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My Vintage Porch

Interior Design, DIY, and Refurbishing

Aging Terra Cotta Pots

Filed Under: DIY Tagged With: aged, aged pots, aging terra cotta, antique, antique decor, craft, crafting, diy pots, diy project, garden lime, garden pots, gardening, home project, old pots, terra cotta, terra cotta pots, vintage, vintage decor

Have you ever wanted to make something look like it’s been around for ages, even though you just picked it up new from the store? I’ve been wanting to try to “age” terra cotta pots for quite some time. When I found lots of terra cotta pots at the 99cent store for a dollar each, I was so excited to try this out! The extra large ones that I have in the photo below are from Home Depot, but I’m pretty sure that I’m going to return those, because the ones at the .99 store were such a steal!

This is a super easy and fun process! I started by mixing Espoma organic garden lime in a paper bowl. I added just enough water to make it a “goopy” consistency that would allow me to still be able to wipe it on the pots and not be too runny. Note that the mixture will thicken a little over time too, as the pellets dissolve in the water. Throughout the process when this happened, I added a little more water…a tablespoon at a time, until I had the consistency that I desired again.

I used a cheap brush to brush the mixture onto each pot. The “chunkier” that I made the texture, the more rustic the pot looked in the end, in my opinion. It’s fun to see how each pot turns out very original. I added a thin layer of the lime to the inside as well, since I’m only planning to use these for faux plants.

After I had the mixture how I wanted it on each pot, I let each one dry. The mixture dries super fast! There were parts where the mixture was thicker and it did not dry as fast, but it ended up being dry enough for me to go to the next step.

I used a 150 grit sanding block to lightly sand the pots after they were mostly dry. I did not sand a few of the pots. I thought it would be neat if they were all different from each other. I wanted to see how they all turned out with trying different techniques. Just note that the more you sand and the thinner that the garden lime is on the pot, the more the terra cotta will show through. The sealer spray does take some of the garden lime look away, so I made sure not to sand the pots too much.

I then took them outside and sprayed them with Rustoleum matte sealer. This helps to keep the lime on the pot. I made sure to use a matte sealer so that I didn’t have any sort of shine added to the pot.

After the sealer dried, I used a little black and white craft paint to give them more character. I started by using antiquing wax and liming wax, but I realized that I could get the same look with black and white craft paint, and that it would be a lot more budget friendly that way.

I blotted the black paint on first with a lint free cloth. It’s ok if too much ended up in one area because I just sanded that area a little and it took away the “glob” of paint look. I tried to be careful not to get too much in one area. I mostly blotted the pain along the top and bottom ridges, and a small amount in the middle of the pot. There were a couple of pots that I “skimmed” the paint across the textured area to make that area darker.

After I had the black paint applied where I desired, I added some white paint with the same method. I then lightly sanded each one with my 150 grit sanding block again.

I absolutely love the way they turned out! I almost can’t believe the difference! The photo below shows the drastic difference of the “before and after”.

I sprayed one of the pots again with the sealer to see how it would look. You can probably tell which one I did that with below. The one on the top right, where the terra cotta is showing through more, was sprayed twice. I love how it looks too! The terra cotta shows through more on the ones that had less lime applied.

I will be using these just for display and faux plants. I’m not sure if this would be the best technique if the pots are being used for real plants. Maybe if the garden lime was spread on super thin, not throughout the whole pot, and the sealer was not applied, they could be used for real plants?

I love the variations of texture and appearance. The different shapes of the pots adds to the character of display.

Once I had the process going, it went very fast. Getting it all set up and trying to figure out what looked the best was the part that took the longest.

I can’t wait to display these around my home for Spring. They are perfect for faux plants but also for different kinds of storage like silverware or other small items.

Part of me wants to say that the ones with more texture are my favorite, but I really love them all and how they all look so different. I think the difference in appearance makes them look more authentic.

Is this a technique that you think you would try? I would love to see yours on Instagram @vintageporch, if you do. Now, I guess I’m ready for Spring, even though the seasons don’t change much here in Tucson.

*Affiliate links are used in this post.

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Comments

  1. Brenda says

    February 11, 2020 at 12:44 pm

    These pots are so cool! I also love how they all look a little different from each other…perfect!

  2. joan says

    February 11, 2020 at 1:09 pm

    wow, how beautiful! great technique! love your tutorials, just discovered you shortly ago! THANKS!

    • Jamie says

      February 11, 2020 at 7:15 pm

      They look amazing!

  3. LORRI RAUSCHER says

    February 11, 2020 at 2:28 pm

    Boy, these look so cool..thanks for sharing your recipe❤ I’m thing you could use these pots for real plants if you had the plants in pots of there own and then put them in the terra cotta pots. Once again ..thanks for being the inventor on this one😉

  4. ellie says

    February 11, 2020 at 2:36 pm

    I love the way the pots turned out! You come up with some of the coolest things!

  5. Melanie Crutchfield says

    February 11, 2020 at 2:40 pm

    When I grow up I wanna be you!! Never mind that I’m quite a bit older than you are 🤣😳 I LOVE these pots! But, honestly, I love all your projects. Keep ‘em coming!

  6. Erin says

    February 11, 2020 at 3:47 pm

    Wow!!! I used your other technique of aging pots that you have here on your blog and LOVED it! I totally have to try this now!!

  7. Leesa says

    February 11, 2020 at 4:37 pm

    These turned out great! I’ve never seen this technique before. Can’t wait to try it.

  8. Penny Withem says

    February 11, 2020 at 6:05 pm

    As usual, your directions are easy to follow and so complete! The pots turned out beautifully! Thanks for showing us how to do it!

  9. Sue says

    February 11, 2020 at 11:01 pm

    I love these pots is the lime brown in color? I’ve never seen this before. Love your tutorials. Thank you Natalie

  10. Amy says

    February 11, 2020 at 11:50 pm

    Love them! So cool!

  11. Lori Harmon says

    February 12, 2020 at 4:25 am

    Your pots turned out so good! You are so talented to come up with all these different ways to do things. I would buy some if you were selling them!
    So your next DIY❤❤❤

  12. Becky Fischer says

    February 12, 2020 at 6:37 am

    I absolutely love them. When my hand heals I’m definitely going to do this. In the meantime, I am going to the 99 Cent Store.

  13. cheryl says

    February 12, 2020 at 8:38 am

    These are awesome! I wonder if you could get the same look with Salt Wash? Where do you usually get your faux plants?

  14. Carol Bridegroom says

    February 12, 2020 at 9:16 am

    WOW! Can’t wait to try this out! They look fabulous!

  15. Kathy M says

    February 13, 2020 at 9:09 am

    I don’t think there’s anyone else that would think of using garden lime to age terra cotta pots but you Natalie! They definitely have THE LOOK! I don’t know how you come up with so many amazing projects, but I always look forward to what’s next.

  16. Teri Griffin says

    February 13, 2020 at 9:26 am

    Best process I’ve seen! Thanks Natalie!

  17. Karen says

    February 13, 2020 at 9:37 am

    Any idea if these would hold up outside exposed to rain, sunlight, and wind?

  18. Deb korteway says

    February 13, 2020 at 10:01 am

    I love the cool pots.

  19. Tami Oliver says

    February 24, 2020 at 10:02 pm

    Do you think this technique would work on plastic or resin? I’m teaching a class and want to do the arrangement in a small “stone” urn. Wondering if this method would work to give a plastic or resin piece that aged, chippy look.

  20. Edith B. says

    February 25, 2020 at 12:32 am

    This is a great review on diy painting, thanks for your very useful post I am glad to bookmark it right now, you did a very nice job, I guess you should have a look also on http://diys.review/category/diy-painting in order to complete with more user experiences, hope this can help you yolanda

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I used paint samples in matte finish and explained more of the process on my blog (link in profile) 
COLORS: 
1. Pot with handles: Behr paint “Studio Taupe”, “Deconstruction”, and “Cool Charcoal”
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2. Glass pots turned old: a mixture of Apple barrel craft paint “brown oxide”, “burnt umber, a dab of red, and a bit of black to make a terra cotta color, “Studio Taupe” Behr paint, and “Deconstruction”  Behr paint 
See blog post (in profile) for how I made my salt mixture for a more texturized paint
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3. Rounded pot: see blog post in profile for colors and technique used
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