You will need

• Old timber pallet
• Resene testpots in your choice of colour; Fleur used Resene Lonestar and Resene Bunting – these colours are darker than the normal primary flag colours, to give the finished piece a more aged, rustic look
• Masking tape
• Paint brush

Instructions

Step 1:  Depending on the pallet you are using and the end result you want (if you are hanging it or propping it against the wall), you may need to partly disassemble the pallet. Make sure that the width is twice that of the height.

Step 2:  Using a ruler, a long straight edge and a pencil, measure and draw lines to form the pattern of the Union Jack. See here for how to draw a Union Jack.

Step 3:  Place the masking tape along the pencil lines, making sure to cover up the areas that would be white on the flag. Sometimes the tape doesn’t stick particularly well to the rough wood, but don't worry – if the paint bleeds underneath, it just adds to the rustic charm of the piece.

Step 4:  Paint the red and blue areas of the flag using your choice of colours; Fleur used Resene Lonestar and Resene Bunting.

Step 5:  Remove the tape and once the paint is dry, give the flag a light sand with a medium grit sandpaper to give it a weathered, aged look.

Top tip: If your pallet has unsightly stains on it, paint 1-2 coats of Resene White first to completely cover the marks, then apply your chosen Resene red and blue for the Union Jack.

Styling and images by Fleur Thorpe, 2017.