Last month, I painted one of my favorite pieces of furniture ever…the Union Jack dresser.
I rarely do the same thing twice, but this dresser received rave reviews and sold in a wink (with six other interested parties), so I thought it was worth making another one. I found the perfect dresser when I was out antiquing with my mom a couple of weeks ago.
It’s a little bit smaller and the details are slightly different, but otherwise it’s the same.
If there was a paint or a thick finish, I would’ve stripped the top, but since it just had a thin topcoat that was half-worn off, I simply sanded it with a palm sander.
Applying stain to a dry, sanded wood is one of the most rewarding things in DIY. It instantly looks better, rich and warm. It’s like magic. I applied the dark walnut stain with a scrap of drop cloth canvas (left over from an upholstery project.) If you’re staining for the first time, wear gloves and rub the stain into the wood with a clean rag in the direction of the wood grain. Allow it to soak into the wood and dry before finishing with a protective coat.
I painted the body of the dresser in a rich blue called Naval (by Sherwin Williams.) It looks like a bright royal blue in these pictures, but once it dries, it look like the blue in the first picture in this post.
It’s been too cold to use my sprayer (I can’t open my basement doors for ventilation), so it’s been the foam roller and brush method for me lately. Come on spring…
Painting can be a killer on the back, so I use a child sized chair to sit at the level of the furniture and save my lower back and hamstrings from all of the strain. We went out to dinner at a friend’s house tonight, so I had to leave the dresser with a stained top and two coats of paint. I hope to work on it more tomorrow.
Between coats of paint, I worked on a new project for HGTV with delicious ruffles. You’re gonna love this one. Just wait!
41 Responses
I am a follower and I had to laugh at the comment Come on Spring!! You will need to visit my blog to see why!!lol I love all your projects, but I must admit you make me tired!!lol
Looking forward to the finished dresser. Love your posts. I'm one of your many 'grandma' followers and enjoy your energy, love for your family and your terrific projects, tutorials, photos… I could go on. Thank you for being a leader.
I love this dresser! If I had a little boy I would totally copy you. (Is that okay?) I have added this to my "someday" file. Seriously waiting for spring! I am so tired of the paint brush and roller. Everything takes so much longer to get done, plus paint that is sprayed on dries so much faster! Oh, and no brush/roller marks.
One question, what type of sprayer do you use? Hubby has one that I can use, but it is more suited to sit in a 5 gallon bucket.
Oh yeah, and this is one of your 30 something visitors! 🙂
What a beautiful idea-that dresser is so cool! I have a low chair like that for painting too. It gets you down there in a working position. I'm thinking of painting the legs and apron to the big round table that I just acquired, and refinishing the top. It is old rock maple. laying the stain on it will be an adventure. I can't wait to see your HGTV project.
Hugs,
Sherry
I never thought I'd hear myself say this…but am so wishing I still had cable to get HGTV…
will I be able to find your ideas and things online, besides here?
Actually, I'll just keep watching here… I've got enough on your blog to keep me busy reading well into old age!
Do you ever slow down?
Can't wait to see #2. Hard to believe that blue darkens up so much! Ruffles you say? Hmmm.
Hugs,
Jami
That dresser is awesome! I can see why it was such a good seller. Can't wait to see what else you are working on…. I love anything with ruffles. I am ready for spring too. Love & blessings from NC!
I had the pleasure of actually seeing the dresser 'in the flesh' yesterday at Lucketts – what a treat!! It is a stunning piece and understandable why you had so many people fighting over it! And I also got to meet Karen (Fleurish, Graphics Fairy) while she was stocking her space. She couldn't stop raving about your talent! All in all, a very rewarding day for me. Can't wait to see the second finished dresser in all it's glory!
I just adored your first Union Jack dresser, and I can't wait to see your second take on it either! I'm so tempted to find the right piece and do the same, as I have quite a few Union Jacks around my home already, as well as an original vintage London Bus blind, and a London Underground map on the wall. Would be great to continue the theme!
You are such an inspiration!
That beauty can handle being a twin! A triplet! Or even a quad! One of my favorite pieces!
I feel the exact same way, as soon as it warms up, I'm doing a ton of projects! I feel like I am going stir crazy 🙂 I have been inspired by the Union Jack Dresser and I am going to make one for one of my daughters. I can't decide on red and turquoise or hot pink and dark blue….I could make one of each 🙂
It will be on my blog as soon as it warms up and I can get to it. I'll let you know when it's done!
Kari @ http://thesunsetlane.blogspot.com
I can totally see why the dresser sold so fast. Absolutely love it!
Beautiful for a little boy – so much character. Here in East TN – I've already had one 'spray day'… Loving it!!
I LOVE this dresser, too! And I cannot wait to see what you are doing with the ruffles! I have been MIA from my computer these past few days but just caught up on your last two posts too and loved the one about the numbers game!
oh Miss Mustard Seed you are so inspiring! I'm still looking for a dresser to do the union jack on! can't wait to see how yours turns out a second time around! Hope your back is holding up.
cheers Fiona from lilyfieldlife.blogspot.com
Doesn't it seem like it takes a million times longer to brush and roll than to just spray it on??? It's killing me!!!! 🙂 Can't wait to see the dresser all done!
I {heart} that dresser so much. I showed it to Indy and he said he HAD to have one for his explorer room. I told him when we move back to the States and I have room to paint, I'll make him one. Can you show a full photo of this one? I love the close ups, but I want to see the whole thing!
You did a great job !! i really like that cabinet !!!……love Ria…..xxx….
I am dying to try this, but my piece is a tall chest of drawers. Do you think it would work on a tall piece?
A HUGE thanks to you for going through the trouble of posting. I especially appreciate your posts about starting a blog and the things you need to know. I am starting my own, and you really help me know what I need to do (and to not get discouraged!) Thanks again!
http://alittlesomething2.blogspot.com/
the dresser is fabulous! would look so great in one of my boys bedrooms 🙂
Awesome dresser. I loved it the moment I saw it. Creating a duplicate…I am sure it will sell just as fast as the original. There is probably a waiting list for it!!!
Caroline
We cannot fault your design scheme for anything we see here, but this would have to be one of your best. Brava!
Rose & Friends
Awesome! Such character!
I am soooooo excited you shared this!! I have the PERFECT dresser in MY HOUSE, in my son's CLOSET!
My mom stripped it, stained it, and sanded every inch of it for me… way back in the 70's sometime. I have never had the gumption to paint it or do anything to it but use it as is. But, THIS. This is PERFECT. The top will just get some new lovin' stain and much needed poly, and the front can be tricked out with a VERY cool Union Jack. So perfect!!
i promise to take before and afters and share them with you… I am typing so fast… cause I am sooooo excited 🙂
Thank you Miss Mustard Seed for ALWAYS inspiring and sharing the coolest ideas, ever. YES !! The sun is out and I have ANOTHER new project :-))))
You are so motivating! Can't wait to see the finished dresser. I enjoy reading your blog so much. You have such great ideas! Thank you!
Susan
* I just LOVE visiting your blog and seeing what you're doing at the moment (yessireebob, and it keeps ya off the streets, huh? Chuckles!)…
Seriously, you are SOOOOO T*A*L*E*N*T*E*D and I do believe there's absolutely NOTHING you can't do~~~ You constantly surprise us w/ your creativity n' talents!
Thanks soooo much!
Sincerely,
Linda in AZ *
bellesmom1234@comcast.net
*** Oh yes, & BTW, we lived in Carlisle, PA in the mid 80's when my husband was attending the Army War College… We BOTH loved PA, and there was SOOOOOO much beauty there, plus, the Amish people were SOOOO NICE!!! Best again, Linda ***
I'm excited…and just seeing you painting makes me ready for this book to be out so I can get back to it! 🙂 shaunna
so that blue dries to a almost navy black? can't wait to see finished
Oh I'm so excited to see this (again). I thought the Union jack dresser was my fave piece of yours to date, likely because it was so unique. If it's that good, encores are necessary! lol
FUN look for the dresser….smiles.
Great job ~ on the dresser and the ruffles! I just wish I had a smidge of your energy. I'm one of the grandmothers out here too. 🙂
Can't wait to see the finished product.
xo
Pat
What a wonderful job!
I do love that dresser! And I can't wait to see the ruffle project!
I do so love watching your process!! And I can't wait to see what ruffles your are bringing to the table!!
Hugs
SueAnn
I have a small dresser I MIGHT MIGHT try doing a Union Jack on it. It's just paint right?
What a beautiful dresser! I am a regular visitor on your blog, I don't know how you manage to fit so much in your day. You are a great inspiration!
Well I know your dresser is going to be fab becsues you've been there and done that *winks* But I can't wait to see what your sewin' up! Vanna
How did you paint over the keyhole? Did you just get really close with a small brish or cover it up? I have a dresser with a couple of keyholes and I am scared to paint over them. Thanks!!
IF you would like to visit me in Ohio…I have a dresser that I would love to get painted!