Are you ready to transform your furniture with a stunning, vintage-inspired look? Join Amy Howard as she guides you through creating a crusty Italian milk paint finish, replicating a breathtaking antique she discovered on her trip to New Orleans. In this tutorial, Amy shares her expert techniques and tips, allowing you to bring the charm and elegance of Old World Italian craftsmanship into your home. Perfect for DIY enthusiasts and antique lovers alike, this step-by-step guide will help you achieve a beautifully aged patina that adds character and sophistication to any piece. Dive into this creative journey and elevate your furniture with a timeless, crusty Italian milk paint finish.
If you are working with raw wood, start by staining it. For surfaces that are already stained, begin by sanding. In this tutorial, we are using raw wood. Apply English Walnut Gel Stain with a chip brush, then use a lint-free rag to buff off any excess stain.
Step 2: Prepare the Milk Paint & Plaster Mixture
Combine one part Strasbourg White Milk Paint, one part Venetian Plaster, and one part water. Mix well, keeping the consistency relatively thick.
Step 3: Apply the Milk Paint Mixture
Using a brush, apply the milk paint mixture to your surface, ensuring 100% coverage. Allow it to dry completely.
Step 4: Mix the Grey Milk Paint
Mix one part Scandinavian Grey Milk Paint with one part water. The mixture should be quite watery.
Step 5: Apply the Grey Milk Paint
Apply the grey milk paint to the surface. It doesn't need to be an even coat; variation in darkness and lightness is desirable. Use a cloth to move and blend the paint. Reapply with an artist brush in the crevices as needed and buff off the excess.
Step 6: Add flyspecking
Dip your brush into the Scandinavian Grey Milk Paint and offload the excess. Pull the bristles back and release them to create speckles of paint on your piece. Avoid overdoing it. Use a lint-free rag to dab and soften the speckles.
Step 7: Apply more white
Lightly apply the Strasbourg White Plaster mixture to brighten the surface. Once it dries a bit, sand the white areas and dust off the excess.
Step 8: Apply the Sealer
Use a brush to apply Matte Sealer. Allow it to dry thoroughly.
Step 9: Wax the Surface
Carefully apply light antiquing wax, but do not let it dry completely.
Step 10: Apply Dust Of Ages
Spread Dust of Ages over the surface, ensuring it gets into the crevices. Lightly wipe off some of the excess without buffing it.
Final Reveal!
By following these steps, you'll achieve a beautifully aged, crusty Italian finish that adds charm and character to your furniture.
Want to see more stunning transformations? Join the Before and After Facebook Group to see how people just like you are flipping furniture, saving money, and Enjoying the Bragging Rights. You can also follow us on Facebook and get alerts when Amy goes live with her next project!
