I had a palm to the forehead moment last week when I was looking at all of the scrap wood left over from my projects in the garage. For some reason, the way the wood and boards of various sizes were laying up against the garage wall, they all looked like oversized trays to me. I was thinking; is it really as simple as painting or covering a board with wallpaper and adding cabinet hardware? I couldn’t make the tray fast enough just to see and the answer is yes, it’s really that simple.
This is one of those projects that there are tons of endless possibilities (paint, wallpaper, stripes, patterns, etc..) and any size or shape could work. I really wanted an elegant oversized tray for entertaining and for my dining room table, so I decided to cover this tray with wallpaper and distress the wallpaper to look like painted wood. Here is the tray on my dining room table with flowers that I shared on Tuesday:
There are so many possibilities and any kind of wood in any size or shape could work. Also, for today’s project, I’m going to share how I covered the wood in wallpaper and distressed it to look like painted wood. However, these trays would be beautiful simply painted in a solid color and could even be spray painted.
So I began this project by using a piece of white pine board (1 x 12″) that had already been primed. The length of it is 42 “:
For covering with wallpaper, the board needs to be primed on one side so the wallpaper paste doesn’t absorb into the wood. The wallpaper that I used was not pre-pasted, so I brushed on a generous layer of wallpaper paste on the top of the board and the sides:
I then covered the board with wallpaper and pulled it down over all sides and cut. I made sure to leave an extra 2 inches, so that the paper would fold up and under the board:
Next, I used a wallpaper spreader/smoother tool to make sure that the wallpaper was as smooth as possible:
I didn’t want a folded corner, so I cut the corners like this, so I would not have thick paper in the corners:
I then let the wallpaper completely dry overnight and then I did a strie paint treatment the next morning over the wallpaper. A strie treatment is where you dip a brush in paint and hold the brush flat and drag (I prefer a wide foam brush). I did this so it would look more like a painted tray instead of wallpaper. The paint over the top takes the edge off of the paper look as well.
I used the color Minimalist (white) in Velvet Finishes:
After it dried, this is what the board looks like:
Lastly, I added cabinet pulls/hardware to the ends of the board:
The wallpaper and tray can be sealed with a matte satin polyurethane for use with food or drinks.
I can’t wait to make another one but my next one I’m going to spray paint in a high gloss fun color. I also want to do a large square one as well out of MDF. So many possibilities and I’m thinking that this will be what I’ll do for family Christmas presents this year. Would be so fun to monogram or paint a fun pattern.
Thanks for stopping by today friends! Have a fantastic weekend!
Cheers!
Cyndy
Sharing post with Best of the Nest Party
Ralinn says
Great idea. I have a scrap piece I am going to try this on. I am going to go with a live edge. Thanks for the idea.
Cyndy says
Thank you Ralinn for stopping by!
Jo Abella says
So clever. From your previous posts, you’ve hooked me on Velvet Finishes. Can’t wait to try this latest idea. Thanks!
Cyndy says
Oh I’m so glad that you’re hooked on Velvet Finishes Jo Abella! Of course, I am obsessed with it and can’t stop painting with it. Thanks so much for your note and stopping by!
Danielle @ The Cheerful Home says
This turned out great!! Can’t wait to try it on some scrap wood currently in my garage. I knew I was keeping it for some reason! 😉 Do you mind sharing what pattern of wall paper you used?
Cyndy says
Thank you so much Danielle! The wallpaper I used is the Malagra pattern from Schumacher and it comes in three colors. I have used it in a lot of different spots and love it. Here is the link and it’s on sale today too!http://www.insidefabric.com/p-860233-5005932-malaga-silver-by-f-schumacher.aspx
Thanks so much for stopping by!!
VickiGene says
Cyndy, I love that tray! Did you add little stick-on feet to the bottom to protect your furniture? If you had pieces of molding, that would be pretty around the sides just in case you are carrying it from one room to another and items start slipping. This looks like a great project to try different painting techniques. I think a Jackson Pollock style would be fun!
Cyndy says
I didn’t use feet on the bottom but I will on my next one. Yes, there are so many possibilities and my mind keeps coming up with new possibilities. I love the idea of the edge banding to keep the edges smooth too that you mentioned. Yes,a lip could be made as well and I was also thinking I could make my own handles somehow. I can’t wait to make more of these for family gifts for the holidays.
Thanks so much Vicki Gene for always throwing out such great ideas! We would be dangerous if we lived close to each other! ha!
Amy says
how about grouping some photos and sealing them to the tray…for grandparents etc….love this idea thank you so much!
Cyndy says
That’s a great idea Amy! They images could be Modge Podged and sealed. Love, love the idea! Thanks so much for your note!
Carolyn says
I love the painting in your dining room! Can you tell me more about it? Thanks!
Nanette mattox says
Nice idea! I’m always shocked at the cost of trays in stores. I’m thinking of using pretty wrapping paper and modgepodge.
Lauren@SimplyLKJ says
What a great project!
Mary Ruth says
Great use for left over wood! If you want to paint, you can use the iron-on edge banding. If you want to make an edge or sides, they sell flexible PVC-like molding you can tack around the edges. And for feet, possibilities are many! Love seeing how creative you get! AND you share with all of us! Thanks!
VickiGene says
Cyndy, you would be a “dream neighbor”!
Holiday trays would be such wonderful keepsakes and a great place to individually personalize. I save all those “photo” cards each year. I’m might use some of those, pretty cards (sentiments incl.) or gift wrap.
Also, I just had an idea about handles. To make the trays easy to store, put the handles on the sides of the ends (or would this cause a problem with possibility damaging the surfaces?).
Oh dear! I’m trying to finish organizing my sewing/quilting “studio” and already I’m thinking “autumn tray.” 😉
Megan @ Our PInteresting Family says
They both came out so great. I love that you added wallpaper to one of them especially. This would be a pretty hostess gift too.
Kim @ Sand & Sisal says
I love this idea Cyndy! I can’t wait to make one. Yours turned out so lovely! Wish I was sitting with you at the pool, nibbling those yummy appetizers too!
Pam @ Simple Details says
Fabulous, Cyndy!! I LOVE the size, and what a perfect idea for Christmas gifts, I might be stealing that one! Your styling out on your patio couldn’t be more perfect! Thanks for sharing at Best of the Nest!
Kris {Driven by Decor} says
LOVE this idea Cyndy! There are so many fun possibilities!!
Shelia @ House of Highlands says
I love this idea! I have lots of mdf in my garage – I can’t wait to make a tray for back porch entertaining! Thanks for the inspiration!
Shelly says
Can you show us the bottom so we can see how you covered this and how the pulls are attached?
Thanks!
Shelly in snowy Buffalo NY