Whew! I feel so much better now that I have that off my chest. To assuage my guilt, I am hosting an amazing giveaway. John Millen Hardware is graciously offering one winner their choice of two Old Fashioned Milk Paint colors, plus one tin of Fiddes and Sons' Clear Wax and one tin of Rugger Brown Wax.
Milk Paint is the secret behind my super-chippy pieces that always get a big reaction. I sold this one even before I could get it to the Lucketts Antique Market in May and I had two other people ask to buy it (even with a SOLD tag on it.)
(Color - Slate)
I'm going to make some video tutorials on working with Milk Paint, because it's a little tricky, but the results are fabulous. The first thing you'll notice is that it comes in powder form in a bag. This means you have to do the mixing, but you just add equal parts warm water and stir.
I buy these plastic quart-sized buckets to store the mixed paint in.
The consistency is much different from a latex, oil or chalk paint. It is a little thinner and the first coat is usually a little transparent and streaky. This is a great look if you want a very worn, authentic finish. Apply a second coat for better coverage.
Here's where my favorite part comes it. The paint will randomly peel away from the piece you're painting. Sometimes it will peel a little, sometimes a lot. This results in a very authentic looking chipped and aged finish. All of the texture and beauty of the chippy goodness we love and none of the worries of lead paint.
I generally distress the paint further and finish with a coat of Fiddes and Sons Wax. If you don't like the chippy look, you can mix the Milk Paint with a bonding agent that helps it adhere better.
The vanity/desk above is currently available for sale at The Old Lucketts Store in Lucketts, VA. Thanks to John Millen Hardware for supplying me with this amazing piece of furniture!
So, are you interested in giving Milk Paint a try?
(Color: Sea Green)
To enter for your chance to win two quarts of Old Fashioned Milk Paint and two tins of Fiddes and Sons Wax, visit John Millen Hardware's selection of Milk Paint colors and leave a comment here letting me know which two you want to try. (My favorites are Snow White, Sea Green and Slate.) Colors can also be easily mixed to make custom colors.
John Millen Hardware is giving you additional ways to win a second giveaway drawing they are running! Follow them on Twitter and you receive one entry into their Milk Paint and Wax giveaway. Purchase something from their online store and you will get three more entries into their drawing!
My giveaway will be open until Sunday, June 27 at midnight PST and a winner will be announced on Monday, June 28. Good luck to everyone and there will be much more information about Milk Paint in future blog posts.
Furniture Feature Friday is posted below and will run through Saturday at midnight PST.