Pottery Ideas: How to Get Admired Pottery Barn Look with Ease Now

Pottery Ideas: Get the Look of Pottery Barn Aged Stone Vases for Less

Create the sought after aged stone look of expensive pottery (like those found at Pottery Barn or Restoration Hardware).  I used several different types of materials, tools and painting techniques to create different looks.

This post brings home the saying, “there’s nothing better than a great dupe!” Here you go!

These pottery ideas are the best kind of DIY project we know.

Why? It’s because they are:

1. easy
2. inexpensive
3. fun
4. rewarding
5. They upcycle what you already own or can inexpensively thrift.

Here are some of the high-end stone vase photos that I used to inspire me.

 

Artisan Stone Vases

These artisan stone vases sell for $80 retail. They are made of terracotta and have a very earthy old-world handcrafted look.

Pottery Barn has a whole collection this year of gorgeous aged pottery and artisanal rustic vases. They are gorgeous and very expensive. Take a look if you want to get even more inspired.

I had fun making vases of my own that looked like these but cost only pennies using paint supplies I had on hand. Plus, I was able to repurpose old vases that I was planning to give to the thrift store.

If you don’t have a pile of outdated vases you don’t love, simply head to your local thrift store, and you’re sure to find a few.

Pottery Ideas: Creating Texture

I’ll take you through a variety of pottery ideas and the easy techniques I used. I hope you will try them all.

Here’s how to create texture.

1. Baking Soda

• Adding baking soda to the paint is one way to create texture.
• You can play with the amount of baking soda you add. More will obviously create more texture.
• Too much will give the paint a clay-like texture, and it won’t stick.
• I recommend a ratio of about 50% baking soda to 50% paint.

2. Spackling

• Another way to create texture is to add a layer of spackling.
• To create this effect scrape a layer of spackling onto the vase with a small plastic knife.
• Then dab at the spackling with your fingers to create more texture with it until it begins to pull away and stick to your fingers leaving the texture you see. (Example is the smallest white vase in the trio of vases shown above.)

Here Is How to Create Color

There are a variety of ways to add color.

• Use a sponge paintbrush to apply the paint + baking soda. Add the first couple layers of solid color.
• Try a sponge to dab another color.
• Continue layering paint to reveal the amounts of color that you want to show.
• Try adding coffee for a natural earthy color.
• You can also try rubbing dirt for both added color and texture.

Pottery Ideas: Create an Aged Earthy Look

Medium size White Vase

• I painted 2 coats of Fusion Mineral Paint “Raw Silk” mixed with baking soda.
• Then I rubbed coffee on it.

One pottery idea which I love to use is this easy technique to create an earthy worn look. 

I rubbed coffee in different amounts all over the vases.

• This is really easy to do. 
• Make sure you have a tray to catch the coffee.
• I used a paint tray.
• Pour some regular dry coffee grounds onto the tray, approximately one cup.
• Grab a small handful of coffee and sprinkle it onto the side of the vase. Begin rubbing it into the vase with your fingers or the base of your hand. 
• Repeat this around the vase. You want some places to be more ground in and some to be less.
• Pay attention to how it is looking as you go so you don’t create a polka dot effect by accident.

Pottery Idea #2: Black Textured Vase

I painted 2 coats of Fusion Mineral Paint “Ash” mixed with 50% baking soda.

All of the texture on this vase was created simply by adding extra baking soda to the paint mixture.

You can experiment like I did with how much baking soda is the right amount for your desired texture.

It will be very clear when you have too much baking soda in your mixture.

Your mixture will start to form clumps that will fall off the vase.

Then you will know it’s too much baking soda. If this happens, just add a bit more paint, and you’re back in business.

Pottery Idea #3: Spackled White Vase

• I painted one coat of Fusion Mineral Paint in “Raw Silk” mixed with baking soda.
• Then I covered it in a layer of spackling and created texture with my fingers.
• Basically, this texture was created by playing with the spackling until texture was formed.

Pottery Idea #4: Black & White Vase

The pottery ideas I combined for this vase project may just be my favorite. I wanted this tall vase to really stand out, so it needed a bit of drama. Which one is your favorite?

• I painted one coat of Fusion Mineral Paint in “Raw Silk” mixed with baking soda.
• Next, I sponge painted a partial layer of gray paint.
• Finally, I painted a layer on top of that of “Ash” mixed with baking soda with a sponge paintbrush.

Pottery Idea #5: Short Multi-colored Vase

 

This next example I used several pottery ideas, both paint and two types of texture.

I started with one coat of Fusion Mineral Paint in “Raw Silk” mixed with baking soda.

Then I rubbed coffee on it.

Then I painted over with a black glaze from Fusion Mineral Paint and rubbed some off.

These Pottery Ideas Can Transform Ordinary Vases into On-Trend Vases You Love

You don’t have to spend a lot to get the look from expensive department stores. Now you know how you can create it yourself with simple affordable supplies and tools you probably already have on hand. 

As you can see, just layering the paint and experimenting with techniques, you can easily create different looks. If you don’t like how the color looks you can easily paint over it or add another layer.

These pottery ideas are a fabulous way to upcycle old glass vases that you no longer love and turn them into something special.

So many reasons to love this DIY.

Looking for more inspiring, inexpensive DIY projects? Here are a few of our favorites:

How to Make No-Sew Drop Cloth Curtains

Arm Knitting Made Easy

Learn How to Make Stunning Macrame Decor

Be brave and have fun!