veryone has their potting preference. For BZS, terra cotta is our favorite. It provides a natural, seasonless and timeless option. We love the warmth of the color and the texture of the clay. But even better than terra cotta? Vintage terra cotta … dusty, dirty, pitted, scaly, mineral-deposited terra cotta. The kind you find behind old barns. The kind that’s aged to perfection from decades of use.

“BUT YOU DON’T HAVE TO WAIT YEARS TO GET THAT VINTAGE LOOK. YOU ONLY NEED AN AFTERNOON AND A FEW SIMPLE MATERIALS”

But you don’t have to wait years to get that vintage look. You only need an afternoon and a few simple materials:

1. Your favorite pots
2. A bag of potters lime
3. Water
4. Brush
5. Sand paper
6. Can of clear sealant

The process is simple:

1. Any terra cotta pot will do … the dirtier the better.
2. Mix a cup of potter’s lime with a cup of water.
3. Let the mixture stand to slightly thicken.
4. Brush the paste onto the pots in varied thicknesses.
5. Let dry for a couple of hours.
6. Lightly sand each pot, making sure to remove dried lime unevenly. Sanding the edges looks especially vintage.
7. Spray with a matte, clear sealer.
8. Let dry.