Hello, amazing friends, and welcome back! I have an easy decoupaged tray makeover to share with you today. I found this ugly tray at the thrift store for $3.99:
I don’t know what kind of faux finish they were going for but it looks like it was rescued from a fire!
I’ve included a few affiliate links so you can find the products I love. Redesign with Prima products are often limited time only, so items may be sold out if you are visiting this post long after the posting date.
Clean
Nothing black came off while cleaning though, so I’m pretty sure this was just the look they were going for.
I cleaned using my go-to paint prep cleaner, White Lightning:
It comes in a powder form that you mix with water (one TBSP to a half gallon of warm water) or a ready-to-use formula. I prefer to mix the powder for a thorough cleaning. Either way, be sure to rinse with clean water after to remove any residue. Gloves are recommended.
Paint
I needed to banish that terrible finish, and to do that, I gave it a quick coat of Fluff:
I have this pretty, new Tender Tones Decoupage paper in mind for this and I thought this might go well with it:
Adding the Decoupage Paper
Once I had the tray painted and lightly sanded, I moved on to cutting the paper. I like to do that with this rotary cutter and mat set that gives me perfectly straight cuts every time:
Then I removed the creases using a hairdryer on the WARM setting:
(I do have to hold the paper while doing this. I usually wedge it between my belly and the table and then hold it at the top lol.)
Next, it was time to apply the paper! I did that by first laying down a coat of Redesign’s Decoupage Gel in Matte that I applied using a 2″ Foam N Dandy brush:
Once I had my paper laid, I added another coat on top:
I did love this paper with the white:
However, I’ve been wanting to use a color from Dixie Belle’s newest Chalk Mineral Paint release, and I thought it might be pretty with this paper!
It’s called Blue Grass:
So, I taped off the paper all the way around the edge (this was the next day after applying the paper, so it was dry at this point), and got to painting:
I removed the tape as soon as the second coat went on, while the paint was still wet…
Sand and Seal
I sanded lightly with a fine grit sanding sponge since I did not want any distressing and then sealed with Clear Coat in Satin, covering the paper as well for a little extra protection:
A brush worked best over the paper.
Easy Decoupaged Tray Makeover Reveal
Here is how this sooty looking tray turned out:
While y’all know I loved the white (of course!), I’m so glad I finally got to use this pretty color!
And did you notice the embellishments I added?
Of course I had to add some more pretty to take it up a notch!
I did that by casting a couple of pieces with the Josephine Mould:
I used Amazing Casting Resin in my mould to make them and then painted them in the same Blue Grass color:
After sealing, I glued them using E6000 glue to the area above the handles that gave this tray away as a boring, wood tray:
I let them dry overnight, holding them in place with spring clamps.
Then, I highlighted the details with gold Gilding Wax:
Pretty!
And the feet I added to the bottom add another pretty detail. I found them on Amazon HERE just like this:
As you can see I painted those as well, then sealed, gilded, and attached using E6000 glue as well:
They add a touch of elegance!
But let’s see that paper!
This paper is so pretty!
It has more of an aqua background, but this color really pulled out the greens…
Decoupage paper is such an easy way to update a tray! Here it is without anything on it:
I’m curious if y’all prefer the Fluff or the Blue Grass color with this paper?
Either way, it’s done!
Another piece crossed off the list!
See anything you may have missed or revisit favorites below:
Crusty, Dusty Mini Suitcase makeover
Coastal Shelf Makeover with Reclaimed Wood
$5 Buffet Lamp Set Makeover with Decoupage Paper
Chunky Side Table Makeover
Black and Gold Jewelry Box Makeover
Painted Dresser with a Stained Top Makeover
Lamp Set Makeover
Painting the Smalls #36
Painted Lingerie Chest Makeover
Update an Upholstered Bench
Update a Mirror with Paint and Transfers
Painted Drop Leaf Side Table
Painting the Smalls Yard Sale Edition
Vintage Cane Chair Makeover
Dated Coastal Lamps
Home Interiors Shelf Makeover
How to Change the Bottom of a Dresser
$3 Yard Sale Wall Shelf Makeover
Plant Stand Makeover
Freebie French Chair
Oak Pedestal Table
**Shop News**
In Etsy Shop news, Redesign is releasing all their HOLIDAY MOULDS today at 11:00 am EST!! Perfect for all you makers out there! They will be available for purchase at that time in my Etsy Shop!!
I’ll send out a separate email linking to all the new goodies around that time!
And I’ll see y’all back here bright and early on Tuesday with a round of smalls!
Update: I had planned a round of smalls, but this table is getting redo #2 instead:
See if you prefer makeover #2 HERE!
Have a fantastic weekend!
XOXO,
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Mary Kaiser says
Oh it is amazing now! I liked it with the white, but love it with the Blue Grass! Good call changing it! I especially love the molds and the feet you added to it, it really elevates it to another level! I am sure that tray is happy it is not so ugly now!
Christy says
Thank you, my friend! I’m so glad I got to try that pretty color! And yes, it is a long way from where it started, so I’m sure that tray is happy about that lol! XOXO
Janice Redden says
Christy, you nailed it! I can’t imagine what “look” the previous owner had in mind — maybe Halloween? Anyway,you saved it and gave it beauty and grace. Love the new deco paper and the Josephine mould is the perfect touch, along with the feet…
It’s a toss up – Fluff or Blue Grass, but I did love the Fluff for it’s breezy bright look; the Blue Grass is perfect to ease into Fall tones….
Christy says
Thank you, Janice! Oh yes…Halloween would have been a great use for the previous look lol! I really loved the white also, but yes, the blue does work well for fall! XOXO
Abbe Kemack says
So sweet and simple but what a transformation!
I liked the Fluff too but the Bluegrass truly brought the look together…you know like a needed rug. Haha
And the embellishments, perfection Christy.
Thank you always,
Abbe K
Christy says
Thank you, Abbe! It sure did look like it needed a hug ha ha! XOXO
Karen C. says
Christy,
Love the color and your added details! Gorgeous paper, too! I would say that was a trash to treasure project.😊
I love seeing all your amazing transformations!
Christy says
Thank you, Karen…a real trash-to-treasure fro sure! I’m so happy that you enjoy what I share! XOXO
Jackie C says
those extra adornments that you add set your pieces apart. Beautiful. I’m glad you used that color, I’ve been wanting to see what it looked like. I love it. Have a great day, friend.
Christy says
Aww thank you, my friend! You know I couldn’t stop at just paint and paper lol. This color is lovely! XOXO
Irene Sokol says
I like the Blue Grass color with that paper, of course it depends on the room it is to be displayed in. I would lose the handle decoration, just doesn’t fit, looks like a second though.
Christy says
Thanks for your input, Irene! XO
Cecilia says
I love the Blue Grass version! So pretty with that paper! And of course all the extra touches just add that special oomph. So.much.better! Blue Grass is such a pretty color.
😍
Christy says
Thank you, Cecilia! I’m so happy I got to finally use that color on something! Have a lovely weekend! XOXO
Pam Trinch says
You are a GENIUS at staging. Maybe you could write a post with staging tips?
Love your work and your blog.
Christy says
Aww I appreciate that so much, Pam! That is one of my favorite parts of sharing my projects! Thank you! XOXO
Debbie Pokerwinski says
LOVELY! The accessories add the perfect touch!
Christy says
Thanks so much, Debbie! XOXO
Marcie Lovett says
I liked the white but the green is so rich, it makes the tray look more substantial, if that makes sense. Good move, Christy, especially with that beautiful paper. There are so many choices now, it’s hard to pick!
Christy says
Thank you, Marcie! I agree that the green is more rich…totally makes sense! And yes, I have too much to choose from having access to everything ha ha! XOXO
Cyndi says
Oh, this is so pretty! Great idea about adding the moulds to a tray. I would never have thought of using them on something like this! (And I have that mould, so I’m going to start thinking “outside the box” and see where else I can use it. 🙂 )
Christy says
I’m so glad you like it, Cyndi, thank you! That is such a great mould! XOXO
p says
I like the Blue Grass color. soft / soothing.
It allows the deco paper to take center stage. I always love your special touches. The feet and the moulds add to the new elegant feel.
It’s fun to see new colors 🙂
Christy says
Thank you, P! The extras add so much! And I love having new colors to play with! Have a lovely weekend! XOXO
Alex says
Everything you refinish always turned out so pretty and amazing! I love seeing every project you are able to complete. You made something so simple look elegant and more expensive. Thanks so much for always giving me the inspiration I need to get my own projects done!
Christy says
Thank you, Alex! This was a fun challenge! XOXO
Michele M. says
WOW! What a gorgeous transformation, Christy! I love that paper and absolutely love that new color. Well done – truly looks incredible.
Christy says
Thank you, Michele! A real trash to treasure! XOXO
Rebecca Payne says
Gorgeous. Awesome job 👏
Christy says
Thank you, Rebecca! XOXO
Mariele says
It looks gorgeous afterwards! But oh heavens, you are right, how else would you describe that old finish other than “faux fire survivor”?! Maybe they just used it for overspray on another project or something??
Christy says
Ha ha, right? What even was that?? It didn’t appear that anything was sprayed on it…just a really awful faux finish, I think lol. Thanks, Mariele! XOOX
Debra Hubbs says
So pretty! I love that new color paint. This came out so nice with your addition of mold trims and feet.
Christy says
Thank you, Debra! I’m so glad I finally had a piece to try that color on! XOXO
Anita says
Love this upscaled tray, Christy! I laughed when you suggested it looked as though it had been rescued from a fire — it totally did! 😅
I really did love the white with the transfer, but the blue grass is pretty unique. And I love blues and greens, so this is a win. I love the extra details you added (handle moulds and feet). And the gilding looks so good with this colour. So beautiful! Thank you for sharing.
Christy says
Thank you, Anita! The white was pretty bright with that paper in person, but after seeing the photos of it, I really did like it as well. But yes, this pretty color added an elegant touch, I think, especially with the extras and the gilding. So many possibilities, especially when it can only get batter ha ha! XOXO