Pottery Barn Inspired DIY Home Decor
Today we’re taking a simple old vase—one that’s been tucked away for years—and turning it into a Pottery Barn inspired vase that looks high-end, elegant, and perfectly giftable. In fact, this makeover would make the sweetest DIY Valentine’s Day gift, especially with its soft pink finish and delicate bow detail.
This entire project revolves around air dry clay and the IOD Bows mould. If you’ve been wanting to explore moulds by Iron Orchid Designs or try a new way to upgrade basic home décor, this is a great place to start.
Materials Used For Pottery Barn Inspired Vase
ANY TYPE VASE
How To Create A Pottery Barn Inspired Vase – Step by Step
Pottery Barn Inspired Video Tutorial
STEP 1 – For This Pottery Barn Inspired Vase, You Need A Bow
The star of this project is the gorgeous bow made using the Bows Moulds and Air Dry Clay from Iron Orchid Designs.
To begin, I lightly dust the inside of the silicone molds with cornstarch. This helps the air dry clay release smoothly.
Then I roll a long “snake” of clay and press it firmly into the bow section of the mold. One thing I love about IOD molds is the micro-rim—they help you clean away excess clay while keeping the castings crisp and neat.
Using your thumbs, remove excess clay and smooth the back. A brayer works beautifully here to flatten and even out the clay before you de mold.
Repeat the same process for the bow tails.
STEP 2 – De-Mold And Shape The Bow
Once the pieces are ready, gently bend the mold and ease the castings out. Never pull or stretch the clay—doing so can cause cracks as it dries. I always let the casting fall out naturally or give it the tiniest assist, but patience here pays off.
Now comes the fun part: arranging your clay bow on the vase. Before gluing anything, take a moment to play with placement. I like using a dry fit so I can step back and see how everything aligns. You definitely don’t have to do this, if you’re comfortable with just glueing them on, that’s fine too.
If any casting has stretched while removing it, simply accordion-fold the clay back into shape. This is one of my favorite little tricks when working on IOD mold projects—you can reshape air dry clay so easily while it’s still fresh.
If you want more tips and tricks using air dry clay, take a look at this all instructional video:
STEP 3 – Glue Bow To Vase
Once you’re happy with the layout, begin gluing each piece using a strong adhesive like Titebond Quick & Thick. Spread a thin, even layer across the back of the air dry clay, making sure to go all the way to the edges. Those edges are where lift tends to happen, so we want to make sure they’re glued down nice and snug to our surface.
Press each piece gently but firmly into place. Keep the vase horizontal while drying—trust me on this one! Standing the vase upright may cause your castings to slide down the slick surface before the glue grabs.
After everything is secured, give the piece a little time to dry. A heat gun can help speed things along, but even with that, I always allow molded pieces to rest before painting.
STEP 4 – Paint The Vase The Same Color As The One Inspired By Pottery Barn
To start painting, I apply a coat of chalk-style paint (Paint Couture’s Pacific Pearl) as a primer. Since this vase is porcelain and very smooth, the chalk paint helps the next layers grip better. Your final color—whether pink, red, or another romantic shade—will adhere beautifully on top of this.
For this piece, I used the sweetest blush pink acrylic paint called Vera at the Ballet by Paint Couture. The soft pink instantly transforms the project into a DIY Valentine’s Day gift that feels heartfelt and handmade.
Apply two coats of acrylic paint, tapping paint into any raised details around the molded bow, then smoothing your brush strokes on the rest of the vase. Keep an eye out for drips around the edges of the molded clay—this is where paint likes to hide!
STEP 5 – Seal With Topcoat
To finish, I sealed the vase using a decoupage medium in a shiny finish. Normally, I reach for a satin topcoat, but I didn’t have one on hand—so this became a happy discovery! The shine gives the project a polished, ceramic-like appearance, perfect for mimicking a Pottery Barn inspired decorative piece.
Use a soft synthetic brush to avoid brush marks. Once the topcoat dries, step back and admire how elevated the project looks. The molded bow detail, the soft romantic color, and the sculptural feel all come together beautifully.
Final Reveal Of My Pottery Barn Inspired Vase
This vase makeover is such a lovely example of what you can create using air dry clay, silicone molds, and your own imagination. Not only does it mimic those high-end Pottery Barn inspired ceramics, but it also makes a thoughtful DIY Valentine’s Day gift—something handmade, personal, and decorative all year long.
If you’ve been looking for a beginner-friendly idea to try with your IOD mold projects, this one is perfect. A simple vase becomes a one-of-a-kind treasure with just a simple clay castings and a little paint.
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Until Next Time!
Love,
Joanie
