Aging Terra-Cotta Pots

Had a little free time on my hands today (not a common occurrence lately) and I decided to refresh the paint on our mantel. The massive pinecone garland Isabella, my mom and I made for Christmas last year had scratched the wall and top shelf a bit so I took some leftover paint and wood putty and gave everything a fresh coat. (I also played around with some new trim we’re adding this weekend, hence the tape). As it always happens, one little project sparks another and so I took advantage that my brush was wet and tackled something else that’s been bugging me for a while. I gave our terra-cotta pots and saucers some age and patina!

About the only plants I can keep alive (knock-on-wood) are a pair of begonias on steroids that a few months ago I replanted in new terra-cotta pots from our local Walmart. I loved the simple, unadorned look of this saucer and pot combo (above) but I wanted to add some depth and age to them. It was a silly thing, really, because I thought the pots were already pretty as they were but I do like aged terra-cotta that looks slightly worn and mossy and since I didn’t have time to leave the pots out in the mud and rain for a couple of years to develop that aged look naturally, I thought I’d fake it with paint 🙂

Using this potted hydrangea as my inspiration, I broke out my enormous collection of tester pots (so happy I kept them! 🙂 ) and lucked out. I found a little jar of BM White Dove and a pot of Army Green that I’d tested at our previous place. These two together with the FB’s Old White paint leftover from the living room walls and mantel piece were exactly what I needed! Using a small stencil brush (although I think any old brush will do) I gently dabbed the bristles in paint, left the excess paint on a paper towel and slowly built up the look I was going for. In places I added more paint than I wanted, I simply washed the pot with a sponge and most of the paint came off.

And here’s how it turned out, and I love it!! Anyway, it seemed like such a simple project that I thought I’d share it with you in case you’re interested in messing with your terra-cotta pots too! And by the way, aged terra-cotta planters cost way more than regular ones… just a thought 🙂