Hello lovelies! I have a rather unique piece from my latest haul to share with you today. I found this vintage folding tray and Easel at the thrift store for $6.99:
I loved it immediately and knew it would be coming home with me.
So charming, right?
Clean
As always, this project started with a good cleaning with White Lightning:
Prime with BOSS
I was fearful of the red in this wood bleeding through, so to be cautious, I added one coat of BOSS in white (also available in Clear and Gray!) first:
BOSS requires time to do its thing, so I let it sit overnight. (If you see pink come through, that is OKAY!! Just allow it to dry at least overnight, and then paint like normal the next day.)
Paint
I chose this gorgeous minty green that I love so much, Mint Julep:
This piece had lots of odd parts to paint, but I just took my time. One coat covered pretty well, but I gave it two.
Sand
Once the paint was dry, I sanded lightly all over with 220 grit sandpaper. I opt for traditional sandpaper when I want a distressed look, but if not, these sanding sponges smooth out the paint perfectly without distressing.
Adding the pretty!
I could just stop here and seal and this makeover would be complete. But, I always want to add more pretty!
That means transfers!!
I chose this gorgeous Trellis Flowers transfer that has sadly been discontinued:
I had a couple of pieces left over from a project I used it on last year. When I did have it for sale, it wasn’t a big seller, but I’m not sure why. It is so beautiful!
Once I had that where I wanted it, I sealed with Clear Coat in Satin. I did use my brush this time to get into all those places.
The After
And how does this sweet vintage tray and easel look now??
First, as a tray:
Super cute in this fun color!
And the legs do fold up to make it flat.
Here is the top before:
And after:
I love this transfer against the minty green…
I didn’t sand the original flowers away. I painted right over them and added this transfer right over the top.
This tray actually opens up…
It has this mechanism that allows it to be used as an easel:
Here it is as an easel:
It could be used for reading, for your tablet, etc.
Because the top is now flipped around, I needed a transfer that could work both ways…
This one was perfect!
One more done yay!
See what you’ve missed so far below!
Framed Cubby Shelf Makeover
Update a Picnic Basket with Decoupage
Painted Metal Quilt Rack
Vintage Brother Sewing Machine Cabinet Makeover
Child’s Chair Makeover
Painted Console Table
French Provincial Dresser Makeover
This is the other piece I used this transfer on:
See what it looks like now HERE!!
I’ll be back on Tuesday sharing where these pieces are now!
They were in my booth way too long, so they all got a redo!
UPDATE: See them all HERE now, and find out if they sold!
Have a wonderful weekend!
XOXO,
Don’t Miss a Thing!
If you like what you see, there are several ways to follow along!
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Janet says
“I could just stop here”.
Yes. about as easily as you could stop breathing:)
You always know the exact amount of flourish and restraint to create a gorgeous addition to a home.
Thank you for sharing your gift
Christy says
Aw I appreciate that so much, Janet! Thank you!! XOXO
Kristy says
I have a vintage tray just like that one but it is yellow. I love the yellow but after seeing your transformation I may have to paint mine and put a lovely transfer on it. Thank you for sharing all your makeover projects.
Christy says
Ooh I bet it is pretty in yellow too! It is always a pleasure to share, and I’m so glad you enjoy them! XOXO
Patricia says
What a great find. The finished product was beautiful for a great vintage piece. I loved it.
Christy says
Thank you, Patricia! I thought that green felt kind of vintage. XOXO
Vicki Bray says
That is such a unique piece! The transfer was perfect. Lovely color with the white flowers. Hope everyone is healthy or on the mend!
Christy says
Right? It took me a minute to figure it out, but it is really neat. Thanks, Vicki…things around here are better than yesterday, so that is a good sign! XOXO
Connie says
Love the color and the new but still vintage look you gave it!
I have never seen a tray that unique. A special find indeed!
Christy says
Thank you, Connie! I knew that was definitely coming home with me…very unique for sure! XOXO
Cyndi says
I literally heard myself whisper, “Ooo!” when I saw that transfer. I’m so disappointed that it’s discontinued! This is SO cute!
Christy says
What a bummer this transfer is no longer being made, right? It didn’t sell very well when I had it, but it is SO pretty! Thanks, Cyndi! XOXO
Liz Shivel says
Hi Christy, this is a very sweet tray with lots of uses as it flips up. Don’t laugh… but I grew up in the 1950’s, and our bathroom tub, toilet & sink were this mint green! 😁
Christy says
That is so funny, Liz! People sure were bold with their color choices back then, but it sounds better than the harvest palette of the 70’s that I grew up with ha ha! XOXO
Shari L Clines says
I love this! Transfers are one of my favorite things, you can add something beautiful to anthing!
Christy says
Thank you, Shari! Exactly! Transfers add so much! XOXO
Vangie Batson says
Love it. Many uses. Look great!
Christy says
Thank you, Vangie! XOXO
Catharine Windmueller says
What a clever piece!! Your transformation is darling and perfect for this fabulous find!
Christy says
Thanks so much, Catharine! XOXO
Debra Hubbs says
This is so pretty! I’ve never seen a tray like this that turns into an easel.
Christy says
Thanks, Debra! It is so unique! XOXO
Lizzy says
Really cute and I love the color.
Christy says
Thank you, Lizzy! This color feels kind of vintage to me, so I thought it would be perfect for this piece. XOXO
Susan Pease says
What a steal and the perfect colors! Well done!
Christy says
Thanks so much, Susan! XOXO
Caye Cooper says
OMGosh!! That is just the neatest thing, Christy. I love it. It’s sooo pretty!
If I had known about that transfer, I would certainly order it. Do you have any left to sell?
Christy says
Isn’t it so neat? I’m so glad I got to it before anyone else did lol. I don’t have anymore of this transfer unfortunately, but you may be able to find another seller on Etsy who does. Thanks, Caye! XOXO
Teresa Sole says
Boy! That’s just beautiful! I love the green with the fresh colors of the flowers. Great choice!
Christy says
Thanks so much, Teresa! XOXO
Rebecca says
GORGEOUS! I love the color and floral pattern.
Christy says
Thank you, Rebecca! XOXO
Addie says
I have this exact bed table. It is in this same green…maybe a tiny bit more blue in it. I know it is the original color because it belonged to my grandma and nothing has been done to it. It even has a small floral decal on it!!!! HA!!
Good job.
Christy says
That is SO funny! I chose this color because it has a vintage feel to me, so I thought it would work well on this vintage piece. Who knew it came in that color originally! Enjoy that sweet treasure! XOXO
ROBIN GREEN says
LOVE THE CLEAN CRISP LOOK YOU GAVE IT. NICELY DONE!!!
ARE YOU DOING HALLOWEEN?
Christy says
Thanks so much, Robin! Yes! Halloween is up and I will share soon! XOXO
Rose Lefebvre says
I have never seen one that can be adjusted for reading! Cool. I like it!
Christy says
Isn’t it so neat? I had never seen one like it either! Thanks, Rose! XOXO
Mary Kaiser says
It is so beautiful now! The paint and transfer look so good together! To bad Brennan is sick, tell him to feel better soon!
Christy says
Thank you, Mary! I will pass on your well wishes! XOXO
Petra says
Oh my goodness – this tray is actually awesome 🙂 The colour you’ve painted it is perfect for it, and that stencil takes it to the next level. I would SO buy this off you if I lived there!
Christy says
Right?? It is such a cool piece! I’m so glad I got to it first ha ha. Thank you, Petra!! XOXO
Ellen Shook says
This is really pretty! I think this is a bed tray, meant for breakfast in bed or serving a sick person. It also tilts so that it can hold reading material. The legs fold up fr storage.
I commented earlier, but I think it disappeared.
Christy says
Thank you, Ellen! Yes, it sure is! XOXO
Cheryl r Atkinson says
Hi Christy!! So beautiful. I wish I had bought that transfer when it was in stock. I painted a tray that turned into an easel like this but mine was not vintage. There are a lot of pieces to paint. Thanks for sharing.
Christy says
Thank you, Cheryl! I wish this one was still available too. You may be able to find it from another Etsy seller who still has it in stock. I bet yours is cute too and yes, there are a lot of pieces to paint! XOXO
Cecilia says
That’s cool…I’ve never seen a tray/easel before. Very unique. And of course you made it beautiful. Love the pretty transfer against the green. Very nice! Hope Brennan feels better soon.
😊Cecilia
Christy says
Thank you, Cecilia! I hadn’t ever seen one like it either. We appreciate the well wishes! XOXO
Marietta R Walker says
That is really sexy. I would like for them to bring that transfer back. It was probably out before I even started with this craziness. And now my building; can we say one thing after another? Sheesh.
We will get there. We have spent the last four years taking care of our elderly parents. My first life career was as an LPN. There are times I regret this.
My second career took a turn into Computer Information System. I graduated at 36 and retired early. Now you know, I am no spring chicken like many of you lovely ladies. But I know my way around paintbrushes. wallpaper, sheetrock, beadboard, tools, eh, you name it. Now, I need more TIME! Please do tell me how to arrange that.
Christy says
I wish they would bring this one back too…they do that occasionally. If you figure out how to find more hours in the day, will you please promise to tell me?? I hope you get your dream work cottage completed soon, so you can enjoy creating in there! XOXO
Michele M. says
Absolutely love this piece! You know when you showed it flipped up all I could see is it being a puzzle table (once it gets the bottom done and then build from there??) but yes to tablet or ipad movie watching. LOVE the color and transfers you chose.
So sorry you have illness in the family. Crappy stuff going around again.
Praying for him! Stay well, Christy.
Christy says
Thank you, Michele! What an amazing idea for puzzles…my neck is always in a crook after looking down for so long! And yes, the crud, as call we call it, is going around again…we appreciate the well wishes! XOXO
Sharon L Austin says
Love it; I think possibly things may not sell like you’d expect because most people just don’t have your vision. That’s not a transfer I’d naturally be drawn to either, but then, look, it worked great for your vision and I love it!
Christy says
Thank you so much, Sharon! It really does help to see it on a project! XOXO
Karen Moore says
That is adorable! Love the color and the transfer.
Christy says
Thank you so much, Karen! It is such a neat piece! XOXO
Robin says
That was such an unusual bed tray. What a find! I have a wooden bed tray with collapsable legs that’s packed away ready to be reimagined when we finally move. Your creation is a beauty!
Christy says
Thank you so much, Robin! It really is such a unique piece! XOXO
Marcie Lovett says
Your intuition was right about that green for the bed tray, Christy. Last year I bought one just like it – in the original minty green! Unfortunately, I didn’t realize it was broken beyond repair until I got home. And you better believe I paid a lot more than $7 😢
I’m sure yours is going to get snapped up quickly, and I envy the person who buys it!
Christy says
Thank you, Marcie! That green has a vintage feel to me, so it felt right. I’m sorry yours was broken…what a bummer! XOXO