I love a good makeover. This one happens to be one that I am especially fond and quite proud of. This is my latest project, and what a beauty it is! It is one of my favorite transformations.
This beautiful tray was a discarded item. I took one glance at it and had to grab it up quickly to bring home and give it a new look.
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I'm sure it was once a beautiful silver tray, but, when I found it it had rust and damage that had it looking disgusting, ugly, and ruined. It was easy to see why someone might have considered it trash and had given it away. A major score for me at a mere six dollars!
Some of the finish had rusted away, leaving it in such a state that simply polishing it wouldn't even have brought it back to looking great again. But, I had a vision for it, and couldn't wait to make it happen.
A before and after close-up, what a difference a little time and effort made for this.
I cleaned the tray as best I could by giving it a wipe down with damp paper towels, and then a little scrubbing using a small piece of steel wool to remove some of the rust.
I applied two thin coats of Chalk Paint by Annie Sloan in White, allowing dry time between coats. This photo is after one coat that had dried.
After the second coat of paint was completely dry I applied Annie Sloan Clear Wax, buffing it in as I went along in small areas at a time. Next I applied Annie Sloan Dark Wax in the same manner, applying first with a paint brush and then wiping some of it away with a soft cloth, leaving what I wanted in the areas that had more detail and to add depth to them.
To finish, a final buffing with a soft clean cloth all over the entire tray to set and bring up the sheen of the wax.
So pleased with the results! A beautiful trash-to-treasure makeover. It truly is a beautiful piece now, and is one that I'll treasure.
I have it in the center of our breakfast table for now to show it off. I smile every time I look at it. It's a beautiful addition to my home decor. I'm so glad I found it and was able to give it a makeover, and some much needed love!
