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

Why & How to Remove Furniture Wax Before Painting

24/4/2020

We get this question a lot...and with good reason. Many furniture pieces have already been refinished using wax. So why and how do we deal with this?

How Do You Know if it Has Wax?

The quick and easy was to make certain if there is a wax finish on furniture is to do the fingernail scratch test. This means taking your fingernail and dragging it along the surface. If there's wax, it should come off..well...like wax!

Why? Tell Me Why...

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

3/5/2018

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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

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

14/2/2018

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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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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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Wood TV Trays Become TRES-Chic & Warehouse-worthy with Fusion Mineral Paint & a Raised Stencil

6/9/2017

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I've been on the hunt for a set of these babies for awhile.

The before

I had to drive 35 minutes and pay $25 but...worth it!

This is one of those can't-wait-projects that magically jumps to the front of the painting line because you're just dying to get started. Do you know the kind?

I knew Fusion Mineral Paint would rock the mid-century industrial warehouse look that I wanted—is this even possible with dowdy timber TV trays?

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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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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?

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Before: The endless possibilities of a new project

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Creating a Chippy & Rustic Dresser with Miss Mustard Seed's Milk Paint — Finding Inspiration Everywhere

5/10/2016

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travel-inspires-colour-choices-upcycling

Outback Australia

When asked how to come up with colour ideas my best answer is — look for inspiration everywhere you go! It may take practice, but soon you will see things in terms of colour and be overwhelmed with ideas.

On a roadtrip through the Australian Outback, some may have been bored with hour after hour of scrub, trees and desolation. I found it beautiful and inspiring. Nature always does that for me!

Stopping at a billabong along the way, the colours of this gum tree were so striking, I decided then and there to paint something in these shades when I returned to the studio.

This tree, inspired this piece!

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My Sister's Bedroom Makeover with Farmhouse White Miss Mustard Seed's Milk Paint

12/9/2016

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When most people go on holiday, they lie on a beach, explore nature, read, relax — that kinda thing, right?

Apparently, I do bedroom makeovers!

My sister is a giver and always helping others. She wasn't well for a few years, so when I visited her recently of course a full DIY bedroom reno was in order!

By the way, my sister was going to TOSS this set and buy a new one?!

Even my nieces didn't have faith in me, but I begged them to be patient. They both eyed me suspiciously...

painting-seventies-furniture-bedroom-suite

Before!

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My DIY Bathroom Renovation Part 3 — Creating Weathered Barn Walls & the New-Old Vanity

17/8/2016

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Darn Gumtree and its siren call...

I was perfectly happy repainting my existing vanity with all its useful drawers and storage.

Until I spotted this beauty: