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Mirror makeover with Old Fashioned Milk Paint

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Disclosure: I was compensated for doing this post with product.  However, all the opinions stated here are my own. I only use products I love and would recommend to my viewers.
Today I have a special announcement to make.  I have been chosen to be one of the Brand Bloggers for the Old Fashioned Milk Paint Company or OFMP

When my husband visited the boys last year he went on a walk and came home with all sorts of goodies – actually the neighbors were moving. The mirror below was one of them.  He told me “when you go to New York make sure to go to the basement and see what I have for you.”

How lucky can a girl get?  And so today I’ll show you a mirror makeover with Old Fashioned Milk Paint. 
​ 

Browb mirror before, Mirror Makeover with Old Fashioned Milk Paint. www.theboondocksblog.com
I have to admit it was my first time using it and I was really nervous.   True Milk Paint is made with a mixture of milk protein and crushed limestone in powder form and it has zero VOC’s – it is safe, non-toxic and all natural. And it comes in all sorts of pretty paint colors.  And the best part is that you can mix them to get the desired shade you want. 

Like I said, I was nervous. I didn’t want to mess it up.

​I watched videos and asked my friends.  And then the big moment came and I opened up the bag with the sealed plastic bag inside. I measured it out and added one part OFMP in Oyster White and one part warm water.  I stirred it for a few minutes and then let it rest about 20 minutes.

Now here’s the thing.  Milk paint is meant to be used on porous surfaces.  It will penetrate the wood and stay on.  However, if you have a finish on your piece then once you use the milk paint it will chip off and leave that wonderful chippy look we all love so much which is in style now. In fact you can see what it looks like on my friend Cynthia’s blog, Clockwork Interiors.  

If you don’t want that particular look you can use the “Safe Paint” version of true milk paint.  This will create a bonding agent for the paint and make sure that it stays on your furniture.  In fact it was specially made for walls. Or you can just buy the bonding agent separately and add it to the paint mixture. 

My mirror was porous, but I was not totally sure so I decided to use the “Safe Paint” version. Also I was lazy and didn’t feel like sanding it. 

Oyster White Old Fashioned Milk Paint, Mirror Makeover with Old Fashioned Milk Paint. www.theboondocksblog.com
You all know that I’ve been on a quest to lighten up my son’s apartment a bit.  I chose this light color to add to the light airy feeling I was after. I wiped down the mirror with some soapy water and let it dry. I then applied it with a paint brush.   You can see below what it looked like after one coat.  

​The nice thing about this paint is that it goes on smoothly and penetrates the wood. I had mixed it on the thin side because I wanted it to look a little like a wash. But you can always add more powder to give it a thicker consistency. It is very forgiving. 

After the first coat of Oyster White Old Fashioned Milk Paint, Mirror Makeover with Old Fashioned Milk Paint. www.theboondocksblog.com
When I flipped it over I saw this label on the back.  I really don’t know if it means anything. If anyone has any idea about this piece, let me know.

I then added a second thin coat of paint and let it dry.  

label on the back of the mirror, Mirror Makeover with Old Fashioned Milk Paint. www.theboondocksblog.com
The next day I applied some of the Daddy Van’s all Natural Beeswax and Lavender Furniture Polish.  Boy, did that lavender smell nice.  And then wiped it down.  t was as easy as that! 
Daddy Van;s Furniture Polish, Mirror Makeover with Old Fashioned Milk Paint. www.theboondocksblog.com
And here is my mirror.  No more dark wood for me. 
Mirror painted with Milk Paint, Mirror Makeover with Old Fashioned Milk Paint. www.theboondocksblog.com
Disclosure: The items below are affiliate links and link to Amazon.com. If you purchase any of these products through the links, I receive a small commission, that way I can continue to provide you with lovely content.  There is no extra charge to you for purchasing through my affiliate links.
You can see the distressing that I added to give it an old world look. Just a little sanding paper and those curves really popped. 
Details of distressing on Mirror, Mirror Makeover with Old Fashioned Milk Paint. www.theboondocksblog.com
It came out great.  And it was such an easy project to do.  This true milk paint went on nice and smooth and unlike some other paints I’ve used, there was no smell. The paint is free of harmful chemicals. This made my son very happy because when I used the homemade chalk paint it was pretty smelly. And he was not happy at all.  After all I had turned his house upside down with all this painting. 
Detail of shelf on mirror, Mirror Makeover with Old Fashioned Milk Paint. www.theboondocksblog.com
You’re probably wondering where I put this lovely piece.  Well remember last week when I showed you the bookcases that were upcycled with paint and paper?  The dictionary stand was in between them.  This beauty went on top of the dictionary stand. 
Finished mirror above the dictionary stand, Mirror Makeover with Old Fashioned Milk Paint. www.theboondocksblog.com
Now I know you’ll all dying to know what happened to the books I had removed from the bookcases last week. Here you can all see my son’s many books.

​This is the reality photo.  No staging here.  He’s got his books, pens and a stereo system with the speakers on top.  It may not be as pretty as the staged photos but it is reality.  And it is still tons better than the brown disaster I showed you last week.  

Mirror and dictionary stand flanked by two bookcases with lots of books, Mirror Makeover with Old Fashioned Milk Paint. www.theboondocksblog.com
And while we’re keeping it real here, this is the other bookcase in the living room. He is a bookworm (thanks to his mama’s good genes) and here are the rest of his books. This bookcase is solid wood and also in need of a makeover but it will have to wait until my next trip to New York. In fact I bet we’ll probably need a bigger bookcase real soon. 

I hope that answers your much asked question about his books.  Did you think that I would throw them out?  

Wooden bookcase with lots more books, Mirror Makeover with Old Fashioned Milk Paint. www.theboondocksblog.com
The mirror is done and I have learned a whole lot more about Old Fashioned Milk Paint.  I am really looking forward to trying it out on more projects. 
Wooden Mirror with box painted with OFMP Oyster White, Mirror Makeover with Old Fashioned Milk Paint. www.theboondocksblog.com
I really love this little storage box that is part of the mirror, I’ve never seen anything like it before. 
Top view of Mirror, Mirror Makeover with Old Fashioned Milk Paint. www.theboondocksblog.com
I’m sure you can see why I painted this mirror such a light color.  It is in keeping with the rest of the bookcase unit. 
storage box with Mirror painted in Oyster White OFMP, Mirror Makeover with Old Fashioned Milk Paint. www.theboondocksblog.com
I hope you are all satisfied now. You have seen where the books are… I didn’t throw them away.

I have to admit that it was not as scary as I thought. If a newbie like me can tackle this so can you!  And the mirror makeover with Old Fashioned Milk Paint turned out pretty good considering this was my first attempt.  Have you ever tried Milk Paint?  

Go on over to Cynthia’s blog,Clockwork Interiors and see how she uses OFMP.  I still have a way to go before I get to her level. 

Mirror with storage box makeover with Old Fashioned Milk Paint in Oyster White, Mirror makeover with Old Fashioned Milk Paint www.theboondocksblog.com

​If you like what you see, share it with your friends, or save it on Pinterest.  Above is a Pinterest worthy image!

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Laurie

Monday 13th of February 2017

What a fantastic mirror. I've never used milk paint before, I'll have to give it a try sometime! Love that you kept the antique look with the mirror. I have to tell you that I have the exact same dictionary/library stand that you have. Mine could use a makeover as well . . . Hope you have a great week Mary!

Mary

Tuesday 14th of February 2017

Laurie it was my first time and I really liked how it went on smooth and penetrated the wood. As for that dictionary stand it was nice but it stood out like a sore thumb with all those different colors in the apartment. I am really glad I painted it along with the bookcases.

Debrashoppeno5

Monday 13th of February 2017

The mirror is fabulous. What a unique piece, I like how you brightened it up with the white. OFMP is the perfect look for the mirror giving it an updated look with the chippy charm.

Mary

Tuesday 14th of February 2017

Debra I am really loving the OFMP. It went on nice and smooth and I had no problems whatsoever.

Jas @All that's Jas

Monday 13th of February 2017

Nice job, Mary! Congrats on the brand partnership. I've never heard of powder paint. Interesting. I love the photo of you on top of your son's bookshelf. Wish it was more of a close-up. You were a stunner (and still are)! You know, now the mirror has that old French-style charm to it. But instead of French I'd add graphic/text in Greek. Something meaningful to your family or just your son. Maybe next time you're in NY? ;) Happy Valentine's Day!

Mary

Saturday 18th of February 2017

Now there's a good idea Jas. Maybe Ancient Greek to remind them of their favorite subject in school (insert sarcasm here)! Nothing is ever really finished in my house, there is always room for improvement.

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