Milk paint is fast becoming a favorite. Especially since I broke down and used a Tupperware bowl and my kitchen whisk to stir the stuff up this time. If you haven’t ever used Milk Paint – go to Miss Mustard Seed’s blog to read all about it – how it works, what it is, and how to use it.
I showed you the armoire I recently purchased here. It was a tv armoire, very solid and heavy, and HUGE. Just what I needed to hold all the fabric I have around all the time. Can’t run a business that involves a lot of sewing and creativity without having fabric on hand 😀 I knew I wanted to use the armoire immediately but I also knew I couldn’t fill it up with it looking all orange oak like it was. So I painted it the minute my husband was done reworking the inside and adding shelves. We picked it up on a Thursday night and by the end of the weekend it was painted and filled.
Here is the finished project. I used Miss Mustard Seed’s Milk Paint (bet you hadn’t figured that out from the title of the post huh?!). I mixed some colors I had around – Eulalies sky, Ironstone, and Shutter Grey I think. That mixture was enough to do 2 coats on everything but the door insets. I then mixed up some more Shutter Grey, a bit of Flow Blue, and some Linen to paint the insets of the doors. It ended up a white/grey/blue color that is quite pretty – but there is no way I could duplicate it!
I wasn’t sure I wanted to use Milk Paint because I really didn’t like the orange color of the finish on the armoire. (I know, I know, my china cupboard is the same color – I’m still working on my hubby to let me paint that one – no I haven’t given up yet) I don’t have any bonding agent to add to the milk paint (will have to get some to have on hand) so I just went with it. It’s fun to see what the milk paint will do anyway. Hubby thinks I should have used Chalk Paint but I kind of like what I ended up with. It’s growing on me!
Miss Mustard Seed also has a white wax now and I bought some of it the last time I ordered paint. I used the white wax over the places that chipped off to cover some of the orange. And I don’t think it looks quite so orange-y once most of it is covered with paint.
I have no idea why the paint chipped off so much in some places and none at all in others. That’s the fun of milk paint – you never know what it’s going to do and you can just go with it and see what you can create.
I bought new knobs for the armoire at Hobby Lobby. They are large, crystal knobs and they are mismatched. I love the mismatched look for this piece.
I set my wire laundry cart beside the armoire and filled it with my vintage European grain sacks. I love having them out where I can see them and it frees up more space in the armoire for other fabrics 🙂
I’m getting ready to start creating some things for Christmas out of these grain sacks!
This is the other corner of the room – on the other side of the window. I’d like to get another armoire that matches to put here and organize all this stuff. Then the desk cold sit under the window between the two armoires.
I’m super happy that this side of the room is so neat and organized for now though! I’ll keep trolling CraigsList for another armoire at as good a price as this one – I only paid $65 for it 🙂 I consider this storage solution to be the next best thing to custom built-ins.
I absolutely love it!
Nice color and love the mis-matched knobs. xox
Nice job on the re-purpose! Love the milk paint look, and the mis-matched knobs. Super cute idea!
Hi Jill!!!
Love it!!! Have one myself…with fabric in it. I think they look better then custom cabinets. I love the fact that people are finding a use for the old, short lived TV/VCR/DVD cabinets and they are not ending up in land fills. I am sure you will find another…..they are plentiful!!!!
Have a blessed day!!!
Addie
I love the color you used on that armoire. It’s so pretty and cottagey now! Not only does it function for you but also brings beauty to the room. Love the wire laundry basket filled with grainsacks too.
You did do a great job. I think you got a super bargain too!
What a beautiful Armoire! I love the look with the milk paint!
Thank you for linking up at my Furniture and Paint Party.
brooke
startathome.blogspot.com
Loving your armoire. I’ve still to order even a sample of milk paint. I’m glad to see a piece done with it, looks really nice, love the colors. You did a great job. Good luck in your quest to find another storage piece. Happy weekend
What a beautiful space- so fresh and airy! I love the armoire, and the antique wire laundry basket next to it is lovely too!
Lovely! I love using Milk Paint. You’ve done a great job covering the orange wood.
Sharon – Australia.
Fantastic transformation! I have a computer armoire I’ve been thinking about painting with milk paint or chalk paint, but have never tried either so hesitating. Encouraging to see how yours turned out
Jill your creative space looks fantastic! I have been curious about the white wax and it looks pretty fabulous! Can’t wait to see what you create for Christmas!
Jill, your armoire is gorgeous!! I love how it turned out painted! (And what a bargain!)
Susan
I love how the color turned out! I think variance in color gives depth and interest as well as some character- then add the knobs and its just perfect! I love it!
Oh hi… first time on your blog and I love it! I love how you repurposed this tv armoire and like one comment “there are plenty around”, I can see doing this more than once for my sewing / craft room to be. But… I would really, really love to see all the fabric stashed inside.;)