Aged Stone Vase or Found Pot DIY (ORC Week 3)

Love the trend of weathered pottery and ceramics, but not the price tag? Create your own aged stone vase, planter, or lamp using this simple tutorial.

Hello friends! It’s week 3 of the One Room Challenge, and I have a fun and simple tutorial to share with you: create your own aged stone vase! Have you been following the DIY “found pot” trend on Instagram? The earthy, weathered look adds texture and character to your decor, and works with a variety of styles. I had to try it for myself, and wanted to share my experience. You can also use this method on planters, lamps, bowls… etc. Any item that you want to update with a stone or cement look. Let’s get started!

In case you missed my previous ORC updates, you may find them here:

• Week 1: Modern Coastal Dining Room Mood Board
• Week 2: Pretty Toy Storage

Stone Vase Inspiration

Aged ceramics are a pretty big trend in design right now. I love the texture and interest that these pieces add to a space! Here are a few inspirational photos from designers I love:

The originator of the DIY found pot was Jaci from Jaci.Daily on Instagram. She came up with the idea, I’m just trying it out and sharing my experience! Jaci has highlights saved and so many of beautiful photos as well, so be sure to check out her feed!

Since then, I have loved watching friends try out this tutorial on vases, jars, lamps, and planters. I just had to try it too!

My Vase Before

Here is a look back at where my vase began. It was a Homegoods find, and I styled it for my simple summer tablescape last year.

More recently, you saw this vase dressed up with a few coats of matte black spray paint in our spring home tour. It was getting closer to the look I wanted, but still needed a little love.

My Vase After!

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Here she is in all of her aged, weathered glory! Will we look back at this trend one day and think, that was weird? Perhaps. But right now, I love it. Especially since our home is a new build, I am always working to add pieces with character and texture. I love the dark, worn look of the vase and how it contrasts with all of the clean lines here.

Stone Vase Tutorial

1. Select your vase, pot, or lamp base. If you do not have one already, thrift stores are a great place to look! My vase is ceramic, but I have seen this technique used on glass as well. Make sure the surface is clean and dry.
2. Spray with primer. I used THIS ONE which is technically a combination primer/paint. Spray in a well ventilated area and follow the directions on the can. You may need a few coats. Allow to dry.
3. Spray with a textured spray paint. This is my secret step! If your vase/pot/lamp base is smooth and you would prefer a rough, aged look, use a textured spray paint. I used THIS ONE. Spray in a well ventilated area and follow the directions on the can. This creates a speckled, textured surface. You may need a few coats. Allow to dry.
4. Make some mud! Go out in your yard with a plastic cup (or mixing bowl, etc) and collect a handful of dirt/clay/mud. In my yard, all we have is clay. Water it down if necessary and squish it around until you have a muddy liquid. Wear gloves if you would like 😉
5. Coat your vase with mud. Using a gloved hand or a paintbrush, rub the mud mixture all over your vase (or pot/lamp base, etc). Don’t worry if it looks uneven; it’s supposed to look old and dirty! Allow to dry.
6. Using a dry cloth or paper towel, rub off excess mud. You can also use a damp cloth to smooth it here and there. It is up to you how much dirty and weathered you would like it to look.
7. Style with greenery and enjoy your new stone vase! And the extra cash in your pocket since you saved a lot using this DIY!

A Few Spray Paint Options

Not Up for DIY?

If you love the look but not the process, here are some pretty options:

Black Vases and Planters

Cream Vases and Planters

Ceramic and Cement Lamps

Thanks so much for stopping by today friends! What do you think of the aged stone vase trend? Will you try this tutorial? XO!