Function in the Nursery | Reviving an Old Tray

Jack’s changing table has been in need of some adjustment to improve functionality and the longevity of his dresser. I found an old tray at the thrift store, and I gave it a quick update with paint, scrapbook paper, and mod podge to add some function and protection to the changing table.

We use cloth diapers and wipes, so there is a small container of water always sitting on his changing table. I have all of his necessities, including this container of water, held in a wire basket. The basket is very convenient for me to carry all the necessities to and from the bathroom for bath time. It also restrains some of the clutter on his changing table. Some.

The problem with this arrangement is the drips which inevitably come from squeezing out each wipe before using it. I really like Jack’s dresser, and it is in very good condition given it’s age. The top is especially free from blemishes, so in an effort to keep the water drops from harming the dresser, I wanted to get a cheap tray to hold all the diaper stuff that would also catch the drips.

Enter an old tray from one of our local thrift shops. Lovely, eh?

I even got it half off, a whopping $1.50 for this beauty.

Brief story of the purchase of this tray:

I stopped in at a local thrift shop because their sign was advertising 50% off housewares. This gem was hiding in the back of a shelf, and I snatched it up, so happy to find a tray for so little, $3! When I got to the checkout, the lady told me my total was $3.18. Moral dilemma ensued in my mind, how do I mention that the item should be 50% off?

It’s a donated item. They are making 100% profit.

Profits go to buying Bibles for foreign countries. Do you really need to snub them of $1.50?

I feel like I’m robbing Jesus.

The cheapskate in me wins out. I timidly ask, “Aren’t housewares 50% off?” The lady looks at me and rudely ask, “Is this a housewares?” I’m taken aback by her response. I just stutter, “Ummm…” I turn around to look at the store. There are signs on the ceiling denoting the different areas of the store. They’ve got Housewares, Clothes, and Toys. Um, yep, I think it’s a housewares.

While I’m contemplating what to say, thoroughly mortified that I’m stealing from Jesus, even though I’m not, she says, “We’ll I guess we can call it ‘housewares.'” Ah, the guilt! She thinks I’m stealing from Jesus!

Then, icing on the cake, she turns to the employee behind her and asks, “Bob, would you call this housewares?” He gives a duh expression, “Um, yeah.”

Whew, redemption! I’m not stealing from Jesus!

I happily hand over my $1.59 and run for the exit. 🙂

On to making the tray pretty!

Clean and Sand the Tray

First things first, remove the ugly picture.

Looks like someone was proud of their work. Sorry, Chris.

I gave it a quick sanding because the wood was quite rough. Use three different courseness for a smooth finish. Begin with a 60 grit, then a 120, and finally a 220 for a very smooth finish. Each sanding should yield smoother and smoother wood and each sanding should be quicker than the last.

Paint the Tray

Not wanting to invest in new paint for this project, I broke out my tester paint left over from painting the house.

Hmmm….it should be gray…I’ll give it a little stir…

Nope, it’s ruined. Note to self, don’t let paint freeze. Lesson learned. 🙂

Run to the basement for another can of paint…

and get the first coat on. Wow. SO MUCH better!

Add Water Resistant Coating

My plan for water proofing, or rather water resisting, was to glue scrapbook paper to the bottom of the tray and cover it with a few layers of mod podge. This wouldn’t be truly water proof, but I’m just trying to keep a few water drops from reaching the dresser, so I think this will be good enough. And my tray cost $1.50, if I ruin it, oh well!

After the first coat of mod podge…

You’ll notice my paper bubbled up. I think this is due to the paper not being thick enough. Or I should’ve let the glue underneath (also used mod podge) set first before going over the top. I decided it wasn’t worth fixing so I forged ahead with my other coats.

Here’s the finished product!

Now for the before and afters…are you ready to be wowed?!?!

Before:

After:

Wha, wha, whaaa…I know, I know, not much of an after. It looks pretty much the same and just as cluttered. BUT it’s more functional for the dresser! All of my necessities are still present on the revived tray but I did lose the wire basket. Oh well, you win some you lose some.

It is so fun and fulfilling to take a small item, make is prettier, then use it in my house. I rarely make things that aren’t also functional. I think the junction of beauty and function is where it’s at for most people. The unnecessary but pretty don’t have a place in my house. I’d prefer to make what I have and what I use beautiful.

Working on any projects lately? Fun or function?