It’s hot, and we might not want to go outside to water our garden. Instead, it might be a good time to search for pottery or accessories to add to our yard.
Recently, I walked past a fairly new shop on State Street in Carlsbad and saw the most amazing collection of stone pots in the large back yard of Comman Goods, a new home and garden decor shop. Now, I have visited garden centers all over the country that sell pottery, but I have never seen anything like these.
Each pot was over 2 feet tall, with a top width of over 12 inches. The patina was so rough that they appeared to have risen from the ground. The large opening for plants was scraped out of the center, and was different for each pot, so they looked like mismatched twins. Amazingly enough, although no two pots are the same, they grouped together like a happy family.
I found out later that this collection is indeed made of stone — limestone, that is. The grouping appears to total over 50 pots, and consists of antique pots and newly constructed pieces.
The size and price tag for each pot would be best suited for a newly constructed beach house or a contemporary office venue, with lower-priced items inside the store.
Outdoor or indoor garden pieces are part of the Comman Goods repertoire, which includes,” A signature curated selection of globally sourced homewares, antique and modern pottery, vintage furniture, and one-of-a kind decor alongside a collection of exceptional San Diego based brands.”
Comman Goods is part of the San Diego-based Apostrophe Home group, with the Carlsbad store open five days week, Wednesday through Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The store is located at 2690 State Street; street parking available. Phone: 760-805-5766.
Not everyone can afford large-scale pottery for their garden, so here is a DIY idea given to me from a well-known Arizona landscape designer.
How to make your own painted terra cotta pots
This garden design craft project was given to me by Cesar Mazier, who was the first director of horticulture at the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix, and later became an independent landscape designer and contractor.
His advice to new gardeners was this: “I have designed gardens for clients using French azure pottery or Mexican Calavera, which cost hundreds of dollars, but I always share my secret of creating hand-painted terra cotta pots for new gardeners.
“Start with three clay pots, and once you get the hang of it, you can decorate your entire yard for less than $50! I like to start with a collection of three in different sizes to create a display filled with herbs or annuals, and change plants with the seasons.”
MATERIALS
- Three terra cotta pots, preferably new: varying sizes in ascending order, such as 2, 4 and 6 inches.
- Two small housepainter’s brushes (3-inch across)
- Two small watercolor brushes with pointed tip
- One can small sample size white house paint
- Three large tubes acrylic paint (primary colors work well)
- One can acrylic fixative
PROCEDURE
- Wash pots with dishwashing. Allow to fully dry in the sun.
- Using the wide brush, cover the entire outside of the pot with white house paint. Place upside down to cover the entire pot with white. Allow the paint to dry completely.
- When the pot is dry, choose your favorite acrylic paints and create a design of your own. Keep it simple, so the three pots look well together. For beginners, simple designs with repeating stripes, dots or squiggly lines work well.
- When paint is fully dry, spray with acrylic fixative.
- The pots can be lined up in a row, to create a symmetrical look or scattered throughout a small space. Fill with your favorite herbs or colorful annuals.
Jano Nightingale is a horticulturist and Master Gardener. She loves hunting for new products for the garden, or creating her own! Contact her at [email protected]
