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Old Cabinet Door Turned Serving Tray

by on 55 Comments

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!

About Lindsay Ballard

Lindsay Ballard is a former college mascot turned political geek turned roller derby playing, DIY fanatic.

Lindsay chronicles her projects, design ideas, and lifestyle tips here at Makely, where she shares tutorials and inspiration. Her DIY designs are bold and graphic, while her spirit is fun and full of color.

Lindsay lives outside of Austin, Texas with her husband (Tom), children (Zack and Emma), and dogs (Duke and Jill). She plays roller derby for the Rockin' City Rollergirls out of Round Rock, Texas.

Comments

  6. the BLAH BLAH BLAHger says

    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!

    Reply

  7. Mom in High Heels says

    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.

    Reply

  8. Anonymous says

    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)

    Reply

  9. twinklescrapbooks@yes! that's my child screaming! says

    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

    Reply

  15. Annchan says

    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.

    Reply

  18. Kara@ Creations by Kara says

    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!!

    Reply

  19. Amy says

    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!

    Reply

  22. Jo - To a Pretty Life says

    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.

    Reply

  23. Kendra @ Domestic Princess in Training says

    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

    Reply

  24. Denise says

    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!

    Reply

  25. ~Amy Rose says

    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!

    Reply

  29. MelanyTN says

    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!

    Reply

  30. Richella says

    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!

    Reply

  33. Kammy says

    I think yours turned out great ! I didn't even know about cabinet door trays – I think it is super cool !
    Hugs ~ Kammy

    Reply

  34. Katie says

    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!

    Reply

  38. Sue @ Laundry for Six says

    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!

    Reply

  39. Kristi says

    You did an amazing job. What a creative way to paint it…and it looks fantastic on your table display.

    Reply

  40. Danielle says

    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!!!

    Reply

  42. worldgazing says

    i have to admit i love what you did with the lace. what a cool idea. very smart. cant wait to try it.

    Reply

  47. kaki says

    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!

    Reply

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