How to Make Greek Pillars

Use real Greek pillars as inspiration for your design.

Making a Greek pillar is a lofty project. There are two ways to make a pillar depending on the size that you want to make. If you make a small pillar, you can use a mold. For a larger pillar, you will have to use a sturdy base to support the weight of the pillar and create the shaping yourself.

Things You'll Need

• 2 round building forms, 8 inches in diameter each
• 1 round building form, 10 inches in diameter
• Saw
• Duct tape
• Rubber gloves
• Insulation foam
• Scissors
• Staple gun and staples
• Drop cloth
• 2 cinder blocks
• Sheet
• Bucket
• Plaster of paris
• Whisk
• 2 10-pound bags of grit kitty litter
• Pillar mold
• Cooking spray
• Cardboard
• Sandpaper
• Joint compound
• String

Instructions

Large Pillar

1. Stack the building forms to the desired height. Saw off any extra height. Duct tape the forms together to create a sturdy shape that will not bend. Put on the work gloves.

2. Cut strips of insulation foam with scissors to equal the length of the pillar. Roll the strips into circular pieces. Staple the strips lengthwise down the pillar to create the ridges in the pillar that are hallmarks of the Greek pillar style. Place a strip about every 2 inches around the pillar.

3. Cut a piece of larger building form with the saw to a length of 12 inches. Cut two 12-inch cylinders from the wider cylinder. Place the cylinders over the top and bottom edges of the pillar to create the larger top and bottom. Duct tape the large cylinder pieces to the ends of the smaller cylinder pieces. Wrap a strip of insulation foam around the duct-taped area. Staple the foam into place.

4. Cut the bed sheet into four equal strips with scissors starting from the top edge of the sheet. Lay the drop cloth onto the floor and set the pillar on two cinder blocks set on top of the drop cloth. Mix one bag of plaster by mixing two parts plaster and one part water in a bucket. Mix with a large whisk.

5. Put on rubber gloves. Dip one of the sheet strips into the plaster with rubber-gloved hands. Soak the entire sheet in the plaster mixture. Squeeze off any excess water and plaster. Lay the sheet flat against the pillar. Smooth out any ridges or bubbles. Make sure the sheet conforms to the foam ridges. Repeat with the rest of the sheet strips. Use two strips to cover each side of the main pillar, and the other two strips to cover the top and bottom bases. Allow the plaster to dry for 24 hours.

6. Place the two bags of kitty litter inside the pillar to hold the pillar in place and prevent it from falling over. The inside of the pillar is hollow, so placing the kitty litter inside the cylinder adds stability to the entire unit.

Molded Pillar

1. Mix half a bag of plaster of paris and water using a wire whisk. Mix two parts plaster to one part water in a bucket.

2. Spray the mold with cooking spray. Spray both sides of the mold for an easier release. Fill the mold with plaster. Tap the mold against a flat surface to remove any air bubbles.

3. Run a piece of cardboard across the surface of each side of the mold to smooth the plaster. Do not leave the cardboard on the plaster. This will help the pieces adhere together better when you glue the two sides together. Allow the plaster to dry for 24 hours.

4. Remove the plaster from the pillar mold by turning it over and tapping it lightly on a table or other flat surface.

5. Glue the two halves of the mold together with joint compound. Lay the pillar on its side during the drying process. If the pieces do not hold together, tie them together with string. Allow the glue to dry for 24 hours. Sand any rough edges where the two halves connect.

References

• Victoria Larsen: Making Molded Plaster
• 5 Min: Making Greek Columns