• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

The Lettered Cottage

  • Adoption
  • Decorating
  • Room Makeovers
  • E-Courses
    • Login
  • About
  • Shop
    • Shop My Instagram
  • Navigation Menu: Social Icons

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter
You are here: Home / DIY Decorating Inspiration / DIY Concrete Art

DIY Concrete Art

Jul 24, 2013 By Layla

We’ve still got a few construction projects to complete over at our friend Keith’s house, but I got a little antsy for accessories, and decided to create a sculpture *sort of* like the one sitting to the left of the number “4” in my inspiration photo:

Living_Room_Makeover_1

Urn Sculpture

I started with a lime green piece of decor that was marked 50% off at Hobby Lobby. First, I covered it with black paint and joint compound I had left over from other projects. I used a small plastic putty knife and my fingers to apply the joint compound because I wanted it to look old, and sort of like clay or concrete. I didn’t try to be neat…I just slopped it on there!

DIY Conrete Art

After it was dry, I painted on some “Grain Sack” colored milk paint I got from my friend Marian (Miss Mustard Seed)…

Grain Sack Milk Paint

…and when that was dry, I used a sanding block to reveal some of the (lighter-colored) joint compound underneath.

DIY Concrete Sculpture 2

I love how some of the holes in the metal part underneath are still showing, and the way the milk paint created a crackled effect in different places while it was drying.

DIY_Concrete_Sculpture

Here’s the finished piece:

DIY Concrete Art

It was a fun little thing to work on, and I think it’ll fit right into Keith’s soon-to-be decked out bookshelves!

PS- To check out all of my Keith-related posts, click here: Keith’s Living Room Makeover…and for more makeover pics between posts, join us over on Twitter, Facebook and/or Instagram!

Instagram Pic_Lettered_Cottage

Filed Under: DIY Decorating Inspiration, Keith's Makeover

Click here to subscribe
Previous Post: « Keith’s Living Room Makeover – Barnwood Wall
Next Post: Farmhouse Bench »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Shannon

    Jul 24, 2013 at 7:52 am

    Wow! What an awesome technique! Such a great idea Layla! I’m sure Keith will love it! 🙂

  2. Anele @ Success Along the Weigh

    Jul 24, 2013 at 7:54 am

    You are one crafty lady! Can’t wait to see the finished product!!

  3. Amber @ Black Rooster Cottage

    Jul 24, 2013 at 8:26 am

    Pretty nifty! I love that you achieved the look of concrete without the weight! Might have to try this awesome little project. 🙂

  4. Jessica @ Dear Emmeline

    Jul 24, 2013 at 8:52 am

    wow. really looks like concrete!

  5. Dawn

    Jul 24, 2013 at 9:23 am

    Wow, Layla! You really have an eye for recreating and making unique pieces. Now Keith will have a one of a kind piece created by you. Thanks for sharing the process with us.

    • Layla

      Jul 24, 2013 at 9:33 am

      Thanks, Dawn! 🙂 I hope he likes it, too!

  6. Glenda

    Jul 24, 2013 at 9:33 am

    I purchased a concrete planter and as we were placing it on the porch, it dropped and broke. Is there anyway that you know of to repair, “glue” it back together? It was stained a lovely light sage green and had cute rabbits all the way around. I’m so sad it broke…

    • Layla

      Jul 24, 2013 at 9:35 am

      Hmmm…I’m not sure about repairing concrete, Glenda. 🙁 I would check at the hardware store for some kind of heavy duty adhesive. Maybe Liquid Nails?

    • Rose L

      Jul 24, 2013 at 9:59 am

      One of the cherubs on my cement fountain lost it’s head this past winter. Believe it or not…my DH repaired it using some high contact gasket sealer. It’s been fine all summer with water running over it. They do make some cement sealers though and you should be able to find some at any hardware store. I hope you can save your cute little pot!

      • Layla

        Jul 24, 2013 at 10:02 am

        Gasket sealer- good to know! Thanks, Rose! 😀

  7. Mary | Lemon Grove Avenue

    Jul 24, 2013 at 9:36 am

    Way to repurpose! That looks pretty darn close to the inspiration pic – love it!

  8. Rose L

    Jul 24, 2013 at 9:55 am

    Layla, I love how this piece turned out! And now I know just what to do with that pair of old lamps I got from the thrift store 🙂 Thanks for the how-to!

    • Layla

      Jul 24, 2013 at 9:58 am

      You’re welcome, Rose! I love the idea of using this technique on lamps! 😀

  9. Sarita

    Jul 24, 2013 at 10:06 am

    First close up pic ( under the pic of milk paint pakage) I see a little heart on the “thingy” do you? Or is I my old eyes seeing things.

    • Layla

      Jul 25, 2013 at 8:28 am

      Yep. 🙂 I was wondering if anyone would see that, too! I used the tip of a pen to create that little guy. 😉

  10. Marsha

    Jul 24, 2013 at 10:59 am

    Wow! You did an amazing job on the transformation. I’ll start noticing those brightly-colored pieces more often when I’m at Hobby Lobby from now on.

    • Layla

      Jul 24, 2013 at 11:10 am

      So fun seeing you at Las Casitas the other day, Marsha! 😀

  11. Kim @ EverythingEtsy

    Jul 24, 2013 at 11:06 am

    I love it! It’s a great way to take something found on sale and turn it into something beautiful! I need to try this!

    Happy summer to you guys!

    ~Kim

    • Layla

      Jul 24, 2013 at 11:10 am

      Thanks, Kim! Always fun to see you pop up here! 😀

  12. Courtney

    Jul 24, 2013 at 11:37 am

    What a fantastic way to create that inspiration piece, for LESS! -and, Missmustardseed milk paint is my FAVORITE! Thanks for sharing!

  13. Marianne in Mo.

    Jul 24, 2013 at 1:19 pm

    I am fully impressed! I wish I had your mind sometimes.

  14. Cindy Barganier

    Jul 24, 2013 at 5:25 pm

    Layla, That’s just stinkin awesome. Your brain amazes me.
    c

  15. patricia loser

    Jul 24, 2013 at 6:26 pm

    i bet years down the road this ends up at antique roadshow! It’s that awesome.

  16. Maria@TheBrooklynFig

    Jul 24, 2013 at 7:09 pm

    I recently discovered Miss Mustard Seed and love her new color of paint, Artissimo. Do you recommend her paint?
    BTW the finished product came out great.

  17. Marian (Sweetopia)

    Jul 24, 2013 at 8:51 pm

    So creative, Layla! The piece looks amazing – so inspiring how you take a look at photo and re-create items using what you already have. Keith is one lucky guy to have you and Kevin working on his living room!

  18. Jenny Lynn

    Jul 24, 2013 at 10:26 pm

    Well, I would have never thought to do that. It works. It looks wonderful.

  19. Ter'e Crow Lindsay

    Jul 25, 2013 at 1:54 am

    I saw Sarita’s lil heart as well. How cool. LOL.
    After you mentioned Hobby Lobby, I went to our new one in town. That store is TROUBLE! Now I know, if I love the shape, it does not matter the color or texture. I can “play Layla” and improve that sucker. I love this fully improved piece.
    Lucky Lucky Keith.

  20. Jean

    Jul 25, 2013 at 1:24 pm

    Oooo…fabulous idea!!

  21. Jackie B

    Jul 25, 2013 at 8:27 pm

    That is a great idea! I love the finished product and the crackled finish. What a cool piece to add to your house!

  22. caroline [the diy nurse]

    Jul 28, 2013 at 8:36 am

    Brilliant!! Very pottery barn esque!

  23. Rachel Mark

    Jul 29, 2013 at 3:42 pm

    Wow – this turned out so perfect! I have been seeing Miss Mustard Seed’s Milk Paint popping up everywhere. I think it is time I get my hands on my own!

    Great DIY, though. Thanks for showing it off to us!

Primary Sidebar

I enjoy writing and taking pictures, and adding pages to this place whenever inspiration strikes.

My blog is my playground and passion pushes my swing!
[read more]

Categories

Archives

Copyright © 2025 The Lettered Cottage - Privacy Policy - Terms & Conditions - Contact

Pepperjam Verification
  • Adoption
  • Decorating
  • Room Makeovers
  • E-Courses
    ▼
    • Login
  • About
  • Shop
    ▼
    • Shop My Instagram