Friday, October 12, 2012

Union Jack Dresser

If you read my last post you will know that I was attempting my first union jack dresser. I knew this was going to be hard but I had no idea how hard. All the measuring and taping and remeasuring and more taping. Then there is realizing you had the measurements wrong and you have to pull off all the tape and start all over again. You really do have to have a lot of patience, I am not the most patient person but I am a bit of a perfectionist.
And I was not giving up until I had this right




 
This is what the dresser looked like when I bought it
I know the pic is a little fuzzy, my garage is so full I can't even get at it to take a proper picture lol
 

 
Here is the dresser which I painted with Anne Sloan Chalk paint pure white
And I added some fancy trim to the top to give it more character
If you do not plan on distressing your dresser do not paint it with chalk paint
Chalk paint will come off with the tape, which is the look I wanted
But if you don't want the distressed look you will not be happy when you pull off the tape and the paint comes with it
 
 
This is what the union jack flag looks like and these are the normal colours of the flag. I wanted something more monochromatic. So I used two shades of grey instead of the red and blue

 
Here is an example of a union jack dresser painted in the traditional colours
This one was done by the very talented Miss Mustard Seed
 
 
 

 
 
I laid the dresser on its back so it would be easier to tape and measure  
Measuring taping and more measuring and more taping
 
 
 
It took me most of the day to tape and prepare this dresser.
 if your doing this for the first time, be prepared to spend a lot of time prepping
 
 
 
 
And after hours of cursing and fighting with measuring and tape and a few Advil's and a couple of well deserved breaks
I think I finally got it
I wanted to use two shades of grey
One part is painted with French linen grey
and the other part is french linen grey mixed with Provenance Blue
 
 
 
 
 
Here is a pic of the dresser all painted and tape removed
I was so nervous taking the tape off
But I was so excited to see all my hard work had paid off
 
 
 

 
And here she is all finished and distressed
I think the dresser turned out beautifully
It may not be perfect, but for my first time I think it turned out pretty good
 
 

 
I added glass knobs I didn't want the knobs to take away from the
union jack painting
So I thought clear knobs would work best
 
I am pretty proud of myself, this was a lot of work
but I am very happy with the finished product
Will I do another union jack dresser?
Probably
But not for a while lol
Next time I think I would like to try to do one in the traditional red and blue
 
Now onto the next project
well maybe
after a weekend of rest and some shopping
I hear there is an antique show on this weekend
Sounds like a plan to me
 
 
 

 
The Union Jack Dresser is now for sale at
Iron Orchid Designs
Kamloops, BC
 
You can find them on facebook
 
hope everyone has a great weekend
Happy picking and happy painting
 
hugs
 
 
and
 
 
Maggie
 

 



3 comments:

  1. It's absolutely gorgeous Tobey!!! You'll sell that really quick ( or is it for you? hard to let go of probably, right? LOL )
    You didn't come by for the paint giveaway Tobey!!!
    3 quarts of paint ( which I loved using ) Come!
    I want everyone I know who paints to have a chance at this one!
    http://suzyq-vintagous.blogspot.ca/2012/10/giveaway-mycolor-inspired-by-pantone.html

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  2. gorgeous, tobey! i love the colors you used and love that pretty backsplash that gives it a feminine touch.

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  3. Hi Tobey, greetings from Northern Ontario. I'm just stopping by to say how delightful your blog is. Thanks so much for sharing. I have recently found your blog and am now following you, and will visit often. Please stop by my blog and perhaps you would like to follow me also. Have a wonderful day. Hugs, Chris
    http://chelencarter-retiredandlovingit.blogspot.ca/

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