You guys, it’s that magical time of year where we can just venture outside and spray paint the heck out of anything we want. I have been marveling at the power of spray paint ever since I started using it in my kitchen makeover to make small improvements with hardware. It’s amazing stuff.
I’ve been eagerly waiting for the opportunity to get outside and spray paint a few things, and it finally happened this week! We had a couple of days with temperatures in the 40’s!
Planters and pots can be expensive – lots of times as expensive as the plant if not more. Clay pots however are very inexpensive, usually they are less than $4 for a pot and tray depending on what size you get. I’m no newbie to spray painting clay pots, I’ve painted a few in matte black this fall, and so far the results are all positive. There has been no unexpected blistering from moisture or anything like that, so I figured I’d give it go and give these pots a dipped look.
I masked off the tops of the pots and spray painted the trays and bases. It was super easy. I applied two coats of paint. I also painted this cheap-o lamp I picked up at Target earlier this month. It’s not bad in the enamel grey, but I thought it would look way better in satin white, so I painted that too!
See! Easy! Everything is masked and painted. I didn’t use any guidelines when masking the pots, just picked a spot and taped around the top. I didn’t even care if it was even! I know, I know, I am so crazy.
The lamp is my fav, I love it painted white! Don’t you think it looks so much better now?
So don’t just sit there. Go get your spray painting on, the weather is perfect for it!
it looks like your plants are still in the nursery planters and you plopped the whole thing in the spray-painted planters — is that true? I immediately re-plant my little guys and toss the plastic nursery planters — is that wrong? I have such a black thumb and am trying hard to make my current crop of office plants stay livin.
Hey MKR – I don’t know if it’s wrong, or if it’s right but this is how I feel about it. Firstly, I believe that plants need an adjustment period to get used to being in a new location – especially after coming home from the nursery. They need a chance to acclimate, repotting them can send some species into shock. Secondly, for me, I am constantly moving them from planter to planter until I find the right home for them. But that’s just me :)
One more item to note when using clay/terracotta pots is that the pot itself can suck moisture out of the soil. If you have a plant that loves soggy soil it’s a good idea to leave it in its nursery container inside the pot. Like Scoops points out too, by leaving them in you have the option to ‘repot’ any ol’ time ya please! Hooray for flexibility!
I Love spray painting things! I cannot wait to move to our new place so I can have some more plants! I LOVE succulents and cactus. : )
I hear ya, Alison! I spray painted a little step stool on Sunday and now I’m eyeballing an ugly-in-a-good-way vintage bamboo rocker that I picked up at an estate sale. While I’m at it, could I get your opinion? Should I spray paint it a fun color or stick with the natural bamboo? Here’s another one that looks exactly like it. http://bit.ly/1krCfun
Hey Rachel, Sorry for the delay in response. I’ve been away from my computer this week – taking in a quick vacay.
Oh that’s a tough one. I think it looks really good in it’s natural state but I could see it looking awesome spray painted too. Why don’t you live with it a bit and then decide – that’s usually what I do when I am not 100% on an idea. It’ super cute though, good find!
Ahh…to be able to go out and spray paint again…I love it! I always have a pile saved up from over the winter.
Yes, glad I’m not the only one with a “to spray paint” pile.