Mudcloth Planters

I was first introduced to African Mudcloth 3 years ago when Design Sponge featured a hometour with a chair gloriously upholstered in it. I really didn’t know anything about African Mudcloth (including that it was called mudcloth!) until recently when I discovered that it’s actually made with mud! Say what?! The graphic lines, the hand-drawn quality, and the ever so handsome black and white fit in so well with almost any interior. I like it especially paired the the oh-so pretty botanicals that we’re seeing right now.

I’ve got another project coming up with an actual mudcloth inspired textile, but I thought I’d first create a home for my new little cactus with these fun and simple mudcloth-inspired planters.

Materials: Small Planter, Black Chalkboard Paint, White Chalkboard Pen, “White Pure” Fine Acrylic Paint Pen

1. Start with a matte black pot. Mine was originally white, so I gave it a coat of chalkboard black spray paint to achieve the matte black look.

2. Pull up an image of mudcloth patterning you’d like to emulate, or use my pot as a guide. Begin mapping out your pattern with a wipeable chalk paint pen. The chalk pen is handy, because if you make a mistake, or don’t like the way it looks, just wipe it off and re-try. As you can see, I had quite a few re-tries!

3. Once you’ve got your design mapped out with the chalk paint pen, trace over your chalk lines with the acrylic paint pen, which has a bolder, stronger stroke. Allow to dry and then go over any lighter or transparent lines with another bit of acrylic paint.  Add in your plant, and voila!

I’m linking up with House of Hipsters this week. Join her Found & Foraged Linky Party!