There are some pieces that are just so dark and dingy, that it’s hard to imagine them with a new paint job. But once you see past all the required prep work and the old dark stain, you can start to visualize how these daunting pieces could look once they’ve got a fresh coat of bright paint. This old craftsman-style cabinet was a cheap marketplace find that was practically given away. We knew we had to brighten up the finish and the only colour we could see on it was Stockholm Green a new HH Milk Paint Colour.
Below is a list of supplies you’ll need to complete a similar project.
- TSP Alternative + Wiping Cloths
- Homestead House “Stockholm Green”
- Hemp Oil
- Staalmeester 2-inch Synthetic Brush
- Electric Sander with 130-180 scuff pads/paper
- Scraper
Prepping for Milk Paint
Because this piece was so dark, we couldn’t tell what was old finish and what was dirt and grime. So we decided to give it a thorough cleaning by vacuuming out the loose debris and then spraying it down with a 1:1 ratio of warm water to Fusion TSP Alternative. Fusion’s TSP cleaner is a hard-working degreaser so we let the solution sit on the surface for a couple of minutes to break down the dirty surface. Afterwards, we wiped it away with absorbent cloths. For extremely dirty pieces, you may want to clean them 2-3 times just to make sure there are no adhesion issues.
After our cleaning, we noticed some of the veneers on the doors and the top peeling off. We decided at that point it was best to remove it rather than repairing it. So we used a scraper to slide under the peeling veneer and remove it completely. Sanding after to remove any raised fibres as well as remove the old stain.
Next, we decided to mix up a 1:1 ratio of milk paint to water. We like to mix up our milk paint and let it sit for a few minutes but you can just mix and go!
Chippy paint
Painting is always the best part of the furniture makeover. There is something about that first stroke and seeing the colour on your piece for the first time that is just so magical. You can see how the contrast in the original colour and the paint really gives you an idea of how fun this piece will be.
Even though the first coat of paint is quite transparent, you really get a feel for how the paint is going to look on your piece. Adding multiple coats will give you the opaque look you want to cover the original finish.
Since we didn’t do any sanding on the body, we knew there would be chipping. You may not notice it as much on the first coat, but after your subsequent coats, the chipping will really start to be noticeable.
You can remove the chipping paint and add a bit of a distressed look by taking some sandpaper or a sanding sponge to your piece. This will also serve to knock down any pigments left behind by the paint and give you an ultra-smooth surface. Don’t forget to wipe away the sanding dust.
We wanted a matte finish so we decided to use Hemp Oil as a sealer. What we love about hemp oil is its natural and non-toxic finish. Hemp oil penetrates the paint and your surface to create a durable, water-resistant bond. It doesn’t aggravate any further chipping and it has a wonderful nutty smell.
Once your piece has dried from the Hemp oil application, you can start to reassemble it by adding your hardware. We chose natural wood knobs to tie into the top and give us a light contrast.
A natural Swedish inspired shade
Pairing this shade with a matching Swedish wallpaper is one way to bring nature indoors. Not only is this colour rich and vibrant, but it’s also warm and inviting!
The distressing from the chippy paint really makes this look like a time-worn piece. Paired with the natural top and wood knobs you can really see how this piece adds so much character!
The inspiration behind this Stockholm Green a new HH Milk Paint Colour really is nature. It brings about the calmness of the Swedish Forests but as a historically correct colour, also connects with the City of Stockholm.
Anyone who has ever paid a visit to the charming town can see this earthy colour painted on historic streets lined with cobblestone roads. It adorns main living structures as well as an accent colour on trim work and furniture.
We can definitely see why Stockholm Green Milk Paint Colour is so appealing. It’s stunning, and calming and is a great way to bring nature indoors. Can you see this colour on your pieces at home?
More New HH colour makeovers
Kurbits Indigo dresser makeover
Let us know which new Homestead house colour you like and stay tuned for the next 2 colours!