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

Creating Custom Tinted Furniture Wax, a Laminate Bedside - and Painting Myself Happy with Old World Clay & Chalk Paint

14/2/2018

We all know I love a good roadside rescue. My husband picked this up for me on his way home about a month ago...sweet, right?

I had had one of "those days" (weeks, months, years...) you know the kind...everything piles on and you feel a bit down.

In my book, there are few things as therapeutic as picking up a paint brush.

Before: A slightly damaged laminate bedside

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Piano Bench Makeover with Old World Clay & Chalk Paint & Stencils

29/10/2017

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It was a "Paint Therapy Day" where I
needed a bit of creative fun to clear my head.

And what better than this picture-perfect
sad little roadside rescue bench
(that I'd spotted earlier at a garage sale for $10)

BEFORE

The fabric top was still in good shape, it just needed a scrub up.
I used vinegar with clove oil to combat any mildew.

The underside had a quick coat to tidy it up in
Old World Clay & Chalk Paint in the
oh-so-pretty shade of Ocean Pearl,
a soft grey-white with a hint of lavender.

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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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Making a Wood Barrel Fabulous with Old World Paint and a Secret Bling Weapon

25/7/2017

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When my lovely neighbour Darlene gave this half-barrel to me, I'm pretty sure I didn't hear what she said about it because my mind was already whirring with the possibilities...

Shall I Hemp Oil it? Add some fabulous stencils? Do I keep it? It would be great to use for off-season boots by the back door? Or maybe by the front door with my shopping bags? I can store potatoes and onions in it. Or what about using it for recycling?

I know you all understand this feeling. New beginnings! All the possibilities! How do you decide?

starting-new-project-beginning-inspiration

Before: The endless possibilities of a new project

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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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Chair Makeover with Chalk Paint, White Wax — and an Apron!

26/3/2017

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You know when a friend asks you
to refinish something and you just can't say no?!

Enter this adorbs timber chair that someone had already
done a great job reupholstering.

But the boutique dressing room where it will live
is getting a facelift so it's time for a change...

Before: chair makeover

Sweet, right?

Let's flip her over and get that seat off.

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The Spontaneous DIY Bathroom RENO REVEAL!!!

13/3/2017

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There are so many reasons to NOT do what I did.

An unplanned, unbudgeted bathroom renovation is just plain irresponsible.

But one reason makes my irresponsbility not matter.

It's this...

I admit it...I love my new bathroom.
It's one of those projects that came out better than I'd imagined.

For those new to this crazy story, here is where
it all began more than 6 months ago with
Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3 of the
Spontaneous DIY Bathroom Renovation.

It started like this:

Before: The bathroom renovation that took on a life of its own!

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The DIY Paint Bar...Old Doors, New Paint & Good Times!

23/1/2017

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We love playing with paint and we thought it would be fun to create a space to play, experiment, test new colours and just have fun!

Here's how it all started...

We admit to being door-obsessed.

These vintage beauties were ready-and-waiting to be painted in diverse shades of Miss Mustard Seed's Milk Paint before being used to line the walls behind the DIY Paint Bar.

Before

After, from left: Eulalie's Sky, Artissimo, Mustard Seed Yellow, custom mix Apron Strings

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From Roadside to Romantic — Painting Fabric on a Vintage Chair Restyle with Old World Paint

3/11/2016

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You know when a project finds you?

I wasn't looking for this vintage beauty, but my gosh,
I'm glad I caved on this one and loaded it into the back of my car
while out for coffee with a friend.

Here is the romantic after . . .