Eames Hang-It-All Inspired DIY Tutorial

I first saw the Eames Hang-It-All on Abbey Hendrickson's (of Aesthetic Outburst) home tour on Cafe Mom a month or so ago. I think the home tour was posted a while ago, but through blog hopping, i stumbled onto it more recently. I totally fell in love with her Hang-It-All, a reproduction of the original that you can buy lots of places, and promptly looked it up to see where I could find one.

 

(photo from Abbey's home. You must check out her very inspiring flickr stream)

It came with a hefty price tag (around $179) so I was a bit bummed. But then (like most crafty-sorts) I was like, hmmm, maybe I can make one myself.

(haha, i felt the same way when I saw it. :-) source

 

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The hardest part to figure out was the hook part, but I figured there must be some sort of premade hook-type-thing at a hardware store. The first place I looked was Home Depot and sure enough there was. But after buying hook racks there and at The Container Store, I ended up finding the PERFECT one at Target. (will be returning the other hooks..... Who hates returning things, raise their hands.. MEEE!)

I have to add that after I had the idea in my head on how I was going to make this, one of my blog readers, Cynthia (who has a very inspiring blog that you must read) tipped me off on a Curbly tutorial that shows you how to make, yes, an Eames Hang-it-all. I had done some research before I started my own project and couldn't find anything online where someone shows you how to make one. I must have missed it!

So i was like, I'm totally buying their tutorial because it will probably be easier than mine. So i bought their Make it Mid-Century Modern manual in PDF format and saw that their tutorial was much more involved than what I wanted to make. Quite honestly, I just don't have alot of free time so it has to be quick, quick, QUICK and easy. :-) Their's is a really great tutorial though if you are interested, it just involves alot of metal bending, etc, for the hooks. You are pretty much making it from scratch. I would think it's a bit more costly as well. I do want to make their atomic ball clock that is in the same PDF. There are many other project ideas as well, so in the end, it was worth the purchase.

So here's my take on the Eames Hang-It-All. You will need:

Supply List:

2 - Closetmaid Over the Door Utility hooks (you won't use the braces they come with, but will just screw into wall with holes that are provided)

2 - 3/16" x 48" dowels from building supply store (you could also use bamboo skewers)

1 - 1x4x6 piece of wood

6 - 2-1/2" Unfinished Wood Ball Knobs (link to see what they look like - they have a flat bottom with a pre-drilled hole, but you won't use that hole. I bought mine at my local craft store)

6 - 2" Unfinished Wood Ball Knobs 

indoor/outdoor glossy spray paint (I used Krylon from WalMart, but they also sell it at Home Depot) in the colors of your choice

spray primer

E-6000 glue

fine sandpaper

towels

paper towels

Tools:
electric drill
3/16" drill bit
bench vice

Approx. Total Cost: $55 (more or less depending on what items/tools you already have, and how many colors you use)

First, you'll need to make your drying/painting stand for painting your wooden balls. Ethan came up with this idea. He bought the 1x4x6 piece of wood and then drilled holes along the length of it with a 3/16" drill bit. He then broke up the dowels into short pieces that would fit into those holes, and also into the holes he would be drilling into the balls. You could also use bamboo skewers instead of dowels. (pre-cut and ready to go)

When drilling the holes into your piece of wood for the drying stand, you might want to wobble your drill bit around a little in the hole to make it ever so slightly bigger so that the dowel sticks will fit. You shouldn't have any problem with them fitting though. You just don't want the fit to be too tight. You want the sticks to fit in their easily so that you can easily pull them out.

Next, drill holes in your balls with a 3/16" drill bit. Since your balls look like this:

...you don't want to use the pre-made hole because the flat side will show when you slide them onto your hooks. That doesn't look too great. You want them to look like round balls when on your hook rack. Rotate your ball 90 degrees and that is where you'll drill. When your balls are attached to your hooks, you just want that flat part to face the back so that you can't see it. I also didn't bother filling the pre-drilled holes with spackle because they're facing the back, so you won't see them anyway. Eliminates another step.

 

To drill holes in your wooden balls, you'll need some sort of vice to hold them in place. Ethan already had a workbench with a vice on it so that worked out great. If you don't have a workbench and vice already, they have some inexpensive free-standing vices at Home Depot, but you mind find another way to drill your holes so that you don't have to buy any new tools. I wish I knew of some DIY alternatives, but you might get away with just drilling the holes without a vise. Just be careful! Or maybe you have a guy-friend that you could borrow one from. ;-)

Here's what Ethan's set-up looks like:

 

The vise just holds it in place. You'll notice a piece of painter's tape around the drill bit. This is how Ethan tried to make sure the depth of the holes were the same on all of the balls so that they would sit on the hooks at an even level. (this is how the original Eames hook rack was designed). You just stop drilling once you reach the edge of the tape.

As  you can see, even though he did that, they still don't sit very evenly. ;-) But I kind of like the playfulness of them staggered a bit.

 

 

Lightly sand your balls with fine sandpaper after you are finished drilling the holes.

Now you need to prime them with spray primer.

I did two coats of primer. I used short bursts of spraying. Do not coat too much or it will cause dripping. Follow the manufacturer's instructions on the paint can.

Now it's time to paint!

Figure out what sort of color arrangement you want to do first. I laid out my spray paint cans to figure out the arrangement I liked best.

I had to do this so that I used the right size ball for each color, since I did a large/small/large/small pattern. I used two sizes of wooden balls as mentioned in the supply list. You could use all the same sizes if you want, it's totally up to you. I used 3 - 2.5" balls and 3 - 2" balls for EACH rack.

Painting: I held up each ball and sprayed thoroughly all the way around. Again, don't coat on too thick because it will cause drips. I did three coats of paint on all balls. Again, follow the instructions on the paint can for drying times, etc.

Set them back on the drying rack when done and in between coats.

 

Once they are completely dry and safe to handle, you can now prepare your hook rack.

As you can see, these racks come with little rubber tops on the hooks. I took these off because A) they're ugly and B) to create a more clean look/lines with the hooks. (i had already taken off the top ones in the above photo)

Now it's time to glue your balls on. You'll want to squeeze your E-6000 glue into the hole on the ball and add some to the top of your hook as well. You will only be gluing balls to the TOP hooks, not the bottom ones.

Slide your balls onto the hooks and clean off any remaining glue with a paper towel.

You'll notice that your balls will want to slide/swing back and forth on your hooks. You will want to make sure that the flat side of the ball stays to the BACK, so prop some towels underneath your hooks/balls to keep them in place while drying.

 

I let mine dry overnight.

You're done!

 

And isn't that Liberty of London chair so pretty? I got it for my sewing nook we're putting together...

 

And here are some images of Charles & Ray Eames, the original designers of this super-cute hook rack, and of many, MANY other inspiring furniture designs and more.

 

(photos from the Eames Gallery)

And how cute is this illustration of the Hang-It-All? It was originally intended for kid's rooms, but I think you'll agree that you could hang them anywhere!

source

My racks will be going in our mudroom which of course has no good light. So that is why I set it up outside. I never knew when we moved into this house years and years ago that the "red barn" as we call it would become so handy. ;-)

Actually, my original inspiration for wanting one of these is because we need the wall hooks SO BAD for our mudroom. I don't know about you, but we have SO MANY bags, and coats. Especially during the winter. Light coats, medium coats, heavy coats, you get the idea. ;-)

And we have bags for like, every occasion. School bags, swim lessons bag, bags to take on Nanna visits, crochet project bags, purse, etc, etc. I'm SO happy to finally have more wall storage for these things! I will be hanging them a bit low on the wall so that the boys can hang up their own stuff. Love it. Love that our kitchen table and chairs won't be riddled with bags and coats all the time now. ;-)

If you make one of these, please link me to it! I'd love to see! :-)

Comments

[Emily]

SUCH a great idea! I'm moving on Saturday and this just might be the project needed for the entryway.

Thanks for sharing!

[Katherine]

oh, danielle--i love it!! i have always loved the original, but i have to say that your color palette is more my liking. i am definitely going to make one of these!

[Sandy]

wow, this is a wonderful DIY project, so pretty and functional!! i LOVE the pictures!!! they are amazing, as usual!! i love the liberty of london items in there too =P

[Jamie (Inspired Mess)]

This is awesome and yours turned out soooo great! I love yours even more than the original!!!

[Peppermint]

That is such a cool idea. I love those Krylon colors.

[Jenny]

This turned out so nice! I want to make one of these now!

[AmyPunky Photography]

Cute!!!

[elsie]

this is gorgeous!!!!! great idea!

[Piper]

Yours came out soooo great!! Wow! Love how you styled it too :) And yes I'm raising my hand...I HATE having to return things!

[Genevieve Gail]

This is fabulous! What a cool project- thanks for sharing!

[cynthia]

Oh my goodness:) This is one fabulous tutorial Danielle!!!!!! So worth the wait:) So, glad you saw the the Curbly book. I so agree the one they featured seemed so time consuming. This is so doable and the step by step pics are wonderful! You don't know how much I need this!!!!!! We have coats, bags all over the apt. The liberty of London chair is perfect too:) Go you. Now off to plan making my own now........yea:)

[Rachel Mackin]

Oh wow! I love this!

[Jessie]

Danielle, these are awesome - and i love the colors you chose - they'd go much better with my house than in the original version.

[Mandy Ford]

This is awesome and I looove the colors you chose!

[Alex]

Danielle you are seriously one of the cutest, craftiest, more clever girls i know!!!!!!!

xoxoxo

["miss" james]

oooh i love it, i love it! and i am lusting over your beautiful quilt. i have searching high and low for one for my baby bird. wish me luck!
xoxo.

[Michelle @ Sweet Something]

Great Project! I'm in deep smit with Krylon's Blue Ocean Breeze! :)

[tiphaniefaith]

That Liberty of London chair is even prettier than I imagined! And the coat rack is cute too! ;)

[maybemej]

what a fantastic idea this was. THANKS. Love it.

[Heather - Dollar Store Crafts]

Super cute find & great job on your project. I am also of the quick & simple project mind, and I Looooove the atomic ball clock, and had no idea there was such a thing as a hang-it-all!

[Larissa Albernaz]

Fab, Danielle!!! I adore it! Gosh, you inspire me so much!!!! xo

[Kayla]

I love it!!! I can't wait to try it!

http://senseofstyleiseternal.blogspot.com/

[jen]

i am in love. pure genius.

[Amanda]

Very clever, and great tutorial!!

[Casandra]

Danielle you are brilliant!!! This is fabulous and thank you soooo much for the detailed instructions. I am super excited about making this project :)

[Angela]

How cute! Thanks for the tutorial!

[Leora]

how CUTE!! This would look adorable in my home AND my classroom!! Thanks for the tutorial!! :)

[Gali]

Quite lovely.

[pilgrim]

wow very clever! i've always loved those racks, but never been 100% happy with the colors (because i'm a color control freak haha) this makes me want to have one in every room!

[chinamommy]

Ohhhhhhh, i am def. making one this weekend! love it! Guess I'll be running to Target & Hobby Lobby today, i'm always looking for an excuse to go!

[Karli Plant]

well. . . you've done it.
i didn't think you could. . . but, you have.
you are EVEN *cooler* than ever honey!
this is amazing.
AMAZING!
i bet if i go to Target. . . all of these racks will be sold out. you will have put a "rush" on them! ;)

thanks for doing this. . . can't wait to make my own. . . but i know it won't be as rockin' awesome as yours!

[Leigh-Ann - Teacher]

beautiful!!! :)

[becca]

I LOVE it!! Thanks so much for such an amazingly easy tutorial. I think I may turn in our hat rack to have something this awesome. My husband has a large collection of fedoras so I like that this could really showcase them well.

[emily ann]

Too cute! You're so clever and PATIENT!

[Charlotte]

Fantastic tutorial. Thank you!

[Rachel]

Oh wow! I love this so, SO much! I have got to find a space for this. I'll be linking to this project if you don't mind. My readers would go crazy over this!

[Dariela]

Very cute!! I've never seen the original before but the funny thing is that when I saw this post at first glance I thought the one you did was the cutest!! Thanks for the tutorial, very very useful!!

[iris ashley]

i HAVE to try and make one of these! the place i'm going to move into has the smallest closet known to man lol i'll need something like this for extra storage!

[Audrey]

Great idea! I actually FOUND a Herman Miller Hangitall at the thrift store for $4, crazy, right?

I wrote about it.

http://audreyfretz.blogspot.com/2010/03/this-will-forever-go-down-in-history-as.html

[Kristen Nicholls]

I freaking LOVE this! I am totally going to make one of my own :) Thanks for sharing!

<3 Kristen

[amy]

This is awesome. U really did a great job! My mom works for Herman Mller and just sent me a hang it ths week! I love the colors u used. I wantEd another on but I may try making my own now. thanks for sharing!

[eva]

i LOVE the liberty of london chair!
i just bought a dress with the same print at Target [ part of the L.o.L for target colab]
& its just lovely!

evoluer.wordpress.com

xo

[tururu]

I´ll post this beautiful idea on my blog www.x4duros.com next friday. An excellent idea.

[clare]

I am so excited about this!!! I have been lusting after one of these for a while. Charles and Ray Eames are the best designers ever :)

[LuAnn]

Thank you so very much for this tutorial. I made one today (with 2 other friends...all of us made a set) and I adore it. For anyone interested in short cuts we just expanded the existing holes rather than drilling new ones. I think it looks fine and I don't even think much about it when I look at it. We really wanted a pale shade of yellow, but we couldn't find one. You say you got that at Walmart? Anyhow we ended up with some great colors. The others skipped the primer, but had a bit of a hard time with some, but not all of the balls. Some were fine. I sanded mine because I'm a little OCD and that worked fine...though they kept rolling out of my hands. Priming may be easier. Your instructions were very thorough and easy to follow. Thanks a million. btw I like yours better than the Eames. Love your colors!

[Sophia]

That's spectacular!! I love colors and various sizes of the wooden balls, very colorful and creative. Like the design as well. Fantastic job! Hop on www.makemania.com to check out cool craft ideas I've done and promote your terrific tutorial!!

[melanie]

thanks for this idea! i did a couple of steps different because i made it inside in the winter and was kinda rushed for time: 1. Instead of locating wood and drilling holes for the drying dowels,i used a piece of florists foam to jam the dowel rods into (where i let them dry while painting them). 2. it was too cold to spray paint outside so i Used acrylic paint inside. if brushed on with craft sponges you can't see the brush strokes. 3. i added small painted balls to the bottom hooks and they still hold items very well.

[Mariona]

Wow, this is a fantastic idea! I wanted to buy the original one but it is quite expensive, so this is a good way to have a chipper version. Thanks for your idea and instructions!!!

[Mariana R.]

what a great idea! and the tutorial is clear. Thank you for sharing it.