Got an old ceramic bowl that doesn’t match your decorating style? Don’t toss it! Flip it with this faux stone finish DIY upcycle idea.
I found this ceramic bowl at the thrift store for $4 and with a few simple supplies, I gave it a whole new look. It’s easier than you might think to transform something ordinary into a unique piece that adds character to your home. Here’s how I gave this bowl a faux stone finish.
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Faux Stone DIY Supplies Needed
- Acrylic paint in a mixture of shades to create the color of stone
- Baking Soda
- Paintbrush
- Disposable Cups to Mix Paint
- Sea Sponge
- Dark Wax
- Light Wax
- Paper Towel or cloth (to apply wax)
Note: When making this project I mixed these colors to get the look I was going for. I don’t have exact ratios of the colors but here is the list of paints that I used.
They are made by Apple Barrel.
- antique parchment
- lite mocha
- ivory
- beige
- territorial beige
- khaki
I started with the lighter shades first and then gradually brought it a little darker with each coat.
Faux Stone DIY: Directions to Make Ceramic Look Like Stone
This project was very easy to do, but took a while because I needed to allow the paint to dry in between coats before doing the next one. So keep that in mind as you work. But I LOVE how it turned out! As you paint, the coverage is fairly thin, so you may need a few coats to get the desired look.
Step 1: Preparing the Bowl
Since I am mixing acrylic paint with baking soda, that should adhere well to the ceramic without doing a light sanding. I’ve not done this before and I prefer less prepwork, so I’m skipping the light sanding. To start, clean the bowl well first to get all dust and debris off.
Step 2: Mixing the Paint
Next, mix some paint and baking soda in a cup or bowl. I mixed a few different colors together and just added baking soda to thicken it up. So I’m not sure what the ratios are, I just went by feel. But the mixture of paint with baking soda is what will give your project that faux stone look.
Step 3: Applying the Faux Stone DIY Paint Mixture
Then, apply the first coat of paint mix and allow it to dry completely. I did not do this at first, and the paint mix started to come off. So be sure to allow each coat to dry off in between. Once it fully dries, it adheres well.
For the next coat, I remixed paints with acrylic to get a stone color and reapplied. Again, I mixed the color by visual and considered what stone looks like while making the batch. Allow the second coat to dry completely and do a third coat if needed.
For the third coat, I made a new mixture of paints, but mixed them a little darker to layer a different tone on top and applied it a little thinner so the first two layers would show through. Allow to dry overnight to ensure it is fully dry before adding more texture and dimension.
Step 4: Adding Texture and Dimension to This Faux Stone DIY
Next, I used a sea sponge with a darker shade of brown. Blot most of the paint off first, and then lightly go over the bowl in different spaces to add some texture and age. When you get the desired look, use dark wax to age it some more. Grab an old rag or paper towel to apply it.
I dabbed it on and lightly rubbed it in to soften the look. Keep going until the bowl has the desired look you want.Then go over it with a light clear wax to protect the finish.
Allow curing before decorating. I waited a day but it is recommended to wait longer. See the directions on the wax for full curing time.
Final Thoughts About Upcycling a Ceramic Bowl With a Faux Stone DIY
I love how the ceramic bowl turned out don’t you? When I first saw it at the thrift store, I knew it would look amazing on my dining room table as a centerpiece.
Since I never used this upcycle ideas technique before, I wanted to try it without doing the light sanding first. While the paint mixture adhered well, next time I would do a very light sanding first before cleaning it.
Although the paint adhered well without doing the light sanding, when I tried to apply the second coat without allowing it to fully dry it pulled right off the ceramic while I was working. I’m pretty impatient when I refinish things, so I like to work before it’s fully dry. Aside from that, the paint mixture adhered really well.
So the key is to either presand the piece before so you can work a little quicker or be patient and wait until it’s fully dry between coats. I’ve banged the finish piece a few times and there is no chipping on the finish.
This technique can be used to transform a variety of ceramic items, not just bowls. You can also experiment with different types of paint and textures to create a unique look.
I hope this tutorial inspires you to give your old ceramic bowls a new lease on life! And be sure to check out my other blog posts for more upcycling ideas here.
Let me know what you think in the comments! Would you try this upcycling idea?
Thank you so much for following along.
Enjoy a beautiful day! xo
Want to See More Thrift Store Finds?
I’ve been sharing lots of cool items I found for our new home and garden.
Come thrift with me!
- 7 Fun Finds from the Thrift Store Near Me
- 9 Garden Treasures You Should Always Buy at the Thrift Store
- Prettiest Thrift Flip Idea for the Front Porch
- How to Decorate on a Budget with Thrift Store Finds
- How to Plant a Fall Garden in a Flea Market Find
- Thrift Unique Decorating Ideas
- My Thrift Store Vintage Finds for the Garden
How My Friend Uses Her Thrift Store Finds
Jennifer from Cottage on Bunker Hill shares how she decorated for fall this year with her thrift store finds. She does a lot of thrifting in New England that I think has amazing stuff! I love hitting the local antique stores and flea markets when I’m up there. Doesn’t her consol table look so pretty and festive for autumn?
