Easy Stoneware DIY Makeover

This easy stoneware DIY makeover is right up my alley. From small projects like giving this vintage lawn chair a new life to a full bathroom remodel, I love how good DIY projects make you feel. However, those large projects can also get overwhelming, especially when they don’t go as smoothly as you had hoped. So it’s amazing when you can conquer little DIYs in about an hour. Case in point? This one.

What Makes DIY Projects Amazing

• They inspire creativity and a spirit to learn 
• Mistakes are far easier to forgive when you’re not shelling out huge dollars
• They will in most cases save you money
• They are empowering and build confidence

What’s Great About Reusing Something You Have?

Some of my favorite DIYs involve giving a new look to something you already have. Not only is it obviously cheaper than buying new, but it’s also better for the environment. Many times, I find that I fall out of love with a decorative piece because I no longer love its color, but that’s an easy fix!

For example, this stoneware vase was gathering dust in our basement. In our previous home, it was nested high on a wall in a little alcove. I loved it because the coloring of the piece totally worked in that home, and I really liked the floral pattern. However, it just wasn’t meshing in our 1890s farmhouse. The yellow and brown tones on the vase just didn’t work no matter where I tried to put it. So I decided to paint it!

How To Chalk Paint Stoneware

1. Prep the Surface. Improper surface preparation is one of the biggest reasons paint fails. Matt sees it time and again in his workplace. Even though it’s tempting to go right into the painting process and skip the prep, it’s important to make sure your piece is clean and that you remove any residue on the piece. For this easy stoneware DIY makeover, I first dusted my stoneware vase and then put a bit of denatured alcohol on a rag and wiped the entire piece down. Even though the dusting appeared to do a fine job, there was still quite a bit of gunk on that rag when I was done.
2. Choose Your Paint Color. When you’re picking a paint color, choose one that speaks to you, not necessarily what’s popular at the moment. For example, brass fixtures are making a big comeback. We haven’t seen them since the ’80s and guess what? I’m still not crazy about them. For this DIY project, I chose a classic pale gray chalk paint I picked out at Micheal’s with the intention of distressing the vase to keep its character intact.
3. Start Painting. Make sure you cover the surface you’re painting on, our kitchen table in my case, with something protective, like a few layers of newspaper. You’ll want a nice quality brush as well. If you want your piece to have lots of texture, you can use shorter, horizontal paint strokes. I wanted a more uniform appearance, so I painted the vase with long, vertical strokes, making sure the entire surface was covered.

How To Finish Your Stoneware Piece

1. Let Dry. Let your chalk paint completely dry. Depending on your paint type and the piece, this can take anywhere from half an hour or so to an entire day. If you don’t wish to distress your piece, you can leave the finish as is.
2. To Distress. However, if you want to add a bit more personality to the piece, you can distress it. Use a piece of fine gauge sandpaper to gently go over the surface of the paint so some of the original finish of the piece can show through. Keep doing this until you’re satisfied with your final piece. Want more distressing? Choose sandpaper with more grit.
3. Add a coat of wax. To protect the finish on your newly finished piece, add a coat of clear wax. Let it dry completely for an entire day, then use a clean, soft cloth to buff the finish. You could skip this step, but I don’t advise it!

I love the new look of my old yet new to me vase in this easy stoneware DIY makeover. The cleanup of this DIY project was super easy. I just cleaned up my brushes and tossed the newspaper in the recycling bin. And I especially love the fact that I kept something I really liked and gave it a new look. Have you ever done a small makeover to a decorative piece you love? I would really like to hear about it so please feel free to share it in the comments!