Paint Washed Terra Cotta Pots

With summer, my mind always turns to indoor/outdoor projects, and this one is no exception. I love terra cotta, but the orangey red doesn’t match my house’s interior or exterior, so I thought a little wash effect to mimic aged terracotta pots might be nice. And I love the result!

Create your own aged patina on terra cotta pots with this simple tutorial at maisondepax.com

I even taped one off and painted it to give it a dipped look, just for fun.

Create your own aged patina on terra cotta pots with this simple tutorial at maisondepax.com

All you need are terra cotta pots of any size, gray and white chalk paint (I used Country Chic in pebble beach and simplicity, but see here if you want to make your own from latex), a paint brush, paper towel, and water.

Create your own aged patina on terra cotta pots with this simple tutorial at maisondepax.com

Dip your brush in the water and then lightly touch the end of the bristles into your gray paint (I use the lid to ensure I don’t get too much paint). As you can see, the bristles are fairly wet, but the paint is only on the tips.

Create your own aged patina on terra cotta pots with this simple tutorial at maisondepax.com

Blot on your paper towel and then paint haphazardly. The water in the brush allows the paint to blend into the pottery some and keeps the brush strokes from being too obvious.

Create your own aged patina on terra cotta pots with this simple tutorial at maisondepax.com

Repeat using the white paint.

Create your own aged patina on terra cotta pots with this simple tutorial at maisondepax.com

Avoid full coverage; the spots of terra cotta showing through give it the aged look.

Create your own aged patina on terra cotta pots with this simple tutorial at maisondepax.com

Let dry (which should take mere minutes!).

Create your own aged patina on terra cotta pots with this simple tutorial at maisondepax.com

Use them indoors or out and enjoy!

Create your own aged patina on terra cotta pots with this simple tutorial!

Disclaimer: As a part of the Country Chic Paint blogger squad, I do receive compensation in the form of goods and products from Country Chic Paint, but, as always, all opinions are 100% my own!

If you love creative painting techniques like this one, be sure to check out these other paint projects:

Find out how to create a chipped, aged look on metal using chalk paint at maisondepax.com

Chippy Metal Finish Tutorial 

 metal vintage patina sign

How to Give Metal a Rich, Vintage Patina

 red stool sign

Aged Wood Tutorial

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17 Comments

  1. Beautiful pots Rachel! I love the great washed look the brush strokes make! I’m making these! I have a shelf full of terracotta pots that needs attention!!!
    Love and blessings to you and your precious little one (s).

    1. Thank you so much, Yvonne! I hope you have fun giving them a makeover. 😉 Hugs to you, my friend!!

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  3. Very cute! I love terracotta pots. I just bought a set of whitewashed pots that are actually napkin holders. The bottoms are cut out of them. I can’t wait to use them!

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  6. First, I love these! Do you not need to do something over the paint for a more lasting effect? I have to water a lot; just afraid it will wash away!

    Thanks
    CJ

    1. Thanks, CJ! And that’s a great question. I’ve only used mine for a couple of months… and they don’t seem to be fading. I think that since the pot is porous and the paint is water and mineral based (allowing it to soak into the terra cotta), it is fairly safe. Unfortunately, I don’t have a longer test case for you. Sorry! 🙂

  7. Love this! I’ve been looking for an easier DIY for this look and this one is perfect! Can’t wait to try it. Thanks for sharing!
    -Madison, from yourdwellingplaces.com

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