DIY Friday: To-Die-For Union Jack Dresser
Make way for the perfect addition to your home: a funky union jack dresser which is totally DIY-able! This weekend hit Craigslist or the flea market in search for a solid wood antique dresser (I’ve seen some go for less than $20) and transform it into your coolest piece of furniture ever! Keep reading for full instructions!
No Sensesensibility
Miss Mustard Seed
Materials:
- Solid wood dresser
- Blue, red, and white paint
- Sandpaper or palm sander
- Walnut stain
- Paint brush, roller
- Chalk
- Piece of drop cloth canvas
- Protective coat
Instructions:
1. Sand down your dresser to strip the paint or stain with a palm sander.
2. Apply a dark walnut stain to the top of the dresser with a scrap of drop cloth canvas and rub it in the direction of the wood grain. Allow it to soak in the wood and dry before finishing with a protective coat.
3. Paint the whole body of the dresser in a rich blue (Naval by Sherwin Williams) with a brush and foam roller.
4. Once your blue paint dries, use a piece of chalk to sketch on the flag and then hand paint over the chalk with your remaining colors. The colors used are Naval (blue), Stolen Kiss (red) and Creamy (white) by Sherwin Williams.
Let your dresser dry overnight and sand down the corners and edges for an antique look if you wish. And…voila!
Hi Irene!When you seal your wood canvas with Gesso you have to allow it to dry ceeolptmly. I usually do multiple ones that way they are ready to go when I’m ready to paint on them.I usually do at least 2 layers of Gesso on all sides including the back (3 layers is ideal) for longevity.Once the Gesso is dry, then you can sketch on on it.I sketch on Vellum or Tracing paper first so all the erasing and corrections are done on that and not on the wood. Once I’m happy with the drawing then I transfer it using another piece of Velum that I have rubbed ceeolptmly with a 4B pencil, you can purchase transfer paper, but I just make it my self.By transferring the drawing, you keep the Gesso clean and then begin to paint.If you do not want to deal with transferring, you can always add a layer of clear coat to the pencil sketch that is on the wood, let it dry and then start painting. The lead will be sealed and will not mix with your colors.I hope that helps.You’ve given me a nice idea for a blog post and I’ll be explaining it using pictures.Take careMaggie