Decorating DIY

Thrift Store Challenge

I am so thrilled to be joining a group of talented bloggers today! We were all given the challenge to transform a thrift store find. Whether it was something we had already, or something we picked up recently. The key being very inexpensive! I am constantly at thrift stores, so I had a couple things in mind. I decided to transform this tin tray.

my thrift store tin tray

These can be found anywhere! Garage sales, flea markets, even your grandma’s basement! (or your own haha) This one caught my eye because of the pretty roses on it. I had visions of using my new rose gold wax on it, to bring out the detail.

Well, sometimes visions that you have in your head, don’t go as smoothly as you think.

I started by painting the entire tray in Rustoleum Chalked paint in Linen White. I use this paint a lot, because it covers well, and doesn’t require any prep. I loved the tray white, but wanted to accent the roses.

I painted the wax on with my fingers first…that didn’t work…then I brushed it on…that looked even worse. I thought maybe if I painted the handles with the wax, it would help the look of the poor tray…. that looked awful. In the above pics, it doesn’t look so bad, but believe me, the whole tray looked like an art project gone wrong. Sometimes too much accenting and techniques, in my opinion, is just that….too much! So plan D!

I had some Fusion Mineral Paint from another project in the basement. It’s called Little Piggy and is such a soft pink peach colour! I love this paint as well, because again, no prep! And it’s so durable! I painted the entire tray with this. You can still see the rose detail, which is what I had wanted from the beginning! And it fits into my shabby chic, french country decor perfectly!

finished tray!

This entire project cost me 50 cents (cost of the tray) , because I used paint that I had! So don’t be afraid to try something, even if it doesn’t turn out the first time! It’s only paint, and can easily be changed.

Thank you so much for stopping by the blog today! I would love for you to see what my friends did for their challenge! Just click on the pictures, and it will take you to their blogs!

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21 Comments

  1. Marilyn Moore says:

    love the tray. Liked all the pictures. Makes me want a cup of tea. xoxoxoxoxo. Mom

    1. Tracey says:

      Thanks Mom xo

  2. MrsSW says:

    Such a pretty pink! At first glance I thought the tray was porcelain.
    Sheila

    1. Tracey says:

      Thanks Sheila! It is such a soft pink!

  3. This looks great. I have learned the same way you unfortunately did less is more over the years Unfortunately for me, I can still make the mistake.

    The tray is styled pretty and is pretty in your French decor.

    Cindy

    1. Tracey says:

      Thanks Cindy!! I unfortunately make the mistake again and again! haha

  4. Marg Lokker says:

    another neat idea!

    1. Tracey says:

      Thanks Marg!

  5. Tracey, I love the tray! It turned out perfect!! My projects usually take quite a few tries too! It seriously turned out amazing! I love the color that you ended up using!
    Thank you so much for joining us this month!!

    1. Tracey says:

      Thanks for having me Emily!

  6. This tray is so pretty! I love what you did with it. Looks beautiful in your home.

    1. Tracey says:

      Thank you Jodi!

  7. Love it! I appreciate that you mentioned the fail as well because who hasn’t had a few (hundred) of those? πŸ™‹πŸ»β€β™€οΈ Sometimes plan D is the best anyways! It’s so soft and pretty and fits right in perfectly with your style which is what this challenge is all about! I’m so excited to have you join our blog challenge πŸ€—

    1. Tracey says:

      Haha we have definitely had many fails!!!! Thank you so much Tara πŸ’—

  8. Lynnie says:

    Hmmmm do you remember what happened when we had the great idea to make our own homemade soap? Might be worth having me as a guest writer sometime to let everyone in on the joy!! Haha. Tray looks lovely πŸ’•πŸ’•πŸ’•πŸ’•

    1. Tracey says:

      Hahaha I am laughing out loud!!!! 🀣

  9. Tracey I love the floral detail in this tray. It turned out perfect. By the way clean linen is my all time favorite color πŸ™‚

    1. Tracey says:

      Thank you so much Danya!!

  10. Great transformation on the tray! Really pretty!
    I’d like to know what the scroll metal (iron?) footed piece sitting within the fireplace is…is it a log holder? Never seen such a lovely piece!

    1. Tracey says:

      Thank you Lisa! Yes it’s an old cast iron fireplace insert! I purchased it an an antique market a few years ago. Our fireplace is faux. My husband built it out of MDF. When I saw that piece, it was perfect!

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