Milk paint

Where have I been? Oh, around the place but mainly I have been working on both home and college projects. The last couple of days have been spent exploring various types of interior paints - chalkboard paints, french wash paints, satin finish paints, acrylic, paints made with all natural ingredients and milk paint.


I really wanted to try the milk paint from Porter's Paints. It comes in powder form and there is a process to preparing it:

1. Mix powder with cold water until it is of 'pancake batter' consistency
2. Stir by hand for 3-4 minutes
3. Allow to stand for 5-10 minutes until it thickens
4. Strain through muslin to remove lumps and bubbles and then you are ready to paint


If you haven't used milk paint before, it creates a chalky finish which gives furniture a rustic appearance. It is made of milk by-products and mixed with various oxides to give it colour. I chose the 'Oyster White' colour which is not a bright white but has more of a greyish antique white colour.



I hadn't planned on painting the bentwood chairs but I thought they might look nice painted in this paint. Although it would be easier to pop open a tin of acrylic white paint, there is something so satisfying about mixing up your own paint by hand. I have only painted one chair and one coat but I'm happy with the results so far.