Got Milk Paint?

What an interesting product

and really timely

 given our current fascination with all natural products 

and "going green"

 I have loved this product ever since I first began 

collecting primitives 

 years ago.

When I found an inexpensive little chest 

or something sort of interesting that just needed some TLC, 

I tried everything I could think of 

to get that dry, chalky finish found in real antique primitives.

And then I found Milk Paint.  

I purchased my first little bag from an antique store in 

Old Town, 

Orange, California.

Orange is one of THE BEST destinations 

for antiquing 

in Southern California. 

If you go, make a day of it...

you won't be disappointed

The Real Milk Paint company began in 1974 

and has been manufacturing the product much the same since then.  

A bag, which will make up about a pint, 

costs around $11 dollars.

Using only natural ingredients of milk proteins, 

lime and natural pigments, 

milk paint is sold only in powder form. 

The 20 colors are based on historical milk paint  

but, it can be mixed and re-worked to achieve any color you can think up.

Here is a link to their face book page which shows the amazing variety of colors that they have thought up....

and it includes the recipes!

If you are interested in the history of this type of paint

you can read the entire story here

What an amazing finish on this cabinetry...hummm should I try this?

These photos are the work of contemporary cabinet makers 

using milk paint to achieve the wonderful patina of a primitive, from the 1800s

 It fits perfectly with swedish furniture in patina and color 

or 

new re-edition furniture 

Decorative painters seem to love this paint, 

probably because of the simple raw quality it has, is so charming 

Interesting, that you can't really strip it off once it has been applied.  

Most artisans finish their work with linseed oil and then use wax or danish oil for that beautiful soft hand rubbed sheen...

There are so many ways to produce an interesting color and finish...

layering, sanding, burnishing,

it's really just your imagination 

and a bit of elbow grease

Have you used this paint?

Please share your ideas....if you have!

&

Thanks for taking a peek today

~kelley~

*all photos courtesy 

The Old Fashioned Milk Paint Company