Are you looking to add a rustic touch to your home decor without breaking the bank? Look no further than your local dollar store for this plain planter that can be easily transformed into a high-end-looking piece using just chalk paint, crackle medium, napkins and mod podge.

Materials You'll Need

• Dollar Tree Planter

• Gesso

• Chalk Paint in White or Cream

• Chalk Paint in a Contrasting Color

• Crackle Medium

• Paint Brush

• Bristle Brush or Chip Paint Brush

• Napkin

• Mod Podge
  
  

Preparing the Planter

I usually paint my planter with a base coat of Gesso.  Gesso is like a primer and it gives the next coat something to grab on to. If you don’t have Gesso, don’t worry you can add your base coat straight to the planter. You may have to do two coats.

If your planter has any hardware such as handles or decorative accents, consider removing them before painting. This will ensure that you have clean lines and avoid any accidental paint drips on the hardware. 

Now that the planter is prepped and ready, it's time to move on to applying the base coat.

Applying the Base Coat

For the base coat, you will need chalk paint in the color of your choice. For this project I used Waverly Antique. Make sure to stir the paint well before using it. Use a paint brush to apply a thin, even layer of the chalk paint to the entire surface of your planter. If you prefer a thicker coat, wait for the first layer to dry completely before applying a second layer.

I like to use dark chalk paint for my base.  This way when you apply the crackle finish, you can really see a difference between the first and top coat of chalk paint.

Adding the Crackle Medium

To begin, you'll need a crackle medium of your choice. I used Country Chic Crackle Medium and it has always worked for me!

Apply the crackle medium over the dry base coat in a thin, even layer using a paintbrush. Try to only paint in one direction and not go over an area more than once. I recommend that you allow the crackle medium to dry naturally and not use a heat gun or hair dryer.

With the crackle medium fully dry, you can now move onto the next step of adding the top coat. 

Applying the Top Coat

Using a brush, add a neutral chalk paint (white or cream) to your planter.  Be sure to apply the paint in long, even strokes, as any unevenness in the coat can detract from the overall effect. Just like the crackle medium, try to only paint in one direction and not go over an area more than once.

Now it’s time to watch the “magic” happen!!!

With the top coat applied, your planter should now have a beautiful, rustic finish that is both elegant and charming. The final step is to add any finishing touches, such as decoupaging napkins, adding ribbon or greenery, or painting/stenciling a design onto the Dollar Tree Planter.

Decoupaging Napkins

I wanted to decoupage this floral napkin that I purchased on Amazon but choose any napkin that matches your decor.  First, fussy-cut (cutting out a shape but not being precise) the shape that you are wanting to use. After you have all your shapes cut out, separate the ply (white layers of napkin) from the printed side.  Some napkins are two-ply but most are three-ply. It's very important to remove all the ply’s otherwise you may be disappointed in the results.

The napkin that I choose was so easy to cut out because the floral shape was the same on all four panels. This way I was able to cut out four flower shapes at the same time.

Add mod podge to the area where you want your design. Don’t go crazy with the mod podge! Just make sure that the entire area where the napkin is going it covered…not dripping.

Carefully lay down the napkin and using a bristle brush, pounce gently to make sure that you get the napkin into all the crackles!

Once you have your planter is covered with your design, add a top coat of Mod Podge to the entire planter.  Don’t panic when your planter looks milky at first…just allow the Mod Podge to dry.

Display Your Dollar Tree Rustic Planter

I plan to use this planter in my guest bathroom. I’m going to add items like toothbrush and paste, shampoo, conditioner and hand lotion. I think that this will be a beautiful welcoming piece for my guests! This would also make a nice container for a housewarming or wedding shower gift.

I also made a Patriotic Planter to hold my Patriotic Fabric Flowers. If you are interested, in the directions for the Fabric Flowers, check out the blog post “Create Patriotic Fabric Flowers in Five Easy Steps”.

Don't be afraid to experiment with different colors of chalk paint. The planter above, I used navy chalk paint to match my patriotic flowers.

Remember that DIY projects are all about having fun and expressing your creativity. So what are you waiting for? Grab some supplies and get started on your own DIY planter makeover today!

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