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BEFORE Mora cupboard-0225 AFTER Mora cupboard-0225

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I love little bedside cupboards like this! So cute, but I wanted to change the orangey pine look, so here’s where my job is FUN!Mora cupboard-0229 Mora cupboard-0230

I mixed up some Miss Mustard Seed’s Milk Paint (all natural, eco-friendly, non-toxic primitive style paint) in their newish European colour – Mora (named for the famous curvy clocks made in Mora, Sweden). It is a neutral with grey, blue and green undertones.

Here it is after just one coat of milk paint:Mora cupboard-0258

This is called the “ugly stage” of painting with milk paint…Mora cupboard-0259But after a second coat and a light sanding, we have the beautiful chippy look that milk paint is so famous for!Mora cupboard-0261

I love to use these Sandi Hands sanding gloves both during prep and after painting, to sand my pieces.

Mora cupboard-0263 Mora cupboard-0264Sandi Hands is an awesome invention by a Sunshine Coast, QLD lady (who happens to be my Aunt), who created them specifically for using for her furniture restoration projects, but they have become so popular with such a large range of sanding uses, that they have come out with several different types of gloves for different uses including wet/dry gloves, tradesperson gloves (pictured) and more. They are being sold in Mitre 10 stores across Australia, so ask if your store doesn’t have them in, or click on our product link to find them here.

I used a fine grit, like a 320 or 400 to sand after paint has dried. Milk Paint sands beautifully to a soft, smooth finish, with a rustic appearance often happening as your distress the edges. I love to try and achieve just the right amount of “chippy”.

Mora cupboard-0267

After sanding, it is important to seal your milk painted piece with either wax or oil.

I used MMSMP Furniture Wax (a soft, buttery clear wax) which goes on so nicely with a cloth or wax brush, then buffs to a beautiful sheen.

You can see a video tutorial about four different finishes you can achieve with waxes and oils HERE.Mora cupboard-0268 Mora cupboard-0269 Mora cupboard-0271Mora cupboard-0278