Farmhouse Thrift Store Tray Makeover

Reimagination is the birthplace for vision and change.  Your imagination is one of the more valuable talents you have and deserves your full attention. – Susan C Young

We are completely honored to welcome Christina to the Salvage Sister & Mister contributor team.  Each month you can look forward to a wonderful post by this incredibly talented lady.  Without further ado here is Christina with this months post on a thrift store tray makeover you are going to LOVE.

FARMHOUSE THRIFT STORE TRAY MAKEOVER

Hello, Salvage Sister and Mister fans!  My name is Christina Woodcock and I am so honored to be guest posting on the blog that provides me with so much inspiration.  I have been a huge fan of Deborah and Tom’s since the day I started my repurposing and upcycling journey. I am telling you, there is nothing they can’t upcycle!   Over on my blog, Christina Faye Repurposed I remake furniture, but lately, I have acquired quite a collection of smaller thrift store finds that have needed love.  

One of the things I can’t resist is a tray.  I guess you might say I am a tray hoarder. Anytime I see a one, I don’t care what it’s made of, I buy it.  Like this poor, ugly duckling. At a price tag of only 99 cents, I could not just let it sit there, all alone on the shelf.  See all the purple price tags? I think the thrift store was trying to make a point!

SUPPLIES 

*We include affiliate links that will share the same or similar items used.  You can read our full disclosure policy here for more information.

• Dixie Belle Paint, Caviar
• Damp Cloth 
• Paint Brush
• Scrap Wood Pieces
• Chop Saw
• Wood Stain
• 220 Grit Sandpaper
• Tack Cloth
• Tack Nails
• Stencil (Cricut was used to make this one)
• Polycrylic

HOW TO:

I gave the tray a good cleaning with a damp cloth.  The color of choice for this project is Dixie Belle Caviar, a deep black, two coats were applied.

The tray had a plastic bottom which did not look that great painted.  I wanted the tray to have a more rustic feel. I removed the bottom piece by pushing it out with my hands.  It appeared to have water damage, so it removed easily.

I had several pieces of scrap wood strips from a previous project that I knew would make a perfect bottom.  I cut the pieces to size to fit the back by using my chop saw. It only took 4 pieces.

I then stained the wood with Minwax English Chestnut.  

In order to achieve the worn, old look, I took a piece of 220-grit sandpaper and sanded heavily, allowing the wood to peek through.   I removed the sanding dust by wiping the tray with a tack cloth. I then attached my wood strips on the back, using small tack nails.

|HAVE YOU SEEN THESE BUDGET FRIENDLY FARMHOUSE PROJECTS?|

The Hubs, (a.k.a. The Cricut King) created a vinyl quote that I could add to the base of the tray.  After applying it to the wood base, I applied one coat of Polycrylic over the entire tray, including the vinyl.  

Note – A Cricut is a great way to customize your project.  If you don’t have one, you can also purchase stencils like these…

I would like to thank Deborah and Tom for allowing me to guest post.  I hope I have inspired you to repurpose your own thrift store finds and that you will stop by the blog, Christina Faye Repurposed.  

And here is the finished tray.  I think the tray looks so much better!  

BUT WAIT THERE’S MORE…

A big thank you to Christina for this amazing farmhouse thrift store tray transformation project.  Be sure to check back each month to see her contributor projects and visit her site.

Here are a few more projects we think you will enjoy:

• Modern Farmhouse Picture Frame Thrifted Version
• Farmhouse Bathroom Update
• Thrifted Faux French Demijohn with Crate