Learn how to create a faux antiqued and weathered vase that looks like high end, by upcycling an old thrifted vase with just some paint!
I recently did an extreme makeover over our cube organizer that sits in our entry way, and I had this vision to have a beautiful antique vase with dried florals in it sitting on top as a statement pice. And while antique vases are absolutely stunning, as are the ones you can find at places like Pottery Barn, the price tag is much more that I’m willing to spend on home decor. So, I traveled to my favorite place, the thrift store, in search of a vase I could makeover to replicate the overall look I was envisioning. I found a beautifully shaped vase for about $5 that wasn’t my style, but I knew would be gorgeous once I was done with it.
The process to creating a faux antiqued and weathered finish on this vase and another one I found was super easy and only required a few materials to do. This is definitely a project you can have fun with and experiment with colors, patterns, painting techniques and more. Really there’s no wrong way to do this project because regardless, the end product will be beautiful. So if you’ve got high end taste but are on a budget, this tutorial is for you!
PIN FOR LATER!
YouTube Video Tutorial
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link. Please see our full disclosure here for further information.
FAQs
Can you use this faux antiqued and weathered technique on any vase or pottery?
You can absolutely create a faux weathered look on just about any type of pottery, plastic, glass, etc. The key is to creating a good solid base with a paint/primer that is meant to adhere to all surfaces. Once you’ve done that, it’s easy to add some baking soda to paint and get to layering to create a beautiful high end piece of home decor on a budget!
What type of brush should I use to make a faux weathered look on pottery?
I recommend getting some type of sponge, whether that be a craft sponge or a dish sponge. Either way, you want to have that stippled type look on your piece. You could also achieve a similar look by use a plastic bag to paint with. If all you have is a paint brush, you can stipple using the end of that as well, or swipe paint across in an X all over the vase. Like I said before, there’s really no wrong way to do this project.
How do you style an antique vase?
My favorite ways to style an antique vase (or faux antique in our case) is on places like a side table, a console table, a coffee table, et cetera. They look best in places that need additional height to balance out the space.
How to Create a Faux Antiqued & Weathered Vase
Tools You May Need:
- Paint brush
- Sponge
Materials Needed:
- Thrifted vase
- Primer spray paint
- Acrylic paint
- Baking soda (1 tsp per 1/2 cup of paint)
Directions
Clean the vase of debris and dust, then prime with any spray primer or spray paint and allow it to dry.
Mix 1/2 cup of a base color paint with 2 tsp (or more) of baking soda and paint the entire vase.
Once dry, use a sponge to apply various colors to create a textured and distressed look.
Style the vase and that’s it!
Notes
- Make sure to use a good base primer paint that is meant to adhere to the surface you’re working with (glass, ceramic, plastic, etc.)
- Acrylic paint gives the best look overall, but you can use wall paint or any household paint you have on hand as long as it’s water-based.
- If you’re worried about the vase becoming scratched, it might be a good idea to use a sealing spray once the painting is finished.
How to Antique & Weather Vase
Learn how to create a faux antiqued and weathered vase that looks like high end, by upcycling an old thrifted vase with just some paint!
Materials
- Thrifted vase
- Primer spray paint
- Acrylic paint
- Baking soda (1 tsp per 1/2 cup of paint)
Tools
- Paint brush
- Sponge
Instructions
- Clean the vase of debris and dust, then prime with any spray primer or spray paint and allow it to dry.
- Mix 1/2 cup of a base color paint with 2 tsp (or more) of baking soda and paint the entire vase.
- Once dry, use a sponge to apply various colors to create a textured and distressed look.
- Style the vase and that's it!
Notes
- Make sure to use a good base primer paint that is meant to adhere to the surface you're working with (glass, ceramic, plastic, etc.)
- Acrylic paint gives the best look overall, but you can use wall paint or any household paint you have on hand as long as it's water-based.
- If you're worried about the vase becoming scratched, it might be a good idea to use a sealing spray once the painting is finished.
Looking for more easy DIY home decor projects like this?
Looking for more easy DIY home decor projects like this faux antiqued and weathered vase? Check these out:
- How to Make a Pleated Lampshade
- Extreme DIY Cube Storage Makeover
- How to Upcycle Christmas Ornaments with Baking Soda Paint
- DIY Barstool Makeover
Did you try making this faux antiqued and weathered vase? If you did, I’d really love to see it. Tag me on Instagram (@thesimplehomeplace) to show me your own recreation of this tutorial!
Leave a Reply