Petticoat Junktion
menu icon
search icon
×

Make Custom Milk Paint Colors

Updated: by
This post may contain affiliate links

Share on Pinterest Share on LinkedInShare on Flip it Share on Reddit

Making Custom Milk Paint Colors

Miss Mustard Seed's Milk Paint is fun to work with. You never know what will happen. I mean, you have a good idea but the first peek at the finial result is always exciting. The Mustard Seed paint color is one of my favorites. The yellow is soooo perfect.

Mustard Seed Milk Paint Color on Furniture

Mustard Seed Yellow Paint Color

I told you it was a pretty color. As you can see I went all out and did three colors on the radio cabinet.

vintage radio cabinet ready for makeover

vintage cabinet before makeover

I really like the old radio cabinets. They have so much detail and look great painted and distressed. This one was in pretty rough condition. Some of the veneer was missing on the doors so I peeled off the remaining bits and pieces.

How to Make Milk Paint Colors

I used Miss Mustard Seed’s Milk Paint in Ironstone and mixed some of the Mustard Seed Yellow with it to get two soft yellow colors for the doors. I wanted some contrast there and the slightly creamy color for the doors and the mellow yellow color framing the doors worked out well.
The body of the cabinet was painted with the full strength Mustard Seed Yellow. I used a neutral wax to protect the paint finish and also give it a little sheen.
I love how you can make custom colors with milk paint
This is the project I posted about yesterday with the hardware issues. The original hardware I selected for this piece just didn’t work out. The radio cabinet has two pulls, one on each door but they are so close to each other that you either have to fill in one hole and not have a pull on it or use two very small pulls or be a little creative. How is that for a run-on sentence!

I chose to be a little creative and finally came up with the French Provincial pulls from my hardware stash. I couldn’t believe how the creamy color of the door and the pulls matched so closely. I used a little key pull on one door and a drop pull on the other. I’m really happy with my choice.

The milk paint chipped perfectly

The paint chipped beautifully. I really like using the putty knife to help flake the paint off. Such a different look from distressing with the sander. A little more work but worth it.
The paint on the frame on the outside edge of the door didn’t chip but I knew it wouldn’t. That’s where I peeled off the veneer, so it was basically raw wood with no varnish.
Milk paint chips to make paint look agedThe Junktion Technical Specialist had to do a little work to this piece before I painted it. Some of the radio housing was still in the cabinet and  it had to be removed and it was backless so we also cut a back for it. Since the wood was a little rough I put scrapbook paper on the inside back and shelves. A little something extra that adds so much!
Since taking up blogging I have a much greater appreciation for photographers. I have a little point and shoot camera and just take pictures in my workshop. I wish someone had a picture of me and the Junktion Technical Specialist each holding a lamp and me with a camera trying to light the inside of the cabinet so there wouldn’t be any shadows. It was too funny…and didn’t work very well either!
What do you think about the Mustard Seed Yellow?

View My Most Popular Milk Paint Project..... 1. My Tricycle Red Cabinet…most viewed and most pinned of my projects on Pinterest. 

Kathy Owen founder of Petticoat Junktion
Kathy Owen
Website

Author: Kathy Owen
Kathy Owen is the founder of the home decor blog Petticoat Junktion where she shares tutorials on painting furniture and upcycling thrifty finds into unique home décor. Her DIY projects have been featured on the Home Depot Blog, Plaid Crafts, Behr Designer Series, and in numerous magazines. Kathy’s newest website is HappyHomeDIY.com

Similar Posts For You....

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Metina Bongiovanni

    Any more pics of the inside?

  2. Kathy Owen

    Linda, You are too nice. Thanks for the great compliment but I don't fell deserving of such high praise. I love yellow and I wish the photos of that piece were a little better. My photography is slowly improving.Thank you for reminding me of this piece. It's been a while since I've done such an in depth project. I think I'm slacking!

  3. Linda

    Kathy:

    I can truly say that looking and reading about your work on the mustard seed radio cabinet was every bit as good as eating my favorite candy. It is actually exciting to see what you will "release" from your work. You have an innate instinct about your projects -- true artistry at work. I am reminded of Michaelangelo's response when asked how he decides what figure to sculpt when he looks at his block of marble. His humble response: "I see the angel and I just release it from the marble." You also release the best in the pieces you do. After you finish, WOW! The yellow is deliciously fabulous --and I don't even like yellow!

  4. Randi

    How cool that used to be my radio cabinet!! Glad it got a new look and a new home 🙂 I did see it in the shop for sale it was cool.

  5. Kathy

    thank you Sharon, I couldn't get much done with my TS.

  6. Sharon @ Elizabeth & Co.

    What a beautiful cabinet Kathy and I just love the yellow! You and your technical specialist did an amazing job!

  7. kirsten

    Lovely job! You rescued a treasure - 🙂

  8. Bec

    what a great piece...I love it!
    Bec x

  9. Seesa

    This is So AWESOME!! I love it 🙂

  10. elyse

    Lucky Girl! I want to try MMS Yellow! I love what you did with this little guy.

  11. Kathy

    thank you Kathleen

  12. Kathleen

    Very, very cool piece! You made the right decision when you went with yellow.

  13. Melody

    Amazing job. Really, so adorably cute. I'm a yellow convert!

  14. Kathy

    You better get to work with that paint girl! I'm glad you like my radio cabinet. Thanks for sharing on Facebook.

  16. Kathy

    It is a great color. I think it's my new favorite.

  17. Heather @At The Picket Fence

    Kathy this is so gorgeous! The yellow is just amazing. I will share this on our Facebook Page today.

    Can't wait to get to work with my MMSMP paint today!

    Heather

  18. Betty

    Love the color combo and hardware! Must try some of the paints - love the chippy stuff! Always look forward to reading your posts. Lovin' it from West Texas!!!

  19. cassie

    gorgeous! that color is so warm and pretty!

  20. Terry

    She's got great personality now when she was so trashy before. Wow she looks great.

  21. Kathy

    Love this, Kathy! Another beautiful piece!! Blessings!

  22. Donna Allgaier-Lamberti

    Finished, this is and stunning/amazing piece. To be honest with you, I don't usually like most of the really chippy/milk paint pieces but this one is exceptional!!

  23. Kathy

    Thanks Leslie, this is one of my favorites. I love the color.

  24. Leslie

    This is very, very cool. You are always doing something inspiring.