DIY Project; Distressed Terracottas

I salvaged these 3 Habitat terracotta pots from our street side about 2 months ago and rather than buying the dirt and plants and later having to deal with hauling heavy plants from flat to flat, (plans to move within the next couple of years) I finally woke up this morning with a bright idea for a project! TABLES!

What a cheaper alternative than buying new tables when I become disinterested with my older ones. If you’ve followed my blog since those days while I lived in Sicily, you know that I enjoy sharing simple DIY projects and for the cheapest way possible. Also, you would know that I love using outdoor elements as indoor decor, right? Remember the sea bark? How about my rocks?

Anyways, I headed up to our local Castorama (past the fabulous Tour Eiffel. Check out todays instagram) and bought the cheapest paint possible at only 8.95 euros. My brush? Just 4.80 euros. Voila! You don’t always need a lot of money or need a bunch of materials to pull of a DIY project. Simply put in French, “Comment vous preferez!”

Here’s how I did-it-myself and all the materials I used.

Habitat terracotta pots

Habitat terracotta pots, why not keep the distressed look even with white top coat?

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Just the essentials; basic white paint, 2 brushes an old sheet and rag.

Use a dust brush to remove  underlying dirt and outdoor debris

Use a dust brush to remove any underlying dirt and outdoor debris.

I used a multi-use paint with slight sheen I thought would work both indoors and outdoors.

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I love the home store, Habitat! Why would any one toss these? Moving and didn’t want to haul them?

Just one layer of paint...

Just one layer of paint using a long sweeping motion and then alternating to a dapping motion.

Once almost dry, take a wet rag...

Once the paints almost dry, take a wet rag.

Using circular motions to create a faux distressed look.

Use circular motions to create a faux distressed look. Re-paint if some areas become too sparse. I did!

I think this part looks great!

I think this part looks great and so I  barely covered it with paint. Very distressed looking…

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Finished! I set dry for 3 hours…

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This is how I’m decorating them “FOR NOW.” Our new-old bed side tables.

Kind of organic looking right?

Kind of an organic way to decorate. If that’s even the term. Any how, I LOVE IT!

One for the terrace.

One for the terrace.