Follow my blog with Bloglovin (if you want to) I’ve been working like crazy this past week and I’ll try and show you some things during this week’s posts. One of the items I finished and dropped off at the shop was a drinks tray with a French feeling. It’s portable so is perfect for using on the porch for Spring or Summer get togethers. Instant bar area! It started out like this…..
A really large tray in very good, paintable condition…
And ended up like this….
Voila! The magic of time lapse! I started with a coat of CeCe Caldwells Smoky Mountain Gray. I recently had a chance to try some samples. I found this gray to be VERY blue and at first, I thought I might scrap it. But, then I decided to leave it and see if it sells or not. I tend to use grays and whites and all the combinations thereof for the shop as colors seem to just sit there but I was willing to experiment with this one and see. I used graphite paper to transfer this great “wine and spirits” advert from the Graphics Fairy….
I enlarged it to fit the tray more fully…. Once traced and painted on, I sanded it back. Something I haven’t mentioned about sanding these painted graphics…you have to be prepared for how they darken everything around the words. The dust from the black paint gets into the base paint and does that….so it will always give an aged appearance…
If you don’t want that look, then you have to choose a color paint that is something you won’t sand. In other words, if I didn’t want an aged look on this piece, I may have chosen a gray tone so it was more faint to begin with….eliminating the need to soften it with sanding. You can “distress” a bit while the paint is wet using tape or just a rag to remove some of the lettering. But, I wanted the aged look here so I was fine with my usual method.
I also decided to use a poly finish on the inside of the tray so it could actually hold up if someone did use it for drinks. I use Deft brush on poly usually. It will resist alcohol. To reduce the shine some, I sanded it back a little. I waxed the rest of the tray after using some dark wax. I’m pleased with it, let’s see how this color sells…..
What do you think of the color?
I'm Lorraine. I have a love for home & design and I enjoy sharing that passion with others. I'm so glad you're here to join me.
email: missflibbertigibbet@gmail.com
Fabulous!! Love this colour too.
Looks great to me, Lorraine. I think I’d like to get a sample of that.
Beautiful!!
I would be shocked if it hasn’t sold yet. It looks amazing I think. I always love a good graphics project.
I love this little project. Trays are so much fun to put graphics on. I haven’t done one in awhile. You could have inspired me…..
Lorraine-Personally, I LOVE the color. I think it looks great and it has a “beachy” feel to it. I bet it will sell right away. You did a really nice job with it- xo Diana
I actually love the color and I love your tutorial. I haven’t use poly on anything yet but good advice for areas that may be used for drinks! x
I love this, so pretty!
XO
Kristin
I love it! I think it looks beautiful and yes, I would buy it.
xo
Pat
This is a great idea. Good job.
C’est Magnifique!! Love your French Drinks Tray, the color is perfect it would blend so nicely with many a color scheme!!
Your tray turned out beautifully! Love it!!
Mary Alice
The color and logo look wonderful! Good selling!
oooo….ahhhh…love it 🙂
That’s gorgeous and who doesn’t need an instant bar! I’ve never done the transfer but I really want o when I get o the kitchen.
I love it, Lorraine! I really like the color and especially with the grahic. I love how it turned out.
P.S. I’d like a Cosmo, please. : )
Hi there
I absolutely LOVE the colour, but as I live in the UK, will doubtless be unable to get it – shame!
Judi
Wow…you brought that tray to life…love it and love the color!
Love the color. Hate hate hate grey.
Lorraine, thanks for sharing at Silver Pennies Sundays! I love this little tray. x
Very pretty. I need to revamp a couple of trays too. Love the graphic you chose.
I love Smokey Mountain, but I find it to be blue. Just blue. Just very blue. Love the tray and the graphic.