DIY Faux Milk Glass

Hey y'all!

I'm Julia, and I'm absolutely thrilled to have the opportunity to share some easy (but lovely!) tutorials with you here on Birch Blooms. I blog regularly about life as a newlywed here in Atlanta but I have a soft spot for wedding planning, so most of my DIY projects will be items you can use on your big day!

I'd like to kick things off today with one of my favorite motifs in wedding decor: milk glass.

{by Glam Lamb / via Pinterest}

Milk glass originated in Venice (surprised?) in the 16th century. It became popular in America during the Gilded Age but stayed popular during the Great Depression, as it was more affordable than most other decor. Today, minimally-detailed milk glass reminiscent of the designs of the Great Depression brings an air of rustic Americana to decor. More intricate designs reminiscent of the Gilded Age, however, bring vintage elegance to any tablescape. The versatile nature of this breed of glass helps it to fit into any theme.

{by Flores del Sol / via Pinterest}

{by Buckets of Burlap / via Pinterest}

{by Martha Stewart / via Pinterest}

My favorite variety of milk glass (and the type we'll be making today) is the staccato variety, which involves a polka-dotted motif. Without further ado, here's a tutorial inspired by both Ruffled and Pure and Noble:

You'll need:

• An old vase
• A glue gun (or puffy paint)
• Tweezers
• Glossy white spray paint
• Newspaper or paper towels
• The great outdoors

First, make sure your vase is nice and clean. I recommend wiping it down with a little bit of rubbing alcohol.

Next, use your glue gun or puffy paint to create texture all over your vase. I chose to create graduated staccato dots, starting larger at the bottom and becoming smaller towards the top of the vase.

Once the glue/paint dries, use your tweezers to remove all of the stray strings or marks that are not part of your design.

Take it outside, lay down some newspaper or paper towels and spray liberally until the entire vase is covered.

Stuff with some beautiful blooms and enjoy! Please note: even if your vase was dishwasher safe, I highly recommend hand-washing your new faux milk glass to preserve the life of the paint.

Have any of you ever used milk glass in your decor? What's your favorite theme to incorporate into it?