Thank you for all of your sweet comments about my painted pots! I’m so excited to show you how I completed this easy and budget friendly project. I started off with these terra cotta pots that I had in my backyard. A friend had given me these pots a few years back and I had initially dry brushed most of them white a couple of years ago. This won’t matter in the process, as you will see, the white paint will soon be covered, so no need to dry brush your pots before you start.
I started out using joint compound to add texture to the pots. Joint compound is very budget friendly, so it barely adds to the cost of this project. I didn’t use a lot of it, so a small container will do. This is the same stuff that I used for my faux brick wall that you will see later in this post. I applied the joint compound, using my hand and just smeared a think layer all over the pot. I then used a paper towel to dab and wipe around the pot, to take away the “smeared look” and give it more of the texture that I was looking for. I think that this is where the fun begins. This is where you can get creative and dab to your hearts content until the pot looks like you want it to. Keep in mind that you will be lightly sanding these later so the texture will not remain exactly the same. The joint compound did not take long to dry after I applied it, which was nice for the time span of this project.
I didn’t want to buy new paint so I checked my paint closet and used some I had on hand. I used 3 different colors of paint all in satin/eggshell finish…
1.Valspar Paint, color: Vintage Frame mixed with a little craft paint Apple Barrel brand, color: Palm Leaf (I mixed a little of both until I had the color I desired, which was a deep dark green)
2. Valspar Paint, color: Portland Twilight
3. Behr Paint: Swiss Coffee
I used this circular brush that was a little stiff in its bristles to stipple/dab the paint on the pot, alternating the colors. I started with the darker color on some pots and mixed it up on others to give them all a different look. Some of the pots I only used one of the Valspar colors along with the Swiss Coffee so that they would all have their own unique look. 
After I was done dabbing on the colors, I then blended the colors with a paper towel.
After the paint was all blended, I would add on some of the darker color and sometimes some of the lighter color in various places to bring out different tones in different areas. As you can see by now, there is no perfect way to paint these pots. It’s all a game of adding and wiping off and blending. When I was happy with the coloring, I sanded them with this 150 grit sand paper block in a downward motion. This helped pull off some of the paint, to give the paint a layered/chippy look. This also helps some of the joint compound (which is white) show underneath the other colors. If I felt like an area needed more paint, I would dab on more and complete the same process.
I would also sand sometimes when the paint was a little damp. This helped blend the colors even more.
If you see, there are some areas on some of my pots that look brownish, or rust color. There were areas on my pots where the terra cotta or rust color bled through the joint compound. I love how that happened so I just incorporated it with all of my other colors. I don’t know if this would happen on every pot, so if you like that look, you could always add a rust/brown color of paint.
I am so in love with the way they turned out. I would love to hear what you think in the comments below! I took these photos for an up close of what a few of them looked like. You can see them all styled up in my space in the photos below these.
All sources for this space linked below, at the end of this post. I am loving the pots in this space. I would love to hear your opinion too!
You can see that “rust” color that I was referring to there on that second pot in, in the middle. 
I’m pretty sure that Chester is thinking, “when is this going to be over so I can get my treat”.
Source List: (Click or Tap on Highlighted Text)
Tribal Medallion Rug: Rugs USA
Horse Photo: Shutter Tree Photos
Horse Photo Frame: Thrifted And Painted With My Chalk Paint Recipe
Book Page Sign: Our Found Home
Old Trunk: Craigslist
Chippy Side Table: Thrifted And Painted With Old Barn Milk Paint Color: Sweet Cream
Old Books: Thrifted
Blinds: Select Blinds (see the style here)
Lamp: Thrifted
*Affiliate Links are used in this post
I am absolutely crazy about your pots! Going tomorrow to buy everything I need????
Can’t wait to see how you paint yours! Such a fun project!
❤️❤️❤️ these pots! I am not craft but truly wNt to try this. Thx for sharing
I adore these. Will definitely be doing this. Thank you for sharing!
Thank you Connie! Would love to see yours when you are finished!
You will be surprised at how easy and fun this project is. I hope you do some!
I love them! I’m gonna try this!
Thank you Karen! Can’t wait to see yours!
Ok so those are amazing. I’m wondering if that compound will stick to a plastic pot. Hmmm?
I’m not sure, good question. I guess you would have to research joint compound.
I love the pots!!!!!
I love them! I am also realistic in that I would never ever get them to look like that! Wanna make some for me?!
You would be surprised at how easy the project is. So fun too!
Love love love it !! Thank you !! What a great idea adding joint compound for the age look !!! Cool !!????????????????????????????????????????????????❤️❤️❤️❤️
Thank you Terrie! They were fun to make!
Love love love these pots!!! I definitely want to try and make some!! ????????
Thank you Kim! So fun to make!
I hope my pots come out as good as your pots! If not, I want yours. And cute Chester! I’ll take him too!????
Thank you Cathy! He would love lots of pats from you!
I just love these. Ive been wanting some pots like that but did t want to spend the $. Now I need to just go do it! I love your DIYs.
Thank you so much Merri! I can’t wait to see yours!
Yay! Can’t wait to see them! ????????????????
I love how they turned out. Thanks for showing us how it’s done.
Thank you so much Alison! It was a fun project!
Thank you Alison!
These pots came out looking like you spent a fortune on them! Holy smokes, they are awesome! Great project and you’re so clever!!!!
Thank you so much Janine! They are so messy but so fun to make!
Love! How do u think they will hold up outside with rain and or sun? Thanks for all your great ideas????
Thank you Melissa! I would not use them outdoors in the rain and such. Under and awning outside would be ok.
Wow these look amazing I love them and what a great DIY thanks for the inspiration x
Thank you so much Karina! They were so fun to make!
Thank you Karina!
I really love the look of these pots! I think that I know the answer to this question already…but do you think they would last outdoors? The rain would more than likely was the joint compound off right? Anyway, love them and want to try this myself!
Thank you so much, Paige! I would not use them in the elements outdoors, under and awning would be ok i believe but yes you are correct, the rain would probably ruin them after some time.
thank you Paige! I would not use them in the elements
I love these you need to make a few to sell in your Etsy Shop. They look so pretty and your furry photo bomber is precious too.
Happy Wednesday.
Hugs,
Kris
Thank you Kris!! He is the bomb ????????????
Love these! With spring coming I’m in the mood to add more flowers and plants around my home. I’ll be trying this out!!
I love the pots as well as all your diy’s! You are. So very talented!
Aw thank you Patrice!
Love these pots!! Plan to give it a try!
Also in love with your quote from Its A Wonderful Life! So need this!!????
Thank you so much Penny!
Nicely done! I had one that looked like that because it was left out in the elements. I have always wanted to replicate it. Now I can. Thank you. 🙂
Brenda
That’s awesome! They look so great when the weather makes them look so old
I LOVE these! Love clay pots to start with and the more aged they look, all the better. All the color variations look so natural. I’m not sure I am brave enough to try this, afraid I would be too picky and overwork it. Admire how you visualize something and dig right in and do. Keep inspiring us Natalie.
Ruth
Thank you so much Ruth! They are so fun to make
What a great DIY! Inspired and ready to do this. Oh and those clouds and mountains wow.
Thank you Darleene! ❤️
Love your pots that you created and they look awesome in your room with the various green that you used. Your room looks so clean and fresh. As much as I love each of your ideas, I love Chester in all your rooms. I have fallen in love with that awesome dog. He is so handsome and adds just the right touch to each of your photos.
I agree! Chester steaks the show ❤️
I absolutely ❤️ these pots!!! I’m not sure I could ever make them look as good as yours ???? Thanks for sharing!
That is so sweet Sara! You would do great!
I love these pots! I’m going to make some, I’ll tag you!!
I can’t wait to see yours Betsy!!
These pots are gorgeous!! These would be so expensive in resell shop. Thank you so much for posting. I ❤️ Chester.
Thanks Debbie, and Chester says “woof!”
These pots look amazing. Questions are: do you have real plants in all of these shown in your pics?? And, if any are real plants, do you have the soil directly in the pot, or is it in a plastic pot inside the clay pot?? Thanks!! Love this look!!
Most of the plants are faux, I just used real lavender for the pics.