Thursday, July 30, 2009

Picture a Tray

The only negative thing about making a door into a table is that the uneven surface makes it difficult to display things. I could have topped it with glass, but seriously, who wants to have that additional cost, let alone clean a glass surface constantly.
My solution for creating an even surface is to
use a tray.
Oh how I love trays!
I'm pretty sure I have at least a couple of dozen of them, silver ones, wooden ones, store bought and handmade. But I thought I'd make one more.
I took out a wooden picture frame
from my stash.
Then had hubby cut and glue a piece of
scrap beadboard to fit the opening
(he enjoys taking part in my projects). I gave it a pretty coat of spray paint. And then gave it a good distressing.
My technique for distressing is pretty simple. I start by using my palm sander and scuffing up the areas that would naturally show wear, the edges, corners and under the handles. If I had used brush-on paint, I might have rubbed those areas with wax before painting so that the paint would wipe off easily to show the original layer. To add more character, I use a paint scraper. With both the sander and the scraper I make sure to vary the scuffs, heavy in some spots and lighter, or not at all, in others. If the scuffs are too uniform it doesn't look natural.
I then finish with a coat of stain or diluted brown paint.
I like working with water-based stains and paints because I can spray on a little water and wipe off as much stain as I desire. I try to leave stain in the corners and low areas that would naturally attract dirt and grime over years.Once dry, I added two old drawer handles. I could have added knobs, wooden balls or finials to the bottom for feet like I did on this tray, but I need my picture frame tray to have as much bottom surface area as possible. My new tray is beautiful and serves as a nice flat area on my door table to set my burlap lamp and other pretties.

22 comments:

Brenda said...

I love your table! When I have uneven surfaces or surfaces that I want to preserve, I use a glass top, it works great!

AnNicole@Our Suburban Cottage said...

You crack me up. "Oh I just made a tray out of a picture frame and some leftover beadboard"...like it was no big deal! My jaw is hanging open. You are AMAZING!

Recaptured Charm said...

I absolutely love the beadboard idea on the frame. Can you tell me which blue color you used? Love the way it came out with the brown on top.
Great job!
Lisa

The Weathered Cottage said...

that's adorable! I'm guessing you used American Accents Aqua! I just used it on a frame and was planning the same technique (well...minus the tray part!) great job though!

Joy said...

Hi Friends!
Lisa, Aubree is correct! I used
A.A. Aqua. Love the color! I'm planning on using it on another BIG project soon.

Ceekay-THINKIN of HOME said...

I love your table and what a great job on the tray....yep, I just throw a few of those together at least once a week! If I want a tray...and I would love a couple, I will have to find them someplace...but yours are nicer!

Julie said...

Can I just come be in your presence for a day and maybe some of that fabulous creativity will just rub off, maybe just a little will!!! you are awesome!

Jennifer {Studio JRU} said...

What a great idea to make a tray from a frame!! It turned out so neat!

Kim @ Starshine Chic said...

I have a trunk that is uneven like your table. I've used silver trays before, but I think I'm going to make me a tray out of a picture frame like yours. I love it!!!

Home as Hobby said...

Your try looks amazing! I think that with a little robin's egg blue paint & elbow grease, everything looks better! Way to got girl (love the burlap lamp as well!).

Kendra @ Domestic Princess in Training said...

It turned out wonderfully! I just bought an old cabinet door at Goodwill today. I’ve been thinking about what color I want to paint it but hopefully I will tackle it next week. Seeing yours give me the kick in the butt I need to get it done and not let it sit around and collect dust!

gail@My Repurposed Life said...

gotta love frames and bead board! :)
Great job!

Janalee Hubbard said...

You really need to open up a shop and sell all of these handmade treasures you create. Oh, the fun you would have decorating your own shop! And the fun we would have shopping in it!

Decor To Adore said...

I truly love this table/tray! I use trays on uneven surfaces as well. They are fabulous.

Karen said...

It turned out great, and I love the practicality of it! Karen

arkie said...

Love the tray!

Free Art Printables said...

It looks great Joy!

Anita said...

Great work! I have some old frames with no glass...and I wasn't wanting to buy the glass...so this is perfect. Thanks for the inspiration.

Anita

Anonymous said...

Pictures are good... i liked your table...

___________________
Melvin
Getting a Payday advance is just a few steps away

Kathy C. said...

Ohhh! I don't hav a door table (yet), but I love the tray and am going to definitely make one. Very cool. :)

Melissa said...

Hi Joy! I linked up to your trays on my blog today~I love all these ideas!

clarescoffeetime said...

I love the picture frame-turns into tray idea!! I love trays but never thought of making my own!! thanks!!

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