Union Jack 3 Ways

Last week I started brain storming some different color combinations of the Union Jack design using the Annie Sloan colors I already had. I came up with 2 combinations using some of the most popular colors sold. I was SO excited to get started that I actually dreamt that I found 2 antique dressers the same size and shape on craigslist! haha Definitely not something most people dream about, I know!

So there is the Union Jack design painted on all types of furniture and all types of dressers. But I'm a little picky. I prefer the dresser fronts have have flat, flush drawer fronts, so there isn't too much distraction from the design.

Imagine my joy when I found 2 nearly identical antique dressers sold by the same lady for the same great price! A DREAM COME TRUE!! I called immediately and arranged a time to come look (aka I knew I would buy them) the next morning. Thank goodness my boys are in school and my youngest went to a friend's house that morning, because when I flattened all the seats in my Pilot, they both BARELY fit!  They were both very dirty and had been in a barn, but the insides are in fantastic condition and they didn't really even need any repairs! Oh my gosh, I was giddy with excitement on getting started!

Here is one, after I removed it from the car by myself (I had to lay it on its back). 

This is a lousy 'before' shot, but the pic I took of it standing upright is on my camera's internal memory and I can't find the cord! But you get the idea, pretty much the same but the wood applique is a little different (I removed the wood applique on both of them). This one also has cute curvy legs. 

I already had ANOTHER dresser that I bought the week previous, with plans to do another traditional Union Jack design (red, white, and blue), so here I was ready to do 3 Union Jacks, which sounds crazy but I felt it would go quicker. I went and bought some knobs, bought a new projector (more on that later) and got to work on Saturday, with Bruno's help.

Here is the 3rd one I had ready to go. It is a little larger and a lot heavier. 

Yesterday I finished painting, today I finished distressing and waxing, attaching knobs, and staging/taking pictures.

Behold their beauty! (Sorry if this is picture overload! I had to be selective even, because I took a lot more!

This color combination was inspired from Miss Mustard Seed's Union Jack ottoman

I used Country Gray on the body and Old White and Provence for the stripes. I only used clear wax after I did some distressing.

The knobs are from Hobby Lobby.

On to number 2!

This one is my new favorite! I used French Linen for the body, and Provence and Old White for the design, with some distressing and clear wax to finish it.

Check out those amazing legs!!

This bit of applique I allowed to stay... :) 

More cool knobs I found at HobLob.

I love how the distressing really makes the details of the dresser stand out. And I really try to be conscience about natural wear when I distress. It also helps with durability! 

Haha sorry, unfair amount of pictures of this one!

Last one! You've all seen this color combination before, but it's still so lovely with it's rich colors and gold accents! Colors are Naval by SW, Emperor's Silk and Old White by ASCP, then clear and dark waxed. 

LOVE those keyholes!

The original pulls on this dresser had a few that were broken, but luckily I had some salvaged from a previous dresser that I polished up with some Gold Leaf Rub n Buff. 

While I was originally going to go with another dresser for this color combo, I chose this one because it had the cleanest lines, and I liked how boxy it was. 

Speaking of boxy, are my boxwood topiaries awesome? :) I got the boxwood balls from Home Goods and those vases I found at a resale shop, then painted them with Old White and dark waxed them. 

Here's a close shot of the distressing and how the dark wax really makes this one look like an aged, worn flag.

 All three, together, squished into the living room. Right now I have 5 dressers in my living room and I don't have room for 4 of them! :) I need to do some maneuvering before company comes in an hour! 

Counting the days till the weekend!

Sharing at:
Coastal Charm
The Dedicated House
Shades of Amber
Two Yellow Birds Decor
Miss Mustard Seed
Life We Live 4
Silver Pennies