With a little bit of paint, a brush, sponge and some patience, you can turn your cheap plastic garden containers into decorator planters that look just like the expensive designer versions. In fact, these pots will look so good, your guests won't be able to tell the difference.

"Just Like Lead" Finish

1. Take a square plastic pot and clean it well with soap and water. Allow to dry and buff.

2. Spray the outside with a white base fusion spray for plastic. Allow to dry before proceeding.

3. Use an outdoor acrylic paint in a wrought iron shade to paint the sides and inner lip of the planter. Dab or stipple the paint on with a round brush to avoid brush strokes. Once dry, apply a second coat.

4. In a separate covered container, mix a glaze using the following outdoor paints: 2 teaspoons blue, 4 teaspoons sandy brown, 1/2 teaspoon concrete gray, and 1-2 drops black. Thin with 6 teaspoons water, cover and shake to mix. Don't worry about being exact with these amounts.

5. Apply the glaze with a well wrung out sponge (still slightly damp). A large chunk of a sea sponge works really well as you dab the glaze to cover one side of the planter.

6. When the first side is covered, take a dry rag and wipe it evenly across the planter. It should have a scuffed metal look to it. Repeat the process for the rest of the sides and inner lip. Take care to blend the edges so there are no defined lines. Give the pot a 2nd coat if you feel it needs it.

7. Spray with 2 or three coats of clear protective spry to waterproof your new metal finish.

"Just Like Copper" Verdigris Finish

1. Start with a terra-cotta planter, preferably with some sort of raised design or crevices. Wipe it down to remove excess dirt, and leave to dry overnight if you clean with water.

2. Paint the entire planter - inside and out - with a Fern Green color of outdoor acrylic paint. Allow to dry and add a second coat to completely cover and get into the little nooks and crannies.

3. Mix the glaze in a container with a tight fitting lid. It should include: 3 teaspoons DecoArt patio Paint in Blue Bahama and 3 teaspoons of water. Cover and shake until mixed. Pour into a larger container or plate that you can sponge.

4. Using a very slightly damp sponge, or a brush, apply glaze to one size of planter.

5. Wipe off excess glaze by dabbing and rubbing the with a soft rag. Repeat on all sides.

6. Get a small amount of shiny copper colored paint and apply sparingly to edges or along the raised designs and curves. Wipe off with a clean rag.

7. Spray with a few coats of clear protective finish.

"Just Like Limestone" Finish

1. This is a technique that works great with a concrete pineapple or other similar outdoor decor items. Use a stiff bristle brush and completely clean the item you'll be covering. If you wash it with water, allow to dry overnight.

2. Get a paper plate and without mixing, pour out small helpings of the following out door paints: light yellow, sandy brown, concrete gray, and white.

3. Using a large round brush or clean make-up brush, stipple the paint, taking care to get in the cracks and crevices. Choose different colors as you go, similar to the shaded surface of limestone.

4. Dampen and wring out a sea sponge and blend in the colors by blotting gently. Continue to layer on the paint so that you get more variation, and always blending and blotting to get an smooth look. Finally choose some accents and add them to the final coat.

5. Once dry, spray with several coats of a clear protective finish.