t tell if you’re in a loft apartment or if you just have a house with amazing features. Either way, I can’t stop looking at that picture of the entire room. Gorgeous.
Thank you so much Dawn. It’s a crazy house we got for super cheap and are “fixing up”. I’m so glad you stopped by!