I've pinned on Pinterest and been inspired by all the beautiful Union Jack dressers, pillows and other items. I really wanted to do something like this on a plain cabinet I have.
I mentioned it to my husband and showed him a photo. He said "Not in this house. Ever. We went to war so we don't have to have that flag in our house" or something to that effect. I think his face may have gotten flushed, but I'm not sure...
On to plan B.
I chose to go a little vintage and use the Betsy Ross flag as inspiration.
I could have added "Live Free or Die" OR "Give me Liberty or Give me Death" on the side, but that's a little overkill, hehe.
In honor of the coming Independence Day I worked hard to complete this redo. It was way easier than I thought it would be, but it was still a labor of love. All completed in 24 hours...seriously.
I won't keep you in suspense any longer...on to the reveal!!
This cabinet is a simple laminate one from JCPenny and it just carried no personality (despite the cute little bun feet).
When I do any painting of furniture, the piece sort of speaks to me and typically becomes something very different from what I planned on. I'd originally wanted something similar in color to Courtney's, but after getting the main color on, this piece needed a vibrancy those pale tones wouldn't add.
Before:
AFTER:
`
Cool huh? We're all loving it, especially the kids.
Here's how I did it.
First of all, it's completely loaded with school books and kids art supplies. Unloading it would be a pain, as would asking my husband to help me pack it out to the garage. My solution was to paint it right in the entryway.
I'm spontaneous like that (read: impatient)
I started off with a coat of Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Duck Egg Blue. I covered every area I was wanting to paint with a layer of this because ASCP sticks to ANYTHING with no sanding or prepping. (I did not paint the interior of the cabinet for expediencies sake)
I won't say we didn't have any mishaps since I was doing it in the entryway/kitchen/living space with 5 kids running around.
Here's proof Lydia is ornery, but it was only once. :) The cool part is that ASCP is non-toxic, so at least for this coat, I didn't have to worry too much.
I added another coat on the areas that would stay blue.
Then the doors got 2 coats of homemade chalky paint in white (using plaster of paris).
Then the doors got 2 coats of homemade chalky paint in white (using plaster of paris).
I taped off an area for the stars and painted it in a custom mixed dark turquoise/navy.
After I removed the tape.
THIS is why homemade chalky paint does not work the exact same as ASCP. It gives the same look, but not the durability.
Time for the stripes...Valspars Grenadine (sample size)
The stars were done with a cheap little stencil and a tiny art brush. I had to freehand most of the shape since it wasn't flat, but the stencil helped some.
Lookin' good Betsy, lookin' good.
Lookin' good Betsy, lookin' good.
Except for damage the tape did
I decided to just go with the distressing the tape caused, so I lightly sanded the doors to smooth out the peeling latex. Then I used (for the first time) this antiquing glaze.
Much better! This stuff worked so well to get the just right amount of aging. It didn't smell bad either. 
For the final step I did a coat of Polycrylic. I probably could have waxed it, but since the kids are the primary users, I wanted a little more instant durability (my impatience shows itself once again).
All finished!
I've thought about eventually replacing the red stripes
by painting over it with the duck egg blue to tone it down. Does anyone
have thoughts on that idea?
Happy Flag Day!
♥ I think this is the perfect day to post a makeover such as Betsy ♥
♥ I think this is the perfect day to post a makeover such as Betsy ♥
Linking to:
Jennifer Rizzo's Fabulously Creative Party
Jennifer Rizzo's Fabulously Creative Party
Sundae Scoop Party @ I Heart Nap Time
Restyled Sundays @ Stylish Once Again
Restyled Sundays @ Stylish Once Again
31 comments:
Miranda...that is just AWESOME! What a great project. I love all things patriotic and this is one of my new favorites. Way to go!
I loved this cabinet the minute I saw it! What an inspiration! Great job!
OMG!! I am laughing hysterically here. My husband almost stroked out when I bought a wood Union Jack tray! He told me, "We won...why would you have THAT in our house?" LOLOL! I so adore your cabinet! "The British are coming!! But not to our house!"
Waaay COOL! Perfect! I love that you chose the Betsy Ross style. Love that duck egg blue, too. Bravo, Bravo!!
<3 Christina at I Gotta Create!
Wildly Original Round Up party is open.
Such a great transformation!! I totally get the hubs reaction (; You regrouped and created something that was perfect for you both...Awesome job!
XOXO
Michele
This is an amazing new cabinet! Wow, you did a great job.
www.itsybitsypaperblog.com
Lovely! Just loving everything Americans this year! Stop by my blog and look at my flag blanket chest!
Ha your husband is so funny I'd agree though! Glad you went with the Betsey Ross, for sure my favorite! I’d love it if you’d link up to TA-DA TUESDAY also!
~Misty
413 Sparrow Lane
I was just thinking about doing something similar to this the other day and here it is! Super cute!
My husband said the same thing! Have been thinking of an Ohio flat in muted tones. Very lovely!
Love it. Although I like the Union Jack inspiration.........this one is cuter. You did a great job.
Have a wonderful weekend.
Looks great, I LOVE any AMERICAN flag! I love that you did this in your foyer. Found you from MMS, inspiring blog!
I love it! I am a total flag decor nut. Very nice job! Thanks for sharing at Restyled Sundays.
You did a great job om the armoire. I may have to try the valspar glaze, as I like the effect!
Wow! I love your redo, and with 5 kids running around while you are crafting, impressive!
Hugs, Tanya
Ok...couldn't wait to share this so I'm featuring you on Facebook today! http://www.facebook.com/pages/Igottacreate/100573240032625?sk=wall
You can be sure you'll be in my July 4th feature extravaganza, too!! Thanks so much for linking up at I Gotta Create!
<3 Christina
Thanks so much for linking up to TA-DA TUESDAY! SO blessed to have you :)
~Misty
413 Sparrow Lane
This is gorgeous! Great pictures. I would love for you to link this to my Sunday Slice party.
Malory
http://snips-and-spice.blogspot.com/2012/06/sunday-slice-its-party-1.html
I just love it! You did an awesome job! I'm a milspouse, too, and used to live in Alaska!
What a great a fabulous job you have done on your cabinet.
Miranda this cabinet is soooo cool. it turned out perfectly! I would not change a thing. You really thought a lot about the creative process!!
xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena
2012 Artists Series
Love this idea....and what a super job you did!! I have two vintage off-white kitchen pantries that I'm now considering this for. I might set them side-by-side (as they are very slender).
Thanks for the great post!
very patriotic(:
New follower from the Blog Hop
-Buffi
My Wonderfully Dysfunctional Blog
I love this. I haven't seen that antiquing glaze before but I so have to get some. Thanks so much for sharing on Tout It Tuesday! Hope to see you next week.
Perfect choice of design for that cabinet! It turned out great!
This is ADORABLE!! Would love it if you would link this up at my trendy tuesday party!! http://www.sweetlittlegals.com/2012/06/trendy-tuesday-6.html
It looks soooo wonderful!!!!! Such a beautiful piece!
Thanks so much for sharing this at The DIY Dreamer.. From Dream To Reality! I can't wait to see what you'll be linking up this evening!
I LOVE your cabinet. I think my husband would have a fit if I wanted an entire cabinet painted like a flag although I have flags in several different vignettes. You did a great job.
Just wanted you to know I featured your armoire on my blog today!
You're a STAR today over at I Gotta Create! Your lovely Betsy Ross cabinet is in the Star-Spangled feature lineup. Thanks so much for linking up!
<3 Christina
http://igottacreate.blogspot.com/2012/07/star-spangled-spectacular-25-july-4th.html
LOVE IT!! I pinned it!
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