Chalk & Milk Paint Tips & Techniques. Helpful How-to’s & DIYs

High Gloss Wood Ceilings Transformed into Aged, Faded Beauty with Miss Mustard Seed's Milk Paint

3/5/2018

Oh yes... these high-gloss ceilings were one of the first things I knew needed "fixing" when moving in to my new office. The stark, shiny white glare was an assault on my eyes.

The raked timber needed some love and kind attention.

Miss Mustard Seed's Milk Paint.

STAT.

Before: Stark, high-gloss raked ceilings sprayed in enamel paint

It's important to point something out about MMS Milk Paint. Imagine if I wanted to change the look of the ceiling and didn't know about Milk Paint? Imagine the sanding, the stripping...all that would have to happen to repaint them or create another look. I shudder.

Thank the heavens for our all natural, VOC-free, 5-ingredients only Miss Mustard Seed Milk Paint! We were able to live in the space we were painting without awful smells or chemicals — and the house remained mess-free because we didn't have to sand!

We started with Farmhouse White and Bonding Agent. A 1-quart package was mixed with roughly the same amount of water for a 1:1 ratio before adding roughly 2/3 of a 250ml bottle of Bonding Agent.

I confess, with the ladder work and awkward neck angle this ceiling required, my husband did at least 80 of the painting and you know what? First-time Milk Painter and now...avid MMS Milk Paint fan!

Miss Mustard Seed's Bonding Agent

A$36.00

Sold out

Milk Paint Bonding Agent allows Milk Paint to adhere to metal, glass and painted, varnished or lacquered surfaces.

Stir well and mix one part of Bonding Agent to equal amount mixed Milk Paint. For maximum adhesion, mix Bonding Agent with all coats of paint.

May also be used as a primer for water-based paints. Apply a think layer of Bonding Agent with a brush or roller. Allow to dry 2 hours before painting.

This product contains no solvents or VOCs and is almost odourless.

This is the exact same product as Fusion's Ultra Grip with different branding. You can use them interchangeably.

Other Customers Also Viewed:

• MMSMP Milk Paint

• Paint Brushes

• Waxes and Sealers

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I've been using MMSMP for years and what I love most about it, is that sometimes it will behave in a way entirely unexpected. But I knew that whatever it did would be beautiful and I could work with it. I think this only comes with experience with the paint itself, you develop a confidence in the paint, you learn to trust it as well as your ability to be flexible.

I mixed the paint in a paint bucket with a stick blender allowing ample time to rest, before mixing again. I used a larger faux natural bristle brush and got to painting. Right away, I loved the change. The stark, shiny finish disappeared...

Work-in-Progress: The high gloss (top of photo) and Farmhouse White transforming the painted timber to a more subtle finish

Although I love this softened, more subtle look, I wanted a bit more personality in the finish so I experimented with other neutrals including Linen, Mora, Ironstone, Grain Sack, Layla's Mint, Schloss — I left no MMSMP stone unturned!

During this experimental/deciding phase my lovely Farmhouse White yellowed terribly...It was quite a shock (sorry, no photo!) A great example of the unexpected! I couldn't be completely surprised though as the paint we went over looks like it may be an oil-based enamel that was sprayed straight onto very orange timber. So, we have the leeching into my lovely Farmhouse White.

After much deliberation and debate, the husband and I settled on Marzipan because it worked well with the yellowing. In fact, it was warm and welcoming and layers beautifully over the now-yellowed Farmhouse White! Marzipan would still look amazing if the ceiling continued yellowing (which it has, but only slightly).

The first coat of Farmhouse White was painted on with a brush to create texture and dimension. The second coat using Marzipan with Bonding Agent we used a microfiber roller and brush to get variation to the finish. I wanted it to look like old fading paper. I think we might've nailed it?

Don't you just love the painting journey? Never knowing where it will take you. The unexpected twists and turns are always my favorite part with the end result being even better than I'd imagined!

It's all here . . . for the love . . .
Sada
***Just an aside. I can't be sure how much paint the ceiling used because we've moved on to the rest of the ceilings in the house. All I know is I was shocked with how little paint was needed! Love MMSMP!

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DIY Closet Hack with Fusion Metallic Paint in Bronze & a Patterned Paint Roller

19/4/2018

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This is my sad and tired built-in wardrobe. On a whim I decided to give it a glamorous makeover using what I had on hand.

The paint was in good enough shape, certainly not worth repainting, but it was just so blah...

I'm a firm believer that Fusion Metallic Paint makes everything better.

And Bronze? Bronze is an discovered gem of a colour. It doesn't get heaps of attention, but really delivers impact.

Metallic paint goes a long way, I started this project with half a pot — and ended this project with half a pot!

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Painting a Cane Lounge Chair with Fusion Mineral Paint

28/11/2017

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I obviously get some sort of perverse pleasure from painting wicker and cane by hand or I wouldn't keep doing it . . .

Vintage wicker basinet painted in Miss Mustard Seed's Milk Paint

Antique wicker chairs updated with MMS Milk Paint in the colour Ironstone

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Painted Kitchen Inspiration — Fusion Mineral Paint, Miss Mustard Seed's Milk Paint & Old World Clay & Chalk Paint

10/10/2017

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"Can I paint my kitchen with your paint?"

It's a question we're asked all the time.
And pretty much every time, the answer is YES! You can!

This isn't a room you can cut corners in,
prep is vital (grease removal, a light sand in most cases)
and you've got to be honest with yourself about
your expectations and commitment...

But other than that, here are some of our clients' fabulous results:

Fusion Mineral Paint

Tracy's Kitchen Reno in Fusion Mineral Paint, Champlain

Tracy prepped the cupboards by giving them a good sanding. She hand-painted two coats by in the gorgeous neutral Champlain which used 1 pot of paint plus another 1/4 pot. Not bad! She sealed with Fusion's Tough Coat Sealer for extra protection.

When asked if she would do anything different, Tracy said:

"I don't think I would change anything with the way I did it, it was my first time painting something so big and I was really happy with how it came out. I was actually amazed at how easy it was. They have really held up well, they haven't marked at all."

BEFORE

AFTER!

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The Complete Guide to Getting Smells Out of Furniture — 7 Easy Methods

28/8/2017

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There are many theories on removing odours and smells from antique and vintage furniture.

I've come across pieces with nests and smells that would curl your toes, but I've never met a piece that wasn't salvageable.

Here are a few favorites techniques that I’ve always found to be effective, and best of all, most are inexpensive supplies you probably have on hand:

1. White Vinegar

Spray it or brush it on. Once dry follow up with another spray or wipe down with vinegar-water-essential oil dampened rag (peppermint, tea tree, lavender, patchouli all work great and also work to keep creepy-crawlies away).

If you’d prefer not to spray directly onto surface, set cups of vinegar or sponges wet with vinegar (on plastic plates) inside and tightly close drawers or doors.

Some even seal the entire piece in plastic like giant rubbish bags to prevent any "escaping" smells.

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Chalk Painting a Chandelier

3/7/2017

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Perhaps you've spotted one in a second hand shop
but weren't confident it was worth the effort.
Or you have one stashed in the garage or shed.
Maybe you even have one hanging in your home,
that you just don't like!

Chandeliers are one of those DIY projects
you can make entirely your own and create
genuine impact at the same time.

Old World Clay & Chalk Paint (or similar authentic chalk-based paint)
is my go-to for painting what
can be a difficult surface like a chandelier.

Vintage chandelier restyle & photo by Aprils Loves. Painted in Old World Paint, Tutu Pink

I've love the immediate and dramatic result
you get from painting a chandy.

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Painting a Brass Lamp with Old World Clay & Chalk Paint — A Vintage Decor Save!

20/6/2017

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I fell a bit in love with this super heavy solid brass lamp that was marked down to $3 at the local Goodwill.

What a perfect opportunity for a painted decor update to demonstrate the amazing coverage and durability of Old World Paint.

Yes, please! SOLD!

Before: A $3 brass lamp in need of some paint love!

In good working order, just dirty and dusty and in need of love!

Sometimes knowing the "feel" you want a piece to have can be of great help in selecting a colour (especially when Old World Paint has more than 50 to choose from!)

I knew I wanted a bright, happy shade . . .

I narrowed it down to Coral Reef and Lemon Drop — each would transform the lamp wonderfully!

choosing-paint-colours-australia-interiors

Choice, choices! So many colours!

I LOVE Coral Reef and I would paint something with it every day if I could, but I saw my opportunity to sneak yellow into my world (oh yes...I'm definitely keeping this beauty). I have a husband that just doesn't love yellow. How can that be?

So Lemon Drop for the win!!!

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Painting with Orange — MMS Milk Paint in Outback Petticoat & a First Time Milk Painter

6/6/2017

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I'm not going to lie...
when the colour Apron Strings was discontinued
from the Miss Mustard Seed's Milk Paint line,
I was more than a little devastated.

And when the release of Outback Petticoat was announced,
I was excited, but a bit skeptical.
I love orange in any shade,
but wasn't sure how it would translate to furniture.

And then Marian (Miss Mustard Seed) did this:

Well . . . that's a winner!

You need the perfect piece for Outback Petticoat to really pop.
But when you get it right . . .WOW!
The results are off-the-charts.

And along came my first-time-milk-painter
and awesome photographer Sarah D. of
Sarah David Photography.
She had found a fabulously detailed (and looonnnnggggg)
hall table at a garage sale for a STEAL!
I just knew she and her lovely table were
the perfect candidates for
Miss Mustard Seed's Milk Paint in Outback Petticoat.

Before: Hall table in need of a happy new look

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Creating a Super Chippy Finish with MMSMP BeesWax on a Farmhouse Chalkboard Door

24/5/2017

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It was not in the plan, but when I recently turned an old door into a funky chalkboard sign I had a flood of questions about a more traditional farmhouse style chalkboard door.

And then I thiought...why not?

So I flipped it around!

chalkboard-paint-farmhouse-door-makeover

The door before . . . take 2!

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How to Make a Chalkboard Sign Out of a Door with Fusion Mineral Paint!

19/4/2017

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I mean, what else do you do with an amazingly solid
too-heavy-to-lift door with a brass peephole and mail slot?

You make a copper chalkboard
with uber-cool Fusion Metallic Paint!