Milk Paint Chest of Drawers Makeover

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A few weeks ago at one of my favorite local flea markets, I ran into a frequent Fusion Mineral Paint customer of mine.  My customer and her husband are actually regular vendors at the market and she was so kind to show me through her booth.  I love getting to know my customers better and hearing more about theirs lives and families.

She had this beautiful chest of drawers she was looking to sell that had belonged to her mother, and she offered me a fantastic price.

 

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I’m telling you, this piece is stunning!  It’s really quite large and so very sturdy–a great example of how they don’t make things like they use to!

It has been awhile since I’ve used milk paint on any of my furniture makeovers, so I decided to pull some out for this lovely chest. To prep the piece I gave it my standard cleaning (a good scrub with Simple Green ) and a light sanding with some mid-grit sandpaper. When using milk paint, if you don’t want the paint to chip too much it’s a good idea to sand the piece first. If you want the really chippy look, then don’t worry about the sanding part 🙂

Another note on using milk paint, keep mixing the paint as you use it.  Mix, Mix, Mix!  If you don’t keep mixing the paint, the pigments will start to separate and the color of your paint will change.  This seems to be an issue for me especially when using any of the green or yellow toned colors.

I painted on two coats of Miss Mustard Seed Milk Paint in Layla’s Mint (you can see another piece in this color here) and then finished the chest off with a light distressing and a coat of the fantastic MMS Clear Wax.  With milk paint, you do have to seal the paint with either a wax or poly, or the finish is very flat and it won’t be as durable as you like.

Here is the lovely after:

 

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Isn’t that a beautiful color?  This piece is ready for spring now 🙂

 

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I forgot to mention that I polished up the original handles too with my favorite metal cleaner–Bar Keeper’s Friend. It does an amazing job of cleaning the tarnish off of bronze, copper, stainless steel, you name it.

 

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Because I sanded the chest before painting it, there wasn’t much chipping at all–just a few little spots here and there.  But the way the milk paint lays on the wood in thin layers with the pigments slightly separating . . . It creates an amazing vintage finish like no other paint really can.

 

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Such pretty little legs 🙂

 

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Thank you for visiting with me today!!

And if you want to try out this gorgeous color yourself, I have it available at my Antique Company Mall Dallas area retail space, as well as in my online shop.

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Friday's Furniture Fix #25 -

Friday 5th of February 2016

[…] our new co-host from Lost and Found Decor shared this gorgeous dresser. The gold hardware that she revived looks great with the Layla Mint […]

Sherry Stuifbergen

Tuesday 2nd of February 2016

I would like to know the difference in chalk paint and milk paint? Both have no sheen when painted...which finished effect do you prefer?

Melanie

Tuesday 2nd of February 2016

Hi Sherry. I actually have written a post that details the difference in milk and chalk-type paint. You can find it here. I honestly don't have a preference--certain pieces fit better with each type of paint and they can both be used to create beautiful finishes. Thanks for asking!

Virginia

Monday 1st of February 2016

Beautiful, I wish you lived closer to where I live!

Terry

Friday 29th of January 2016

Beautiful color for a beautiful piece! It looks absolutely gorgeous in this color. Laylas mint is a favorite color to use and I haven't used it for a long time but now that you refresh my memory on how lovely it is I might have to go look for something to paint that color :-) I hope you have a wonderful weekend :-) Smiles! Terry

Marie, The Interior Frugalista

Friday 29th of January 2016

What a stunning makeover - just love the color and perfect amount of distressing. I'm sure it'll sell very quickly for you. Pinning to share.