I love the simplicity (and price!) of terra cotta pots, but the orange color isn’t my favorite. To give them a little more character and to match the farmhouse-style I’m going for in my home, I’m sharing how to easily distress and age terra cotta pots!
Spring has finally arrived, which means it’s time to start dusting off those pots and get to planting pretty flowers! Even though our weather didn’t get the memo, I’m itching to start adding more flowers and greenery in and around our house!
Simple is the name-of-the-game here, and you’ll only need a few items.
Materials:
- Terra Cotta Pot (saucer optional)
- White and/or gray paint (I used this white chalk paint)
- Paint brush
- Sand paper (any grit will do)
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First, I hosed off my pot and saucer to make sure there wasn’t any dirt or clay dust still attached. I let it dry in the sun while I mixed my paint.
I essentially white-washed my pot, instead of using paint straight from the container. This makes it a little lighter and easier to sand later, in my opinion. I mixed my white chalk paint with just a tad of gray paint in a plastic bowl, then I added water until my mixture was about 50% paint and 50% water. I stirred well until the paint and water was thoroughly combined.
After my pot and saucer was dry, I used my foam brush and painted the outside of the pot and all sides of the saucer. I also painted a couple inches down inside the pot so it looks aged inside, too.
Don’t worry if your paint job isn’t perfect, it’s what gives your pot more character! It will dry to the touch quickly on the pot as well. I put two coats on mine, letting it dry about 10 minutes in-between. I then let it dry fully in the sun for a couple of hours.
To age and distress the pot, I just used my sand paper block and sanded randomly all around the pot. There doesn’t need to be any rhyme or reason. In fact, the more random it is, the better!
I wiped down the pot and saucer with a wet rag after I was done sanding to make sure all paint dust was off. I added dirt and a little succulent because, well, I’m obsessed.
Not only is it the perfect farmhouse-style pot, it’s inexpensive and easy to make!
Is anyone else succulent obsessed? Just me?
On a total side note – isn’t that little stool just the cutest? I don’t even know where it came from, but it’s the perfect plant stand!
Hope your week’s going great, friends!
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