I pulled out all the stops on this project and did four special paint techniques on four wood trays.
Thrifty Trays
It’s another edition of Thrift Store Décor. My favorite themed tour because I love to work with thrifty finds.
Four Wood Trays
My thrifty finds are the four wood trays I found at my favorite junk shop. They were three dollars each. Can’t beat that. Do the trays look heavy to you? They each weigh between 10 and 11 pounds. I know because I weighed them on my new vintage kitchen scale!
I felt like experimenting the day I painted the trays. I played around with different paint finishes and techniques. But the thing that takes the wood trays from ho-hum to fun isn’t the paint….it’s the handles.
I selected a different paint color for each tray. Then I used various products on the trays to make each of them special. I promise to share the paint technique for each tray next week. I like all of the trays but if I had to pick a favorite it would probably be the black one.
Four Special Paint Techniques
I found belts at the local thrift store for $1 to $2 each. I cut them up and used upholstery tacks to attach them to the trays. I saw this idea somewhere months or years ago and loved the look. I was searching for drawer pulls for the trays when I remembered the belt idea.
I took the trays to my booth at the shop and I made a comment on the tags…..the handles are decorative! I don’t think those tacked on handles would hold the weight of the trays but they might. The belt handles could be nailed or screwed on but I like the decorative tacks.
Update – Tutorial for the special paint finishes is here….just click….How to Use Waxes and Toners.
Time to see what my favorite thrifty girls have for us today. Just click those pink text links below.
Our Southern Home – Magazine Rack Makeover
My Repurposed Life – Small Footstool Makeover
Domestically Speaking – Holiday Scarf Wreath
Have a great day!
Michelle says
Those handles do make such a big difference Kathy and I’m loving your experimental paint techniques. I can’t really decide which one I like more, but I think I’m leaning towards the blue. I’ve always been partial towards blue and brown
Ann Burke says
Where is the post for the technique for the blackish tray?
Wish to copy
Tks
A
Kathy Owen says
Hi Ann, I haven’t written the post for that yet. Hopefully it will be coming on Tuesday! Stay tuned.
Angie ~ ambient wares says
I love these and the belt idea is great! I love adding things to my stash of stuff and leather belts will definitely be something I’ll use in future projects! Thanks! Pinning 🙂
Marie from The Interior Frugalista says
Love all four finishes equally, Kathy and would have a hard time picking just one from your booth. The leather handles are perfect too. Pinning to share.
Linda Kaplan says
really like it
Bliss says
I LOVE every one of them! Miss you guys too.
gail says
Your trays look awesome Kathy! I just picked up a couple of great belts for .50 each last week for this very purpose. 🙂
I love the colors.
gail
Joan Polly says
Love the trays. I’ll be looking forward to your post where you talk about the different paint techniques. Black one is extra awesome.
Cindy says
These are fantastic 10-11 pounds each, like weight training. Can’t wait to read painting techniques
Cindy
Maryann @ Domestically Speaking says
I love all four of those trays Kathy… and the leather handles… LOVE!
Angie Walsh says
Love it ! You always come up with the greatest idea’s.
Kelly Newman says
One of my favorites! Thanks for sharing?
EFFIE CARROLL says
Love the trays. Would never have thought to use belts. They look great.
Linda at Mixed Kreations says
I love the tray’s! They all turned out really nice. I like the handles with the decorative tacks. I wouldn’t be carrying them around, I would use for decorative purposes. I can’t pick a favorite, I like them all. Can’t wait to learn your technique’s.