I've always loved the look of aged terra-cotta pots but knew I was never old enough to have pots that have already aged to look like that. Luckily, Martha Stewart has the answer for everything!

Stir 1 cup of lime powder, a mineral available at garden centers, into 2 cups of water until it takes on a thick, gravy-like consistency. With a bristle brush, paint the solution onto pots, sparingly in some places and generously in others.



When the pot is completely coated and still wet, spray some spots with water from a spray bottle on the "stream" setting to let some of the lime solution run off.



Allow the pot to dry, then sand in a random pattern with medium-grit sandpaper (about 150 grit) until you are satisfied with the gently mottled surface.



DONE AND DONE.