Maker Tutorial - Rosie O'Neill

Fun Patterned Planter

If (like me) your house plant obsession is reaching jungle status, you might be in need of a cute new planter - worthy of housing a new planty babe. 

The fun patterned planter is a simple DIY that doesn't require lots of materials or special equipment - just some leftover tester pots and washi tape! I finished mine in an afternoon, and that was including time needed to take photos between stages.

You will need:
+ A terracotta plant pot and saucer (I used a small Ikea INGEFARA)
+ Paint/spare tester pots
+ Paint brushes in a couple of sizes
+ Washi tape or masking tape

Optional extras:
+ Plastic to cover your work surface (better than newspaper which will stick to the wet paint)
+ Jam jar/old mug to balance your pot on (raising the pot lets you paint all the way to the bottom edge without sticking it to the table)
+ Mug of water and kitchen roll (so you can wash the brushes easily between colours)

STEP ONE
Paint the saucer.
I used some leftover chalk paint which covers really nicely (and I like the colour), but the tester pots actually covered just as well - so any paint will do!
Remember to paint at least part of the inside - as some will still be visible even with the pot on top.
Set to one side to dry completely.

STEP TWO
Mark out the plant pot for your first shape (the biggest).
Secure two strips of washi tape for your shape/block of colour, making extra sure it is firmly pressed down against the line you'll be painting against.
Wrap it right over the inside lip because you'll want to paint a few centimeters into the pot as well.
Use a good, thick coat of paint (I only needed one coat) but make sure your brush strokes are even and all going the same way to keep things neat.
Remove the washi just before the paint is completely dry for best results.

STEP THREE
Continue to block out shapes with the washi tape (one at a time) and paint with contrasting colours.
Let each adjoining block dry before you start the next one.
Remember to tape all the sides to each individual block for strong, neat edges.
Repeat until the whole pot is covered, with no terracotta showing on the outside (and a few centimeters inside).

STEP FOUR
Add the detail.
Switch to a much smaller brush to add random patterns and shapes to different parts of the pot.
You can use little confetti shaped brush strokes, or larger splodges of paint - even a grid pattern if you're feeling brave.
Use a contrasting colour to the shape you're painting and practice the pattern on some scrap paper if you need to.

STEP FIVE
Add your fave plant and enjoy!

Find Rosie O'Neill available in store!