Thrifted Wooden Serving Tray Makeover: Trash to Treasure
- Tracey Bellion
- Oct 12
- 4 min read
You all know I've spent years rescuing furniture and home decor pieces that others have cast aside... giving them new life through paint and imagination. But this week's project is extra special, because it's the first piece that my husband, Matt, picked out, designed, and painted on his own! See Matt's thrifted serving tray makeover!
This project is part of our new Better Together series on YouTube, where Matt and I team up every Wednesday night to create something new. It's been such a joy to share this creative space with him.... and this thrifted project might just be my favorite yet!
If you are a new reader, hello and welcome to the Fancy Fam! With over a decade of furniture painting experience, I can honestly say that sharing my projects through this blog is still my favorite way to inspire! I've got years worth of fun and creative ways to update your home decor and furniture through paint! If this sounds like something you'd like to have delivered to you every Sunday be sure to sign up for my weekly newsletter here!
A First-Time Thrifter Turned Designer
When I say this was Matt's first time thrifting with me, I mean it! He walked the aisles with me and enjoyed about 5 minutes of it.....LOL! He found this tray, scuffed and a little sad, but he liked the size and functionality of it.
So in the basket it went.... and he was ready to go! I did make him hang with me until our basket was full! I'm hoping the thrifting aspect grows on him over time!
Supplies Used: Thrifted Wooden Serving Tray Makeover
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Thrifted Wooden Serving Tray Makeover
Opting Out of Priming
Matt gave the tray a good clean with White Lightning, saw no signs of oil or grime that couldn't be wiped away, so he opted for going straight to paint! Which is the beauty of Dixie Belle's Chalk Mineral Paint! It adheres beautifully to ANYTHING. As long as you aren't fighting a slick surface, bleed through from wood tannins, odors or pesky stains, you can just paint!
Painting the Sunburst Pattern
He used two coats of a soothing off-off white color called Drop Cloth.
His contrasting color is Caviar....my favorite velvety black from this paint line.
He simply drew out an "X" on the tray using a ruler and a pencil....and continued to divide it into even sections until he liked the size of the triangles.
It's important to remember when painting patterns in two colors....that you divide into EVEN sections!
Once he was happy with his design, he traced over the pencil lines with a sharpie marker. This sets the pencil lines so you don't have smearing.... as well as sets a nice border that offers security and confidence when trying to paint straight lines. It's a great tip to help those that struggle with a steady hand or lack experience with straight lines.
He then just filled in every other triangle with Caviar paint!
It was a last minute decision to paint the stripes on the outside lip of the tray in liquid leaf gold. His original plan was to keep them black. I REALLY love the touch of gold.....it seems to elevate the whimsical design!
He finished off the entire tray in Satin Clear Coat for lasting durability.
Knowing and using the correct painting supplies makes all the difference...
Challenges and Triumphs!
Like every creative project, there were a few moments of hesitation and frustration. Detailed designs can test your patience, especially when it's your first time. But Matt stayed with it, took his time, and pushed through those moments.... and the end result is absolutely stunning!
That's what creativity is really about.... showing up, trying something new and finishing strong!
Thrifted Wooden Serving Tray: From Trash to Treasure
This gorgeous designer tray now lives in our bedroom, and every time I see it, I smile. Not just because it's beautiful, but because it's' a symbol of creativity, teamwork and second chances for both people and things!
So Here's My Encouragement for You
Don't throw something away just because it looks outdated.
Don't pass up that garage sale or thrift store find just because someone else didn't want it.
If you love the shape, the size, or the purpose..... you can always paint it and make it amazing again!
More Inspiration: Thrifted Home Decor
I pulled a few blogs from past projects that came to mind when working on this piece! I hope you can use them to draw inspiration for your upcoming project. Here are the additional designs for your inspiration:
Whimsical Holiday Serving Tray - another Goodwill thrift flip find
Painted TV Trays - customized trays that are fun and functional
Floral Wooden Centerpiece Tray - scrap wood box turned sophisticated centerpiece
Be sure to browse the following blogs for many more whimsical home decor gift ideas!
Click on any photo below for more up-close photos and all the design details
JOIN ME FOR MORE...
Curiously Creative
If you enjoyed this and want more of a deep dive into home decor and DIY processes, I would love it if you joined my exclusive online creative group, Curiously Creative. I show up LIVE to guide you through every step of updating, upcycling, crafting, and creating on-trend home decor and gift-giving ideas!
Better Together
Join Matt and me every Wednesday night for LIVE thrift flipping! Ww offer weekly LIVE videos (Wednesdays at 7 pm cst) as we upcycle and dress up items we find from our local thrift shops using paint and other upcycling materials..... as a way to network with others while settling into our new empty nesters lifestyle.
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