Summer Tray Upcycle

I feel like spring is finally here in Syracuse.  That could change, but the weather is starting to look up.  Even though it is calling for a lot of rain, I will take that instead of snow – especially in April.  In the warmer months we eat most of our meals outside on our patio.  To carry everything, I am always running into the living room to empty our one tray and then load it up with plates and food to head outside.

 

This Ikea tray has been great, but I thought it was time I get another tray so this one can be the one to use when I need to carry things to our patio.   Gracie was out of her bed as I was moving around and taking  photos.

 

I would have loved to get another Ikea tray and spray it a fun color, but since our closest Ikea is four hours away, it wasn’t worth the drive.  Lucky for me, though, I found this beauty.

 

 

It was only a couple of dollars, and I knew just what to do with it.

 

 

I decided to paint it a fun color and add some paper to the bottom.  I used leftover paint I had from the chalkboard coffee table I painted for our Florida room.  I did buy the Zebra paper from Hobby Lobby, and I had the Mod Podge and Spray Adhesive on hand.  I actually can’t wait to wrap up a gift in this paper. I think it is so fun. First, I sanded and painted  the tray.

 

Then I cut the wrapping paper close the size of the tray.  I used the spray adhesive and slowly put the paper down.  Along the edges I took a knife to trim the edges.  After this step I applied a couple of thin coats of Mod Podge.

 

I think it is such a fun look, and it will be easy to change or add a new inside paper if I want to go in a different direction.

 

I am happy  with the finished product. Here it is in our living room.

 

The funny thing I didn’t notice till putting the pictures in the post is the book on top of the magazines has a zebra.  We are doing research for a vacation to South Africa next year, and this book has some good information.  I hope the two zebra prints do not clash.

 

Click here to like The 2 Seasons on Facebook.

 

Cheers!

 

Linking to www.savvysouthernstyle.net for Wow Us Wednesday