Compass Greater NY, LLC
Ann Marie Damashek, GRI, CBR, SRES, Compass Greater NY, LLCPhone: (917) 623-0624
Email: [email protected]

How to Customize Your Pots & Planters

by Ann Marie Damashek, GRI, CBR, SRES 01/02/2022

You don’t need to spend a fortune on expensive flower pots and planters. Decorating a plain pot and turning it into a custom piece is simple and inexpensive and can really make a difference in your plant collection’s aesthetic. No matter your style, terracotta pots make the perfect starting point for this project. Here are some tips you can use to create your very own custom terracotta pots.

Recommended Materials

Terracotta flower pot
Paint brush
Foam brush
Craft Paint
Painter’s tape
Rubber bands
Pencil
Plants or flowers

Painting Tips

Plan Your Design

When you begin any sort of creative project, it’s helpful to have an idea before you begin. Starting your pot painting project with a design or at least part of a design already planned will help you save time and materials. While you can paint over any mistakes with enough coats, it’s better to avoid them entirely by planning your design.

One thing that can help is drawing on the pot with a pencil before you paint. This is especially useful for more complicated designs, motifs or even lettering. If you plant to use a stencil, try different placements on the surface of the pot to get the best look.

Use Shortcuts

It’s not cheating to use your resources wisely. With art, any tools that can save you time or make tough parts easier will reward you with a better finished product with less frustration. Use painter’s tape to block out areas you don’t want to paint. Just like when used on walls, painter’s tape will give you a perfectly straight line without the hassle.

Another great shortcut for painting flower pots is to use rubber bands for horizontal lines. Fit a rubber band around the pot and adjust so that it’s even all the way around. Not only does the rubber band make a barrier for paint but it will stay in place, giving you a perfectly even horizontal line every time.

Make Your Pots Versatile

To get the most use out of your newly painted pots, treat them for outdoor use. You can do this by adding a coat of spray sealant after the paint is dry. There are different finishes you can use as well, so it provides an opportunity to enhance your artwork with a glossy sheen or a cool matte finish.

Terracotta is a porous material, so if you want it to avoid absorbing water meant for your plants, use sealant on the inside too. This can also make cleaning the pots easier in the future as it makes a smoother surface in contact with the soil.

Terracotta pots are incredibly versatile whether or not you customize them. The variety of shapes and sizes available on the market makes this project not only simple but budget-friendly. Try these tips if you want to give your container garden or houseplants an aesthetic boost.

About the Author
Author

Ann Marie Damashek, GRI, CBR, SRES

Ann Marie Damashek has always been a natural at helping people prepare their homes for sale. She started out with a successful business selling goods for people on eBay. "Nine times out of ten they were hiring me because they were down-sizing,” Ann Marie says. "So I decided to get my license. I said, ‘Might as well sell their house too.’” The transition was a smooth one and for nine years she’s had a thriving full-time real estate business that allows her to marry her entrepreneurial spirit with her passion for helping others. With an office in Larchmont, New York, she serves all of Lower Westchester County, with her primary market in the Sound Shore region. The majority of her business is "sphere of influence” with former clients referring her to friends and family. A gifted communicator, Ann Marie quickly builds trust and rapport with her clients by being both thoughtful and responsive; she understands that during the purchase or sale of a home, a quick response time is crucial. "I am very accessible,” Ann Marie says. "I always make time for my clients. They can call me, text me, email me up until 10 o’clock at night and I will respond. I’m available on weekends. I get back to people very promptly. I’m very customer service-oriented.” Her clients appreciate her professionalism, passion and enthusiasm and as a result her repeat and referral rate continues to grow each year. While selling real estate is serious business, Ann Marie knows that at times humor and a moment of levity can be a relief to clients. While she has a laidback and easygoing personality, she can be assertive when needed on her clients’ behalf. She loves being of service to them, and the continually changing nature of the work keeps her engaged and fulfilled. "It’s never boring,” Ann Marie enthuses. "Every day is different. That’s probably what I like most about it. But I also enjoy helping people sell or buy and educating them about the process. I love helping them achieve their goals.” This ethic of service has resulted in well-deserved recognition. Ann Marie has received the Westchester Magazine Five Star Real Estate Agent Rating four years running, in 2015 and 2016 she was the #1 agent in her office, and she’s a Zillow 5-Star Premier Agent. To keep in touch with former clients, Ann Marie sends cards to mark special occasions or reaches out via email. To market her listings, Ann Marie uses Multiple Listing Services (MLS), as well as Listingbook.com, a service that allows both agents and their clients access to MLS data. She also uses a Facebook business page and ads to boost new listings or promote upcoming open houses. "That drives a tremendous amount of traffic,” Ann Marie says. She also uses the most popular real estate websites such as Zillow and Trulia. A strong believer in giving back, Ann Marie sits on the Board of Trustees of her church and is involved in a variety of social justice projects. She’s affiliated with Furniture Sharehouse, a furniture bank for Westchester County, which collects and distributes gently used furniture free of charge to those in need. "I love it on so many levels because as a realtor, it’s helps my sellers downsize through charitable donations. I like the environmental aspect of it as well. And it helps people who truly need things.” She’s also involved in Impact 100, a women’s philanthropic giving organization. In her free time, Ann Marie enjoys gardening, traveling, and spending time with family and friends. For the future, Ann Marie wants to continue expanding her business and developing her brand, and she someday hopes to grow a strong team. But her main goal is to stay in the real estate business, helping her clients to achieve their dreams.