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Monday 1 April 2013

Union Jack Side Table

I know you aren't supposed to call the flag of Great Britain a Union Jack unless it is flying from a navy ship, but it sounds so much nicer than Union Flag.  After making a patchwork pennant in this style, I swore I'd never do that flag again!  However, when Farm Girl needed a bedside table I decided to give it one more go.    
This baby is all geometry! ~


I'm not going to actually measure this thing out and I have an old flag to use as a guideline.  Utah thinks it makes a lovely sleeping spot.  If you notice any errors, just chalk it up to the cat lying on that part of the pattern. ~


Either I didn't take a before picture or I deleted it. Sorry. Just imagine a scratched, gouged, cheesy wood finish on a sturdy Palliser bedside table.  It was a sweet bargain at $3.99 in the Salvation Army Thrift Store. As you know I'm not fond of sanding, so I gave it a light coat of  Benjamin Moore Fresh Start primer instead.

Then, all but the drawers got two coats of  BM CC-870 (Jet Blue).  The drawers got two coats of BM CC-50 (White Down).

Now, start taping and paint the centre cross in BM 2086-10 (Exotic Red) ~


DO NOT take the tape off, like I did!  You are going to need those lines.

Start taping and taping and taping. When the tape is removed, I'll have the white lines of the flag showing from the over all white coat underneath.~


Doing the flag on the front made it a little more tricky than going with the flat top.  My thought was that the top would be partially covered by a lamp and the stuff we all pile on a bedside table.  So, I went the hard route.  I highly recommend that you use Frog tape for this kind of a project.  I was disappointed with the amount of bleed through under the tape and it took a lot of touching up to clean up the lines.  That could have been easily fudged if Farm Girl wanted it distressed.  Sadly, her text said, "New paint, please".  Sure, honey, let's drag this project out!

The hardware finish was in bad shape and I used an egg carton to hold it upright for a coat of Old Masters Aged Bronze.  Worked like a charm! No pic of it painted but you see it on the finished table. ~


What would be nicer than snuggling down with a vintage book and a cup of tea in a Royal Grafton QE silver anniversary mug?  I think I should give Farm Girl this mug, don't you?  Shhhh - don't tell her I only paid 25 cents for it.


Get out of there Maeve!  I put the dresser beside the patio doors to try and get some sunlight for pictures and, anyway, it's none of her business what I'm doing. ~


Excuse me, I had no idea you wanted a spot of tea! ~


I was actually going to drink that tea.  Now it has cat spit in it!

It appears both my cats are royalists and they will be wild with excitement when the new prince/princess arrives.  Farm Girl is more apt to feel it plays homage to British bands like The Smiths, that kept her company during her teenage angst years.

Of course, I said I'll never do another Union flag after finishing this piece.  Then again, I love it so much I just may do .....  NO, NO, NO! ~


I'm sharing this with ~ Transformed TuesdayBudget Decorating PartyTweak It TuesdayHome And Garden ThursdayUnder $100 Linky PartySimple Sunday Link PartyChalkboard Creative PartyOpen House Party ThursdayA Favorite ThingThe HomeAcre HopCreative Bloggers Party HopMonday Funday Link PartySilver Pennies SundaysBudget Decorating PartyKnick Of Time TuesdayFrom Dream To RealityThrifty Things Friday

40 comments:

  1. Wow, Maureen! Nice job! Is Farm Girl your daughter? If so, I know we would do anything for our daughters, even if we didn't want to do it. Anyway, the chest looks amazing. Another painted piece by you that looks fabulous.

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  2. That is a great job, Maureen. That is some fancy painting there, gal!! I bet your daughter loves it! xo Diana

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  3. totally fab -- and a lot of planning, never mind following your flag template so it would come out right! well done.

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  4. Love it!!! Great job Maureen! I've always wanted to do a Union Jack "something" but just haven't ever got around to it! It would be hard to top this! :)

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  5. Amazing! I love it! I think you should put the southern cross on the side then it could be your Aussie side table. ;)
    Farm girl will love it.

    I'm looking forward to seeing the royal baby

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  6. It turned out great, and with the addition of the round knobs and drawer pull it looks like a face.

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  7. These looks amazing! what a transformation-looks like something you'd find in gallery! and love your cat helpers- I have some of those!

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  8. It's perfect and what a great bargain:) You did such a beautiful job painting it. Thanks for sharing at the Cabin.

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  9. Oh wow, that turned out so amazing. Farm Girl is one lucky gal. I can't say I would have had your tenacity. As far as cat spit in your tea, I often wonder how often I have inadvertently imbibed when my back has been turned for a second.

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  10. Maureen, I must tell you that your blog always puts a smile on my face. It begins when I open my mail app and see 'It's All Connected' has arrived. It's somewhat like seeing a beautifully wrapped gift under the tree on Christmas morning with my name on it. You never disappoint. It's always a pleasant surprise. Thank you...(and by the way, you did an AMAZING job on the Union Jack. I have never been able to draw one, ever, in my life. Kudos!)

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  11. ooh my gosh I love this chest!

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  12. It's GORGEOUS!! Excellent job on this Maureen!!! I couldn't picture it from what you were explaining to me, but you've really outdone yourself girlfriend!! Love it! Lucky Farmgirl! xo

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  13. KUDOS to you, Maureen!! It's simply stunning; can't take my eyes off of it! Farm Girl is one lucky lady! A lot of elbow grease, but worth it, I bet. Thanks for sharing.

    Poppy

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  14. Wow! It is gorgeous. You could sell those for sure.

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  15. You did an excellent job. It seems like Maeve likes it too!

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  16. You must have been very good in math! Excellent!

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  17. Wow! That is so cool! I'm really impressed with how straight and even it all is. If I attempted this, it would look like some abstract union flag. :)

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  18. Wow! It is stunning! And such wonderful straight lines! Farm girl is very lucky. Also love your tea mug, gorgeous :-)
    big hug dear Maureen

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  19. Love this, it turned out perfectly! Can't wait to see FG's face when she sees it.
    Lynn - etsy.com/2becherished

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  20. Wow! That's fabulous. I see a face in the knobs and handle, too.

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  21. Oh my gosh! That is one great piece! I can't believe you did that on the front! I would have taken the lazy way and did the top, but then you are so awesome girl! I hope you link that up because it will get featured everywhere!! I'm going to put a link to it up on my facebook page right now! And pin it! So fabulous! Lovely job!

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  22. You did an amazing job - it looks fantastic - LOVE your kitty - reminds me of ours! I do appreciate you sharing with Home and Garden Thursday,
    Kathy

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  23. Beautiful Maureen! That's a lot of work. The handles look like eyes and a smiling mouth!

    I love your kitty pics! Such a fan of cats, especially black ones. Maeve is a beaut!

    Nicole

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  24. Great job! And my sister had a black cat years ago that would drink out of any unattended mug or glass.

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  25. Love it! And the kitty too! Found you on A Favorite Thing and I'd love to have you stop by and share your post on The Creative HomeAcre Hop today!
    http://www.theselfsufficienthomeacre.com/2013/04/the-creative-homeacre-10.html

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  26. Oh my goodness! It's fabulous. You did such a great job with this piece. Bravo!

    Thanks so much for joining in this week.

    xo
    Claudia

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  27. Hi Maureen! I'm actually a Brit (have lived in the US a long time) and can't get over what a fabulous job you did on the good old Union Jack - yes, we still call it that as we did as kids, and will never change! It's never an easy flag to reproduce - even on a flat surface - but you really hit everything right here, and the paint colors are brilliant. "Rule Brittania", "Long Live The Queen"...........thanks for bringing a little bit of home to Claudia's fun Saturday...............and that Farm Girl is one lucky gal getting not only the chest but the beautiful mug!

    Your kitties are gorgeous too!
    See you next time - anymore great paint projects in the works?
    I'll be back to look back at your posts.

    Mary - A Breath of Fresh Air

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  28. Actually we nearly always refer to it as the Union Jack... with or without boat ;) Great piece of furniture though.

    Mollyxxx

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  29. I love it! And I particularly like your tea cup :-) I'm going to have to start keeping an eye out for a similar table, your idea was inspired!

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  30. I love union jacks. So much fun. I am hosting a link party and would love it if you would share this.

    http://ifitsnotbaroquedesignblog.blogspot.com/2013/04/tuesday-link-party-14.html

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  31. Oh my goodness, this is sooooo amazing! Love, love, love it! Would love it if you would link this up to Give Me The Goods Monday: 1 Party, 5 Blogs! http://www.rainonatinroof.com/2013/04/give-me-goods-monday-3-link-party.html
    Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof

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  32. LOVE! What a great job you did!

    ~Steph @ Silver Boxes

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  33. Great timing - I'm about to tackle my first Union Jack project - have an overhead projector to use for transferring the image and am ready to go. But you're tutorial really helped me understand what goes first - how I should tape it off, etc. Can't wait to show it off (if it turns out).

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  34. It looks amazing!!! I'm sharing your Union Jack on the Knick of Time Facebook page here - https://www.facebook.com/pages/Knick-of-Time-Interiors-Classics-from-Yesterday/173323379356457?ref=tn_tnmn

    Thanks for sharing it at Knick of Time Tuesday!

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  35. Great project and I love the little kitties! Thanks for sharing this on The HomeAcre Hop! I hope you can join us again today at:
    http://www.theselfsufficienthomeacre.com/2013/04/the-homeacre-hop-14.html

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  36. Maureen, this is breathtaking! I LOVE it. You know how I have a soft spot for all things English. I love the shape and I can't believe you only got it for $3.99 and the tea cup for 25 cents. I need to come shopping with you!!!! Lovely photos of your cat with it too!

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  37. I love this chest, Maureen! You did such a splendid job. It really is beautiful. And what adorable photos of your cats... they seem to be intrigued by your project! (I agree with another reader that your drawer pulls make it look like a charming face.)

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  38. Love this piece, definitely worth all the heartache. I bet you'll do another one someday !

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  39. Hi Maureen

    Just finished a little piano bench with a Union Jack on it using your tutorial. It was really helpful, thanks.

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