First foray into Milk Paint / SafePaint

12 years ago

My order came yesterday and I had fun trying out washes, thicker mixes, and various color combinations. Today I decided to get down to business in my tiny dining room, which is in the middle of the 1700's Cape house and has FOUR doors in it.

Because it has no windows and original dark chestnut floors, I wanted to add some warm. Here's the room before (it's so small it's hard to get good pictures, lol!):

And after. I like the texture but will probably do another coat. It's not as pink as the picture - it's a combination of colors but primarily pumpkin and light cream. Overall I'm happy - there was no smell at all and it cleaned right up with soap and water.

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Comments (17)

User
12 years ago
I love it! I'd say "Mission Accomplished" as far as adding warmth to the space. What a lovely, cozy color. Was it easy to come up with just the right thickness to the mix, or did you have to experiment a bunch?

Love those doors. They remind me of doors in 17th century cottages I've stayed in while visiting England. Oh, and the wine bottle on the table? You're my kind of painter! ;-D
clubcracker
Original Author
12 years ago
Thanks Jen! I did drink from a real wine glass and not the kid cup, just so you know. LOL!

The mixing was not hard, I experimented with little plastic cups and mixed by hand, making swatches in a notebook with the recipes. I liked this one best, and it was a little thicker than the others, though I think it might need a little wash over the top to hide some of the imperfections (roller marks, nothing charming!).

For this, I used this recipe (in tablespoons):

8 light cream
3 pumpkin
1 buttermilk
1 marigold
1 mustard
+ 8 oz warm water.

I had to re-make this three times, so 4 cups total. I worked in small batches because I was not sure how long I had with kidlings on a Saturday and didn't want to waste paint. ;)

Overall I'm happy. Not sure how to do a wash over the top...with a rag or sponge or...?
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It cures over time and hardens. A year after painting, I smashed a moth on the wall & washed off the residue with water -- no burnishing, no water mark. The Safe Paint I used gives a more even finish. The only variation came from my inexpert painting. Regular milk paint, so I understand, has variations, but some people want that antique look. It doesn't look like a faux finish, it looks like a super velvety latex. I believe there's only one Safe Paint product. It comes in a powder & you add water to it. I mixed it up in a big plastic bucket with my stick blender. Soap & water clean up. It will gel slightly upon sitting, and you will need to add a little water & stir to keep it fluid. Not hard to figure out -- you kinda know what paint consistency is like, so you strive for that with the milk paint. Yes, I've seen fine cracks develop in spots, but not many, and they are very fine. I don't mind that, as I was going for a rustic look anyway. The finish is NOT smooth, though. It will have tiny bits of minerals that didn't get dissolved. If you run your hand over the painted wall, it will feel rough. So if you're like my sister and demand perfect, smooth walls, eyeballing every square inch for microscopic imperfections, use Farrow & Ball :) I painted the walls four years ago. Here's the LR. Please excuse the photography clutter. I'm still shopping for drapes!
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User
12 years ago
I LIKE it. Really pretty color. So you make up the powder with water ? And then you used a regular roller ? I am just curious as I have read about milk paint but never tried it. I keep thinking I want to paint something but not sure what :) So what other rooms are you planning to paint and what colors ? c
awm03
12 years ago
Wow -- looks great! Love the color & the finish. Email the OFMPC people to ask how best to do a wash finish. They're quick to respond & very friendly to boot. But I think the walls have plenty of character & color even without a wash finish. I needed 2 coats of Safe Paint for most even coverage, so that should remove most of the roller marks.

So beautiful!
clubcracker
Original Author
12 years ago
Thanks! I think I will check with the company about how to cover imperfections - second coat or a wash.

Trailrunner, yes, the paint comes as a powder and you mix it with water to the consistency that you want. They have one for wood/untreated surfaces (milk paint) and a slightly different formula for previously painted surfaces (safe paint) which is what I used, as my walls were all recently painted stark white.

This is the smallest room so was my experiment - it went well enough that I think I'll also do the family room, library and possibly the kitchen cabinets. :) I love that it does not smell *at all*, cleans up easily (as long as you get the spills when they are wet) and has a beautiful, almost velvety texture.

Thanks!

Mary
awm03
12 years ago
There was a significant difference with our second coat. I've got pictures of the first and second coats -- will dig them out for you. The first coat had roller marks galore, the second coat covered them.

I'm so happy you love the Safe Paint too. I painted my rooms almost 3 years ago and still marvel at them every time I walk in. It's hard to use any other type of paint now. I even used a Farrow & Ball paint in the foyer, and it just doesn't have that amazing beauty like milk paint.
awm03
12 years ago
And looking at your pictures for the umpteenth time -- what a fabulous color! It's wonderful.
clubcracker
Original Author
12 years ago
OK, the second coat did it. I won't have time to take pics today but it seems to have solved the less charming roller marks problem but the nice finish remains - yippee!
awm03
12 years ago
Can hardly wait to see further projects. Please keep us posted as you work on your fabulous new old home!
antiquesilver
12 years ago
Simply beautiful............wish I'd used it on the room I just painted.
eandhl
12 years ago
Very nice and I still can't wait to see more pictures of your home. I love the doors, trim, forged hardware and pierced tin light. Oh and the FP in another picture.
clubcracker
Original Author
12 years ago
Here are some updated pics. It is super dark out today! I am much happier with the way it looks with the second coat - still nice and velvety soft but without clear roller marks.

Don't mind the pizza box - it is clean - it's the way my daughter's teacher sends home large format artwork. :)
awm03
12 years ago
Well that is just beautiful color, even with incandescent light. Are you using a camera flash too?

I see OFMPC is having a buy 3 gallons/get one free sale until the end of the year. Hmmmm...think I need to repaint my bedroom : )
clubcracker
Original Author
12 years ago
No flash, just the iPhone camera. The light in this room is particularly yucky - the light it throws is cold and the punched tin, though charming, makes some weird shadows on people and the table (though it casts interesting patterns on the ceiling).

I did the buy 3 get one free deal - couldn't resist. :)
awm03
12 years ago
That's the amazing thing about milk paint -- it's gorgeous in all lighting. Radiant even. The color shifts a bit, as with all paint, but it's always pretty. My LR is painted in pumpkin & sometimes it's coppery, sometime tomato soup red depending on the season & sunlight. At night it's just a fabulous warm burnt orange under the incandescents. Same thing with my BR painted w/ a mix of oyster white & a touch of sea green.

So what colors did you purchase? How exciting! Your home is so beautiful. Will be fun to follow your projects.
User
12 years ago
Wow, that is gorgeous! It does indeed look velvety and very rich. I love it!
User
12 years ago
You have sold me on this paint. I don't have any plan to paint before the new year so probably won't get any ahead...but I will look at their site and see. So glad you posted this.

Your room looks lovely. awm...have you posted pics of your colors...they sound so lovely and I can't remember if I have seen them. c

First foray into Milk Paint / SafePaint

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First foray into Milk Paint / SafePaint

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