How to Create a Faux Concrete Finish on Terra Cotta Pots
Come and see how I created an aged concrete finish on terra cotta pots I found thrifting!
Hey friends! Hope your week has been great so far! 🙂 We have lots of projects going on around here that I’m so excited to share with you all, but for now I’m dying to tell you how I created a faux concrete finish on terra cotta pots I found at the thrift store!
I was so happy to find some fresh herbs at the grocery store last weekend, not only because I’m using them for a fun tablescape this week (that I’ll be sharing with you this Friday), but also because I love to cook with fresh herbs – they make such a difference whenever you add them!
I checked the dollar store first for some pots to transfer my herbs to, but all I could find was plastic and I knew I wanted something more substantial.
Like usual, the thrift store saved the day!
I found some super neat pots at our local second hand store, and while I wasn’t crazy about the color, I knew I could play with the finish and really create something unique. Here’s what I did!
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HOW TO CREATE A CONCRETE FINISH ON TERRA COTTA POTS – MATERIALS NEEDED
- Terra Cotta Pots
- Plaster of Paris
- Putty knife
- Bowl
- Newspaper
- Green Paint
- Gray Paint
- Paint brush
- Sanding Block
HOW TO CREATE A CONCRETE FINISH ON TERRA COTTA POTS – STEP ONE
First, I mixed some Plaster of Paris and water in a bowl until it was a thick, glue like consistency. Then, using a plastic putty knife, I smeared the mixture all over the pots in a completely random pattern.
Have fun with this part – you could even let your kids help! It’s a bit messy, but the goal is to create layers that make the pots look aged.
HOW TO CREATE A CONCRETE FINISH ON TERRA COTTA POTS – STEP TWO
Next, I painted all of my pots using a greenish gray paint that I created using paint that I already had on hand. I don’t have the exact color for this, I’m so sorry. Any craft paint will do, but chalk paint will work best since it adheres so well to any surface. For my homemade chalk paint recipe, click here!
I went with green for my first color because I really wanted some natural, mossy looking undertones. You could probably skip this step and go straight to step three, but in my experience, the more layers the better!
HOW TO CREATE A CONCRETE FINISH ON TERRA COTTA POTS – STEP THREE
Next I used a chalk paint that I purchased at Walmart called “Mineral” by Waverly. I LOVE this color! It’s a perfect gray with beige undertones. Rather than painting the entire pot, I used a technique called dry brushing.
I dip my brush into the paint just barely, then dab off any excess paint onto a paper plate. Then I painted in a way so that the first layer is still visible. I’ll be sharing a video tutorial that involves dry brushing very soon!
HOW TO CREATE A CONCRETE FINISH ON TERRA COTTA POTS – STEP FOUR
Finally, I created another very thin mixture of Plaster of Paris and water. This time I painted it to give the pots a white washed feel.
I then took a sanding block and sanded each pot so that some plaster showed through as well as some of the gray and green. I wiped away the dust, and there you have it! I just love the way these turned out!
If you’d like to see more of these beautiful pots, stay tuned!! On Friday I’ll be sharing an herb themed tablescape that was so simple to put together! 🙂
What did you think of this project? Have you guys tried anything like this before? I’d love to know in the comments below! 🙂
UPDATE – This process works for decorative purposes only. Upon watering my herbs I began to notice the Plaster of Paris peeling off in certain areas! If you like that rustic, weathered look than great! Otherwise stick to faux greenery 😉
Thanks again for stopping by sweet friends!
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Hummm… This imppress me, please i like knows abt how to make it thanks.
All the steps are in the blog post! Hope that helps! 🙂
Have you tried sealing the inside of the pot, as terracotta is porous. I’ve painted outside of mine in acrylic paint and sealed inside with various store bought spray on sealers and two with gloss clear varnish all are so far ok.
I have not done that before, thank you for the tip! So far mine have held up but I don’t always use real plants in them.
Hi there. Did you funk on the plaster of Paris mixture to give it more texture? It looks awesome. I have a couple of texture products in my arsenal. Sea spray by Dixie Belle and Saltwash. I’m hoping these work the same. Thank you!
I smeared it on in a random pattern, I hope this helps! There are more photos as you scroll through the post. I hope the products you have work well too!
Can these pots withstand being outside? If not, could you do the same technique with a matte sealer vanish?
I have used them outside yes! In Michigan, they do fine through the spring, summer and fall months!
Do you think spackle would work?
Yes, I think that would work!
Thank you!