When we first saw this desk, we knew it needed some help. It was dusty, it was broken, and it was dull. Pieces in this condition often need quite a bit of work which is why they end up on the curb but we saw the potential right away and brought it home for a makeover. We had a vision, but first we had to get it prepped. follow along to see Kentucky Green desk Milk Paint Makeover!
Below is a list of supplies you’ll need to complete a similar project.
- TSP Alternative + Wiping Cloths
- Homestead House Milk Paint Kentucky Green
- Fusion Beeswax
- Mixing Cup + Whisk
- Painter’s Tape
- Electric Sander with 120-180 scuff pads/paper
- Staalmeester Flat Brush
Prep
The first step to all your makeovers should always be cleaning. Cleaning is important when it comes to prepping your surface for paint because it removes any residue or dirt from the surface. When you have a clean surface, your paint will perform better. We like to use Fusion TSP Alternative. You can use a sponge to scrub away any deep set grime, but this piece was mostly just dusty. A few pass throughs of cleaner and wiping did the trick.
After our surface was clean and dried, we used our electric sander and 120 grit scuff pad to scuff sand the entire surface. For the top, we were able to remove the old flaky topcoat. Use a damp cloth to wipe away any dust and allow your piece to dry.
PAINT AND PAPER
While your furniture is drying, you can use this time to mix up your milk paint. A good rule of thumb is to use a 50/50 mix of equal parts paint to water, and then let your paint site for a few minutes after it’s been mixed. For this piece, we picked Homestead House in Kentucky Green.
The consistency you always want to shoot for is that of table cream. It should be thick but not clumpy and also creamy but watery. Of course there are no rules with milk paint so mix your paint thinner or thicker, whatever works for the look you want.
We taped off the portions we didn’t want to be painted using painter's tape. Then we applied our first coat. Milk Paint is known for its “first scary coat” but you really don’t get to admire the beautiful finish until it’s time for a topcoat. Kentucky green is highly pigmented and gave us great coverage with the first coat, although it is still slightly transparent.
After two coats, we had the coverage we wanted and even saw some natural chipping. We took a finer tooth scuff pad and distressed the surface. By highlighting the details, you bring out warmth and characteristics that otherwise could be lost with a solid finish. You also get to smooth out any pigments or raised fibres on your surface. After your sanding, wipe away the sanding dust with a damp cloth.
A handsome colour
Adding a top coat really brings out the true colour of your piece. You have several options for a topcoat like Hemp oil, or furniture wax, but we chose to use Fusion Beeswax as it gives us the best of both worlds. Using it over the entire piece gave the top a good hydration with the original stain, and we were able to bring out a beautiful satin lustre in the milk paint.
This colour is a beautiful mix of green and blue dark teal almost. This makes it the perfect deep colour for so many looks. It pairs beautifully in a rustic-themed home for a pop of colour or a statement piece in a classic coastal home.
The distressing was a natural but crucial part of the look we were going for. Not only does it add some texture to the desk but also gives it that weathered, aged look that only time can create. You’d never know this piece was freshly painted.
The original top was also a beautiful part of the desk. Removing the original finish gave us a fresh surface to work with and the Fusion’s Beeswax finish just brought out the original wood tone and highlighted the mahogany grain.
Finally, adding complimentary accents like antique brass cup pulls was a great way to top off the finish we were going for. Now we have a rustic, refined desk with a handsome hue!
We hope you enjoyed this makeover. We loved being able to use a variety of products to give us a one-of-a-kind look that will last for years!
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