DIY FAUX STONE COLUMNS

HOW TO MAKE FAUX-STONE COLUMNS FOR HALLOWEEN OR ANY OCCASION 

Learn how to create lightweight columns using cardboard concrete forms, Styrofoam and pool toys.

• Step-by-Step
• Materials & Tools
• Comments

• Time
  Under Half Day
• Price Range
  $1 - $50
• Difficulty
  Easy

Step-by-Step Instructions:

• Form the Top and Base of the Columncurrent page
• Attach Toothpickscurrent page
• Apply Monster Mudpage 2
• Apply Gray Base Coatpage 2
• Create a Faux Marble Effectpage 2

These columns can be used inside or outside of your haunted house. They are perfect for displaying pumpkins, Halloween decor or even a simple potted plan

!

For the top of the column, we used an old torilla container and just cut off the handles. The column is a cardboard sonotube that is normally used as a form for pouring concrete supports. You can find them at home improvement stores.

Place the column top onto the cardboard sonotube form and attach with Gorilla Glue.

Slit open one side of the pool noodle and slide it onto the bottom of the sonotube. Add some Gorilla Glue to make sure it sticks. Let dry.

Place the sonotube with the pool noodle attached onto a square-cut Styrofoam base. Center the sonotube then trace its position with permanent marker. Remove the tube. On the Stryofoam base, insert toothpicks a half inch inside the traced pattern (image, below).

Cover the toothpicks with Gorilla Glue and slide the pool noodle onto the toothpicks. The combination of Gorilla Glue and toothpicks will hold the pool noodle to the Styrofoam base. Let dry.

Cover the entire column with 1/4-inch thick Monster Mud or plain, drywall material. (The Monster Mud contains latex paint which will help make the surface waterproof.) Leave overlapping streaks for texture around the column sides as shown below. Be sure to cover the tortilla base cap with enough material to conceal the imprinted designs. Let dry.

Get Instructions to Make Monster Mud.

Apply Gray Base Coa

If your column started off white, apply a base coat of gray paint ofver the entire piece. You can use a mixture of black and white craft paint. If you used the pre-mixed Monster Mud recipe, a base coat color may not be needed. Apply random shades from dark to light over the base coat. (Think about the surface of a multi-colored marble).

Use a sponge or bunched up cheesecloth to gently dab at least two colors over the column surface. Some of the base colors should still show through. Use white and brown to create a pale marble color.

Finally, using a paintbrush with a small tip (1/2 or smaller), drag the same colors (white and brown) in random diagonals starting from the top and moving down. This will create the long streaks in the faux marble. Let dry.

For an extra layer of detail, use a brush to add watered-down, brown craft paint drips. Let the paint run down the large cracks and column sides to add another bit of wear and tear. Faux moss can also be applied.

Get instructions on how to make faux moss from dryer lint..