Well you all are an opinionated bunch now aren’t you. I hadn’t expected so many comments when I threw out that question yesterday about painting my headboard. But both here on the blog, as well as on my FB page and on Google+ the overall majority seems to be in favor of keeping my wood headboard wood stained.
I am not promising anything, but it is good to know that you all love my repurposed wood headboard so much….
Thanks to all who chipped in and feel free to add your voice to the discussion…
On to the business of the day.
I didn’t ask your opinion about painting my hutch because my mind was made up about that. It had got to be painted. Took me a while to get my courage for such a project, but when the vision was bright and clear in my mind I attacked it.
Warning no pretty reveal pictures in this post. Just mid-project ugliness……
Do you think this will ever look good again?
This is after the first coat of milk paint.Â
Just to remind you this is the before, I remembered to snap just in time.
It is a colonial style hutch, partially made by repurposed teak(?) wood and probably some new wood too. I wanted to get the chippy look Marian – Miss Mustard Seed pulls off so well.Â
A while ago she send me a package with two colors of the paint and some other supplies, so I really had no excuse not to try it.
I found it very hard to get my milk paint to the right consistency. I watched all Marian’s milk paint videos and some more tutorials on the web too, but I still don’t think I got it right.
I think my first coat was too thin, because I barely got a covering.Â
Especially the inside of the hutch seemed to soak up the paint even though it had a finish on it. I was/am seriously doubting that any good chipping is going to be happening on this piece.
Then I moved on to the shelves and doors.Â
One quick coat later…..
Chippy look all right. I could vacuum the paint right off. At least half of it came off again. The shelves and doors had a much glossier finish and the milk paint did not adhere at all.Â
For the next coat I added the bonding agent and that stuck…
And then I ran out of paint. Turns out my hutch with shelves and doors is a lot bigger than I thought and that one package was not nearly enough.Â
Good thing that I have a golden contact for milk paint right around the corner now. I sent out a cry for help to Goedele from The Old Red Barn who is a MissMustardSeed milk paint stockist in Belgium. She was willing to help me get more paint in the weekend and gave me some tips too.
So I enlisted the help of My Love and send him on a mission to get my paint. He happily hopped on his motorcycle to go and score me my supplies. He has never been that happy before to help me with any of my DIY missions as this Saturday. Me and the blog scored brownie points…..
Good thing too that I found this European supplier for the milk paint. Can you imagine having this in your living room for weeks while you wait for an order from overseas to arrive…..
But my love got me my paint (taking the scenic route no doubt) and  I could continue and finish the second coat. Still a long way to go to make her beautiful again…..
I reserve the right to hold my judgement on the final outcome.
But in my head she looks so good.
So do you think I can save this hutch and get the look I envisioned? Or should I just bring out the latex paint and go
for the smooth, modern look?
I guess you will have to wait and see (as shall I myself). I have got some painting days carved out for me this weekend. So who knows maybe she will have her glamour moment on the blog next week.Â
Marianne Songbird is the founder of Songbird, where she hopes to inspire everyone to create a home they love, one DIY project at a time. She shares anything from craft ideas to home decor inspiration and from DIY projects to decorating hacks. Originally from the Netherlands Marianne and her husband Lex are currently renovating a 250-year-old farmhouse in Germany.
Lori Schulte says
I love your transparency and how honest you are about this slightly less than perfect process. So many people never share the “not so pretty parts” of life’s adventures. I have seen your past work, and I just know she’s going to end up looking AMAZING! Kudos to you for daring to at least try something new! 🙂
Marty@A Stroll Thru Life says
Can’t wait to see what you do, I havn’t tried some of the new paints, so I am all ears. Hugs, Marty
Gwen says
I too have not tried this type of paint. You are very patient! I’d just cry!!! So many use it with success so I’m glad you do have a person to get help from not too too far away. It always helps to have that voice saying Oh that happened? Well just do this now.
You have been a busy bee as we say here in the States!
Emilou says
Hi Marianne, I agree with Lori, whatever you decide will be wonderful. It is exciting to try something new. Blessisngs and smiles, Emilou 🙂
Marianne says
Oeps, ik zou al hyperventileren. Maar jou kennende komt het allemaal goed. Ik kijk uit naar de “after” foto’s.
Prettige (lang?) weekend!