How to Make a DIY Textured Vase Inspired by Pottery Barn

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Do you love the trend of vintage looking pottery? You can find it everywhere, from Pottery barn to Target. These textured vases have also caught my eye! If you’ve been following along for a while you know in the spring we shared how to create a faux stone looking bunny for Easter.  As I was pulling out my fall decorations this year, I thought I’d like to add a tall vintage looking textured vase to my fall display.

A while back I picked up a tall vase at the thrift store for $2. I knew it would be perfect for this project. 

Scroll down and see what I used to create this gorgeous textured vase with supplies I already had on hand.

Textured Vase Inspiration

Several months ago Steph and I spent some time strolling through Pottery Barn and Restoration Hardware. We love to browse these stores for inspiration. Not only were we inspired, but also excited to try our hand at recreating this amazing vintage looking pottery that looks like it’s been around for centuries.

If you love the look of this Pottery Barn inspired project, then take a look at these ideas:

Black Thrift Store Vase
Turn a new or thrifted vase to one that looks centuries old, with a unique old chippy plaster texture and patina

Take a look at my thrifted vase. There’s nothing special about it, then take a look at what we created with a little creativity. Can you believe it’s the same vase?

We love to take on a challenge like this take a thrift store find and transform it into something amazing that resembles the look at Pottery Barn.

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Prepare the Vase for Texture

A can of self etching primer.

The thrift store vase had already been painted but, I wanted to make sure that the texture would adhere well, so I decided to spray it with some primer.

Just a little peace of mind, I hate to go to all that work and have it chip off.

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Supplies Needed:

Supplies used: Joint compound, putty knife, dirt, sponge.

For this project you will need:

Prepare Drywall Joint Compound

Prepare joint compound, by adding a little water and stirring so that it’s a little thinner than usual.

Then pour in a little dirt, I started with about 1/4 cup of dirt.  After incorporating the dirt I decided to add about 1/4 cup more. You’ll want it to be thick enough that it sticks well to the vase and is gritty from the dirt.

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Create Textured Vase with Joint Compound

To make DIY Textured Vase a woman spreads the joint compound mixture over the vase with a putty knife.

Begin applying the joint compound mixture to the vase with a putty knife. You may want to wear gloves for this, drywall compound really drys out your skin.

Completely cover the entire vase with this mixture. Feel free to use your hands if that’s easier. I used both the putty knife and my fingers to get it the way I wanted it.

DIY Rustic Vase cover with a dirt or mud joint compound mixture.

Once the textured vase is completely covered with the joint compound mud mixture, let dry for 10-15 minutes.

DIY Rustic Vase cover with a dirt or mud joint compound mixture.

At this time, take a sponge to dab and remove any peaks or ridges, as well as any marks from the putty knife.

DIY Textured Vase with the dry dirt and joint compound mixture dry.

Let the textured vase dry completely before adding color and dimension with paint. 

Create Age on Textured Vase with Paint

White paint on a paper plate for painting the DIY textured vase.

Once the vase is completely dry it’s time to add dimension and a sense of age with layers of paint. Without a doubt, this is the fun part!

I wanted the base color for my textured vase to be an off white, so I added a little taupe to some white paint that I had on hand.

Woman paints the entire DIY textured vase with white paint.

The textured surface of the vase is very porous. With this in mind you’ll want to cover the entire surface of the vase with paint. This will seal and protect the textured finish.

Create Depth and Dimension with Paint

Paint colors used to depth and age to the textured base, gray, charcoal and rust.

Now that the vase is painted with the base color, finally it’s time to have some fun and add in the vintage and aged look with layers of paint.

For my vase I used the following colors to add depth, dimension and an aged look:

  • taupe
  • brown
  • dark grey

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To create an aged and worn look a woman dabs on a tan or taupe paint randomly over the vase.

First I began to dab on the taupe color randomly over the textured vase surface.

Woman blending paint on textured vase with a damp coffee filter.

Following this I took a damp coffee filter and blended in the color to soften the edges.

You want this layer to add shadows, like the vase has been sitting out in the weather for decades.

Woma randomly dabs on brown paint to create an aged effect on the textured vase.

The second color I added to the textured vase was the brown.

The brown paint I used has red undertones and gives the feel of a bit of terra cotta showing through.

Woman blends the paint into the textured finish with a damp coffee filter.

Once again, I randomly dabbed on the color and blended it in with a damp coffee filter.

Woman painting a Textured Vase with a charcoal colored paint in a few places to add depth and age.

Finally, add the dark grey in a few spots. Dab on the grey paint in the deeper crevices of the textured vase and blend once again with the damp coffee filter.

Woman blends the paint color with a damp coffee filter.

You can see here how the dark grey paint remains in the crevices and really add depth and dimension to the vase.

Woman points to the dark charcoal color remains in the crevices of the vase.

Randomly add the dark grey paint here and there around the vase.

Styled DIY Textured Vase

Turn a vase from looking brand new, to centuries old, with a unique old chippy plaster texture. Vases styled on a shelf with a cement pumpkin and art.

I styled my textured vase with some twigs along with a faux concrete vase using plaster. 

Turn a vase from looking brand new, to centuries old, with a unique old chippy plaster texture. Vases styled on a shelf with a cement pumpkin and art.

Did you know you can also create texture on a vase with paint? Get all of the details here.

Doesn’t it look amazing?! Doesn’t it look like pottery that’s centuries old?

For more DIY ideas for your home checkout our 50 Amazing Flea Market Flips.

Is this a project you’d like to try?  

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Pinterest image: DIY Textured Vase with mud and joint compound styled on a black shelf with another vase and cement pumpkin.

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This blog’s content is for entertainment purposes only and is not professional advice. By reading this blog and attempting to recreate a project, you assume all responsibility for any injuries or damages incurred. Read my full disclaimer here.

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