How to Decorate Pottery Tuscan Style
Accenting your home with Tuscan style pottery is easier than you might think. Depending upon your skill and creative talent, there are many ways to bring a little slice of Tuscany into your home. Here's a few ideas on how to decorate and accent basic pottery to fit your design. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Terra cotta pots
- Herbal plants (i.e., lavender, oregano)
- Acrylic paint
- Brushes
- Gold or copper toned spray paint
- "Crackle" spray paint
- Stencils of ivy or vines
- Napkins featuring grapes, sunflowers or old country produce
- Glue
- Sealer
Instructions
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Choose your accent piece. When considering this step, look at where the piece will be placed before considering the piece itself. For example, you don't want to purchase a large upright vase or pot if the space for it is on top of a cabinet near the ceiling (with only a 1 foot clearance). Also consider if you are going to be placing something inside the pot such as a plant. Allow room for the height of the plant, whether silk or live, to figure into your measurements.
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Choose your colors. Tuscan colors come from nature and include basic earth tones. Wander outside and look at the colors around you. You can get inspiration from the sky, the earth, plants and even the change of colors during sunset. Colors to consider include rich dark browns, antique reds, golden yellows, shades of orange, olive and darker greens, and deep vibrant blues. Look at additions of gold or copper as well as accents of black.
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Choose your base color. To paint or not to paint--that is the question. The terra cotta color on most basic pots is actually one included in the Tuscan color palate. Depending upon the design and look you are trying to create, it is possible to keep this terra cotta coloring by simply sealing the pot before you begin. If you decide that you want the base color of your pot to be something different, you will need to prime your terra cotta pot before applying the base color coat, or purchase a pot already painted in the color you desire.
This is also the time to think about the finished look of your pot. It is a simple process to create an "old" look that reflects the Tuscan theme by spray painting the base color gold or copper, than spraying a "crackle" coat of paint on the pot. This paint will literally "crack" creating an old or antique look to the pot itself. It can then be sealed and planted or put into place. -
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Paint, stencil or decoupage your design. Tuscan accents tend to feature muted tones brightened with splashes of color. For example, many Tuscan decorative paintings are of sunsets and sunflowers, muted tones with splashes of golden yellow or red.
Once your base coat of paint has been applied you can continue with your design. Freehand painting (this is where the skill may come in) can be done directly on the primed pot. Stenciling can also be done, working around the pot lip first, then sending one or two vines down onto the main body. The same can be said with decoupaging a print onto the pot. Cut out the design you want then apply it to the pot with glue. Using standard decoupaging techniques, apply several layers of the glue then seal the pot. -
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Plant herbs or flowers in smaller pots that can be left out on counters or window ledges. Placing the pot in a wrought iron holder will also help maintain the Tuscan feel to the newly decorated piece.
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