Funky Junk Interiors

This past weekend, I taught two classes in a Fusion Mineral Paint merchant workshop local to my area.

It was hosted at Homeworks Etc., a gorgeous home decor and paint store located in Cloverdale, BC, Canada.

What a breath of fresh air! It was an amazing opportunity to meet merchants who turned into instant friends (creativity does that to you!) and also be completely saturated in pure inspiration from those around you. I’ll tell you more about it soon.

But hey, that workshop got me outta my chair to go buy a pretty new long overdue miter saw! Wait till you see this robot. Oh I have so much to share…

So anyway, sitting through one particular class taught by my friend Jamie from So Much Better With Age had me nearly bolting from my chair to get back to a special box I had waiting for me at home.

Jamie just launched a GORGEOUS book called French Vintage Decor (Amazon affiliate link) which I received last week.

WORD guys… the inside is as pretty as the outside. Beautiful, easy tutorials with a clean, hushed kind of rustic elegance style complete with lots of simple wood projects for someone like me.

Anyway, the class Jamie taught at the workshop utilized Fusion Mineral Paint’s Fresco (a texturizing powder) which I had never tried yet.

That was enough for me! When I saw what it could do, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on it. Once I got home, I cracked open her book to get ideas on what to make.

This project spoke to me. I loved the idea of creating a cement looking clay pot for a wonderful excuse to play with Fresco.

The funny thing was, right after the workshop, I made a mad dash over to Ikea before coming home and picked up this little faux plant, having NO idea I’d be in need of it today!

Love it when that happens.

Naturally, I ripped the plant from the pot in 30 seconds and did a bunch of half hazard techniques to get a feel for if it would even work out as a topiary.

Not sure if Lake approved or not (don’t you wish cats could smile or talk?), we ran with it anyway.

However, little did I know if I had taken the time to read the book more thoroughly (it’s a thick scrumptious book!)…

I would have found THIS!

An actual topiary tutorial done oh so very way-more-right.

Well, shoot.

“Next time read the book!”

“Look who’s talking…”

But hey… mine took just a few minutes so maybe my way will help inspire you!

So here’s my hap hazard version, inspired by a very pretty well done one…

How to make this grain sack striped faux cement pot with topiary

You’ll need:

(this post contains some Amazon affiliate links)

Clay pot

Faux roundish plant (mine was from Ikea)

Branch

Fusion Mineral Paint’s Fresco (texturizing powder)

Fusion’s Putty and Soapstone (light and dark grey)

(you can also find ANY Fusion products from local merchants HERE)

Chip styled paint brush

Grain sack stripe stencils – I used G2 HERE

How I did it:

1) Some Fresco powder and Putty (lighter grey) were mixed together in a bowl, creating an oatmeal texture.

2) The mixture was painted directly on the pot, attempting to leave lots of texture behind. Some swiping, some dabbing, whatever worked.

3) Once the pot was covered, I did the same with Soapstone (darker grey), however quickly found I liked the look of just the light grey more.

At that point, I went back and forth with the tones, with lots of dry brushing both colours until I got a slightly layered look I liked.

This was the result! Cool, huh? It really looks like cement!

Then I wanted to cement everything in sight! (run kitty…)

4) To ‘french’ things up a little more, I added Grain Sack Stripes #G2.

I held the stencil against the pot, then dry brushed the stripes with black craft paint.

5) The faux plant (from Ikea) was pulled apart.

6) A small branch was fastened (forced?) into the original plastic pot, in which was then placed into the new much cooler cement pot!

7) Then the plant head was just placed on top.

Done.

I wasn’t kidding when I said this was fast.

P.S. I really could have used some hot glue, but, well, I didn’t do that either.

Because I was having way too much fun staging instead! So… what story could this adorable little cement potted topiary tell?

How about a lovely day playing with plants from the garden? Perfect vignette for this time of year.

This cute little tote you’ve seen before HERE before came in handy once again.

Clip a few leaves off to add a realistic effect and you’ll have yourself plants you can’t kill!

I just convinced me. Now I need to prop this up somewhere for real…

Well now, if that little pot doesn’t just look so sharp and stately in its tuxedo ruggedness… 

And maybe even a little French! Maybe.

Industrial French vintage junk?

That works.

This was FUN! And it didn’t take long at all, which was the perfect project to get the DIY ball rolling again.

Now what else can I concrete up…

Thank-you for the amazing book inspiration, Jamie! I can’t wait to fake-make more!

Find the book on AMAZON HERE

Disclosure: While I was sent this book to review, I am beyond thrilled with how timeless and easy the projects are, and how loaded it is with real photographed projects. No need to be a French lover to adore this book. BIG thanks to Fusion for their products (which I always adore) as well! This cement styled Fresco is my new BFF…

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Other sliiiiightly off-the-wall topiaries and plants…

Hydrangea and branch bonsai

Moss topiaries in a crate

Ladder flower stand

Ladder plant stand with wood shelves