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You are here: Home / Decorating / How To Whitewash Terra Cotta Pots | Summer Front Porch

How To Whitewash Terra Cotta Pots | Summer Front Porch

May 26, 2015 • Crafts, Decorating, Spring, Summer

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How to white wash a terra cotta pot | Summer front porch decor

Whitewash is such a classic distressed look. Here you can learn how to whitewash Terra Cotta pots for a lovely summer front porch display!

How to white wash a terra cotta pot | Summer front porch decor

The other day as I sat on the front porch watching the kids play, I decided I really enjoyed the view from my front porch.

Reality hit, when I realized my neighbor across the way probably wasn’t too fond of the view from her front porch.

You see, I was looking at hers, and she was forced to look at mine.

And since I utterly adore this neighbor of mine with the quaint yellow house and always lovely front porch, I decided to be a good neighbor and try my hardest to make her view a little better.

How to white wash a terra cotta pot | Summer front porch decor

 I am going to try my hardest to keep these plants from dying.

How to white wash a terra cotta pot | Summer front porch decor

I am going to try my hardest to remember to water, and dead head, and spruce and fluff, and everything my neighbor does . . .

How to white wash a terra cotta pot | Summer front porch decor

All for her front porch viewing pleasure.

But just in case the un-imaginable happens . . . gulp . . . and I kill the plants . . . just know dear neighbor –

How to white wash a terra cotta pot | Summer front porch decor

I’ll always have these cute little white washed terra cotta pots.

How to white wash a terra cotta pot | Summer front porch decor

And I’ll try again next year.

How to Whitewash Terra Cotta Pots

How to white wash a terra cotta pot | Summer front porch decor

If you are looking for a quick little spruce-up-your-summer-porch-before-your-neighbor-moves kind of project, these white-washed terra cotta pots were easy and satisfying.  Terra cotta pots are some of the most common and affordable planters out there, and can be personalized in many ways.

How to white wash a terra cotta pot | Summer front porch decor

I decided to keep it simple with simple supplies such as white paint and a brush.

How to white wash a terra cotta pot | Summer front porch decor

It takes just minutes to whitewash a pot (dry time included), and adds just a little charm to the otherwise boring orange/brownish pot.

You can add just a bit of white wash, or saturate it more heavily.  Both achieve a somewhat time worn look.

How to white wash a terra cotta pot | Summer front porch decor

I went to a variety of stores which sold plants and was asked to be directed to plants that would do well in the shade of a covered porch.

How to white wash a terra cotta pot | Summer front porch decor

Then I grouped all of my white washed pots together, here and there, along the top of an old table my husband found in my grandfather’s junk yard.

How to white wash a terra cotta pot | Summer front porch decor

Then I added some pots around some old boxes also found in my grandfather’s junk yard.

How to white wash a terra cotta pot | Summer front porch decor

One mans junk . . .

How to white wash a terra cotta pot | Summer front porch decor

Can save a summer porch.

Follow my directions below for one quick method to white wash a terra cotta pot.

Materials

  • Terra Cotta Pot
  • Bristle paint brush
  • Surface protector
    • I use a garbage bag
  • Paper towels
  • White paint
    • Acrylic or leftover wall paint works great too.
How to white wash a terra cotta pot | Summer front porch decor

Step by Step Process for Whitewashing

1.  Water your white paint down just a bit, so it is runny enough to run off your brush slightly.  A little bit of paint goes a long way with this project.

How to white wash a terra cotta pot | Summer front porch decor

2.  Dab your brush on paper towels until most of the wetness is left on the towel.  You want your brush to still have paint on it, but to be mostly dry.

How to white wash a terra cotta pot | Summer front porch decor

3.  In no particular fashion, streak the white paint onto the terra cotta pot, working in small sections at a time.

How to white wash a terra cotta pot | Summer front porch decor

4.  Once you’ve painted a small section on, quickly wipe the paint with a paper towel.  This blends the strokes of the brush and gives the pot a white washed look rather than a white painted look.

How to white wash a terra cotta pot | Summer front porch decor

5.  Paint and wipe the inside of the pot just until where you intend to fill it with soil.

How to white wash a terra cotta pot | Summer front porch decor

Once you have painted and wiped, it should be dry and ready for you to fill with soil and plant.

How to white wash a terra cotta pot | Summer front porch decor
HOW TO WHITEWASH TERRA COTTA POTS | SUMMER FRONT PORCH STORY

These pots look great grouped together!

Now go and make some neighbors happy! Thanks for reading!

I’m Cami! Welcome to my blog TIDBITS. Follow me along for beautiful home decor ideas and inspiration for do-it-yourself living
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Shelley says

    November 28, 2017

    I used chalk paint on terra cotta pots and planted gardenia trees in them but from watering the trees the water has ruined the pots as it seeps through the terra cotta I guess. And I had even primed them. Any suggestions?

    Reply
    • kathy says

      March 25, 2018

      Spray the insides with clear acrylic coating. water won’t leach out.

      Reply
  2. Amanda says

    June 1, 2016

    I just love these! I bought a couple terra cotta post last night at Ikea with the plans to do this. Thanks for sharing 🙂

    Reply
  3. Pat says

    August 11, 2015

    I usually paint my pots then stencil them but i really love the look of the whitewash. I also love the pot with the fluted edges, can you tell me where to find one? Thanks for sharing.

    Patr

    Reply
  4. Jules says

    August 1, 2015

    Hello,
    I just love how creative and talented you are. Thanks for sharing with us!
    I was wondering if you made the table where the pots are sitting on your front porch? It looks like it may have been constructed from pallets. I would love to make this so, if there’s a tutorial, I hope you’ll share.
    Thanks so much!
    Jules

    Reply
  5. Lenore says

    July 10, 2015

    Sweet! I love the look of your little pots. Thank you for the good,clear and simple instructions on how to get the same look. Fortunately, I don’t have a neighbor to critique my front porch because my potted plants bit the dust with all the rain this year…..and the lack of time I’ve had to spend tending outside this summer. But with this tidbit of inspiration I think it’s time for another trip to the nursery for a do over!

    Reply
  6. Carole West @ Garden Up Green says

    June 19, 2015

    This is so cute and very inviting love that table. I agree remembering to water can be difficult. The pots are fantastic!
    Carole West @ Garden Up Green recently posted…Raising EmusMy Profile

    Reply
  7. Mila says

    June 18, 2015

    I love the whole shabby shic look: the table, pots and boxes.
    Your plants are lovely. And how adorable are the small pots!
    I bet your neighbors are happy with the view 🙂
    I would love for you to share your porch with Idea box:
    http://milaslittlethings.com/2015/06/idea-box-thursday-link-party-15.html
    xx
    Mila
    Mila recently posted…Idea Box-Thursday Link Party #15My Profile

    Reply
  8. Terri says

    May 30, 2015

    Very nice! Your neighbor’s going to love it!

    Reply
  9. Lynne Tilley says

    May 27, 2015

    Great Look, easy idea! Thanks so much for sharing. I’d like to do my plain terra cotta pots this same way. I even have all the necessary stuff to do it right now….. the question is, will I do it?? Yes, yes! I will 🙂 🙂

    Reply
    • camitidbits says

      May 27, 2015

      Haha! Yes, you can do it! It takes longer to gather the supplies than to do the actual project. But that is half the battle, right? Thanks for coming by!

      Reply

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Welcome to my blog, TIDBITS! I am a sleep deprived Mom to 4 and a fanatical DIY'er. I absolutely love to create - but I love to inspire others to create even more!

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