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Beachy Serving Tray Makeover

Hi friends, today I’m going to share the story of how forgotten gift basket tray got a “beachy serving tray makeover.”  “What is a beachy serving tray makeover?” you ask.  When I worked in the corporate world we’d get beautiful gift baskets from customers during the holidays.  Many years ago my boss got and shared a gift basket with us and she let me take the tray home.  I had plans for it but it ended up on our refrigerator to corral the bags of chips or whatever made its way up there.  Then it got moved to the garage where my husband stored some stuff in it for a few years.

When I started my Patio Refresh project I knew I could make this tray pretty.  Even though it turned out beachy” it works great on the patio.

This post contains some affiliate links for your convenience.  You can read my full disclosure here.

Beachy Serving Tray Makeover Supply List

This ugly little tray started out green all over but after years of neglect it was ready for a beautiful beachy serving tray makeover.

Gift basket tray on table in garage.

First I applied a few coats of yellow paint.  Being mindful of my budget I used the same paint from my daughter’s nightstand makeover.

Tray propped on box with first coat of paint.

I painted the inside a different color to give it the two-tone look.  Thinking I’d use it outside most of the time I used the same paint as my paint as my seagrass rug.  Painting the edges were a a bit challenge.

Tray propped on box, outside painted yellow, inside painted green.

I didn’t mess with taping this time and just painted across the top edge from the inside to the outside edge.  I then used a wet rag to clean up any green paint from the yellow sides.

Closeup of tray edge and contrasting colors.

Final Touches to the Beachy Serving Tray Makeover

After it dried I could see it needed something else.  I got out my jute string and glue gun to wrap the handles.  Using my glue gun I glued the first end of the jute string on the inside toward the handle opening, wrapped it tightly, and glued the opposite end.

Watch this short video I made to see how I wrapped the handles.

That’s how this tray makeover took on a beachy feel, which is ok with me.  I’ll just pretend I’m at the beach when I sit on the patio with a yummy beverage 🙂  It has so many uses now.  Beer and popcorn with friends on the patio….

Beachy serving tray with popcorn bucket and bottle of bear.

Cookies and milk watching TV with the mutts….

Beachy serving tray with plate of cookies and glass of milk.

Or on the bed with some tea and mints while reading a good book.

Beachy serving tray on bed with cup of tea and pile of thin mints.

This forgotten gift basket tray looks beautiful now that the beachy serving tray makeover is complete.  It turned out better than I envisioned when I started.  It was so fun to do I’ll keep my eyes opened at thrift stores and garage sales for more sad and forgotten trays for another beautiful tray makeover.

Love this tray?  Don’t forget to Pin it!

Beachy serving tray pic collage show uses three ways.


LydiaF

Tuesday 28th of June 2016

Now see, my husband would have thrown that tray out and it would have never had the opportunity to be pretty and useful again! Glad you were able to rescue yours! Thanks for sharing with us at Creatively Crafty #ccbg :)

janet trieschman

Tuesday 28th of June 2016

You bring back great memories, my great aunt had a tray just like that on top of her fridge. It held gum and little candies for children who visited. My sister and I were just talking about that tray a few days ago - I wish I had it. Thanks for sharing your post with us at Creatively Crafty #CCBG

janet trieschman

Tuesday 28th of June 2016

You bring back great memories, my great aunt had a tray just like that on top of her fridge. It held gum and little candies for children who visited. My sister and I were just talking about that tray a few days ago - I wish I had it. Thanks for sharing your post with us at Creatively Crafty #CCBG http://tryit-likeit.com/link-party-it.

Debbie

Friday 24th of June 2016

I love your tray! You kind of had me once you painted the inside that amazing green! Love the idea of the two tones and your jute wrapped handles add that special finish that takes the piece to the level of boutique worthy in my book...would totally buy it if I was at the store!

Toni Harvey

Friday 24th of June 2016

Wow thanks Debbie, I don't work fast enough to create things for boutique or sale, but just knowing you think that makes me smile :D

Susanne

Thursday 23rd of June 2016

I love the colors and the jute string handles!!! Jute is such a wonderful product to use to upcycle :)

Toni Harvey

Friday 24th of June 2016

Susanne, I hadn't touched Jute since I was in high school and did macrame projects in an Interior Decorating class (back when they had home ec and other creative electives). I loved that class and should have taken that as my life direction instead of every other job I had. Oh well, I'm having fun with jute and paint and all kinds of other fun stuff now :)