How to Whitewash Terracotta Pots with Chalk Paint
We’re sharing how to whitewash terracotta pots with chalk paint today.Â
I love being outside.
So, it’s been fun spending time working to revamp some of the flower and garden beds around our property.
That said, keeping everything alive in this crazy Florida heat and humidity has been a full-time job.
While I won’t be planting anything new outside for a few months, I’m always on the hunt for plants that will thrive indoors.
In addition, I’ve been on the hunt for pots and containers that have an aged-over-time feel, too.
I’ve seen terracotta pots that have been whitewashed with milk paint, white wax, buttermilk and limestone.
So, I decided to try whitewashing terracotta pots with chalk paint to see if I could achieve a similar effect.
Here’s a look at how you can give your terracotta pots an aged patina with chalk paint.
How to Whitewash Terracotta Pots with Chalk Paint…
Whitewashing Terracotta Pots with Chalk Paint Supplies:
- Terracotta Pots (size of your choice)
- Tarp (to protect your surfaces)
- Annie Sloan Chalk Paint (we used Old White)Â
- Chip Brush
- Cup of WaterÂ
- Paper Towels or Old Rag/Tee ShirtÂ
- Computer, Printer, Paper to Print Out Words/Quotes or Stencils (optional)
- Graphite Pencil (optional unless you are customizing your terracotta pots)
- Scissors (optional unless you are customizing your terracotta pots)
- Blue Painters Tape (optional unless you are customizing your terracotta pots)
- Ball Point Pen (optional unless you are customizing your terracotta pots)
- Black Craft Paint (optional unless you are customizing your terracotta pots)
- Fine Detail Art Brush (optional unless you are customizing your terracotta pots)
Whitewashing Terracotta Pots with Chalk Paint Steps:
Gather your supplies and lay out a tarp or drop cloth to protect your work surfaces.
First, water down your chalk paint just a bit.
I used Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Old White.
The consistency should be more like crepe batter than pancake batter.
Next, paint directly on the pot with a brush.
You can also dip a paper towel, cloth, or shop towel into the thinned-out paint and wipe it directly onto the terracotta pot.
Continue to layer the whitewashed chalk paint mixture until you’ve achieved the aged look you’re after.
Blot with a damp paper towel as needed to help lessen the appearance of brush strokes.
Allow the whitewashed terracotta pot to dry completely.
How to Personalize Whitewashed Terracotta Pots…
At this point, you can leave the terracotta pot “aged” or personalize it with something that feels custom.
To add something with special meaning, use a program like Word to spell out what you want to express.
Then print it out on plain white paper using your home printer.
Using caution and care as scissors will be sharp, cut around the word, phrase, or number.
Next, flip the paper over and color over the expression with a no. 2 lead or graphite pencil.
Once you’re finished, placed the graphite colored portion directly onto the “aged” pot and secure in place with painter’s tape.
Use a ballpoint pen to outline each letter or number.
After you’ve outlined each letter or number, lift the paper off the pot.
You should see that the text has been transferred directly onto the pot.
Use a fine point art brush and an acrylic craft paint of your choice (I’m using black) to outline and fill in your expression image.
Endless Options and Ideas…
I couldn’t decide between leaving the pots aged, adding a number or adding a phrase.
So, I tried all three.
Using a number on the terracotta pots would be cute for birthdays, house numbers or other special occasions.
Using a word or expression would be fun to give as a get well soon, thinking of you, welcome to the neighborhood, or for your favorite teacher.
Of course, you could always add a monogram or the name of your house for a dose of southern charm. Â
Honestly, the possibilities are endless.
Let us know what’s growing in your garden or how you’re prepping your potting shed this season!
Other Garden Posts to Explore…
How to Make a Plant Tray From an Old Window
Quick and Easy Front Porch Topiaries
Make at Home Lavender Gardener’s Hand Scrub
Until next time, I’ll see you on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest.
Many blessings,
CoCo
CoCo – love the whitewashed garden pots! Adding painted numbers and phrases is such a great way to personalize your space. We’re thinking these would make great gifts as well. Much love!
Thanks so much ladies! Hugs, CoCo
Did you seal these? If you didn’t seal them won’t the whitewash wash right off? My first attempts at painting clay were a disaster because I did not seal the pots first.
Thank you so much for your question, Priscilla! I did not seal these as they’re mostly used indoors or on the porch which is covered. Although they do get rained on sometimes when we have a bad storm, so far the chalk paint has stayed in place with no problems. So, I reached out to one of my friends who painted a larger flower pot also using Annie Sloan Chalk Paint for her advice. Her flower pot is completely exposed to the weather elements. She said she sprayed 3 thin coats of sealer (Krylon Color Master Acrylic Crystal Clear Indoor/Outdoor in Clear with a Flat finish) onto her pots. Be sure to dry between each coat. Her pots are fairly large so it took one whole can for 2 flower pots. I hope this helps! I’ll be sure to update the blog post in case other people have your same question. Thanks so much for reaching out. I hope your day has been a good one, CoCo
I appreciate the thorough answer! Thanks! I am thinking you did not plant directly in them yet? Watering plants in them might prove to be a problem. Maybe the paint is so thin it will take some time to show, so keep an eye out. I’d hate to see your pots ruined.
Great advice, Priscilla! Thanks so much for the heads up, I’ll keep my eye on them for sure. Hope you’re having a great day, CoCo
Great tips, thanks for sharing them! The garden pots look like new and adding numbers and words on them adds character to any space or garden you decide to put them in. Definitely an easy and personalized way to transform a home and outdoor area and make them more summerish.
Thanks so much Katarina! We love how easy the pots were to customized and how quickly they all came together too. Hope you’re having a great day, CoCo
I love your whitewashed pots. Annie Sloan’s chalk paint is such a great product! Very cute pots!
I really appreciate your sweet words, Sylvia, thank you so much. I’ve used a lot of different chalk paint brands but I keep going back to Annie Sloan. It’s always dependable 🙂 Hope your week has been fantastic. Hugs, CoCo
Coco,
Another great project!! Thanks for sharing and thanks for stopping by once again and for your sweet comment!!! I truly do appreciate you taking the time to do so!!
Hugs,
Deb
I really appreciate it, Deb! Thank you so much. Sending you hugs for a happy weekend, CoCo
I literally was just going to ask Google about how to whitewash Terra cotta pots! I just bought some from the $ store for my upcoming spring decor!! It’s like you read my mind, CoCo! Thanks so much for helping a girl out!!
You are so welcome, Rachel! That post is one of our most popular posts and whitewashing the pots is so easy to do too. You’re a talented lady so I know whatever you’re up to is going to be amazing. Can’t wait to see how it all comes together, CoCo
I have chalk painted pots and they’re still perfect. Chalk paint lasts. The only negative is they may fade in sun.
I figure mine are whiter, lol.
Pinned
Coco- this is such a great idea and so easy to do. I love the look of aged terracotta. Your photos are great as are the step by step instructions! When you said your sisters say “it’s hotter than a pepper patch” – It reminded me of the Johnny Cash -June Carter Cash song “Jackson “. Hugs , Anna
What a fabulous tutorial, CoCo… thank you for sharing! I love the look of white-washed terra cotta pots. They seem both clean and rustic at the same time, and I just love your creative tip to add words or numbers, too!
Thank you bunches, Heidi! They were super easy to make and something that you can use year-round too which is nice. Hope you’ve had a great week, CoCo
I love terra cotta pots, I used to paint them and make them up as gifts. Thank you for reminding me I should begin doing this again. I love the way yours look weathered. Thank you for sharing.
Love this simple craft, CoCo! I was happy to also share it at last week’s SYS #390 for you. <3
Hugs,
Barb 🙂