DIY Paint Project: Painting Flower Pots for a Timeless Aged Concrete Look

Faux Concrete Paint Project

DIY Paint Project: Giving plastic flower pots a timeless aged concrete look.

I painted an inexpensive plastic flower pot using a simple technique to make it look like aged concrete. A quick DIY project that resulted in a cute little plant to sit on my desk at work.

While strolling through my favorite aisle at Dollar General (the home decor aisle, of course), I stumbled upon a cheap $4 plastic flower pot. Though the pot itself wasn't quite my style, I was drawn to the impressively realistic (but actually very fake) soft green snake plant inside it. I knew that with a bit of creativity, this pot could match my vibe perfectly. I pictured a terra cotta or stone look. I decided to go for the timeless aged stone look.

Here’s a step-by-step guide of how I did it:

Materials Needed

Plastic flower pot: I used a $4 plastic pot from Dollar General.
Waverly chalk paint: Colors - Truffle and Mineral
Two small paint brushes
Paper towels

The Process

Base Coat: I started by using one of the brushes to paint the entire pot with the Mineral gray chalk paint. This created a solid, neutral base that mimicked the natural color of aged concrete.
Adding Texture: Next, I dipped the other brush into the Truffle brown chalk paint and dabbed spots randomly around the pot. This step adds depth and variation, which are key to achieving a realistic stone look.
Blending: Using a paper towel, I lightly dabbed and blended the brown spots into the gray base. This process softened the contrast between the colors and created a more natural, weathered appearance.
Adjusting and Perfecting: Periodically, I stepped back to assess my progress. Whenever I noticed areas that needed more gray or brown, I simply used the paper towel to dab and blend more paint until I was satisfied with the result.

Work Quickly: Chalk paint dries fast, which made this project swift and easy to complete in just a few minutes.
Embrace Imperfections: The little dimples and texture of the pot naturally contributed to the rough stone look I was aiming for. Don't worry about perfect blending; the irregularities add to the charm.
No Special Skills Needed: This project requires no fancy talent. If you have paint and paper towels, you have everything you need. Just dab, blend, and repeat until you're happy with the look.

The Results

I love the way this little stone pot turned out! It’s the perfect accent for my desk, adding a touch of charm to my workspace. I'm already on the lookout for more pots like this one to create a coordinating collection.