Positively Splendid {Crafts, Sewing, Recipes and Home Decor}

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Polka-Dotted Tiered Planters

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This tiered planter at Positively Splendid is so perfect for sprucing up outdoor spaces!
If you’ve been around since the very beginning here at PS, you probably remember when I originally posted about my Tiered Terracotta Planter, a project that was a take on an idea that originally graced the cover of Southern Living probably close to ten years ago. Of all of the projects I’ve ever completed, I have received more rave “real-life” reviews of this one. One evening, I actually had two complete strangers stop by to knock on my door to tell me how much they love this planter! The beauty of this project is how deceptively easy it is to do, and how amenable it is to customizing to your particular decor tastes. Take, for instance, my original version, which reflected my favorite red-and-turquoise color scheme at that point…

…and my new version! Believe it or not, these are the very same terracotta pots I used for the original planter project, after some sanding and a bit of repainting.

After completing my Spring Wreath last week, I knew I wanted to use that as the springboard for designing our front porch decor this year.

I specifically wanted to use the wreath’s color scheme of coral, buttercup yellow and navy blue. So, I grabbed my supplies and set to work transforming these pots into the image I had dancing in my head!
Here’s how I did it:

  • I sanded the surface of the old pots to remove all of the peeling paint before spraying each one with two coats of Zinsser spray primer. After they had dried completely, I sprayed each one with 2-3 coats of paint (Krylon Coral Isle and Meringue).
  • When the pots were all dry, I used some white latex paint and my circle foam pouncers (love these!) to paint polka dots on each pot before spraying everything with a coat of polyurethane sealer.
  • I then cut out a decorative address label from outdoor-grade adhesive vinyl using my Silhouette. I loved that the original planter doubled as a house number sign, and I wanted to be sure to do that again with this one!
  • After all of the painting and embellishing, all that was left to do was to construct my stacked planters. Check out the original post for the play-by-play for exactly how to do that.

All finished!
This time of year, this area near the porch is totally shaded, so I filled my planter with some asparagus fern, a spike plant (the name of which escapes me at the moment), begonias and coleus. When summer sets in and the spot gets a bit more light, I’ll fill it with petunias and vibrant green sweet potato vine (my favorite!).
And, yes: I do know that I’m being awfully bold to plant so early this year. With the mid-eighty-degree temps we’ve been having, I just couldn’t resist! 🙂

In case you’re thinking you don’t have room for such a large planter, take heart: I used this technique to make a miniature version that looks just as great as its larger counterpart! The only difference was that I used a large rock instead of a brick to boost the smaller pot in the display, and I didn’t have to use the empty cans as space fillers. 
It’s amazing what a difference a little bit of time makes. Just look at all of the gorgeous fullness of the plants after a few weeks of beautiful sunshine!

Before I sign off today, a few closing thoughts about what I’ve learned since my original post:

  • Even if you’re working with brand-new pots, I recommend priming your pots before painting. Spray primer makes this incredibly easy to do, and it will save you the frustration of having to apply a ton of coats to ensure even coverage!
  • Seal your painted pots with polyurethane spray. After two years, my pots were definitely in need of some TLC (the paint was chipping badly in certain areas), and I’m hoping the spray sealer will mitigate some of that this time around.
  • When filling your planter with flowers, start planting on the top tier and work your way down. That way, you won’t fling potting soil on top of the plants in the lower levels as you work your way up.

 

If you enjoyed this post, I would love for you to add it to Pinterest! Do so easily by clicking the link below.
Have a great week, everyone!
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Linking this to…
Skip to My Lou
Home Stories A to Z
Serenity Now
Tatertots and Jello
Oopsey Daisy
Creations by Kara
Every Creative Endeavor
Lolly Jane
Lil Luna
Flamingo Toes

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jen @ My Own Road says

    I love all the polka dots! really pretty way to add some character to the front of a house (especially here in Tennessee where it’s horribly hot and I can never get anything to grow in this soil! Maybe this would work better for me 🙂

  4. Terrie Mathison says

    I love yours!! I just showed my hubby the picture of one similar I pinned. He thinks we can do it! I am so on the lookout for pots! Thanks for inspiring with your fun colors! I’m pinning this too!

  6. Fox Hollow Cottage says

    SO CUTE! I have been double stacking my big front urns for a few years but I never triple stacked my Terra Cotta post before. So cute! Love the project it is darling and so fun with the Summery paint job.

  7. Renewed Upon a Dream says

    Oh I love this! I have had something similar pinned on pinterest for a few weeks & have been contemplating making my own. I love how colorful yours is now with the refinishing!

  14. . says

    I borrowed your original idea last year and I think I might again this year. I love the little blue pig as well. I think it deserves it’s own little post. 🙂

  15. Amanda @ Serenity Now says

    Amy, I am in love with those planters. I’m always in awe of your creativity! I wish I lived next door so I could come over and craft with you. 😉 Great job…I’m inspired to get started on a Mother’s Day project I’ve been thinking about!

  16. Brandy says

    You know I LOVE your planters! I totally copied you 2 years ago! I desperately want to make more this year, but we are moving cross-country in a few months…in the dead of summer…so it will have to wait until next spring!

    These are so beautiful, as were your other ones!

    Brandy
    Gluesticks

  18. Jenn Lifford says

    So, so cute!! I love the polka dots and the address label. We still have frost here so no plants yet! I’ll definitely remember this in a month or so though!
    Jenn 🙂

  25. Dawn says

    love these! can’t wait to get some flowers on my porch-have to check out my pots and see if i have enough for these planters 🙂 i pinned these and they have gotten tons of repins 🙂

  28. Lori says

    That is too cute..and I love polka dots. I’m glad I found your blog at the Creations by Kara party. I’m a new follower too, so I can keep in touch. I would love if you stopped by and followed back on LF and GFC. Nice to meet you, Lori

  29. Claire says

    Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful! I love the polka dots and the tiers add such a fresh take to terra cotta pots. Thank you for all the tips!

    Claire @ alittlesomethinginthemeantime.blogspot.com

  32. Jennifer says

    I saw tiered pots on Pinterest somewhere and have it on my MUST TRY list. These polka dot pots reminded me how much I want them! I have to do this. I am going to Home Depot this weekend for some plants… might as well grab some pots!

  34. schiperose says

    I’ve been looking for something like this for the front porch of my new home – just love this! I pinned it on Pinterest from your link and more than 50 people have repinned it!!! It’s a definite winner! Can’t wait to make this!!

  35. Michell @ Girl In Air says

    I LOVE all things Polka Dots! These are wonderful….

    I did stacked tipsy pots in polka dots a couple of years ago and also get compliments from the neighbors..LOL

    Now I want to make another set:-)

  37. Meredith says

    This is fabulous! I was just beginning to think of what to put on my porch and I love this idea! It will give my plants height without having to put a pot on some kind of table 🙂 yay!

    New follower too!

  39. Lolly Jane says

    AMY I stinkin L O V E these!! Don’t be surprised when you see a copycat on Lolly Jane 😉 Oh, and when you see them featured at tonights link party!
    XOXO

  40. sugarnspicemakeseverythingnice says

    I LOVED this idea so much I did one myself! I deviated a little bit from how you did yours, but they are basically the same. I also posted them on my blhttp://sugarnspicemakeseverythingnice.wordpress.com/2012/04/17/polka-dot-tiered-planter/og! Thanks for the idea!

  43. Karen says

    I forgot to add that I linked to you in my blog – not that anyone reads it! But just wanted to let you know.
    🙂

  44. Jess says

    I love this idea. I have just discovered your blog and have been looking for some ways to add a bit of character to the front of my house! I will definitely be coming back here. 🙂

  45. Jess says

    I love this idea. I have just discovered your blog and have been looking for some ways to add a bit of character to the front of my house! I will definitely be coming back here. 🙂

  46. Jess says

    I love this idea. I have just discovered your blog and have been looking for some ways to add a bit of character to the front of my house! I will definitely be coming back here. 🙂

  47. Jess says

    I love this idea. I have just discovered your blog and have been looking for some ways to add a bit of character to the front of my house! I will definitely be coming back here. 🙂

  48. Jess says

    I love this idea. I have just discovered your blog and have been looking for some ways to add a bit of character to the front of my house! I will definitely be coming back here. 🙂

  49. NiNNi's Place says

    Wonderful idea. We are changing our curb appeal and this is a great way to pop color into the front yard. Thanks so much for the inspiration and tips.

  53. Deanna Taylor says

    When I saw these, I just loved them! I had a bunch of old plastic pots of various sizes in my backyard that were getting a little worse for wear. I bought a can of the spray paint for plastic and revitalized them. I then did your stacking idea, and it looks AMAZING! I did a little collection of them in front of my house, and I couldn’t be happier! Thanks for the great idea!

  56. Julie says

    your original post keeps saying page not found and i am looking for the steps on how to assemble it all together. can you share the steps for putting this together please!!!!!!

  57. Caroline says

    Hi!
    I just wanted to let you know that I LOVE your blog! Today I did a post on my blog about DIY projects for spring and I included a link to this project! Love the polka dots! A nice touch.
    Thanks for sharing!
    Caroline

  58. karri says

    these are so cute! I want to do them for my yard…did you use flat spray paint or gloss??

    • Amy @ Positively Splendid says

      I used satin finish Krylon paint for this project. Thanks for stopping by, Karri!

  60. Megan says

    Hi! I LOVE these and plan on making them as soon as I have free time. How did you do your address like that?

    • Amy @ Positively Splendid says

      Hi, Megan! I cut the address using outdoor vinyl and my CAMEO.