How To Get The Pottery Barn Look From A Thrift Store Vase
I went out thrifting the other day…I was on a mission to find something to use for a Pottery Barn inspired DIY vase. I love all the Pottery Barn and Restoration Hardware vases and planters that are out there right now…but I don’t $100 like them if you know what I mean!!
We have a Savers thrift store nearby that’s huge and I usually find cool things to flip. I was in there 30 seconds before I found the perfect vase!!
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Before

Step 1- Cover Vase With Joint Compound
The thing that I love about all those high-end store vases is the texture and aged look they all have!!
I have a cool and simple way to create some texture to the smooth glass vase. I recently used this technique on my DIY Topiaries too.
I used a plastic putty knife and coated the outside of the vase with joint compound. It’s so easy…like frosting a cake!!

You need to let it dry overnight before moving on to the painting.
Step 2- Painting The Thrift Store Vase
The next step to making this thrift store bargain look like a Pottery Barn vase is to do a little painting!

Using off-white chalk paint, I coated the entire vase with paint; then let it dry completely before moving on.

Next up, I dry brushed dark brown chalk paint over the vase.
Dry brushing is when you dip your paintbrush into the paint and then tap off most of it.
You can see how the dark brown paint picks up all the cool texture the joint compound created.

Then I used the same dry brush effect using a putty brown colored chalk paint.

My last quickstep was to dab on a little gray paint. I used a piece of natural sponge, but a crumpled-up paper towel would have the same overall effect.

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Finished Vase
A few faux fern stems in the vase and it was ready for my entryway table!

C’mon now…can you believe it’s the same thrift store vase???

Check Out My YouTube Video To Watch Me Make This Vase!
Come see how I decorated my home for Spring! HERE is my tour!!

Jennifer Howard
cottage on bunker hill
Thanks for stopping by today! Being able to share my projects, DIYs, and decorating ideas with you is amazing. Leave a comment below; I love hearing from you! Feel free to drop me a note here if you have any questions.
Very nice, I would have liked to have seen the Pottery Barn vase inspiration next to your version.
Love this beautiful vase. You have excellent tutorials.
Thank you
Thank you, Nancy!! You made my day!
Instead of going out and buying a can of joint compound could I use baking soda and water to make a paste to make the texture on my vase?
Anita, I’m not sure it would adhere to the vase long-term…but I know you can just mix the baking soda right into your paint to make it textured.
This is beautiful! I’m almost positive my husband has some joint compound collecting dust in the basement. I have to try this! It looks so much easier than I thought it was going to be. And the faux fern is just perfect for it!
WOW ! ❤️