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

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

10/10/2017

"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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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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Getting a Chippy Finish with Miss Mustard Seed's Milk Paint on a Painted Antique Chair

2/8/2017

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A chair is such a great project. Whether you're a newbie furniture painter or a veteran.

If you have quite a few painterly projects under your belt, you may think there is nothing new under the sun, but once in awhile a special one comes along and when you're finished you think — Oh yeah! I'm keeping that!

That's what happened here...

Enter vintage timber chair gifted to me by my awesome neighbour Darlene (yup, she's the furniture-angel who gifted me the barrel for last week's fabulous project!)

Before: An antique chair with lovely bones

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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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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!