Milk Paint Decor

Tips for using milk paint to decorate.

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Artist Lee Riggins-Hartman shows how to use milk paint to paint an end table and matching watering can lamp. She also discusses the history of milk paint and how to properly mix it, and how to use rub-on transfers to decorate various items.

Materials:

blue milk paint
brown milk paint
flat finish varnish
rub-on transfers
3 - 1" foam brushes for applying milk paints
1 - 1" natural bristle brush for applying varnish
3 plastic cups
3 plastic forks
water
1 - 1" roll masking tape
fine sandpaper
damp cloth rag
3 lint-free rags
scissors
Country Buffet/Sofa Table #460 W - or an unfinished table of your choice

Optional:
power sander
checkerboard border stencil - #41-0530
2" x 2" sponge
antique crackle paint
paint finish

Steps:
Note: If you are using unassembled furniture, paint all pieces and allow them to dry before assembly.

Sand and dust all wood surfaces before painting.
Mix all paints needed for project:
For Blue Full Color: Mix 6 tablespoons of blue paint with 6 tablespoons of warm water. Stir with a plastic fork. Let stand for 5 to 10 minutes for all powder to dissolve. Stir again.
For Brown Full Color: Mix 6 tablespoons of brown paint with 6 tablespoons of warm water. Stir with a plastic fork. Let stand for 5 - 10 minutes for all powder to dissolve. Stir again. For Blue Staining Color: Mix 2 tablespoons of blue paint with 8 - 10 tablespoons of warm water. Stir with a plastic fork. Let stand for 5 - 10 minutes for all powder to dissolve. Stir again.
Apply full color blue paint to front table section, side panels, drawer supports, leg turning, leg feet and drawer knobs. Tape off sections for a cleaner edge if desired. Let dry.

Figure A

Apply full color brown paint to upper leg sections, between turnings on legs, drawer sides, drawer center fronts, tabletop section, and table shelf section (figure A). Tape off sections for a cleaner edge if desired. Wipe with damp cloth. Let dry.

Apply blue staining color to middle leg sections, drawer front edges, tabletop sections, and table shelf section. Tape off sections for a cleaner edge if desired. Wipe with damp cloth. Let dry.

After all paint is completely dry, lightly sand and dust off surfaces.

Optional: If a worn, aged look is desired, sand edges and selected spots to reveal wood grain.

Figure B

Apply selected rub-on transfers to the table. Guest Lee Riggins-Hartman used two small fruit motifs on the drawer fronts and wheat stalks on the corner of the tabletop (figure B). Any rub-ons made for painted wood surfaces will work. Follow manufacturer directions for application.

Use the natural bristle brush to apply a light coat of varnish to all surfaces. Let dry. Lightly sand and dust off all surfaces.

Optional: Stencil checkerboard border around edge of tabletop using stencil and a sponge. Mix approximately one additional tablespoon of blue milk paint to remainder of the full color blue for thickening. Reposition the stencil for each grouping of checkerboard desired and repeat stenciling using the thickened paint mixture. Let dry. Coat lightly with varnish. Let dry, then sand and dust off.

Optional: If an old, worn look is desired, rub on a coat of paint finish followed by an application of antique crackle paint. Rub extra antique crackle paint into sanded-off areas for an even older look. Let dry 24-48 hours.

Assemble the table according to manufacturer instructions. Watering Can Lamp:

The same crafting techniques and applications were used to complete the coordinating watering can lamp. Rub-on transfers can be used on curved or flat lampshades, terra cotta, plastic, glass, metal, etc. Please refer to the general project instructions above.

Lee's Hints and Tips:

Milk paint is the oldest form of paint known, with traces of it found in King Tut's tomb and in ancient cave paintings. The all-natural milk paint made by early Americans was composed of earth-ground limestone. These craftspeople found that milk paint was durable, versatile, provided excellent coverage, and dried quickly. Like the milk paint made hundreds of years ago, most milk paint is all-natural. A good rule of thumb for milk paint is the RULE OF 2: Approximately 2 tablespoons of milk paint powder mixed with two tablespoons of warm water (1:1 ratio) will make enough paint for approximately 2 square feet of unfinished wood. This varies slightly according to the porosity of wood with which you are working.

Authentic milk paints usually contain a milk by-product called casein and can "sour" after being mixed. Most milk paint is good for only 12 to 16 hours after being mixed and cannot be stored successfully. Mix only as much paint as needed to complete the project at hand.

Mixing the milk paint powder with warm water helps to dissolve the powder more easily and quickly. Colors containing red bases require longer and more vigorous stirring since these colors use iron-based pigments. Try sponging, stenciling, and combing techniques to achieve different effects with the milk paint. Milk paint can also be used as a wash or a stain. A little milk paint goes a long way and covers the woodgrain in the process.

Resources

Products
- Highgate Style-A-Tile - discontinued
- watering can lamp - discontinued
- Milk paint and complementary products from Old Fashioned Milk Paint
- stencils - Crisp 'N Clean
  These stencils are laser cut.
- country buffet / sofa table (Model #: 46OW)
Guests
- Lee Riggins-Hartman
  National Product Demonstrator/Spokesperson, Duncan Enterprises
  Website: www.duncan-enterprises.com