Miss Mustard Seed's Milk Paint Archives | Page 6 of 42

Miss Mustard Seed’s Milk Paint

Before and Afters

craigslist cabinet progress

With school holidays and snow days, this week has been a short one, but I have managed to get some things checked off the to-do list. One of the main things I wanted to work on was the cabinet in my office. Since I knew it would be a time-consuming painting project (with having to paint the shelves, turn them over, paint the other side, seal them with Tough Coat, etc.), I decided to work on one side at a time. So, I got the left side completed! The first thing I did was replace the hardware with a pair of antique latches I found on Etsy. The ones that were on there were not original and made more sense for drawer than cabinets. When they arrived, though, I saw that the “keepers” and latches didn’t really match. They did, but they didn’t originally go together, so the finishes were

February 23, 2018 38 Comments

All Things Home

Seasons of Home | Milk-Painted Gift Boxes

I’m so excited to share, that for the final post in the Seasons of Home series, we’re all sharing projects completed with MMS Milk Paint! Not only is it inspiring for me to see my product used by such talented ladies, but it’s such an encouragement that they were willing to work with my brand as a sponsor. So, I decided to do a fun, little project with it, and made some milk-painted gift boxes… I started with papier mache boxes I purchased at Hobby Lobby. And I mixed up some Shutter Gray and Tricycle, since those colors work well with the ribbons and papers I purchased and had leftover from last year. I just brushed a coat of milk paint directly onto the papier mache boxes. That surface is perfect for milk paint, because it soaks right in. I waited for the boxes to dry, which only

December 6, 2017 22 Comments

Before and Afters

the last-minute hutch

Going on a shopping trip for “just smalls” is a dangerous thing for me. I just can’t help turning over the tags of pieces of furniture calling my name! There were several pieces that I was able to walk away from and I almost made it out the door without this piece, but I couldn’t resist. I had actually checked out and loaded my purchases and then pulled the checkbook out again and I bought it. This is the piece I couldn’t leave… Well, that’s half of it. I couldn’t put the hutch top on it, but you get the general idea. The gold was a little intense for me, but the piece was in great shape and had good bones. The interior was even nice and clean, which was important given what I went through with the primitive gray cupboard! The original paint could still be seen under the

May 16, 2017 40 Comments

Before and Afters

grain sack wash stand

Lucketts 2017 is definitely “the year of the hutch”. I have more hutches and large pieces in general than I have in previous years, but I am trying to round that out with smaller pieces that will be easier on-the-spot purchases. This is one of those small pieces that I picked up a few weeks ago… It really wasn’t bad as it was. It could’ve used a coat of Hemp Oil to freshen it up, but I’ve learned that wood pieces don’t sell all that well for me, so I painted it out in Grain Sack from the MMSMP line…a grayish white that would work nicely with the marble top. The painting was a tag-team effort between Debbie and I. Debbie, by the way, has been amazing. She is filling in, since Kriste is on maternity leave, and I don’t know what I would do without her! She hasn’t done much

May 12, 2017 56 Comments

Before and Afters

two-tone dresser

You know I love my blues, whites, and greens, but I can’t seem to resist sneaking one yellow piece into my booth at Lucketts each year. And I decided, this year, it would be this piece… It was a pretty little dresser, but the hardware was a bummer. One of the handles had been most likely lost or broken and was replaced with something that just didn’t work. At first glance, you might not notice, but if you look a little longer, one is clearly larger and more ornate than the others. So, I removed the hardware and gave the piece a light sanding before painting the body in Mustard Seed Yellow and the drawers in Farmhouse White. I had some issues with red bleeding through in just one spot, so I sealed it with Tough Coat before applying the second coat. I wanted to leave the top unpainted, but

May 9, 2017 25 Comments

bespoke chippy empire

I find it hard to resist a good empire-style dresser. They are impressive pieces that have a balance of masculinity in their massive size and handsome features, and feminine in their curves, glass knobs, and carved keyhole escutcheons. The downside to these pieces is that they are massive. They are tall, heavy, and bulky, and, for those reasons, I made a point to shift my focus to smaller dressers. But, there are exceptions. When a well-priced sturdy empire crossed my path a few weeks ago, I just couldn’t walk away. Here’s how it looked when I bought it and it sat like this for a while… I needed time to think about this one and how I envisioned it. I had considered refinishing the gorgeous wood on those drawer fronts and just paint the body. But, I really wanted to use a color on it and I didn’t see how

May 5, 2017 28 Comments

Before and Afters

hand painted robin’s egg blue dresser

If you like a good old-fashioned Miss Mustard Seed makeover, well, I think it’s safe to say that you will like this post. Today was a great day in the studio. It was busy, but I was able to finish two pieces and photograph a third. I love the sense of accomplishment I feel when a piece is finished and the process of styling and taking pictures is one of my favorite things about my business. So, I was in my element. The piece I’m sharing today is this antique dresser I found on craigslist. It had a sloppy coat of black paint on it, but I knew I could work with that. I usually like to buy pieces that are wood, so I have a “clean slate” so to speak, but black can look almost like dark wood when it peeks under a coat of distressed milk paint. It had

May 3, 2017 45 Comments

Before and Afters

Farmhouse White Buffet

Last week was a push week when it came to getting pieces of furniture from the to-do pile to the done pile. And we made a lot of progress! One of the pieces that we finished (as a team effort) was this buffet, painted in Farmhouse White… I didn’t get a proper before picture of it, because the studio was a little messy and crowded, but here is what it looked like… The warped piece on top was the bottom drawer. Clearly, it had some issues, so my dad took it apart and replaced the bottom and made it so the drawer fit properly. My mom cleaned it up to get it ready to paint and then Emily (helping out in the studio for a few days) painted it. Now, I know. That wood grain is really lovely. BUT…the veneer was completely peeling off of the sides and the feet

April 28, 2017 31 Comments

I’m Marian, a painter, writer, and lover of all things creative. From art and antiques to home projects and everyday life, I share my journey in hopes of inspiring you to embrace your own creativity and make beauty in the spaces you live.

next art sale

May 20th, 2026 at 1pm EST

Now Available for Preorder

Move Slow & Make Things

A book about creativity, intention, and making things with care. Sign up to receive updates, preorder details, and exclusive bonus content.

From the Studio

Artful pieces for your home and everyday life.

From original paintings and art prints to Pup Club releases and curated goods, each piece is created or chosen to bring warmth, creativity, and character into your home.

From the Studio and Home

Shop the Feed

A handpicked collection of items styled and shared throughout posts, projects, and social feeds. Every product is thoughtfully chosen to reflect a timeless, collected aesthetic.