Outdated Terra Cotta Pot to French Country Classic

This post may contain affiliate links.

learn how to update an orangey outdated terra cotta pot with a French country classic look.

There are about a million “important” projects waiting to be done around the new house, but sometimes you have to tackle the ones that are driving you the craziest first – even if they don’t really fit in a normal priority order. An outdated terra cotta pot makeover is certainly not more important than getting seats at my dining room table, but I drive up every day and look at this eyesore.

These two pots sit outside my garage door and cry every day because they want to be pretty.  My husband probably wishes I would get the boxes out of our bedroom but this empty orange pot was bugging me and got moved to the front of the massive to-do list! A terra cotta pot makeover to the resuce…

I wanted to turn the orangey outdated terra cotta pot into a French country classic look. This pot went great in our old house, but against this brick it just doesn’t work and I wanted it to coordinate with this other French country glazed weathered pot that I love.

This is such a simple makeover and really brings a dramatic change. It’s great to do if you want to streamline the look of your patio or bring some plants indoors. It’s much cheaper to makeover outdated terra cotta pots than to buy new ones! I think a coordinated look soothes the eye and makes your greenery the focus.

This is a sponsored post. I was compensated by Workman’s Friend in exchange for an honest review. As always, all opinions and creative ideas are mine and mine alone! This post may also contain some affiliate links for your convenience. I may receive a commission, but you won’t pay a penny more. Click here to view the disclosure policy.

Before I get to the paint details let me introduce you to my new little friend and partner in crime! Workman’s Friend Barrier Skin Cream. I’ve told you guys before I’m the messiest crafter and painter.

I’m even a messy gardner, dirt loves me! This cream is so good to me. You put it on like hand lotion before you start working and it forms a protective barrier like a glove that keeps your hands super moist and makes dirt and paint either wipe off or wash off like I’ve never seen before.

I usually have to scrub my hands with a brush to get all the junk off, but this cream literally makes clean up so easy and my hands feel amazing. They normally are all dried out after a workday. It protects, moisturizes AND lasts for hours.

Workman’s Friend Barrier Cream is my new crafting partner and it can be yours too. So go grab one for yourself and get one for a friend. It would make an awesome stocking stuffer, especially because it protects hands from grease, chemicals, and other irritants, so that hard to shop for guy in your life can use it too! 

Check out these fun, easy projects and see how simple it is to keep your hands soft and clean even when you are knee deep in:

Markers – a quick and fun farmhouse organization idea

Liquid Gilding – see how to make plain seashells stunning

Stain – take simple wood to simply chic

Spray Paint – how to make cheap plastic look perfectly precious

How to update a terra cotta pot

OK – now back to this terra cotta pot makeover! I picked out a white chalk paint and heavily painted the rim portions of the pot with two coats of paint for full coverage.

For the body of the pot, I dry brushed the textured area to change the color lightly while highlighting the cute latticework texture. Dry brush just means you barely get your paint brush wet with paint, not fully loaded like I did on the rim.

I brushed all over in different directions to age the pot and give it a worn, distressed look. Try not to over-do it, or it will just look painted. You can do this on a plain, none textured pot as well, just dry brush sparingly.

Next, I got a cream colored acrylic paint (just the little craft paints from the craft store, like Delta or Decoart ) and dry brushed all over the pot, including the rim to tone it down and add layers.

Since I was working outside in the Texas heat the paint practically dried as soon as I applied it, if you are smarter and working in a cooler condition then let the paint dry completely between coats.

To finish off the pot I sealed it with a high gloss clear spray paint so it would protect the paint and give it that french country glazed look.

My poor empty pots got new life with some plants that are hardy for our area. I know you are tempted to put out a million blooming flowers and showy small plants, but take my advice and start out with structure plants in your pots.

I love to add greenery that will make pretty clippings for around the house. See what grows in your pots and what you can keep alive, then add in small seasonal accents. Especially in the heat of summer or the freezing winter.

Otherwise, you might get quickly discouraged by the death of your new addition. I am loving how cohesive this spot feels.

Now when I drive up to my garage all feels right in the world and I smile at how easy it was to make such a small change and get such a big impact. Plus my hands are clean and soft.:) You can’t beat that!

[mv_create title=”Outdated Terra Cotta Pot to French Country Classic” key=”17″ thumbnail=”https://kimpepperblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/terra-cotta-pot-to-french-country-pot-9.jpg” type=”diy”]You may also like these terra cotta pot ideas:

Painted Terra Cotta Pots

DIY Paper Sunflowers Mantel