Here’s what the horse looked like when I received it from Restoration Hardware. I loved the shape, but the wood and finish didn’t have as much character as I was hoping for. I wanted it to look more like one of the inspiration antique horses I shared HERE.
Well, that’s not a problem in these parts! So, yesterday I took some time to apply the first coat of paint – MMSMP Trophy. You can read about it HERE.
Yesterday, I was a good blogger and took lots of pictures of the process. Today, I hauled the horse to the basement and started working and didn’t stop for pictures. It’s sort of a good thing, because I was in my creative bubble, but it’s not a good thing for blogging! I’ll try to talk you through the process, though, which was basically paint, sand, paint, sand, paint.
Now, I’ll tell you…Milk Paint can be unpredictable, but in most cases it can be controlled and you can get the look you want ultimately. This piece broke all of the rules. It was chipping more than I wanted, so I sanded with an orbital sander…down to the bare wood in some places and then I applied a second coat of Trophy with a lot of bonding agent added. Anywhere I didn’t sand heavily ended up peeling off in sheets. So, I sanded more in those places and painted on a coat of Grain Sack on the body, a mix of Grain Sack and Trophy on the hoofs, main and tail, and Shutter Gray on the runners and bridle.
Again, there was chipping, so I just decided to stop fighting it. Obviously, there was something in the finish of this piece that the milk paint just was not going to be good friends with. With all of the painting I’ve done with milk paint, I’ve only had one or two other pieces fight me this much. But, sometimes the pieces are fighting for a reason. They are going to look best chippy and that’s certainly the case with this horse. So I waved the white flag and worked with what was happening.
So, here it is…the painting, chipping and distressing is finished, but I haven’t yet applied the waxes.
Now, that’s a horse with some character!
93 Responses
Love it! You have done an awesome job. I would never have known you had bought it new. 🙂
Looking forward to seeing it with waxes…but, it looks amazing!
I love it, Marian. I had a nightstand do the same thing. In fact it still peels.
That is one chippy horse—and I love it! I think only you, with all your experience, could have kept your wits with this one! When I first used your Milk Paint (just one piece to date) I told myself it was a new frontier and I approached it like a piece of artwork. That helped me through the new process. I love it and I am so glad it looks like “MMS” now! It has been “mustardized” and is MMS worthy! 🙂
If I had been painting this, I would have been so frustrated with that much chipping too . But when I look at it on your chest and imagine it only slightly distressed, I can see that it would not have been nearly as perfect without the heavy chipping. Just goes to show that the best surprises are when we find that what we really, really wanted was not what we wanted at all. The dichotomy of life. Love it!
Yep, that horse has character now. Just perfect!
I think it’s amazing ! I have too only had the major chipping like that with your paint 1 x after I had done at least a dozen other pieces with milk paint…. The time it happened to me was recently after a major change in our lives recently with our son , funny how it therapeutic (painting) but gives us a challenge will doing and it all works out …… Xoxo .
Love it. I thought it was beautiful before but now!!!!
So beautiful! LOVE the horse painted and chippy. x
Fantabulous! Reminds me of my mom’s old carousel horse that was always on the family room hearth 🙂
Or you could say “That’s a horse of a different color”…looks great!
I have the dissenting opinion here…I kinda liked the unpainted version. That being said I am very glad you painted it, because it’s just one more example of your permission to us all to make something our own. So many times I’ve walked away from something because it wasn’t quite perfect, or I’ve gotten something and lived with it knowing it wasn’t quite right. Because of you I have felt freer to make mistakes…and I have! But I’ve also had some pretty stunning successes too. Thanks for being brave and sharing your journey with us.
I agree with you. I liked the piece the way it came unpainted. I felt it must have had a finish on it that resisted being painted over for a reason. I think it looks sad now. This is one time I have to disagree with your taste Marian.
There’s an expression — a horse (or a person) that’s had a tough day has been “rode hard and put up wet!” That’s what I think of when I see your beautiful chippy rocking horse with his head down — bowed, but not broken. Love it!
Horse whisperer… love it
I love how it didn’t chip on the back and I like that chipped “V” on it leg. I think it looks authentic vintage!
It’s it beautimous! But tell me,,were you freaking out just a tiny bit?
I agree with Julia. I liked the horse better when it was new.
Also, it seems too . . . monochromatic? Flat? Maybe the wax will change that, but I wonder about a little dark in the hooves and/or runners. Just an opinion.
I agree with the others. There’s no way I would have fought through that battle so long. Good for you for fighting the good fight!
Love it.
He’s got lots more personality now! I love the look in his eye.
I can’t tell you how much I needed to hear this story from you today. I had posted a similar experience on the milk paint blog. Of course it’s a custom job that they are ready to pick up. I don’t have any more paint on hand so I had to just go with what it did. I ended up using all the paint and bonding agent I had. The first go peeled off in sheets, the 2nd and 3rd time I just have lots of chipping. I put the knobs on and low and behold more peeled off. I actually modge podged some of it back together and sealed it all down. If I move the piece more of it chips off.
I had made up my mind that I don’t know what I’m doing and I should stop pretending like I do. It was so healing to hear of someone else’s woes. I’ve used milk paint many times and have loved it before.
By the way, I love the horse!
I love the way the horse turned out with the paint! I think the chippy look works with this horse – it added more personality to it. ox
This is my first time commenting, but I have been reading your blog for a while now and I love it! You have inspired me to tackle painting my built-in cabinets, use chalk paint on a repurposed armoire, hang my ironstone platters, and so much more! Now, the horse! I have one very similar to yours except he has a leather saddle and stirrups. I haven’t used him in my house for a while because he is brown with dark green runners….not my favs. You have made me think about painting him white! I think I will use chalk paint instead of milk paint though.
Thanks so much for all of your inspiring posts…and, by the way, my horses’ name is Charley.
Hi Marion,
I love the new look for your horse! Wondering if the horse is a resin composite or if it is actually wood? Can we name your horse like you have named your cow pictures?
Stay warm!
Karen
He looks loved:) Reminds me of the Velveteen Rabbit story!
The horse looks very old now! Just beautiful!!
I like it! Now you’ll have to name him Chipper!
I love the look you ended up with! The layers of color are amazing and the chipping is perfect!
i feel like as this picture gets around, RH is going to run out of these horses. looks perfect.
I’ve used ASCP, but have yet to try MMSMP. You had mentioned sanding the horse, but do you ever wipe down a project with mineral spirits or a similar product as part of prepping? Your horse project is beautiful…you are so talented.
A work in progress!! What you might need to do when you are done, is move the horse to rest on another piece. Right now the horse blends too much with the piece it is sitting on, based on the photo. In person this might not be true. Just a thought…
Much prettier that way, you did a good job on this horse !!!
I wonder if the paint-not-sticking problem has more to do with the material than the finish? The horse is no longer on Resto’s website, so I couldn’t tell what it’s made of . There’s a lot of new-to-us woods coming from Asia that, although solid wood, seem to have properties much different from what we’re accustomed to. Just a thought. Can’t wait to see how he turns out!
Gorgeous and clearly a horse that can not be tamed. 🙂 Love the result.
Love it! Glad she (and you!) fought so much…. the result is perfect!
I love the horse much better now and with waxing it will only get better!!!!!!
Mary @ Orphans With Makeup
Gorgeous gorgeous gorgeous! I’ve been working on a piece that’s fighting me too!
I think this gorgeous horse needs a name!!
It’s confirmed. I need to find a rocking horse. 🙂
A horse of a different color…….
I don’t know if you have ever tried it, but on some things I wipe them down with denatured alcohol before painting…..that helps paint adhere….it might not have helped with the horse but you might keep it in mind when doing furniture that has old wax or smooth finishes….I do love the horse like it is however….
Absolutely love it! Great job! It was kind of blah to begin with, amazing what some paint and talent can do!
It looks well loved!
The horse looks awesome! And you take such great pictures!
I love how he turned out! Maybe you should name him Chip 🙂
Perfect for your decor. Sounds like a lot of frustrating work. Looking good and the wax will make it even better.
Looks like a ‘keeper’ Marion and
do you know that we’re entering
the Year of the Horse at the
Chinese New Year? This horse
will bring you Luck!
Perfection!
Looks great!
OMG, I have that dresser~ LOL~ I’ve never seen another one like it~ Mine has a lovely mirror attached~ Love the Horse~ we just bought a 100 year old farmhouse, I’ll have to look for a horsie for the future~ Lovely as always doll ~!
I have wondered what he/she would look like when the horse was finished!! Totally awesome! It fits your home perfectly!!!!!! Have you given the horse a name??????????
I absolutely love the horse. I just wished that my husband loved the chippy, shabby chic look. I can only do it in small doses. However, since I’ve retired, I’m converting my office to my craft/sewing room and I have every intention of bringing on the “chips”! Love your posts.
Your horse has turned out fantastic! It looks perfect on the dresser, too. I love what you did…chippy and all.
Debbie 🙂
Gorgeous with a capital G!!! *swoon* ;D
it is exactly how it is meant to be! Funny how they let you know. Looks great Marian, as usual.
Gorgeous!!!!!!!
Thank you for not making us wait another day. Beautiful
I wasn’t sure about this one, but I LOVE it! I just ordered my first MMS paint and can’t wait for it to arrive. I’m starting small with a small shelf I bought. I knew when I bought it that it would be my first mms paint project. Once I get that project complete….I have a couple larger projects to try out …..I can’t wait! I also ordered the bonding agent and wish I would have ordered some wax too……
Love the rocking horse!
I absolutely love your rocking horse, especially your “chippy” paint. I think it’s perfect, especially how you have it displayed. I just bought a vintage carousel horse I want to redo. Now, I want a rocking horse…thanks 😉
Looks great never disapointed!
Oh my goodness …. MUCH BETTER!! RH needs to take some notes from Miss Mustard. It has so much more personality and charm. Good for you!
I adore that horse……just love what you did!
Great project! That horse looks great. I’ve never tried milk paint, but projects like this are convincing me to take a chance. Thanks for sharing.
He is perfect! Love, love, love!
I love it!!! It’s perfect!!!
Love the horse……….if you ever decide to sell him I want him!!!!!!
I LOVE the way this came out!! I see your paint is now at Wood Icing in Chesterfield MO – I am stopping in tomorrow to get your paint and trying it for the first time. I am very excited to give this paint a try.
Linda @ Hello I Live Here – DIY Home Decor Blog – Ballwin MO
It’s looking great, much more character, I love the soft blue of the bridal.
Lee
Looks like you have a Pinto Pony! Know it isn’t what you, or I for that matter, had in mind. But I always say, “T’is what it t’is”. Looks as if you meant for it to be chippy so that is good. You can’t change a leopard’s, or in this case a horse’s, spots. Enjoy him as he is, some things we just can’t change in life. Consider this a lesson of how little control we have. Perhaps another reminder in reference to your son’s health. Just do what you can & trust God.
I LOVE IT!!!
This is the look I want for a few pieces in my bedroom. My look that I am going for is
‘Shabby chic’.
Trying to build up the courage to use milk paint— you don’t know how llllong I have been
going over this look in my head. YOU NAILED IT!
I think it’s perfect the way it is. Will more paint come off as you wax it? Will the horse look different after the wax, are you using a clear or darker wax? Could you post another picture after it’s totally done? Thanks.
Love the chippy look!!!! It really looks great!
Between the results of the milk paint and your excellent photography, the horse turned out indescribably “authentic.” The character your paint techniques gave the piece is not only beautiful to look at (“eye candy,” if you will), but also strikes a chord somewhere deep, where nostalgia and the equine dignity mingle in the heart and soul. Sounds over-the-top, I know, but it is how this piece touched me. Thank you so much for sharing it.
Love! Love! Love!
I just love how it turned out!! The milk paint really is so authentic. And, I just love how you share the good and the bad and teach us just to embrace it. It is decorative painting but it is a life lesson as well:)
Debbie
Looks beautiful Marian! You have inspired so many of us to pull out pieces in our home and paint away! I have yet to try milk paint ~ I am in search of something particular for my family room and then….LOOK OUT! Question though, and I feel some “milk paint shame” for asking it…Have you ever tried Kilz primer/sealer prior to painting? I ask this question because I have a very large wood cabinet in my kitchen that was originally painted black. After coming across your blog I instantly knew I wanted it white instead. I first applied several coats of the Kilz primer and then painted it in white chalk paint (gasp, I know – it wasn’t milk paint, sorry!). The finish and coverage I was hoping for came out beautifully and I sanded the corners/edges following painting so it wasn’t a solid piece of white. Wondered your thought about a primer/sealer prior to painting with milk paint. Thanks!
i know everyone says all your work is beautiful..and mostly it is…but the horse.dresser..wall..everything is the same…am i the only one who would love to see color on the horse:::i don’t mean to sound disrespectful but there has to be someone who would love to see this horse red or green or yellow
I’m with you. I’m a color person. White is nice. But, lets break it up a little. JMHO
Not…..very interesting at all…my VOTE stands with the first one…that horse is “ALIVE” with personality…this one-put to pasture.
I think the horse turned out great! BUT…..Thank you Anne B for sharing your thoughts. Isn’t it great that we don’t all like the same thing?!?!? It would be pretty dull without variety in our likes and dislikes. Sometimes I enjoy a lot of color, sometimes not so much. That’s what makes life interesting. Just as the Seasons have different colors…….so do out lives.
Blessings!
I pulled my old rocking horse out of the attic today and painted him…chippy white with grey runners and bridle. He looks sooo much better and I owe it all to your inspiration! Now, I am waiting to wax him until I see what yours looks like, so please post another picture of your horse after he gets waxed. lol
Oh look you have a paint horse… no pun intended (okay maybe some pun intended!) My husband grew up showing horses and definitely said that this little horsey would qualify as a paint or maybe an appaloosa…. he loved his horses growing up! One way or the other he really LOVES this little horse!! which is high praise indeed because when we met 24 years ago he thought I was a little nutsy due to my love of old flakey painted furniture and accessories! (he has come round in the last few years and now appreciates the lure.) I can hardly wait to see this sweet pony once he’s waxed!
Wow! I just LOVE your work! Such an inspiration to me! I read your emails everyday and can’t wait to see what you are doing next! This horse is just too cool! I am a huge fan and learn so much, the details are amazing! I don’t get how people love to trash talk on here, I know we are entitled to our opinions but this is art and it is your expression, if you want to see something different go paint your own horse! You go girl, do your thing, because I am waiting to see what happens next!
Oh, I love love it. You are so good at this. I wake up evey morning and can’t wait to open up my email and see what your doing.
I love it…
The horse is a perfect work of art!
love it!!! have 2 horses that i am now inspired to perk up! one old fashioned on wheels, the other just stands (leans actually). makes me realize how nice they are and how much nicer they could be!! thanks for sharing!
He’s beautiful!
It looks very authentically old and’well loved” Like Fiona at Lilyfield, your sites send so much inspiration
I have to share that I forwarded the horse pics to my daughter and said~ ” 🙁 What do you think? ” Was I shocked to recieve an email from Marian that said something like “I don’t know if you meant to send this to me. I like it but of course I’m biased.” What a sweet girl… I loved the au natural horse and pictured it with a wreath (but everchanging, of course) saddle~ On a personal note to Marian, You might know me, as I fondly call you “LIttle Miss Mustard Seed.” I am a faithful follower and admirer of your talents, as a mom, wife, and woman. Truth be told, I would like the horse any way that you choose to do it~ I love the process of discovery! Thank you for making my ilfe just a little bit brighter! Hugs!
I’d name him Rockin Robin.
I remembered this post on your horse. Since then I gave acquired a dresser very similar to the one the horse sits on. It was already stripped when I found it curbside and coming apart, but I saw potential and loaded it into my vehicle. I knew I saw one in blog land somewhere and realized it was yours. Do you have any information on the dresser? Thinking I would ain’t mine too.
Beautiful! Can I ask a non-aesthetic question about the horse? I haven’t seen reviews on it, so I’m just wondering how usable/safe it is for a child to actually rock. It looks like you used it primarily as decor, but do you happen to know if it functions well as well? Thanks much!
I love it! I have this same RH rocking horse and like you I am not crazy about the original finish. I remembered this post and searched for it so I could find out how you transformed it. I am trying to get the courage to do this too but I have absolutely zero milk paint experience.
Love it! Perfect amount of chipping, and I really like the color, too. Great job!