My Vintage Porch

Interior Design, DIY, and Refurbishing

How To Make Pots/ Containers Look Old -Part 2

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Another pot project…I found this huge one at a thrift store for $8! I knew it could be so much better than bright orange! I’m still trying to figure out if this is an old olive pot look alike…I would love to hear in the comments below if you know for sure.

I started off by cutting off the little things that were surrounding the handles. They just weren’t jiving with me and some of them were falling off. I was wondering if they might be glued on, but I used scissors and they came off so easy!

I started off by using a paint mixture that I had mixed together from some craft paint that I had on hand. I was thinking I was going to give the pot a lighter look. I used a mixture of the “Apple barrel“ paint from Walmart in colors khaki, nutmeg brown, and burnt umber. I don’t really have a ratio, but I used a lot of the khaki color and then small amounts of the other two colors, mixed together. I added baking soda into my paint until it got thick, again, I don’t really have a ratio for this but it’s pretty easy to gauge on your own when mixing it …kind of a project to project preference to how thick I prefer it to be as well.

I painted/blotted on a lighter coat of this and then mixed a little bit more of the darker colors with the khaki (after the lighter coat dried) and painted on a darker coat on top of that. The baking soda added gave me the character that I wanted with the texturized look. I’ve then dry brushed on the burnt umber color. I could have totally skipped all of these first steps with the direction that I decided to go with the pot.

I decided that I wanted to paint it kind of like my other pots that I had painted, because of the style of the pot. It would have looked great brown as well but I didn’t really have the colors on hand that I needed to layer with to make it look really authentic and good.

I painted over the whole thing, leaving some spots showing underneath, with a custom color match that I had from Behr paint. I didn’t use the baking soda on this step because I already had so much texture from the other paint that I used underneath it. But, if you were skipping the first steps and just starting from here, you could add the baking soda to a deep dark brown paint to start off with to get texture for your base.

You can see below how there are some colors peeking through. I’m not sure that this made a huge difference in the end, but it might have helped with more of a layered look?

I made my own paint mixture again with the “apple barrel“ craft paint from Walmart using colors melted chocolate, khaki, and a tiny bit of red. The tiny bit of red color mixed in gives it more of an old terra-cotta look. I have used this paint mixture a couple other times and it’s turned out great! I added baking soda to the paint mixture and dabbed it all over the pot with a craft paintbrush.

I left a lot of spots showing through of the brown color underneath.

When the terra-cotta color was almost completely dry, I used a damp lint free cloth to wipe over the pot in the areas that I wanted the darker color to show through more. It worked so well to get the terra-cotta color to come off lightly to give it more of a layered look! I find that working with these types of things where I’m trying to get a layered look, it’s almost trial and error…I just keep layering until I like it… and I mix colors until I like them. As you can see here, sometimes it takes covering the whole pot and then covering it again to get the color that I want for the type of pot I’m working with.

I wanted a lighter color that would pop here and there, so I took a paintbrush, dipped it in “Eiffel for you” Behr paint and wiped most of the paint off of the brush before applying. This color is kind of like a “Taupe“ color, so other taupe colors could be used for this as well. I dabbed it here and there in different areas, keeping a lint free damp cloth on hand so that if I got too much on the pot I could just wipe it off, or blend it in. I also blotted on a little bit of the dark brown color match towards the bottom of the pot, around the rim on the top, and other areas in small amounts…. Wiping off the excess when I needed to if I applied too much.

I love the look of this color combo! It looks amazingly old and authentic! Old olive pots sell online sometimes upwards to $500 or more…I’m glad I could replicate something that looks old for $8! Wooo hoooo!!!

You can see the paint that I blotted along the top a little better in this close up. I love seeing the dark color peek through!

Each side looks a little bit different, which makes it look even more authentic.

These are the three pots that I have done with this color combo! These old looking pots are so fun to sit inside my hutch that I have that has glass doors! Have you ever tried anything like this? It really is so much fun to see how they all turn out!

I’ve even used techniques such as these on glass containers. With the glass containers I started off by spray painting it with matte black spray paint, that had some primer in it, to try to keep it from chipping off…and then continued with the method above. Now, to find another color combination that I love just as much as this!

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  4. Since I started following you I will NEVER look at a ugly pot the same again. I will always know it can be changed into something amazing!!!
    ????????@thehotseason

  6. ????I wish I had half the creativity as you do. You see the out come before you even start. Great job!!

  7. ???? You’re so creative and talented. Most of all, funny! Love watching all you do.❤️

  8. Love the trio together!! Can’t wait to have time for projects like you do without a toddler getting into everything! ???? ????????
    ???? ???? @maliamae

  16. If I didn’t know better would’ve thought these were from an ancient world!????????

  19. @kcollins111 I wish I had this much imagination… I can’t see possibilities like you do ????????

  20. I love???? seeing these come to life! It looks so much better than it did, essentially saved it from its ugly duckling stage haha!! Love seeing your work!

  25. Love how they turned out Natalie! They really do look old!! You are SO good at what you do!! ????????

  28. This is amazing! I mean! ???????????????? talent! I love this. Looks so old! So much better!
    ig @aubsajober

  31. Love the colors! Now to go hunt for some funky pots!!! ????????????????
    @morganne_anderson

  32. You amaze me with your creativity. I love how the newest pot looks. When you put the collection all together, and show them…it makes such a awesome look! Makes me want to try doing some myself! ????????????????????????

  33. ????@babyrose4

    You have inspired me so much! I have painted pots and sanded a wood dresser from a dumpster ???????? just trying to make you and Heather proud!

  35. Totally went on a smoke break to the thrift store and was on the search for pottery and no luck. But these are so beautiful, I want !! ????????

  36. Totally went on a smoke break to the thrift store and was on the search for pottery and no luck. But these are so beautiful, I want !! ????????
    @_jocelynandrade

  39. You make it look so easy! These are amazing, *he says as he frantically drives to goodwill to find more pots*

  41. Just loooove them-I think I like your winter ones the best ????????????????????????❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ @spursandstripescreations

  45. I love your blog, IG. You are such a light in this world. Your spirit and faith are so great to see. And your enthusiasm is infectious. Keep on doing what you’re doing!! ????????????????

  49. Just amazing!! I’ve never seen you make something that wasn’t awesome!! ????????
    @b2982

  51. These are so great. Amazing how simple dog’s can save so much money.
    ????@kpw527

  54. These pots look like they just came out of an archeological dig!!! Soooo gorgeous! One of these days I am going to make some pots!!!

  55. It turned out so good! You’re getting quite the collection ???????? (IG windie1)

  61. I think you should sell your amazing pots and furniture and you’d be able to build your house with cash upfront! If they ever get your plans all finished.????????????????

  62. You are truly inspiring. I no longer look at things in a thrift store and see what they are – I see what they can be.
    IG beelerjenn
    ????????

  65. I love how your pot project turned out! I am on the hunt to try your recommended techniques!????????????

  67. You’re so talented and I absolutely love your witty way. I laugh everyday because of you.

  68. ???????? I seriously have to find myself an old pot and try this technique! Love it! @lhendon

  70. HEATHER!! Have you seen this one?? That was a wise $8 spent at the OPT. ????
    ????????
    Love it Natalie!
    -Kim
    @houseofthehoneythief

  71. I LOVE this one! I like all of the ones you’ve done but there is something about this one!!! The little loop handles and the color is perfect! I really want to try doing this!

  73. I love your “fearless approach” to doing anything and “your can do it over” recovery !!!! I’m adapting them both to my life!!! ????????????

  74. Love it and all of them! You’ve worked your magic once again!! ???????????????? ???? @nancysthename

  76. I am in Love with all your pots ????????????????and I think your work is amazing!!!

    11heavenlygifts

  77. I think they stored olive oil in it, in Ancient Greece the amphora held different items to ship but this is too small.

  79. ???????????? you always make my day a little brighter! Enjoy all your projects you do! Thank you!????????????????

  80. Is there anything you can’t do that turns to beauty?!? Love the pot!????????????????@patchouli_and_rose

  81. You are inspiring me. I have tried to paint a vase, so far not so good. You definitely have a special talent. I am NOT going to give up, no matter how many layers of paint I use. ????????@kellycgonzales27

  84. AOh my goodness! ???? Love this so much! You are so fun to watch and these pots turned out gorgeous

  85. Love it!! I’m always looking for old pots now! I finally found a swan planter! I need a duck now! ????????????????

    @sonyajo12

  89. I have an old wooden plinth that I want to make over and I’m going to try this technique on it. I think it would look really cool in a terra Cotta type finish. Thanks for sharing! ???? @glitteredcrow

    • I love your attitude of “just go for it and everything can be fixed”!!! You’re my kind of fixer! The pot looks grea! ????????????????@sjtucker29

  93. I still am going to try this even tho I don’t do diy lol. ????????????????????????

  95. ????????I love how these turn out and so fun to make thank you for showing us how???????????? Instagram Diane armor

  96. My garage is filling up with all my “I saw Natalie do it “ OPT finds and my husband is giving me the “you might have a problem “ look!! I may have to cut back on the smoke breaks!!! ???? Seriously, you are so inspiring, funny and your ❤️ for Jesus, your family and charities rounds out my reasons for being here!! (Oh and CHESTER!! Duh!!????) ????????????
    @salvaged.nest

  97. You really are the queen of this technique! Thank you for all the details on the process, seems very achievable. Wonder if it would work on resin?

  98. I never have good luck finding pots like this to diy! But I would love too! ????????????????????????

  99. Looks awesome! Love the pots- and I love watching your stories! ????????????????????

  105. You have done such a beautiful job on all these pots! I am currently looking for some pots to do myself. Thank you for sharing!! Love this!!???????? @Lmaki77

  109. Love seeing you and all your projects. You’re amazing and just a ball of positive energy. The world definitely needs more of that. ????????

  110. Love the finished product! Would never guess that “orange” pot could turn out so perfectly aged! ????

  111. Love your projects and hope to try these soon! Reminds me of my first project of yours I tried with Dollar Store pumpkins painted with layers of paint! They turned out so cute and no one would’ve guessed the ugly bright orange and green styrofoam they started out as!???? @debbiejo16

  112. The color combo on these look so real! It is astounding what you can do with paint!! Hooray for $8!!

    @well_oiled_farmhouse on IG

  116. All your pots turned out fantastic. They look like they are an antique, from another country. Well done. Love, love, love. ???????????? @gloryann1223

  122. It’s always so fun to see how your pots are going to turn out! You never disappoint!

  124. I enjoy and wait for your thrift store finds. Those snaps are my smoke break from my kids. And they bring joy to my heart heather anyways. Love you and God bless. @__jocelynandrade

  125. You’re a breath of fresh air, in this crazy world we live in. I love what you do, dying to see how that UGLY chair turns out! ???? God bless you!

  126. I love everything that you redo. But these pots are my favorite of all! ????????????????????????

  128. They look great. I’ve tried 3x and only 1 fail. I think it’s salvageable with more layers. Thank you for always sharing and inspiring. ????@craftysuz

  130. Turned out amazing, can’t wait to try this my self!

    ????????????????
    Fannijo_

  132. I forgot the ???????? on my comment????.
    Shanna
    @our_military_home_front

  133. I’m inspired! Totally going to try this! I went out to the ALL the local thrift and vintage stores today and bought 2 lamps, 3 crocks and a vase.. am I getting a little too ahead of myself?? ????????????????

    Instagram: a8jacqueline6g

  135. Love these so much! Every time you do something cool to a pot or jug it turns out awesome! ????????????
    @b2982

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