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Saturday, January 11, 2014

Milk Paint Drop Leaf Table

From Disaster to Divine

Warning: MMS Milk Paint May Play with Your Emotions ;)

 


I'd been searching for a drop leaf table for some time, but I could never seem to find one that met my size and budgetary needs, until this one. Purchased through Craigslist (yup, another one of my Craigslist's finds) for a mere $20, it was the perfect piece for me to experiment with the Miss Mustard Seed Milk Paint I'd been dying to try.

Since there aren't any MMS retailers near me, I opted to buy online from the retailer who was geographically closest to me, Sea Rose Cottage in RI (a cute shop I can't wait to visit next time I'm in the area). Since I desperately wanted to obtain the "chippy look" (and I'm always trying to save money), I opted to risk skipping the bonding agent (anyone see where this story's going)? For those not familiar with MMS Milk Paint, the bonding agent is a substance that gets added to the paint in the event that the paint doesn't adhere properly to your surface (to facilitate the "bond"). So, I purchased one bag of Eulalie's Sky (the paint comes in a powder form) along with a container of Hemp Oil. Simple enough? Well... so I thought.


Source: Instagram

When I finally got some alone time to spend with my table and my Milk Paint, I was thrilled! I used a paint stick to mix the paint (this was trickier than I thought; I had a hard time getting all the powder to dissolve). Being used to chalk paint, I was surprised at how thin the consistency of the milk paint was, but I had watched a few tutorial videos, so I knew I had to keep an open mind and expect a different experience. And although I heard Marian say over and over in the videos that you can't always predict how it the paint will act, I was hoping with all my heart that my piece + my paint would = my desired chippiness.

After one coat I couldn't tell what was going to happen. It wasn't quite bubbling that much (which would indicate an area that would easily "chip"), but I did see it happening in some areas. So I decided to apply another coat... and that's when it happened. Bubbling overload.

Everything bubbled up (and consequently chipped off as soon as I touched it). And, yes, hindsight being 20-20... I should have ordered the bonding agent. Soooooo, back to the internet, another order (and another shipping charge). And this time I ordered the milk paint mixer, too, because of the trouble I had mixing it last time (the device is basically a milk frother, so if you have an extra on hand, you could use that).



But after receiving the next package, a cold spell ensued (and the table was in the garage). So the cold, mixed with my earlier disappointment, caused the drop leaf table project to come to a halt.

Fast forward a couple months later, and I became determined to finish the project (and this time I moved the table inside). And I'm so happy (and very relieved) with the final results. Here's how it went.

I can't find my original "before" pics, so this is the closest I can get. This is between "Take 1" and "Take 2." I actually sanded the top after the first debacle, so it originally looked a little darker than this.

Steps for Painting the Drop Leaf Table with MMS Milk Paint (and an ASCP Stripe)

  1. Mix the paint (and in my case, add the bonding agent). I recommend using the electric frother-mixer.
  2. Paint! And paint some more. The paint is thin (although you could adjust this by adding less water, but I didn't have much to work with, so I was stuck with what I had)! After reading the directions, but after mixing the paint (yea, in general, I tend to have some trouble following directions), I found out that you only need to add the bonding agent on the first coat. But I had already mixed it all together (because I only had about half a bag of powder left). So the bonding agent was in the paint for each coat. My mix lasted me about three coats (although certain parts could have taken another coat, but I wasn't going to buy a whole new bag for that).

  3. Add the stripe. Although I was happy with the color of the paint, I thought the table was a little boring, so I decided to add a stripe. I had Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Pure White on hand, so that's what I used. I wanted the stripe to be subtle, so I watered down the paint and only applied a thin coat.



  4. Distress. As Marian suggests in her videos, I used a paint scraper to distress the table. Although I had to work pretty hard at it (that bonding agent sure did its job!), I still liked this process SO MUCH better than using sandpaper or nail files (that's what I used on my Distressed Dining Table). I just can't stand how HOT the sandpaper/files get because of the friction when you're working... it gives me stomach-churning goosebumps, the way some people feel about fingernails on a chalkboard. Yuck. I don't even like thinking about it. Soooooo the paint scraper was the best idea I've heard in a while! Nice plastic handle = no friction on my fingers!


  5. Apply the Hemp Oil. This was my favorite part! I used a cut up old tee-shirt to apply the wax, and the consistency was so nice. As soon as it touched the paint,  a lovely hue emerged, making me soooo happy. Before this step I was doubting I'd use MMSMP again, but after using the hemp oil (and a little experience behind me), I think I'm going to give it all another shot! I followed the instructions and wiped the excess oil off after 30 minutes.


So there you have it... I never knew a paint would have the ability to make me cry, cringe, smile, and shout, but I guess you learn something new every day :) I'll be using the table in our upstairs hallway as our new laundry-folding station (to replace the current "station": B1's bed! Now I don't have to feel guilty if I don't finish folding all the laundry by bedtime!).


Here's one of my laundry helpers ;)
Top View: I'm so happy I added the stripe!

Have you used Milk Paint? What have you used it for? Do you like it? After all this, I need someone to commiserate (and celebrate) with ;)


Follow along on Pinterest and Instagram for more of my DIY adventures!



Featured On:

http://www.somuchbetterwithage.com/2014/01/sunday-features-43/#more-5056
The DIY Dreamer


29 comments:

  1. I'd love to feature your table if you provide a link back to Give Me The Goods ;)
    Hugs,
    Jamie @ somuchbetterwithage.com

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  2. Jamie, so sorry about that! Not sure how I missed it.... Although if I had to guess, it was probably somewhere between, "Brush your teeth!" and "Who spilled these blueberries all over the floor?!" ;) As always, doing too many things at once on a Monday morning. Thanks so much! Have a great week.

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  3. I'm not very crafty but I love how you show step by step how to do it! This looks great!

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    1. Thanks, Becky! That makes me laugh; people always assume I can cook because I'm always DIY-ing, but I'm TERRIBLE. And I just did the same thing--assumed you'd be crafty b/c you're a great cook! LOL.

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  4. It's beautiful!!! You did an awesome job! I will pin!

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    1. Thank you so much, Julia! I'm glad you think it looks nice--it's one of those projects I worked on for so long I kind of got sick of looking at it along the way. So I really appreciate a fresh perspective (and the pin)!

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    1. Thanks, Ginger! Glad I added it... and it was so easy compared to the rest of it!

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  6. I have painted quite a few things with MMSP and have never had anything chip! Complete opposite!! I also never added the bonding agent. I have a few other pieces but am debating on whether to use her paint cause I really want something to chip!! The table looks great - I feel your pain though about the whole process and expense!! Trisha

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    1. LOL that is too funny. Thanks for letting me know I'm not the only one out there with a little MMSMP heartache! But I think the cards in in your favor now... you're certainly 'due' for the chippiness factor, soon! Sending you some chippy love for the weekend ;)

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  7. Really is a cute table! I have used the vaseline trick in areas that I want it to be a little chippy. It has worked for me. I have not used the hemp oil that MMS sells, but I think I might give it a try. I have tried AS dark wax and clear wax and it seems sticky to me. I think MMS hemp oil might be a good option to at least try. I just found this blog and love it by the way! Thanks for sharing your disappointments as well as your successes!

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    1. Thanks, Bill! Your comment made my day! I, too, have experimented with the AS waxes, and I agree about the consistency... I find the dark wax to be too touchy to work with. I haven't even tried it in a while. I loved the hemp oil, so I'd recommend it! And I didn't end up using as much as I thought I would, so that was a nice surprise. When you use the vaseline, do you just smear it on the areas you want to chip before your first coat? I want to try it, just not exactly sure what to do!

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  8. I love this tutorial! The table is gorgeous. You're being featured on Sunday Features {Give Me The Goods} and on my FB page tomorrow too ;)
    Hugs,
    Jamie @ somuchbetterwithage.com

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    1. Thanks so much, Jamie! Honored :) Love your blog. Have a great week!

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  9. I really love the table with the stripe, I haven't used milkpaint yet but after seeing your table I have to buy some soon!

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    1. Thanks, Rondell! I wish u luck with it! Would love to see what you come up with!

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  10. What a pretty Tables! Thanks so much for linking up!
    Kim

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  12. Wow Kristen, I LOVE the table, the colors, everything! I was looking up ideas on how to finish my craft desk/table, and I think I found it☺ I can relate about all the emotions with painting and refinishing things. I recently did an accent wall in my kitchen, and ended up doing it 6 times!! (yes I admit that I cried)☺ Thanks for your inspiration--♥Angie

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    1. Thanks so much for the sweet comment, Angie! I'm glad you like it! Isn't it so hard to go through the process sometimes?! I have to remind myself that it doesn't last forever... and then I forget about all the problems when I take on the next project :). I'd love to see your craft table when you're done!! And hope you're happy with the new accent wall... even if it did take {much} longer than u expected :) Have a great week!

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    2. You know it's funny because the thought that crossed through my mind when I was reading your reply was "kind of like labor a little bit"☺ The pain doesn't last forever, and as soon as you get the finish you want (baby) everything bad is forgotten, and then we go and do it all over again! I'm hoping to do a post soon on my wall. You have a great week too--♥Angie

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    3. HA! That's too funny. It's that exact sentiment that got me through labor each time! Really! So funny. Can't wait to see your wall!

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  13. I have used MMS Milk paint on a few things. Never used the bonding agent at all! In fact I have a hard time getting that chippy look on anything unless I do as you did and use a paint scraper. I have never used the hemp oil either actually, but love the clear wax. I use the "shake the mason jar" method to mix. Absolutely love the paint! Thanks for the tutorial. I love seeing someone else's process. Drop lead table is adorable! Like the color you use. Think it is one of the newer colors.

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    1. Thanks, Michelle! I totally need to try the "mason jar-shaking" method! The stirrer itself was pretty ineffective. Glad to hear that you love the paint, so that means you must have been willing to ride the "learning curve" out! Good to know you're a scraper-user too :) Thanks again!

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  14. I think the table came out great! For sanding it would recommend a sanding sponge--have you tried those?

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    1. Thanks, Susan! Yes, I've tried the sanding sponge. I definitely like it better than sandpaper, but it still gets really hot! I don't know what my problem is... it's a weird textural aversion thing, or something! Maybe if I wore gloves, too...

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