Mad in Crafts

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Home
  • About
    • ABOUT JESSICA
    • CONTACT
    • MEDIA KIT
    • Seen On
  • PRIVACY
  • CRAFTS
    • HOLIDAY
      • VALENTINE’S DAY
      • ST. PATRICK’S DAY
      • EASTER
      • FOURTH OF JULY
      • FALL
      • HALLOWEEN
      • THANKSGIVING
      • CHRISTMAS
    • HOME DECOR
    • KIDS
    • MISC
    • Wearable
      • JEWELRY
      • PURSES, CLUTCHES AND TOTE BAGS
      • T-SHIRTS
    • FREE PRINTABLES
    • FREE SVGs
  • DIY
    • Gardening
    • Health
    • ORGANIZATION
    • Outdoor
    • Room Makeover
    • The Mad House
  • Recipes
    • Dessert
    • DINNER
    • DRINKS
    • Snacks and Appetizers
  • ENTERTAINING
    • Birthday Party
    • Party
    • Wedding
  • SHOP
Please note: This page may contain affiliate links. If you click a link and choose to make a purchase from the partnership site, I will earn a commission. Thank you for supporting Mad in Crafts!

GEOMETRIC OMBRE TRAY WITH CHALKY FINISH PAINT

September 9, 2014 by madincrafts 7 Comments

Striped Ombre Chalky Finish Tray (1)
This is a sponsored post.  I received compensation in exchange for my work, but the opinions in this post are 100% my own.

During my last Goodwill run, I was getting disappointed that wasn’t finding anything interesting enough to take home with me.  Then I found this Bentwood tray hiding underneath some old baskets, and it was priced just $2.99.  Perfect!

wooden tray

The surface of the tray had some staining and water damage, but the cut-out handles have such a great mid-century shape that I knew I could find a way to make the tray work.  I might have been able to sand down the tray and refinish it, but this Bentwood tray is made from several thin layers of wood that were formed to the tray shape and then stacked and glued.  Too much sanding and I might have gone right through the top layer of wood and made a big mess.

While there are some people who would yell at me for painting a vintage tray, they aren’t the ones who found it at Goodwill.  So there.

Americana Chalky Paints

I have tried and loved DecoArt Chalky Finish Paint before using it for this project.  It is the same kind of paint that I used to repaint the old dining chair in our living room a pretty blue-green color.  For this tray, I deliberately chose colors that would both work in an ombre and that felt like autumn colors.  From left to right, the colors are:  Timeless, Smitten, Heritage, and Inheritance.

Painter Tape in Pattern

I used painter’s tape to create a geometric pattern all over the tray.  I used scraps of tape to space out the stripes, so I didn’t have to do any actual measuring at all.  Just be sure to run your finger over all the tape edges before you begin painting, to prevent paint from bleeding under the tape.

Chalk Paint stripes

I used foam pouncers to apply the chalky finish paint to the tray.  Americana Chalky Finish paint doesn’t require any priming or sanding, so it is perfect for a project like this.  The paint colors fall into a gradient pattern, but I don’t think they are too cliché ombre.

Remove Painters Tape

While the paint was still wet, I carefully removed the painter’s tape and touched up any paint that had bled or splattered where it shouldn’t have.  I love the warm colors next to the dark wood tone.  I think the colors do look a bit retro, but the triangle stripes make the tray look more modern.

Chalky Paint Tray Details

To protect the paint from chipping, I applied a coat of clear Americana Creme Wax.  You just wipe it on, let it dry, and then buff it to whatever sheen you like best.  

buff wax to shine

The more you buff, the shinier the wax finish will be.  Here I have buffed the half of the tray in the foreground and not the back, so you can see the difference between the two.

Striped Wood Tray

The chalky finish paint isn’t food safe, so I won’t serve any food directly on the tray.  I think it’s more of a decorative tray than a serving tray anyway.

The tray is an eye catching way to display fall decorations on our dining room table.  If you would like to try it out for yourself, Americana Decor Chalky Finish paint is available in Home Depot, Hobby Lobby, Michaels, A.C. Moore, and other stores. Visit the DecoArt Chalky Finish website for more chalk paint ideas and inspiration.


Did you like this post?  Think it’s worth sharing?  Please share with your friends using the social media share buttons at the bottom of the page!

Thanks,  Jessica

Filed Under: Before & After, Fall Tagged With: affiliate, chalky paint, fall, home decor, paint, tray, tutorial

Share on Facebook
Facebook
Pin on Pinterest
Pinterest
Tweet about this on Twitter
Twitter
Share on LinkedIn
Linkedin
              

Comments

  1. Mary Beth @ Cupcakes and Crinoline says

    September 9, 2014 at 12:34 pm

    I love the colors and pattern you chose. Such a great upcycle. I keep saying I need these paints ~ I think it may be a matter of my creative sanity.

    Reply
  2. sharon garofalow says

    September 9, 2014 at 3:18 pm

    What a great idea! I love the pattern you did. And the colors! Perfect for fall and beyond!

    Reply
  3. Shannon @ Fox Hollow Cottage says

    September 9, 2014 at 3:58 pm

    That just turned out adorable! Big difference, cause it’s totally cute now!! (love the styling too)

    Reply
  4. Amanda @ Serenity Now says

    September 9, 2014 at 6:08 pm

    What a great Before and After! I love the way you styled it too. 🙂

    Reply
  5. kristi@ishouldbemoppingthefloor says

    September 10, 2014 at 5:45 pm

    What a fantastic update!! Loving the colors you used, too!! 🙂

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. MAKE DOLLAR STORE PUMPKINS LOOK LIKE CRACKED CLAY says:
    September 7, 2016 at 11:00 am

    […] painted these pumpkins using the same chalky finish colors that I used on the fall tray they are sitting on.  I like the matte finish of the paint with the cracked clay.  What […]

    Reply
  2. CORRUGATED METAL PUMPKIN – FALL FARMHOUSE DECOR says:
    September 10, 2017 at 11:00 am

    […] love the way the tassel colors tie into the Striped Ombre Wooden Tray that I painted a few years […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




About Jessica

Search the blog…

Gallery of Valentine's Day Crafts
DIY Home Organization
Delicious Dessert Recipes

Copyright

You're welcome to link to Mad in Crafts or use a single image with a brief description to link back to any post. Republishing posts in their entirety is prohibited. Feel free to pin on Pinterest!

Affiliate Disclosure

Jessica Hill is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com

Copyright © 2021 · Metro Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in