How To Transform Furniture Using Milk Paint

Hi, guys!

I am so happy to participate this month in another Fab Furniture Flippin’ Contest as this month sponsor is Old Fashioned Milk Paint Co.! I had wanted to try this amazing paint for a long time, and being this month’s theme “Farmhouse Fun” I had the perfect piece of furniture for it. Please note while this contest is sponsored all opinions are mine and mine alone!

FFFC graphic

The piece of furniture I had in mind was solid wood and had beautiful lines. There used to be leather details glued in the middle but time and use made it look this sad. No worries, there’s nothing that paint and love can’t do to solve that.

How to transform furniture easily with old fashioned milk paint and decoupage · My Sweet Things

The first thing I did was remove doors and hinges, and give it a deep clean.

How to transform furniture easily with old fashioned milk paint and decoupage · My Sweet Things

Then I prepared the paint and let it sit for about 20 minutes. If you haven’t worked with milk paint before, I will tell you some tips. It was created to be used in porous surfaces, so it will stick perfectly to unfinished surfaces and would never chip. If you want to apply it to non-porous surfaces (previously painted or finished surfaces among others) you have two options, you can either sand the entire piece down, or you can add some Extra-Bond to your mixed milk paint.

I wasn’t sanding this baby so I went plan B and added the Extra-Bond to the paint. I promise it is really easy, no fuss here. For the paint, just mix equal parts of paint powder with equal parts of water (preferably bottled water). Then, mix two parts of paint you already have with one part of Extra-Bond and let it sit for a while, easy peasy! You’ll see the air bubbles disappear and the paint is not so runny.

How to transform furniture easily with old fashioned milk paint and decoupage · My Sweet Things

In the meanwhile, I cleaned the doors and removed the hardware.

How to transform furniture easily with old fashioned milk paint and decoupage · My Sweet Things

There was work to do, and there were three of them!

How to transform furniture easily with old fashioned milk paint and decoupage · My Sweet Things

My chisel was very helpful at this stage.

How to transform furniture easily with old fashioned milk paint and decoupage · My Sweet Things

Once everything was removed from the door, I sanded the area to make it smooth as the rest. Have you seen the pretty patina the hardware has?

How to transform furniture easily with old fashioned milk paint and decoupage · My Sweet Things

I chose to paint it in Slate, it’s a beautiful color. I wanted to add some damasks, I’m in love with them. You can see how I used one in my damask sideboard.

How to transform furniture easily with old fashioned milk paint and decoupage · My Sweet Things

I draw a template on a piece of paper, traced it to the back of the damask paper and then cut them all. You can find a similar damask paper here.

How to transform furniture easily with old fashioned milk paint and decoupage · My Sweet Things

I finished painting all the cabinet, and decoupaged the paper using white glue and water in a 1:1 ratio.

How to transform furniture easily with old fashioned milk paint and decoupage · My Sweet Things

I love how it looks now!! Those dry flowers remind me of dry fields in summer and a farmhouse feel.

How to transform furniture easily with old fashioned milk paint and decoupage · My Sweet Things

The hall is tiny so I had a difficult time taking pictures to show you how pretty it is.

How to transform furniture easily with old fashioned milk paint and decoupage · My Sweet Things

Two coats were enough for full coverage and it has a silky finish I love.

How to transform furniture easily with old fashioned milk paint and decoupage · My Sweet Things    How to transform furniture easily with old fashioned milk paint · My Sweet Things

I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

You can see some of the projects our hosts have done this month, like Evey‘s and Stacy‘s.

The Fab Furniture Flippin’ Contest is open only to the entrants who have signed up through the group Facebook page. If you are an active, furniture flippin’ blogger, and you’d like to participate in future contests, we’d love to have you! Please contact us at info@fabfurnitureflippincontest.com to find out how!

Thanks so much for visiting!

Hugs,

Pili

Do you love DIY, recycling, home decor, furniture transformation and all kind of crafts? Then we have the same passion! I would love to share all my crazy ideas and projects with you so I would love if you SUBSCRIBE for my post e-mails.

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18 comments

    • Pili says:

      Thank you so much, Moira! My photography skills are not as good but I can tell you it looks way better when you see it in real life.

  1. Michelle says:

    It looks gorgeous and adding the damask paper just takes it to the next level. Thanks for the tips about adding Extra-Bond. That just makes it so much easier to use.

    • Pili says:

      Hi, Michelle!! I agree, the damask paper makes it look more elegant, and the wood around it seems to be placed there just for it.

  2. Katrin says:

    Oh my word Pili, this is the prettiest furniture! I absolutely love the colour and milk paint seems to work wonders, I would’ve gone with plan B too, lol, who likes sanding…You are so great at this, I love it and it was made for that spot for sure!!!

    • Pili says:

      Nobody likes sanding, and even less in summer lol. Anyway, my palm sander broke down so it wasn’t an option either. I’m glad milk paint works on shiny surfaces too, and it seems it self-level so you get an smooth finish.
      Glad you like it too!

  3. Mary-the boondocks blog says:

    This is really incredible Pili. I was expecting you to put the damask in the center and then when I saw it on the edges it was a pleasant surprise. That is a beautiful color and the damask is perfect for it. This is a real trash to treasure. I’m also glad to hear you liked the paint. Pinning for future use.

    • Pili says:

      I found the pattern of the damask online and I adapted the size and the color too. I’m happy I was able to get a similar tone to the paint. No more trash now 😉

  4. Keri says:

    Pili, what a beautiful transformation!! I really like the color your chose and the damask print is lovely too. I have yet to try milk paint, but it’s definitely on my ever growing list. Another amazing furniture makeover my friend!!

    • Pili says:

      Thank you so much, Keri! I am not used to using those colors but I really liked it too. I am sure you will love milk paint, and if you use it over raw wood it works wonders.

    • Pili says:

      Hi, Jodie! Thank you so much for your kind comment. I think those inserted frames were made on purpose for me to decoupage them lol.

    • Pili says:

      Thank you so much, Lucy! When I saw the doors and those frame inserts I knew I had to take advantage of them. I think the damask paper is the perfect addition.
      I’ll stop by the party later, thanks for the invite.

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