EASY Built In Shelf Redo Using Milk Paint
Many moons ago I purchased milk paint powder and mixed it according to the label {I think I had to add water} and liked it...a lot...but then I forgot about it. I have been painting a lot lately...small furniture pieces, accent walls, and a fabric chair, and had forgotten about Milk Paint. I used the very expensive well known Chalk Paint that everyone loves and while I don't dislike it, it sort of didn't like me. It was harder to work with than I thought it would be (again...could just be ME!) and I was a bit disappointed with my results considering the cost. I see so many other bloggers whose furniture redos make me drool but mine...not so much. I had almost given up on using anything but old school paint and then I tried General Finishes Milk Paint {no need to add water to this milk paint}. Oh my goodness...I LOVE THIS STUFF. It offers great coverage and dries with a subtle sheen and smooth, almost soft butter-like feel.
I have absolutely detested the built in shelves in my dining room forever...honestly...forever but I didn't paint them....hated them...scowled at them...made fun of them but still....didn't paint them...until a few weeks ago. For my shelves I used 1 pint of General Finishes Snow White Milk Paint, 1 pint of General Finishes Basil Milk Paint, a double sided sanding sponge to roughen up my surfaces, premium finishing brushes, Green® Painter's Tape, Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Duck Egg Blue and Chalkboard paint.
Because of constraints with space I only worked on a few of the shelves and it was actually fun to compare the before and after in progress.
I chose to alternate the colors of the back of each of the shelves anchoring with chalkboard paint in black in the center, Snow White Milk Paint above and below that, Annie Sloan Duck Egg Blue next in line and the top shelf and bottom shelf having a backdrop of Basil Milk Paint. It took 2 coats of the Milk Paint to cover the previously stenciled, cream-colored shelves and 3 coats of the chalkboard paint to cover the center shelf.
In the next few weeks I'll be sharing with you a recliner redo with textile medium and the General Finishes Milk Paint ~ the transformation is amazing!
The General Finishes Milk Paint, Sanding Sponges, Paintbrushes and Painter's Tape are all from Rockler and were provided to me as a Resident Blogger of The DIY Club but all opinions, as always, are 100% my own.
Sharing at: Monday Funday, Sunday's Best at My 1929 Charmer, The PinCentive Blog Hop, Party on the Porch, The Power of Paint, Fridays Unfolded at NanCherrow, Link Party Palooza at Tatertots and Jello, Best of the Weekend at Little Miss Celebration, Link it or Lump it
Your shelf turns out very nice. I love how you painted the back of each shelf a different color. I bought some milk paint a while, and I really l Iove it too.
Can't wait to see your recliner redo.
Thanks so much, Linda. Have a great week!
Wow, what a difference a few colors of paint make! Very creative use of the different paint to make the built-in shelf unit look special. I will have to see to believe the painted chair.
Thanks so much, Donna. I hope to have the chair finished in the next few weeks. We have so much snow and cold the kids are always inside and I don't want them near it while it's drying and it's too cold to paint it in the garage so I'm a little behind in getting it done.
I'm not in the place to be doing any painting right now. But....you have me thinking about Milk Paint. I certainly will give it a try sometime. Your project turned out terrific, Mary Beth! I love the use of different colors in one piece. Once you get started...painting is really fun...if you like the paint. Details!! Haha!!
I really loved the Milk Paint and in fact recently got some more ~ not sure yet what I'll use it for but I wanted to have it on hand in case the painting mood hit me.
Inquiring minds want to know if you waxed the milk paint?
Oh, Miss Bliss, you should know me better by now....of course I did NOT wax ~ was I supposed to????
What an awesome transformation Mary Beth, they look awesome!! If I ever get a chance to stop cooking, I will have to check out this milk paint that I keep hearing about. 😉
Thank you so much, Lisa! p.s. Don't stop cooking ~ I love to look at your delicious treats!
Mary Beth - I love that you used different colors and it looks fantastic! I'm smiling because I have things that make me scowl in my house, too, but I have YET to do anything about it. Thanks for all the tips and thoughts on the paint, it's so helpful! Thanks so much for sharing and pinning! Have a wonderful Tuesday and a happy week!
Thank you, Cindy! I'm so glad I'm not the only one who does that with things around the house. Have a wonderful week! Hugs, Mary Beth
Your shelf looks so pretty Mary Beth, nice job!!
Thank you, Heather.
I LOVE it Mary Beth!! I love that you used a variety of colors and types of paint too... what a difference!
I LOVE it Mary Beth!! I love that you used a variety of colors and types of paint too... what a difference!
What a fantastic redo Mary Beth! I have used milk paint quite a few times over the years but not lately... I think you have inspired me to try another project using it!
Thanks so much, Cynthia ~ that means bunches to me coming from my you!
What a lovely makeover. And so creative...love all of your color choices!
Thank you, Sharon!
Beautiful makeover! I love the color combo 🙂
Thank you, Debbie ~ I appreciate that. 🙂
with all the painting projects
i've done
i've never actually used ASCP
or milk paint!
but your shelves
turned out just lovely
and i would love for you to share
at Fridays Unfolded!
Alison
Nancherrow (formerly Stuff and Nonsense)
Just joined the party, Alison. Thanks so much for the invite. What time does your party start usually? {I'll add it to my calendar}
Hugs,
Mary Beth
Fridays Unfolded usually starts
at about 3pm
this week is a little earlier in the day
and fiy-you are featured!
Alison
Such a great improvement! Love the different shelf colors!
Thanks so much, Kristi!
What a difference!! Love your choice in colors MB!!! Great work!! I also am digging that cake plate!! 😉
Mary Beth this is beautiful! I am so inspired to try chalk paint again. Pinned and have a great weekend!
Thank you, Claire.
Love the 3 color choices - goodbye 80s!
kelly
Thanks, Kelly ~ now if I could just say goodbye to my 80's hair! 😉
I love how you used the different shelve colors. It's really so pretty. I'm glad to know you didn't wax either - :-}. Thanks so much for sharing your creative inspiration at Sunday's Best!
Beautiful Makeover!!! I'm going to have to try Milk Paint one of these days!!!
Awww...thanks so much, Katie!