Tag: outdoor wall art

  • Custom Walnut Wall Mount for Kebab Skewers

    Custom Walnut Wall Mount for Kebab Skewers

    Some projects are useful. Some projects are beautiful. And some become instant conversation pieces.

    This one turned into all three.

    I had a handmade set of Armenian shish kebab skewers sitting in a drawer for way too long, and honestly… they deserved better.

    These are not cheap store-bought skewers. Each one is handmade with stainless steel blades and detailed brass animal heads on the handles. Every skewer has its own personality, and the craftsmanship is incredible.

    So instead of hiding them away, I decided to turn them into wall art.

    The Idea

    The inspiration actually came from old medieval sword displays mounted on castle walls. Same concept. Different vibe.

    Instead of swords, I wanted a luxury-looking wall mount that could hold my custom BBQ skewers while still being practical enough to grab and use anytime I fire up the grill.

    And because this project is personal to my family, I added an engraved Semenov family crest in the center.

    That small detail completely changed the feel of the project. It stopped looking like a storage rack and started looking like something custom-made for a luxury outdoor kitchen.

    Building the Wall Mount

    I used walnut wood for the base because the deep grain and dark color matched the brass handles perfectly.

    After cutting and shaping the board, I engraved the crest into the center piece and started layering stain to bring out the natural walnut texture. The engraved details were picked out in Glidden Metallic Tones silver paint to make the crest pop against the dark wood.

    Once the stain and silver paint had fully dried, I sealed everything with two coats of Spray Max 2K Clear Coat. That is the same two-part automotive clear used on car bodywork — chemically cured, UV stable, and rated for outdoor exposure. Since this display lives outside on the patio under the roof, the walnut is fully protected from moisture, heat, and changing weather. The glossy finish also gave it that rich, almost furniture-quality look.

    The final setup holds all six skewers individually so they slide in and out easily while still looking clean and organized on the wall.

    The Best Part

    The brass catches sunlight differently throughout the day. In the morning it looks warm and classic. At sunset it almost glows.

    At night, under patio lighting, the whole display looks like something from a luxury steakhouse. And every single person who sees it asks about it.

    Final Thoughts

    This ended up being one of my favorite smaller projects because it combines culture, craftsmanship, grilling, and design into one piece. It is functional. It is personal. And it completely transformed a simple set of skewers into something worth displaying.

    If you have custom BBQ tools, handmade kitchen pieces, or anything with sentimental value sitting hidden in a cabinet, try building a custom display for it.

    Tools & Materials

  • How I Built a Floating Outdoor Photo Gallery on My Patio Wall

    How I Built a Floating Outdoor Photo Gallery on My Patio Wall

    A few months ago, I had this idea stuck in my head: take the black-and-white professional photos my wife and I shot in Paris six years ago and turn our outdoor patio wall into a gallery. Here’s exactly how I pulled it off.

    My DIY floating patio gallery wall built with weather-resistant aluminum prints and modern standoff hardware.

    Why Aluminum Prints Beat Glass and Canvas Outdoors

    I found a company online that prints photos directly onto thin aluminum sheets. I ordered four prints at 24×36 inches each. Aluminum is the right choice for outdoor use — it won’t warp like paper or canvas, and it holds up against the elements far better than glass.

    Glass was my original plan, but it was expensive, fragile, and tough to work with. Aluminum was the clear winner.

    Aluminum Eiffel Tower print mounted on custom PVC backing board before outdoor wall installation.
    Standoff barrels mounted on wall
    Preparing the aluminum print and PVC backing before mounting the floating outdoor gallery wall.

    Building the PVC Backing

    To give each print a more finished, professional look, I picked up half-inch PVC board from Home Depot. PVC is lightweight, weather-resistant, white, and incredibly easy to cut.

    I sliced it into strips for the frame edges and hand-filed the corners for a clean fit. Then I used Gorilla Glue outdoor adhesive, sprayed the back surface of the PVC, pressed the aluminum print onto it, and laid everything flat on the floor overnight to cure.

    Aluminum Eiffel Tower print aligned on PVC backing board with painter’s tape and stainless standoff hardware before installation.
    Gorilla spray adhesive helped permanently bond the aluminum prints to the weather-resistant PVC backing.

    Mounting with Standoff Brackets for the Floating Effect

    This is where the magic happens. I ordered standoff brackets — the kind typically used for floating glass signage. Mine were one-inch diameter caps with a 45mm (roughly one-inch) standoff from the wall, which creates that gorgeous floating effect without sticking out too far.

    I drilled four holes per picture, about an inch from each corner. Started with a 3/8-inch bit, then enlarged to 1/2-inch for a little play during installation.

    Pro tip: lay masking tape over the photo surface before drilling so you don’t scratch the print. Peel it off right before final install.

    For mounting the standoff barrels into the wall, I used 1-1/4″ exterior-grade screws. They’re rated for outdoor use, won’t rust, and the length gives plenty of bite into the wall structure without going so deep that you risk hitting anything behind it.

    The stainless standoff barrels create the floating effect by spacing the artwork slightly away from the wall.
    Sam came to Hi …
    Carefully positioning and aligning each floating aluminum print before final tightening
    Stainless steel standoff hardware, digital caliper, and aluminum print prepared for floating wall installation.

    On the wall, I measured equal spacing, making sure the height was visible from every angle of the deck. I started each photo by holding it against the wall without the barrel caps, tracing two pilot holes at the bottom. Drilled those, mounted the bottom brackets, hung the photo, then climbed up and repeated for the top.

    Four of my photos ended up needing six brackets each because the centers were bowing slightly. Two extra standoffs in the middle solved that completely.

    Before installation, I staged all four aluminum prints to check spacing, sizing, and overall visual balance.
    The completed floating gallery wall transformed the patio corridor into a modern outdoor art display.

    The Finished Look — and the One UV Mistake to Avoid

    The result is stunning — four floating black-and-white Paris photos on the patio wall that look like a professional installation. The brushed aluminum standoffs complement the prints perfectly.

    One critical tip: mount these away from direct sunlight. My wall faces east and sits under a balcony overhang, so the prints get ambient light but no harsh UV exposure. Aluminum prints will fade in direct sun over time. Find a covered or shaded wall and you’ll enjoy them for years.

    Floating photo gallery — finished, in context
    The floating standoff system creates depth and gives the patio wall a clean architectural gallery look.
    Floating photo gallery — final shot
    At night, the wall lighting and floating aluminum prints completely transformed the patio corridor atmosphere.

    Watch the full build on YouTube:

    This project brought real character to our outdoor space. If you’ve got photos you love, get them printed on aluminum and give this a try.

    Tools and Materials

    Here are the supplies I used for this build, from Amazon and Home Depot:

    FAQ

    Will aluminum prints fade outdoors?

    Yes, eventually — but only with direct UV exposure. Mounted under a covered patio, balcony overhang, or on a shaded wall, quality aluminum prints will hold their color for years. Direct south- or west-facing sun is what kills them.

    How far should standoff brackets sit from the wall?

    A 45mm (roughly one-inch) standoff is the sweet spot for outdoor wall art. It creates a clear floating effect and a visible shadow line without the print feeling like it’s hovering awkwardly off the wall.

    Can I install standoff brackets on stucco or brick?

    Yes. Use a masonry bit sized for the standoff anchor, and drop in a plastic anchor or sleeve before threading the standoff barrel. The same install logic applies — bottom brackets first, then top.

    More from the patio: The Patio · Outside