Hello awesome friends! Are y’all ready to continue wading through this lot of thrift store treasures with me?
First I want to wish my sweet Mama a very Happy Birthday!!
Ya’ll might remember when we surprised her a couple of years ago for her 70th birthday. I shared a quick clip of the surprise here:
Two of our siblings and their children had flown in for the surprise so she was really surprised!
Happy Birthday, Mom!!
Ok let’s get to it!
I had a couple of requests to share the silver tray next, so I am back today sharing what became of it.
Here is how it looked before:
Something happened to this beauty at some point, and I’m not sure there was a fix for that discoloration. I see a lot of silver pieces at thrift stores, but this tray in particular caught my eye because not only were the curvy lines of it beautiful, but it had four dainty feet to elevate it just so as well. And even though it was a bit pricey at $6.98 for the condition it was in, I really wanted to bring it home and give it some love!
I’ve included a few affiliate links so you can find the products I love.
Now there isn’t much you can do to a metal tray to transform it except paint it, so I did my best to turn it into a piece that someone might love again:
I stayed with my beloved white for this dainty piece because no other color seemed appropriate for it, but I added my favorite stripes for a sweet new look:
And there’s those dainty feet I mentioned…
Before taking a brush to this tray, I cleaned the surface with lysol wipes and let it dry. Then I busted out my small HomeRight spray shelter and gave it a good coat of spray primer:
Yes my poor spray shelter has been used a lot, I mean A LOT.
Don’t rush the paint job on these metal pieces. I let this dry completely overnight. Then I gave it two coats of DIY chalk paint in Behr’s Bit of Sugar made into DIY chalk paint. (Recipe HERE.)
Again, I let that dry until the next day. Then I used FrogTape for delicate surfaces to add the stripes:
I found this jar of Fusion Mineral Paint in Pebble in my paint cabinet. It is a soft gray and just perfect for this piece. I pulled the tape off immediately after my second coat went on:
Once that was dry, I sanded very lightly using 220 grit sandpaper wrapped around an old sanding block. Then I sealed with Annie Sloan’s clear soft wax.
These trays have the prettiest details…
This would be sweet on a dresser, on a coffee table, just about anywhere now, whereas the silver wasn’t quite as versatile.
Only a few more small pieces left from this thrift store lot!
Now that this group of fun finds is almost complete, did y’all enjoy seeing these pieces transformed one by one like this? It made it easier for me since I knew I had to choose something from this group to work on next.
If you missed what I made over for my Mom for Mother’s Day, it was this lovely cabinet I found at the thrift store:
See how I redid this cabinet just for her HERE!
I’ll be back on Thursday with the magazine rack:
And the spice rack!
It’ll be a two-for since they’re smaller pieces. 🙂
UPDATE: See these two simple makeovers HERE now!
If you missed any of the previous redos from this haul, you can find them all linked below:
80’s Towel Bar Shelf Repurposed
Pretty Thrift Store Mirror Makeover
$2 Thrift Store Drawer Upcycle
Thrift Store Picture Repurposed
XO,
Don’t Miss a Thing!
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Holly says
I was so surprised to hear a Scottish accent ! A very happy birthday to your mum from someone “back home”.
And I live your makeovers.
Christy says
Thank you so much, Holly! I will pass on your birthday wishes…she’ll love that! XOXO
Mary Kaiser says
Ok, This is my favorite. I Love how this turned out. It is amazing now. I just saw a tray at my thrift store just like it, I didn’t get it because the “Vintage” tag was 14.99. To rich for my blood, but if the price drops I will own it. Thanks for the great inspiration!!
Christy says
Aww yay…I’m so happy you like this one, Mary! Wow yes $14.99 is too pricey for me too! Hopefully they’ll mark it down! XOXO
Sheila DelCharco says
I *love* this and may just have to find my own silver tray to transform magically with paint! Yes, I like seeing the pile of stuff and then you work on them one by one! That’s fun for me. Is it good accountability for yoU?
Christy says
Thank you, Sheila! I see a lot of silver pieces when I’m thrifting. I’m so glad to hear you’ve enjoyed seeing these pieces each transformed. It has been great accountability for me! XOXO
Janice Holt says
What a beautiful tray. I see them at thrift stores but will now certainly be looking for one with the little feet. Love that you have several things and working through them.
Christy says
Thank you, Janice! I’ll be keeping my eyes open for another like this as well. I’m glad to hear you like seeing these pieces worked through one by one. Looking for new pieces now! XOXO
Christiane Lavoie says
Thanks for the tip. I will try that on a silver plate that I have been keeping in my cupboard for a long time.
Christy says
My pleasure, Christiane! Good luck! XO
Christina in SW FL says
Christy, the tray turned out beautifully! 🙂 The stripes were a brilliant add. You saved her!! 🙂
Christy says
Thank you, Christina!! XOXO
httpsConnie://www.confessionCom/folding-screen-makeover/ says
I am so happy to read how you did that tray. I sit with the old set that went with your tray. I was going to paint the tray and coffee and tea pot,sugar and creamer black, but the white looks so great! I think I might do mine in blue chalk paint.
Christy says
Ooh that sounds lovely!! XO
Paige Webb says
You are absolutely amazing and inspiring. My favorite DIYer to follow. Wish I could just scoop you up and bring you to fix my home.
Please keep sharing as you give the best ideas.
Christy says
Aww you made my night with your sweet words, Paige! Thank you so much! XOXO
Venturagirl@heart says
Turned out cute. I could see this as a chalkboard middle in black with the silver edges showing too. Hang it on the wall as a fancy blackboard.
Christy says
Thanks! That’s a great idea!!
Ange says
As always GREAT finds, and GREAT transformations! That tray would look nice on my dresser. ????
Christy says
Thank you, Ange!! I would love to see this in a bedroom! XOXO
Barbara Warner says
Christy,
You were absolutely right. This tray would have been gorgeous when it was a anew silver piece, and you have brought it back to life with your white paint and gray chic stripes. I think it is beautiful once again. I love the way you have modernized it. Your stripes came out perfectly – a technique I must learn to master. It seems my paint lines are always a little fuzzy. I, too, love the little feet on this tray. This is a keeper!
Christy says
Thanks so much, Barbara! The tape makes a big difference…I love FrogTape! XOXO
Nancy @ Artsy Chicks Rule says
I love the stripes!!! And beautifully staged, as usual! xoxo
Christy says
Thank you, Nancy!! You know I love some stripes!! XOXO
Wendy Howell says
Love the new look! I find so much inspiration from your posts, I just wish I could be as ambitious. I have so many pieces of “old stuff” just waiting to be made pretty again lol.
Christy says
Thank you SO much, Wendy!! I am guilty too…I have a room of things needing a rescue, but it’s so much more fun looking for new finds to redo! XOXO
Lizzy Leff says
I inherited a couple of silver trays and they’ve been in the closet ever since. Unfortunately, they don’t have feet like yours, but this is great inspiration to do something with them. Your piece is so sweet & pretty!
Christy says
Thank you, Lizzy! Yes dig those trays out, girl! XOXO
sharon austin says
Hah! I bought three of these, very similar to this one, in different sizes, with feet and all at a yard sale last October for $6!! They were left over from the estate of a dentist and they just wanted to get rid of them so they took any number I threw at them, lol. Used them on the dessert table at our annual Halloween party with black cloth napkins draped on them. I may have to try this with one of them, now! Very cute!!
Christy says
Wow you got a great deal on your trays! I love deals like that, and I bet they really dressed up your party table! XOXO
Kimberly says
Sweet tray, so much better! I passed up a magazine rack like yours recently, and I am sure I will be kicking myself when I see how wonderful you make yours!
Christy says
Thanks, Kimberly! I loved the petite size of that magazine rack and it turned out cute! See you with it on Thursday! XO
Char Fisher says
The tray is so classy! Love the white and stripes! After seeing what you did the next time I see a silver tray…cheap that is and usually are….I won’t pass it by! Wonderful project!
Christy says
Thank you, Char! Yes grab it up if you see one! XOXO
Debra A Wise says
The tray’s a beauty! That spot looks like what I did to a silver tray I got and tried to clean it with silver polish. Poured alot of polish on and when I rubbed/rinsed it off it had a spot just like yours. Think it ate the silverplate off. Now I can take mine out of the storage shed and know what to do with it. You’ve really knocked out that list of items.
Christy says
Thanks, Debra! Oh maybe that’s what happened to this one. Yes dig yours out and paint it! I’ve really enjoyed working through this lot! XOXO
Heidi says
What a lovely transformation! My home does not suit too many painted furniture pieces, but this tray would be perfect. Thanks for sharing.
Christy says
Thank you, Heidi! XOXO
Rose Lefebvre says
Does the paint scratch off easily? I never thought of paint on metal.
Christy says
I tried to scratch the finish off on the bottom and it’s on there good! I think the primer first is key! XO
Cherie says
Yes, I loved seeing your thrift store haul redone one by one. Of all the DIY blogs I read, yours is definitely the most inspirational and informative. Thank you !!
Christy says
Wow thank you, Cherie! I appreciate that so much, and I’m glad you enjoyed seeing each project redone in this haul! XO
At Rivercrest Cottage says
This is a wonderful idea! I’m hitting my head and thinking why didn’t I think of that. I’ve painted the insides black chalkboard, but just didn’t think about doing the legs.
Christy says
Thank you, Sugar! I love the idea to paint the insides with chalkboard paint too! XOXO
Carrie says
I absolutely love reading your posts. You have such inspiring ideas. Thank you for sharing!
Christy says
Thank you, Carrie! I appreciate that so much! XOXO
Riza says
Hello Cristy,
I love your blog and brilliant ideas! I absolutely darn love how you turn those beasts into beauties.
Christy says
Thank you so much, Riza! I appreciate that so much! XO
Kathy says
Love love this tray…it’s those little feet and all the details on try…awesome job…love your make overs…sorry so late…my computer was acting up, I’m a bit behind in reading my emails..keep up the good work!!
Christy says
Thank you so much, Kathy! So glad you could make it back to visit! XOXO
Karen Wisnovsky says
Just found this post about the silver tray DIY …. older silver pieces who have lost their luster can easily be replayed or re-silvered. Pieces that have character and beautiful or unusual “lines” are well worth it. Typically not expensive (not as cheap as painting). If keeping it polished you can always have it coated. Alas, so many people these days, most especially the young adults, think silver is too formal but will, at the Christmas holidays pay big bucks for mercury glass …. hummmmm
-K
Christy says
Funny…you’re right about people really loving the mercury glass, but not being into the silver pieces. Unfortunately, there are a ton of silver pieces in the thrift stores. I was glad to give one of them a new chance to be loved again. 🙂
Natalie says
What would think of a twenty fifth wedding anniversary silver tea/coffee set. It’s plated not sterling so has turned ugly. I dream oh using gold …..can’t think of thin foil… it would be costly but think it would be beautiful and I could pass it down. As it is nobody would want it.
Christy says
It’s yours so you should do with it whatever makes you happy! You could turn it into something you love again! I think that could be beautiful! XO
Linda says
The little feet! Where do I get???
Christy says
Hi Linda! This tray came with the feet already attached…sorry! XO