Old Things New

TRANSFORMED, from broken to beautiful

Navigation
  • Home
  • Painted Furniture & Misc.
  • Tutorials
  • Abortion Story
  • Freedom Friday Posts
  • Funny Stuff
  • My (Our) Story
  • Freedom Session Website
  • Contact

Garden Tray Tutorial

May 28, 2013 by Patti 22 Comments

So many people tell me that they can never find anything good at the thrift stores in the areas where they live.  I don’t think my thrift stores are any better than anyone else’s but I do think that if you go with an idea in mind of what you’re looking for you will eventually find it.  Take a peek at my most recent thrift store transformation. 

Now take a look at the before.
What do you think of this lovely swan tray that I found? 
I think she has lived a full life and is ready to be put to rest!
 I must admit that I feel kind of bad saying that because I could tell  from the way it was put together that this was some other eager DIYer’s very own craft project. 
Here is a picture of the bottom with the peeling faux wood contact paper.  Yup, it is definitely time for a change.
As soon I saw this tray it made me think of an ad I’d seen in Grandinroad catalog for these beautiful Monet Garden Trays.  

I loved the colors and the flowers and the fact that they looked old.  However, a set of two for $199 was way beyond my budget! 
So I set to work with my Home Made Chalk Paint 
(Recipe #3 right HERE), applying an off white base coat and then two coats in a custom mixed color made from leftover Valspar paint samples. I couldn’t tell you what they were and wouldn’t likely be able to reproduce the exact color again, but it turned out similar to Annie Sloan’s Antibes green (I have such fun mixing colors that I often forget to keep track of what and how much).
I applied a base of aged looking parchment paper to the top of the tray with ModPodge, and added some pictures of flowers, printed off from The Graphics Fairy website.  I thoroughly covered the back of each piece of paper with the medium.
 Once all my flowers were in place I applied a couple of coats of ModPodge over the top everything, allowing the it to dry between each coat.  Notice the wrinkles in the paper?  No, I wasn’t being sloppy.  Honest!  I actually crinkled up my parchment paper before placing it to get the look I was going for.  When it was thoroughly soaked with ModPodge I smoothed the wrinkles with my fingers, to push out the air bubbles.
After my tray dried completely I distressed the wood, allowing both bare wood and white paint to show through, and applied a dark wax (ASCP).  I was careful not to touch the top of the decoupaged area with wax as I later applied a couple of coats of MinWax Polycrylic to protect the surface from water.
  Though you can’t see it in the “before” picture the swan tray originally had shiny brass hardware on the corners. I took the hardware off and painted it with Rustoleum’s Metallic Oil Rubbed   Bronze spray paint.  This is a new favorite!
What do you think?  
Okay, so I know it doesn’t look like a $100 tray, 
but then neither did the $100 tray!
 

 Right now I’m enjoying using this tray as a base for different vignettes on my kitchen island.  In September she will go along with me to the French Flea Market.

  I wouldn’t have given this tray a second glance if I hadn’t seen an ad for beautiful trays in a high end catalog.  I actually get excited about my junk mail when it contains catalogs! I pull them out and put them in a special place to enjoy when I have some quality browsing time.  Then I search for ideas and tear out pages for my inspiration file. I make sure to go back to my idea file often to remind myself of what to be on the lookout for.  I also find great ideas in various Flea Market and Cottage Style magazines and from the Internet via Pinterest, Etsy and, of course, my fellow bloggers.

So, keep hitting the thrift stores, flea markets and garage sales, but go often and go with a purpose!  With a little practice, you too will begin to see the potential for Old Things becoming New.

     Blessings,


I’ve been known to link up to the following great parties!!!

Sunday:

 UnderTheTableAndDreaming, TheDIYShowoff, TheTablescaper, IHeartNapTime, My1929Charmer, LifeOnLakeshoreDrive, NavyWifePetersUSSCrafty, SuburbsMama
Monday:
 IShouldBeMoppingTheFloor,  ModVintageLife, BetweenNapsOnThePorch, TheGraphicsFairy, TheDedicatedHouse, UncommonDesigns, WestFurnitureRevival, BoogieboardCottage, DIYHomeSweetHome, HuckleberryLove, RainOnATinRoof, AlderberryHill, TwelveOEight,
CarrieThisHome
Tuesday:
HomeStoriesAtoZ, AStrollThruLife, Elizabeth&Co, MyUncommonSliceOfSuburbia, CoastalCharm, CozyLittleHouse, PJHDesigns, NaptimeCreations, CedarHillRanch,  BloomingHomestead, FlusterBuster, KatheWithAnE, NotJustAHousewife, 
VMG206, Hickory Trail
TuesdaysAtOurHome 
Wednesday:
SavvySouthernStyle, The36thAvenue, SouthernLovely, VintageOnADime, IvyAndElephants,  DIYByDesign, DesignedDecor, ViewFromRiverMountain, TheStyleSisters, AdornedFromAbove, SewCraftyAngel, Timewashed, SomedayCrafts, GreenWillowPond 
Thursday:
NoMinimalistHere, ImpartingGrace, DesignedDecor, TheVintageFarmhouse, TheSabbyCreekCottage, EmbracingChange, HaveADailyCupOfMrsOlson, BeyondThePicketFence, StoneGable, AllThingsWithPurpose, MyRepurposedLife, FromMyFrontPorchToYours, ADelightsomeLife 
Friday:
MyRomanticHome, FrenchCountryCottage, TatertotsAndJello, MissMustardSeed, ThriftyHandmadeDays, CraftJunkieToo, CommonGround, TheShabbyNest, LizMarie, Redoux, JenniferRizzo, TheCharmOfHome, RootedInThyme, 504Main
Saturday:
FunkyJunkInteriors, ClassyClutter, SixSistersStuff, It’sOverflowing, BeDifferentActNormal, TooMuchTimeOnMyHands,
OneSharendipityPlace




© copyright 2012 – All rights reserved

Your Blog

Tweet

Filed Under: Annie Sloan, ASCP, Decoupage, DIY, Home decorating, Homemade chalk paint recipe, ModPodge, Thrift Store Re-purposing

« Happy Memorial Day Weekend
Long Beach Peninsula Part I »

Comments

  1. Irena J. says

    May 29, 2013 at 4:50 pm

    Looks great! So simple but so elegant!

    Reply
  2. Christy James says

    May 30, 2013 at 2:39 am

    This turned out great!! I always find treasures at the thrift store!! Sometimes it’s tough to see the potential in something, but if you can, you will end up with something beautiful for very little money…just like this beautiful tray!
    XO,
    Christy

    Reply
  3. Linda @ With A Blast says

    May 31, 2013 at 2:12 pm

    Love the flowery pattern you used ! Thank you for sharing at the WEDNESDAYS ADORNED FROM ABOVE Blog Hop 😉

    Reply
  4. Ritchil Shafer says

    June 3, 2013 at 4:16 pm

    You did a great job with the tray! It made a huge difference!

    I’m hopping over from the Frugal Crafty Home Blog. Hope you have a great week!

    Ritchil
    http://chengand3kids.blogspot.com/

    Reply
  5. Julie Corbisiero says

    June 4, 2013 at 12:30 am

    Hi, your tray came out so pretty. I saw it on Kathe with an E.
    Julie from julieslifestyle.blogspot.com

    Reply
  6. Carlene @ Organized Clutter says

    June 4, 2013 at 12:38 am

    I love the tray transformation!

    Reply
  7. marty (A Stroll Thru Life) says

    June 4, 2013 at 12:59 am

    I love your garden tray, stunning. Such lovely flowers. Great eye also to see the potential. Thanks tons for joining Inspire Me. Hugs, Marty

    Reply
  8. Maria Elena says

    June 4, 2013 at 1:31 am

    Love, love your garden tray! So pretty! I have a new weekly link party which is live now and I would love if you stop by and link up this wonderful post! Hope to see you there! http://mariaelenasdecor.blogspot.com/ Hugs, Maria

    Reply
  9. Kim M says

    June 4, 2013 at 3:15 pm

    You did an amazing job! You have a really good eye and great vision. I love that tray, you have totally inspired me to make one of my own! I have to start a thrift store project file~ that is a great idea!
    ps- how do you keep your nails looking so good through all that crafting! 😉

    Reply
  10. BeBetsy says

    June 5, 2013 at 12:14 am

    Patty ~ love the redo of the tray and especially the pattern – very nice.

    So glad you linked up with us at the BeBetsy BRAG ABOUT IT Link and Hop.

    Have a wonderful week~
    Sharon and Denise!

    Follow us:
    Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Bloglovin ~ Pinterest

    Reply
  11. Katie @ Creatively Living says

    June 5, 2013 at 7:52 am

    Fun colors and a fun floral pattern! Thanks for sharing it at MOnday Funday!

    Reply
  12. Helen's Decor says

    June 5, 2013 at 4:22 pm

    Patti, how gorgeous your turned out. Isn’t it great when you just know at a glance in GW what you can fix! I love that moment, too. I’m next to you on Maria’s party this week.

    Reply
  13. Amber Koogler says

    June 7, 2013 at 3:43 pm

    So pretty! Thank you for sharing at Give Me The Goods!

    Dimples & Pig Tales

    Reply
  14. One Shabby Old House says

    June 7, 2013 at 8:37 pm

    Very pretty. I am sure you will be using that lovely tray all summer!

    Reply
  15. Karla Harms says

    June 7, 2013 at 11:13 pm

    I just love the work you do! So pretty

    Thank you so much for sharing on Much Ado About Monday! Please come back next week, we are having a giveaway and we’d love to see what else you’ve been up to!

    Karla
    http://www.huckleberrylove.com

    Reply
  16. My name is Rita says

    June 8, 2013 at 12:22 am

    Love the transformation! Thank You so much for sharing on last weeks party. Hope to see more from you on my next party.

    Reply
  17. Deborah@Green Willow Pond says

    June 8, 2013 at 12:00 pm

    Great find Patti! The tray turned out very pretty. Love the Graphic Fairy flowers. Thank you for sharing it at What We Accomplished Wednesdays. Have a great weekend!

    Hugs,
    Deborah

    Reply
  18. Dana DeVolk says

    June 8, 2013 at 4:16 pm

    Gorgeous, LOVE IT! We would love it if you would link up at our linky party:
    Two Girls and a Party
    Live every Wednesday to Sunday. Hosted by:
    Dana @ This Silly Girl’s Life
    Parrish @ Life with the Crust Cut Off
    We hope to see you there!

    Reply
  19. Sharon @ Elizabeth & Co. says

    June 10, 2013 at 2:22 am

    So pretty! You have a very good eye for transforming thrift store treasures!

    Reply
  20. BeBetsy says

    June 10, 2013 at 9:15 pm

    You were FEATURED on BeBetsy BRAG ABOUT IT Link and Hop. Congratulations!

    See the latest BeBetsy Brag About It post and get an ‘I Was Featured’ button for your blog.

    We would love it if you would create a link back from your post to to BeBetsy. Thank you.

    The BRAG ABOUT IT Tuesday party starts at midnight tonight and runs through next Saturday and we hope to see you there. Tell your friends.

    Sharon and Denise

    Reply
  21. Kathy A Delightsome Life says

    June 12, 2013 at 12:59 pm

    You do have to look at the potential of items that can always be embellished or made better by paint – you did both – lovely transformation. So delighted you shared with Home and Garden Thursday,
    Kathy

    Reply
  22. Sherry Thecharmofhome says

    June 13, 2013 at 4:19 pm

    Beautiful transformation of that tray! Thank you for joining Home Sweet Home.
    Sherry

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

OldThingsNew

I am Perfectly Imperfect Patti, daughter of the King, wife to the amazing Mr. OTN, mom to two grown daughters, a great son-in-law, and companion to two spoiled dogs. At Old Things New I share DIY’s, budget friendly home transformations, as well as posts about how God transforms our souls. I myself have been made new and I love to share what I’ve learned through WRITING and SPEAKING. To view a short Vimeo of “Our Story” (Mr. OTN and I) please follow the link at the top of the page.

Disclosure: Old Things New is a participant in the Amazon affiliate advertising program, which is designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com . . . or, in other words, Shopping through my links helps Old Things New keep the lights on!

Search this site

Click below to:

Follow on Bloglovin

Click on icon below to follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, & Instagram

facebook twitter pinterest instagram

My HGTV Tiny House Hunter Experience

My HGTV Tiny House Hunter Experience

Christmas Cloche Ideas

Christmas Cloche Ideas

Pottery Barn Knockoff Jingle Pillow

Pottery Barn Knockoff Jingle Pillow

Christmas Shopping Ideas

Farragoz Online Painting Course

Sign Up Now

Save

Instagram

This error message is only visible to WordPress admins

Error: No feed found.

Please go to the Instagram Feed settings page to create a feed.

See what I’ve been pinning lately!

Color Washing Technique

Color Washing Technique

Chalk Painted Kitchen Cabinet Tutorial

Chalk Painted Kitchen Cabinet Tutorial

Three Chalk Paint Recipes Reviewed

Three Chalk Paint Recipes Reviewed

Fab Over 50 (or 60, or 70 . . .)

Fab Over 50 (or 60, or 70 . . .)

Love Fashion? Follow my Fab Over 50 Board on Pinterest!

Archives

  • December 2018 (2)
  • October 2018 (31)
  • September 2018 (2)
  • August 2018 (3)
  • March 2018 (1)
  • December 2017 (4)
  • November 2017 (3)
  • October 2017 (3)
  • September 2017 (4)
  • August 2017 (9)
  • July 2017 (7)
  • June 2017 (8)
  • May 2017 (9)
  • April 2017 (7)
  • March 2017 (1)
  • February 2017 (5)
  • January 2017 (5)
  • December 2016 (1)
  • November 2016 (1)
  • October 2016 (1)
  • September 2016 (3)
  • August 2016 (7)
  • July 2016 (3)
  • June 2016 (4)
  • May 2016 (5)
  • April 2016 (6)
  • March 2016 (7)
  • February 2016 (6)
  • January 2016 (9)
  • December 2015 (12)
  • November 2015 (11)
  • October 2015 (7)
  • September 2015 (3)
  • August 2015 (3)
  • July 2015 (8)
  • June 2015 (6)
  • May 2015 (1)
  • April 2015 (8)
  • March 2015 (10)
  • February 2015 (8)
  • January 2015 (7)
  • December 2014 (9)
  • November 2014 (7)
  • October 2014 (7)
  • September 2014 (3)
  • August 2014 (2)
  • July 2014 (5)
  • June 2014 (5)
  • May 2014 (4)
  • April 2014 (12)
  • March 2014 (7)
  • February 2014 (1)
  • January 2014 (3)
  • December 2013 (7)
  • November 2013 (4)
  • October 2013 (6)
  • September 2013 (6)
  • August 2013 (6)
  • July 2013 (7)
  • June 2013 (11)
  • May 2013 (8)
  • April 2013 (7)
  • March 2013 (9)
  • February 2013 (10)
  • January 2013 (6)
  • December 2012 (5)
  • November 2012 (2)
  • October 2012 (2)
  • September 2012 (2)
  • August 2012 (5)
  • July 2012 (6)
  • June 2012 (3)

Tags

Addiction Antiques and Collectibles Blogging Books Chalk Paint Chalk Painted Furniture Christianity Christmas Coastal Style Crafts DIY Drop cloth projects Entertaining Faith Fall Decor Flowers Food Freedom Freedom Friday Freedom Session French Country Friendship Furniture Painting Gardening God's grace Home Decor Home Decorating Hospitality Inspiration Junking Lakeside living Marriage My Home My Story old junk transformations Prayer Recipes Recovery Redemption Shopping southern living Spring Summer thrifting Tutorial

Fistbump Media, LLC

Copyright © 2022 · All Rights Reserved · Designed by Blogger Boutique for Old Things New Blog