Do you love the charm of vintage, chippy, old farmhouse decor? That blend of rustic and timeless appeal that can turn any piece of furniture into something like what you would see at grandma’s house. Today, I’m going to show you how to achieve this nostalgic look using Sweet Pickins Milk Paint.
Why Sweet Pickins Milk Paint?
Sweet Pickins Milk Paint is perfect for anyone looking to add that classic farmhouse charm to their home. Made from natural earth materials, it is a powder-based paint that is non-toxic, environmentally safe, food safe, and completely free of VOCs, which I love.
Materials Used For This Project
- Dixie Belle White Lightning Cleaner
- Sweet Pickins Milk Paint in “Cherry Pie”
- Sweet Pickins Milk Paint in “Curry”
- Sweet Pickins Extra Bond
- Sweet Pickins Dark Oil Wax
- Paint Brush
- 220 Grit Sandpaper
The Project: A Garage Sale Treasure
I found this table at a garage sale, immediately seeing its potential. My vision? A two-tone vintage piece with an ‘old timey’ lighter top and darker hues peeking through the chips and cracks.
Step 1: Prep
First things first: clean your piece thoroughly. Using Dixie Belle White Lightning Cleaner, I cleaned the table, rinsed it with clean water, and dried it with a paper towel. A clean surface is essential for the paint to adhere properly.
Step 2: Mix Your Paint
Sweet Pickins Milk Paint comes in powdered form. For the base coat, I mixed two scoops of Cherry Pie paint with two scoops of very warm water and one scoop of Extra Bond. The Extra Bond ensures the first coat adheres smoothly without chipping. I stirred the mixture for two minutes until creamy, then let it sit for 10 minutes until it reached the consistency of a melted milkshake.
Step 3: Apply the Base Coat
I painted the entire table with two coats of Cherry Pie, allowing two hours of drying time between each coat. I then let the table dry overnight. The next day, I lightly sanded it with 220 grit sandpaper to achieve a buttery smooth surface.
Step 4: Add the Chippy Top Coat
For the top coat, I skipped the Extra Bond to encourage chipping and crackling. I mixed two scoops of Curry paint with two scoops of very warm water, stirred for two minutes until creamy, and let it sit for 10 minutes. I applied the first coat of Curry, let it dry for two hours, applied the second coat, and let it dry overnight.
Step 5: Sand for the Perfect Distress
Once dry, I took the table outside and used 220 grit sandpaper to sand the entire piece. This step is where the magic happens—it lets the paint naturally chip, crackle, and distress, revealing the layers of the Cherry Pie paint beneath.
Step 6: Seal with Oil Wax
To finish, I applied Sweet Pickins Dark Oil Wax over the entire table with a brush. I let the wax sit for 10 minutes, allowing it to settle into the cracks and chips, enhancing the aged look. After 10 minutes, I wiped off the excess oil wax completely with a paper towel revealing a transformed chippy and distressed Farmhouse table.
Your color options are endless! Sweet Pickins has 50 Milk Paint colors to choose from. With your favorite color choice and these steps, you can transform any piece of furniture into a charming, chippy masterpiece that brings a touch of farmhouse magic into your home. Happy painting!
