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Furniture Makeovers

Miss Mustard Seed's Milk Paint

French Chair Makeover & White Wash Tutorial

Before I show these chairs, I am letting you know that I am selling them.  Yes, they are cane chairs and they are beautifully Frenchy, but I’ve recently made room for two pairs of French chairs and I just can’t make room for a third.  Now it’s out there and you can hold me to it!  (It’s tough for me.)   This pair of chairs have a beautiful shape, but a finish that wasn’t quite right for my taste.   I painted the pair in Shutter Gray Milk Paint followed by a wash of Ironstone and one coat of Furniture Wax.  The wash brings out the details of the piece and softens the finish to give it a soft, aged look.     It’s a subtle finish, but makes a big difference, especially on a piece with lots of detail.   Here’s my latest video tutorial to show how simple

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Before and Afters

Milk Painted Wardrobe Reveal

Here it is…   This is the piece I’ve been walking you through as I paint and finish it.  You can check out the first post about painting it HERE and the second post about distressing and waxing it HERE.  I purchased this wardrobe from an antique furniture store and it was beautiful to begin with, but it felt very dark and heavy.  The wood was also not in the greatest condition, so I didn’t feel too bad about painting it.  This one is an oldie.  It was originally a wardrobe that would easily break down into flat parts, so it could be moved in the days before we had U-Hauls at the ready.  Someone glued/screwed it all together at some point, though.   This is the fireplace surround that was my inspiration for the finish… Mary and her husband painted it in Tricycle, followed by Typewriter and lastly Shutter

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Miss Mustard Seed's Milk Paint

wardrobe progress…

Sorry for the suspense, but I didn’t show the reveal of the wardrobe in yesterday’s post about working with Milk Paint because it wasn’t finished, yet.  I worked on it more today and I’ll take reveal pictures tomorrow before I haul it down to Lucketts.  Since you last saw it, I applied a second coat of Shutter Gray Milk Paint and painted the door panels and side panels in Grain Sack.  It doesn’t look a lot like Grain Sack, though, because some yellow from the original wood seep through  That doesn’t have anything to do with the Milk Paint, but the piece of furniture.   If it really bothered me, I could seal it with poly and paint it over again, but it doesn’t bother me in this case.  I then sanded the finish with a fine grit sanding sponge…   …then a medium.  With a fine sanding sponge, I

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Miss Mustard Seed's Milk Paint

If Milk Paint freaks you out…

…this post may help prevent that.  Hopefully. Let me start by saying that I love Milk Paint and I’m currently selling Milk Paint under my own brand.  That doesn’t mean that I think everyone else will love Milk Paint as much as I do or that I think it’s perfect for every painting situation.  I love it, but I can love it realistically.  So, when people tell me they are scared to try it, I understand.  It comes in powder form, which is different.  It has a different texture, which is…well…different.  It doesn’t behave the way modern paints do.  All of those things can freak people out.  BUT, it’s an amazing paint.  Everything that makes it different also makes it special. I think the key to loving Milk Paint is understanding it.  I think it might help to show a piece in progress, so when your milk paint starts to

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Miss Mustard Seed's Milk Paint

bonding agent video tutorial

I show in my latest “Boxwood Dresser” how Milk Paint can look when the bonding agent is added and it’s not distressed.  As you can see, a beautiful finish can be achieved (without using a separate primer coat!)   Here’s how…   More videos to come…

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Furniture Feature Friday – Link Party & Favorites

 Good evening fellow furniture-fans!  I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed looking through last week’s links.  I had a tough time picking favorites, but I managed to settle on three… I love this gray-toned union jack dresser by Rachel at Shades of Blue Interiors.  I’ve seen lots of takes on the British flag and this is one of my favorites. I am head over heels for this rich blue bedroom by Carmel of Our Fifth House.  I’ve been thinking of painting my bedroom in a rich wall color and this might have sold me on it.  The classic bed looks strikingly modern against this color as well, don’t you think? I love this matlasse slipcover by Shelley.  I’ve featured her work here before.  I just can’t help myself when it comes to s pleated skirt.   Here are the rules for our furniture get-together… 1.) Your post has to be about furniture.

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Before and Afters

Say hello to “Boxwood”

It’s now time to introduce the 12th and final color in my line of milk paint.  Say hello to “Boxwood.”     Here’s what the piece looked like before…     My inspiration for the color was a boxwood bush (obviously.) I love the rich, green color of the leaves…     …and it looks striking on a piece of furniture.  It’s a bold color, but very classic as well.     …and, I’m sure you noticed, the paint isn’t chipped or distressed at all.  I used the bonding agent on this piece for a super smooth finish.  I’ll post a video on how/when to use the bonding agent tomorrow. Until then, here’s a sneak peek of the 1840’s hutch I couldn’t resist…  

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Furniture Feature Friday – Link Party & a Favorite

 Well, I’m still getting back into the groove after being away for a week and FFF crept up on me.  I ended up picking one favorite, but it’s a pretty one…  I love this dresser from Deny of Girl and a Brush.  Sometimes all you need is a simple dresser with beautiful lines painted in a pretty color and finished off with some great hardware.  Enough said.  Love it.  (I guess enough wasn’t said…) Here are the rules for our furniture get-together… 1.) Your post has to be about furniture. Please, please, please…just furniture. If you find your link has been deleted, it’s not because I’m mean, it’s because your post was not about furniture. You can share makeovers, awesome finds, favorite pieces, furniture arrangements, or even pieces on your wish list! Built-in furniture like kitchen cabinets and bathroom vanities qualify as furniture. 2.) Post a permalink (the link to

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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.

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May 20th, 2026 at 1pm EST

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