Marble Top Step Down Dresser in Kitchen Scale

Sometimes, you just get that feeling, ya know? I've been in major need of a new Miss Mustard Seed's Milk Paint display. I knew immediately that this old, marble top step down dresser was going to looove milk paint.

And it didn't disappoint!

Marble Top Step Down Dresser in MMSMP Kitchen Scale

Here's it is before. The marble tops come off and are HEAVY! Trust me. I almost broke my foot. (And, now I know why the bottom of the top drawer has a crack in it).

It's missing its mirror, but I love how there are two height levels on the top. Great for showing off all of our MMSMP products! And the marble is in beautiful condition!

I did no sanding and no prep (and no bonding agent). The drawers are painted in Kitchen Scale (one of my favorite colors). I mixed in a little Ironstone and used that for the outer frame. It gives is just a bit of contrast.

This dresser chipped up beautifully! I couldn't have asked for a better piece to demonstrate just what MMSMP can do. It got a light smoothing with sandpaper and a coat of furniture wax.

I didn't want the knobs to be a distraction, so I found these glass knobs at Hobby Lobby. Perfect!

Marble Top Step Down Dresser in MMSMP Kitchen Scale

Linking to:
Show Me What Ya Got
Anything Blue Friday
Creative Spark Link Party

How to Use Milk Paint as a Stain

I'll admit, I'm fairly new to milk paint. I was always a little hesitant to use it, because of the whole "you don't know where it will chip" factor (Don't worry, we have things to help with that). And, the fact that you mix it yourself was always a little overwhelming.

During the last couple of months, I've been experimenting and using it more. I've discovered colors that I would never have chosen for a piece of furniture before, are now among my very faves. I have my preferred methods of mixing the paint. And, I love that I'm able to control the amount of coverage. For instance, did you know that by mixing in more water, you can use it as a stain? Which leads us to....

This is not an exact measurement and it doesn't have to be. I filled my container with water and then added a couple of scoops (tablespoons) of Miss Mustard Seed's Curio. Here's the coverage when mixed with the recommended ratio (1 part milk paint to 1 part water):

Here it is when mixed as a stain. You are looking for a watery consistency. The mix below had no "thickness" too it, like paint. It was a dark, watery mix. I mixed the milk paint and water in a container with a lid. Just put it all in, add the lid, and shake it up.

We used Curio to stain the workshop table we'll have in the shop. Jeff built the table out of Douglas Fir. I gave it a very light sanding to smooth it out. Here's what one brush of paint looked like:

And here's what it looked like as it soaked into the wood. Once I got it all painted, I took a rag and wiped it down. However, most of it had already soaked in.

Here's the finished product. I LOVE it. The finish doesn't resemble paint at all -- it totally looks and feels like it's been stained. We finished it with Howard Feed-N-Wax. It deepened the color and will help protect the top. Miss Mustard Seed's Hemp Oil would also be beautiful on this (I opted for Howard's because it's such a huge table).

If you are interested in using milk paint as a stain, we carry the entire line of Miss Mustard Seed Milk Paint in our shop. Stop in and visit on Feb. 1 at 1105 N. Second Street in St. Charles, or send me an email at info@reddoorfurnitureco.com.