Old Cabinet Door Turned Serving Tray
by Lindsay on July 20, 2009
A few months back, I ran across a tutorial on
CraftyNest to turn a salvaged cabinet door into a serving tray. I immediately knew I had to attempt to create my own tray, although I knew that mine would be no where as wonderful as the one she created.
People, she drew that design freehand and then painted it with a paintbrush. I am usually totally delusional about my artistic abilities, but you and I both know there is no way I could do that.
So, I decided to do it how we non-artists would do it – spray paint!
Reclaimed Cabinet Door Serving Tray
1. I found this old cabinet door at the
ReStore for $1. I was more concerned with the shape and size than the color of the door. I also wanted one that was solid wood. I knew I was going to use this mostly for decorative purposes, so the size of the inset wasn’t that important to me. If you were going to use this to actually serve drinks and such, you’d want a larger inset (see the original inspiration picture).
2. I removed the existing hardware with a screwdriver (and the help of a “diggie” and some Legos) and sanded the entire door with 220-grit sandpaper. It’s a fairly small door, so I just sanded it by hand.
3. Then, I primed the entire door – front, back and sides. And yes, I did it right there inside my house because it was literally 108 degrees outside.
(Oh, and the photos start to get really speckled or something starting here. I’m not sure what happened, so I just apologize in advance.)
4. Next, I sprayed the entire door with Krylon’s Satin Brushed Nickel paint. Don’t worry, this is just the undercoat. After the paint dried, I taped off the border with painter’s tape.
5. I bought a super cheap yard of lace at Walmart and laid it on top of the door. I taped the lace to the ground so it wouldn’t blow around, but you don’t have to do that if it’s not windy where you live.
6. Then, I simply sprayed a light coat of white paint on top of the lace. I sprayed one pass from side to side and then one pass up and down. After I sprayed it, I immediately removed the lace to reveal the new design underneath.
Pretty cool technique, huh? Again, sorry about the weirdly speckled photos.
7. After the paint was dry, I applied two coats of wipe-on poly so that it would be protected. I also installed two cabinet drawer pulls on either side of the drawer to use as handles. You may also want to add the little felt pads to the underside corners of the door so that it doesn’t scratch any surfaces.
For now, I’m displaying my tray in the vignette on top of a dresser in my bedroom. The dresser is getting ready for a huge re-do, and I think I’m going to like the tray on top of it.
I love this project because it was very easy and yields a pretty interesting result. There are so many creative things you could do to embellish the tray other than the lace design – add stencils, chipboard designs, or even one of the awesome vinyl designs you can find in the
back40life Etsy store. Don’t forget to enter the
giveaway to win one of her designs!
I’ve added this post to Kimba’s
DIY Day over at A Soft Place to Land. Head on over there and check out some other great DIY ideas!
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Tagged as:
Decorating Inspiration,
DIY,
Do it Yourselfer,
Inspiration,
paint,
painting,
tutorial
{ 47 comments… read them below or add one }
Great job Lindsay! I love it.
Looks good! I would try to use a piece of wood that has less of a grove in the middle though, so there is more solid surface area.
You did a great job! It's so pretty. I was thinking I don't know if I would actually use it as a tray but I love it just sitting on your dresser like it is. It's eye candy!
I love it! Such a great idea to use the lace. Thanks so much for sharing, I never would have thought of that.
Oh, and the whole arrangement looks wonderful!!
What a neat idea! I love it!
The tray looks fabulous. I love it. I saw a window that was frosted using lace. Very interesting. Great job. Hugs, Marty
What a great idea! It looks so nice where you have it displayed! Love the lace technique!
Smarty pants! Kimm at Reinvented did a tray using a frame very similar to this and I've had it in the back of my head for a while. Maybe this weekend, now that you've inspired me all over again!
Beautiful! I just bought some cabinet doors from the fundgrube (scratch and dent) section of IKEA for 1 Euro a piece(about $1.41). I didn't know what I was going to use them for, but I knew I had to have them. Now I have an idea for at least 1! Thanks.
Yeah! Just picked up a few cabinet doors yesterday without a clear plan for them. Love the inspiration picture, and I love your interpretation!!! Great job!
How inspirational you are. I'm keeping my eyes open for cabinet doors at yard sales. Love it and especially love the lace overlay. I think yours is prettier than the original. Great! Martha (mvaughan408 – Twitter)
This is too lovely!!! I really want to try this now. My hubs is an artist so I can get him to draw me a design.
tina
I love it and never in one million years of staring at that door come up with any use for it that would actually have made it useful, maybe just a pretty canvas for some paint! Well done.
Beautiful tray! Love the project! Jackie
that's so cool!!! i love it.
I LOVE it!! I want one!! I love the lace idea and the after looks so pretty! This is perfect, you did a great job on it!
Neat project, Lindsay!!!!
I would never ever have thought to use lace. 
What a terrific idea to use the lace! The finished product reminds me of those old-fashioned coffee-cakes with the icing sugar sprinkled through a paper doily on top. Your tray is gorgeous.
That's beautiful! The lace was a great idea!
I love it! What a great idea to use the lace as a stencil of sorts.
*that* is cool!!
Great job Lindsay!
I have a closet full of doors that I've been wondering what to do with. If I was smart, I'd start creating now for Christmas. Thanks for sharing–and yours was just as snazzy!
Oh my….so pretty! Great job….and great idea! I will have to try that! On top of the 1o00's of other ideas you have given me!
Wow – it's AMAZING! What fun, and I have lots of cabinet doors in my attic.
Ahhhh this is a wonderful idea! Another reason I wish I was a painter, but I do love the twist you put on it. This would make a wonderful house warming gift! I am now on the hunt for an old cabinet door. Humm I wonder if we need all ours….just kidding, I’m not that bad.
Kendra @ Domestic Princess in Training
I love the way both trays look! What a great idea using the lace. Great project!
That is sooo pretty! I love the lace, what a great idea. I'll be linking.
Oh man! I saw that too and loved it and then forgot about it…and I saw some great cabinet doors yesterday! Well, I will have to go back.
I LOVE the one you did as well. The lace idea is sooo cool. Thank you. So happy to have just found your blog!
Wow–Cheap lace to fabulous idea!
Looks great!
Okay. You are officially amazing.
You should try your lace technique using the colors in your blog background. It looks so good on the screen; I'll bet it would look good on something like your tray.
Have a great day!
wow this turned out fabulous!
there's no way I would have thought of doing that
I think yours turned out great ! I didn't even know about cabinet door trays – I think it is super cool !
Hugs ~ Kammy
This is great! Love the clever use of lace as a "stencil"
Amy
What a great idea using the lace as a stencil. I suppose you could use a doily if you wanted a bolder design since they're less flimsy than lace. Thanks for the inspiration!
Incredible! I love the lace trick – what a nice touch!
You are such an inspiration. I absolutely love that!
Feel free to check out my blog, it's brand new and still in the making…But, the link is http://oopsicraftmypants.blogspot.com
You did an amazing job. What a creative way to paint it…and it looks fantastic on your table display.
very clever! i like it!
You are so cool! I have used a paper doily and confectioners sugar on top of a cake, but I never would have thought to do this! I love it! {And I looked for that Krylon color when you mentioned it before and I can't find it
}
I have the same frame you have your wedding photo in. Which makes me feel very chic now that I see you have it!
This is amazing! I bought an old cabinet door 8 months ago and I have been SO lazy about trying to figure out what to do with it. Thanks! Now I know what I'm doing the next craft night I get!!!
Very cute.This is my first time to your site. Come for a visit–I have a give away going on.
Its So Very Cheri
i have to admit i love what you did with the lace. what a cool idea. very smart. cant wait to try it.
This is a great idea. I love the way yours came out with the lace. Awesome.
Ruth
I love this! I think this may be something that I can actually do, thanks!
Holy Cow Wow! Love, love, love this idea. Thanks for sharing.
Lindsay~ I featured this on my blog today and linked up~hope it's okay!
Great idea! My husband refaces cabinets and he throws the old doors out. I wish I knew of someone who could re-use these doors. I live Phx, AZ. Anyone close out there that can use them e-mail me at boorn1@netzero.net Thanks!