Trash to Treasure: Stylish Octagon Tray
Happy Friday everyone!
Last week I had so much fun sharing a trash to treasure post with the $2 chalkboard that I wanted to do another quick trash to treasure post today.
This one I love love love.
Check out how I turned this awkward dophin tray into…
A Stylish Geometric Stenciled Tray
It all started when I spotted this really awkward looking wood tray while perusing the thrift store. It caught my eye because I loved the octagon shape to it. The dophin was missing a chunk out of it’s nose but I figured I could fix that with a little wood filler. I didn’t have an exact project in mind but hey, it was a really cool octagon tray – I knew I find something to do with it! I purchased it for a $1.
I even giggled a little bit at the register when the cashier was commenting on how beautiful it was. I never know how to respond to comments when I know it will be unrecognizable once I’m done. I usually just say, yeah it’s great isn’t it?
Now here’s how it became trash to treasure.
The first step, which you can see a bit in the before photo, was to fill a few spots where the wood was uneven with wood filler. I mentioned the dolphin missing a bit of his nose. There were also a few cracks in the wood that I filled with a bit of filler. After it dried, I sanded it so it was nice and even and ready for paint.
I painted the inside and rim a nice off white color. It was Valspar paint that we had left over from the two toned nightstand I shared earlier in the week.
At first I wanted to put a monogram on this bad boy. But really, I’ve been kind of monogramming everything lately so I thought I better not. All things in moderation ya know?
So I busted out my awesome stencils from Deco Art and decided on this fun chevron design.
I painted the design on with some gray craft paint. I just did two light coats. I wanted it to look a little worn as if the design was rubbing off a little bit.
I finished the whole thing with a coat of protective wax.
I’m kind of obsessed with it now.
It’s my favorite trash to treasure project so far! What do you think? I’d love to hear what your best trash to treasure project has been. Share with me in the comments!
Happy weekend!
You’ll find my projects linked up on some of these blogs: My Repurposed Life
i love how you left the sides part wood showing. is there a lip or something?
Oooooo girrrrrrrlll this is SO pretty and stylish.. I love the way you left the wood finish on the outside!
Love the wood sides that you left. Gorgeous!
Looks great! I hate when people compliment things I’m buying to upcycle….it always makes me feel uncomfortable and a little guilty. Like you, I usually just accept the compliment and move on!
This turned out great Chelsea! I have a horrible tray that my husband eats on.. I have been trying to figure out what to do with it (mod podge paper, spray paint, stencil etc) but I really like the pattern you did with the lines. I might do some form of arrows…. thanks for the inspiration
Very cool! Target had a little plastic octagon tray in their OneSpot area a few weeks ago (all of our stores have since sold out). I snagged one to do something with it for use as a big coaster on an end table.
I love, love, love it too. And I am so happy you left the wood on the bottom and sides. Perfect!
WOW love this makeover.Totally Pinning it 🙂
great find! I love the octagon shape, and your transformation is great! I get those comments about how pretty something I think is actually butt ugly as-is is at the thrift store, too. I go with smiling and nodding 🙂
This tray was SUCH a great find!! I love the shape of it and can’t believe it’s amazing transformation – love the arrows!!