Another painting tip that I discovered: When something is white and chippy and grungy, just take some white paint and water it down a bit, and do a whitewash over the piece of furniture. It “cleans” it up, meaning it takes away the grunge, while leaving the distressed and chippy look. I did a dresser that had been white and one time but the paint was yellowing. I liked the chipping on it, so did this paint wash over the whole of it and it left it still looking old and tattered, but fresh. And the yellowing was gone. I just added some water to a white satin wall paint for the wash, then I used a water based polyurethane over it, so it can be wiped off, as the piece is in the kitchen.

I used a white semi gloss over a white flat finish. Actually, when I added the bit of water, the gloss of the paint disappeared. The nice thing about this, is it is FAST. It is not a total paint job, just a wash and it changed the whole demeanor of the piece. I love the technique. I could have waxed it, but since it is a kitchen piece, I used a matte Minwax water base polyurethane over it, which was also quick. And dried quickly.

I want to try this on an old basket. Baskets are really time consuming to paint, and on a bare basket it will just give an overall hint of white. But over an already grungey yellowed white paint, it was so much easier than a total paint job. Fast.

I love what you are sharing and doing with your house, Liz Marie- oh, and also thank you for sharing other blogs and your paint go-to person! It’s ideal having the white “background” so you are able to change it up with new elements of design and color! I’m so interested in chalk paint and have been in a local store that sells pieces,(I have a section of a vintage iron fence that’s in our garden enhanced by the white stucco walk there, some smaller ceramic blue fish to hang, & 2, white chalk painted bricks w/colorful fish on their sides), and she paints for customers. It would be great to take the owner’s classes offered many times a year. She is a kindred spirit, and loves the different opportunities to be creative and like you she described how many things have been her outlets for this,so the milk paint store is her newly-founded “calling”. I imagine she is an excellent teacher. In your home, back to how you make great use of a neutral white backdrop, an example is the Christmas time look ,which is perfectly done by the way. I,too, love making our farmhouse look beautiful for Christmas using fresh things you cut from local trees and shrubs, & like also using them in tin pieces, & within wreaths you either can buy as plain green ones and then create your own finished one with holly, cedar, magnolia leaves- it’s also fun but takes time. I find though it’s a good way to make the time spent doing what I love-creating these pieces- and that brings me peaceful joy as a trade-off for the money & time I could choose to buy and shop for all of the elements of decorating which doesn’t bring me the same feeling or the natural look that this farmhouse calls for.
I only hope that we will one fine day this coming new year be in a position to work restoring our house so meanwhile- gratitude for what we do have, for inspiration and others here, and the classic trend of farmhouse that never goes away! It’s great checking in with you all, I like your fellow-bloggers everyone is helpful, kind, and share love here of you, of design, and ideas ! ?⛪️⛩??? Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy New Year’s and blessings to everyone celebrating & creating a loving peaceful home in the way of all personal Religions and Faiths. Namaste’