Miss Mustard Seed's Milk Paint Look Book Sneak Peek

So, I'm super excited about a brand new item we'll be getting in the shop very soon. Miss Mustard Seed recently published the very first Look Book for the MMS Milk Paint line. This has been in the works for a long time and it's finally here!

If you need some inspiration, this is gonna be your go-to book. If you need a refresher on how to mix or the best uses for hemp oil, this is gonna be your guide! It contains 150 pages of inspiring pictures and informative content that will make you want to dive into milk painting! 

There's tons of great articles, including: .

• What is Milk Paint 
• It's all in the Mix 
• Raw Wood Painting Tutorial 
• All About the Bonding Agent 
• Ask Abbe 
• Chippy Goodness 
• Waxes 101 
• The Many Uses of Hemp Oil
• and more!

As always, MMS is including her amazing before & after pics, as well as spreads for all 18 colors in the line.

The best part, it's only $14! And, because we can't wait to get these books in, we're gonna give one away to one of our fans. There's several ways to enter:

• Enter here: a Rafflecopter giveaway
  
  
• for an extra chance, leave a comment below telling me about a current project you have waiting in the wings that you need help or inspiration with.

If you would like to pre-order a copy, send me an email at info@reddoorfurnitureco.com and I'll set a copy aside for you!

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

Milk Paint Tip: Easy Chippy Technique

It's another rainy afternoon here in STL, so I thought I would post this sunny piece I just finished. Well, almost finished. I also wanted to share a chipping technique I accidently discovered {although, I'm sure I'm not the first to do this}.

So, here's the before. This dresser came with a taller "brother", but I've painted them differently and don't plan on them selling together. Both are unique pieces and I wanted them to have two different looks (I'll share the other piece in a later post).

Before

It was in pretty good shape when I got it. A little chipping veneer, but not bad. I loved the tall legs and old caster wheels.

I'm not typically a stencil/script person, but I wanted to try something new. I picked up the stencil below from a nearby shop, Dawn Lynz Surface Design. She does amazing work and has a great selection of stencils.

I used MMSMP in Mustard Seed Yellow and stenciled the writing in Ironstone {I carry both of these colors in the shop!}. It's finished with furniture wax.

After

I love how sunny and light it turned out. I think it would look cute in a nursery (as a changing table) or in a dining room as a buffet.

I had already painted the "brother" to this piece, so I knew I most likely wasn't going to get any chipping. Which I wanted. However, my laziness to just use hemp oil or a wax puck outweighed my desire for chippiness. But, decided to just let it go.

For the stencil, I had to tape it on with Scotch Tape to hold it in place. And, wouldn't you know, when I removed the stencil, a bit of paint came up here and there.

Almost like chipping!

So, I applied it in various places all over the piece. Any "chipping" you see actually came from where I applied the tape and then ripped it off! I did this before I waxed (the wax will seal the paint in and you most likely won't get this effect).

Miss Mustard Seed Yellow Dresser

Red Door Furniture Co. Dresser in Mustard Seed Yellow

 

While this method might be a bit unconventional --- it worked! I would love to know...what painting techniques have you accidentally discovered and now love?

Vintage Cabinet Reveal

It's what's on the inside that counts. Right?

This vintage glass-front cabinet was one of the first pieces I found for the shop. I painted it with Miss Mustard Seed's Milk Paint in Boxwood and finished it with hemp oil. It has just minor chipping and distressing.

He's a handsome fella...but, hasn't drawn much attention since we've opened. I decided to add a little surprise to the inside (it was a little dark and dreary). I enlisted the help of our Facebook fans and got great suggestions (lots of people wanted to see the inside orange or a bold pattern). I opted for a coat of MMSMP in Grain Sack to brighten it up. I painted over a selection of vinyl arrows (I'm loving arrows right now, aren't you?).

Vintage Cabinet by Red Door Furniture Co.

I love how it turned out! Just the right bit of personality to dress him up. I gave it a light sanding to distress the back and arrows a bit.

Vintage Cabinet by Red Door Furniture Co.

He blends in more with our style and has been getting more attention. We thought about taking him home. I've got the perfect spot and think it would make for a great display for cocktails, glasses and barware.

He's going to stay in the shop a bit longer...hopefully someone will walk in and fall in love with him like I have!

Vintage Cabinet by Red Door Furniture Co.

Milk Paint Makeover: Goodwill Dresser

During the week, I have two mornings I dedicate to picking, thrifting and stocking up on items for the shop. I usually make the same route, making about 5-7 stops. (Not counting picking up lunch at Starbucks). Some days I score big (today I was able to stock up on a ton of cute containers for a DIY event I'm planning).

A couple weeks ago, I made a last minute stop at a local thrift store and spotted this guy:

Some would say, "Yuck." Obviously that's what the previous owner thought. I, however, immediately grabbed the price tag and sprinted up to the cashier. (Keeping an eye on my dresser while I waited in line). "That's a good find you have there," said the guy behind me. Back off buddy. It's mine!

When possible, I like to leave some unpainted wood on a piece of furniture. All-over color is too much for me sometimes. If I'm able to show off the top, I prefer to leave it alone. Usually with cast-offs, the top has some sort of damage. Nothing a quick sanding and restaining can't cure.

I chose Miss Mustard Seed's Kitchen Scale milk paint for this piece. Because the front had more feminine curves, I didn't want it to be chippy. To be on the safe side, I added bonding agent and finished it with antiquing wax.

Dresser in Kitchen Scale Milk Paint

Dresser in Kitchen Scale Milk Paint

The top cleaned up beautifully! After I sanded and restained, I finished it with a coat of hemp oil. No traces of the scratches and water marks!

Dresser in Kitchen Scale Milk Paint

I scraped the paint out of the top carving a bit, to make it stand out more.

Edges were lightly distressed and new knobs from World Market were added.

Dresser in Kitchen Scale Milk Paint

What was someone's cast-off will make for a beautiful dresser, buffet or bar for someone else. It's what I love most about restyling furniture!

 This dresser is now available in the shop, as well as all the materials I used for this makeover. Stop in!

Linking to:

Miss Mustard Seed's Color of the Month: French Enamel

I've had this large buffet since before we opened our doors. It was one of the first pieces I purchased, but in the rush of getting the shop ready, I didn't have time to give it a facelift. I also wasn't quite ready to commit to a color and look. We put it out anyway, with a "pick your color" tag.

Before

I knew it would be the perfect piece to host our milk & cookies bar for our grand opening...but, I wanted it to shine for our special day. Two days before the big day, I decided to just go for it. I chose French Enamel. I didn't do any prep work. No sanding. No dusting. Here she is after the first coat.

And here she is in all of her milk & cookies bar glory. It chipped up beautifully -- I was so happy. I finished it with a coat of MMS Furniture Wax. It's my go-to to finish a painted piece. The wax is like butter and makes even the chippiest of pieces so smooth.

Miss Mustard Seed's French Enamel

Milk & Cookie Bar

For the grand opening, I covered the top with burlap to protect the finish. I did strip the top. It had a weird finish/varnish on it. I used a soy gel stripper on the top. I know you can't tell in this photo, but it is absolutely gorgeous! I finished with a coat of MMS Hemp Oil (my fave to use on wood surfaces).

If you love this color as much as I do, stop in our shop at 1105 N. Second Street in St. Charles. We're offering 10% off French Enamel during the month of March.

Much thanks to Meldt Vintage Love for the cookies. They were a huge hit!

What to Expect When You Visit RDFCo.

We try to stick to two rules when stocking our shop: offer handcrafted, restyled or found items. And, it must be something we would put in our own home. If we don't truly love it, how can we be passionate about it and sell it to our customers? These might sound like easy rules to follow, but they are hard to stick to as we build a curated selection. 

So, what the heck does all that mean? Here's what you can expect to find when you visit our Frenchtown shop:

handcrafted

From rustic wooden coasters to unique pillows to dining room tables, we offer a variety of home furnishings for every budget. Our tables are handcrafted from old doors we source and find around the St. Louis area. Each one is completely one-of-kind -- no two have ever been alike and each one holds it's own story!

If you are interested in a custom table, we also carry a selection of doors in the shop. We will work with you to select the right door for your table, whether you want a sofa or entry table, a buffet or bar, coffee table or dining room table. You get to choose the door, and be a part of the story.

We are adding other handcrafted items daily, including bread/cheese boards, candle holders, unique signs, soap bars, and more. 

restyled

We are not against painting furniture to bring new life (and love) to it. Some of my favorite pieces in our home have been passed down to us and given a new life with a coat of paint. They are no longer hanging out in someone's garage or basement, but are used and appreciated every day.

So of the items we carry have had many years of love, but they still have many more in them! They've been restyled into a unique piece you won't find anywhere else.

 

Red Cross Dresser

Our favorite line of paint is Miss Mustard Seed's Milk Paint. It's what most of our furniture is restyled with. We offer the entire line of milk paint in our shop, including 18 colors, waxes, brushes, hemp oil and more. Our inspiration boards are on display to help you choose the perfect color for your next project. We also offer monthly hands-on Miss Mustard Seed Milk Paint workshops where you can work with the paint and learn all the techniques you need to create your own one-of-a-kind piece.

found

From vintage trunks and typewriters to antique metal boxes and shoe forms, we have a unique stock of found items. They add an interesting touch to that empty bookshelf or coffee table you might have.

So, in a nutshell, that's a little taste of what you can expect when you visit. We are now open at 1105 N. Second Street in St. Charles, MO (Wed-Fri from noon-5 p.m. and Sat & Sun from 11-4 p.m.) Our selection will constantly be changing...to stay on top of what we have on-hand, follow us on Facebook. We hope to see you soon!

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.