DIFFICULTY RATING: MEDIUM
Flower pot makeovers have been everywhere on Pinterest in recent months. From painting to decoupage, a quick craft can turn plain terracotta pots into fun additions to your home. Bright and bold or chic and subtle - simply choose the paint or napkin you love the most and get crafting.
This pin from Place of My Taste particularly inspired me as I love the choice of napkin:
The plan during this Pinterest project was to decoupage all six flower pots, which began with painting them to give a base colour. However I loved the painted ones so much, I decided to opt for half and half. Here's how I got on:
WHAT YOU NEED:
- Terracotta pots (I went for six of varying sizes)
- Chalk paint
- Paint brush
- PVA glue
- Scissors
- Napkins (couple of design options)
- FrogTape (you can use masking tape but I find FrogTape better for keeping paint out)
Painted pots
If dirty, wash your pots and let them dry out fully. (I did this a few days beforehand.)
Chalk paint your pots (no prep required). I used FrogTape on the areas I wanted to remain terracotta.
Once dry, peel away FrogTape.
I love this colour combination (I used Annie Sloan chalk paint in Louis Blue).
Final result! I couldn't wash off all the outdoor markings from the terracotta but I think this keeps them looking authentic.
On to the decoupage...
I then rounded up a selection of napkins ready to decoupage my remaining pots.
You can decoupage the whole napkin or cut out specific designs.
I decoupaged onto chalk painted pots as the lighter background worked better.
Alternatively you can use the whole napkin design (I still cut these into smaller squares to help with application).
The final result!
TOP TIPS
- I've never decoupaged before so when looking up the technique, some crafters suggested adding glue to the pot first, others advised adding to the napkin beforehand. I chose the first option as I found when applying to the napkin first, it would stick to my fingers and tear-!
- Don't do this slippery craft over hard flooring (especially if it's slate). I almost learned this lesson the hard way.
- Grab a couple of napkin designs in case you don't like how the first one comes out.
- Chalk paint makes life easier. No prep - just paint.
- My pink rose napkins are from Amazon, the fish and smaller flowers are from Cath Kidston (I always pick up a few packs when there's a sale on).
- Keep them inside - outdoor weather will ruin them. On that note...
IDEAS FOR INDOOR USE:
- Indoor plants (of course!)
- Pen pot
- Makeup brushes
- Essential cables and chargers
- Bar essentials e.g. bottle opener, champagne stopper, cocktail mixing spoon
- If you have a table or shelf by your front door, use a smaller pot for grab-and-go essentials such as wallet, keys, sunglasses, gum, etc.
The verdict
The decoupage project was quite time consuming but I was happy with the end result. I'd recommend giving it a go if you have some spare time one weekend. What I really liked discovering from this project was how much I LOVE chalk paint. It's the ideal upcycling solution for people who are limited on time. I'm also keen to try this pot project, as it looks equally quick and effective.
For more Pinterest project ideas, take a look at my home decor boards here.
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