Down Home Do It Yourself Project Instructions by Addressing Spaces

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DIY Projects

Decorative Tray courtesy of

Addressing Spaces

Designed by Marybeth Barrett

as seen on FOX 8 News, WGHP

Materials

Wood cabinet door front with a rectangle shaped recessed panel
Sandpaper – fine grit
Interior Latex paint (You can use spray paint if you want)
Acrylic paint (a 2 oz. bottle is more than enough!)
Paint Primer (can use the spray if you want)
Rag/cheesecloth & dust cloth
Decorative paper (wallpaper, wrapping paper, copies of photos…use your imagination!)
Cabinet Door Hardware & screws – two handles
Countersink
Drill
Drill bit
Non yellowing water-based polyurethane (you can use oil based, but I use water-based because the cleanup is so much easier) You can use either gloss or matte finish, it is your preference
Paint brush (if you don’t use spray paint)
Plastic or paper to protect work surface area
Adhesive (you can use a spray adhesive or something like ModPodge glue)
Something to place on the decorative paper tray insert to protect it - (I use a Casting Resin that looks like glass when done. Or you could get a piece of glass or plexiglass cut to size that can easily be removed for cleaning. If you use the resin, you cannot place food directly on it. I recommend glass or plexiglass if you intend on serving food on the tray.)

Optional items & notes

Complimentary latex or acrylic paint color - if you use textured wallpaper.
Glaze – I usually get the clear one and add my color but you can buy a pre-mixed antique finish glaze if you want
Krylon Preserve It Spray - if you use wrapping paper or something printed on an ink jet printer. It keeps the paper design from running/smudging.
Wood filler – you may have to fill holes from pre-existing hardware depending on the condition of your cabinet door front
2x4 or something else to prop the cabinet door up on while painting (just my personal preference because it is easier to paint the sides)
Small bowl or cup for mixing paint, glaze and water when using textured wallpaper

Note on adhesive – spray adhesive sticks very well, but it isn’t as forgiving when placing the paper. ModPodge is easier to maneuver and get it in the right position.

Note on spray paint and spray adhesive – use in a well ventilated area. Protect your work surface from overspray. I typically wear a mask.

Instructions

Prepare your cabinet surface for painting – sand it! I try to get unfinished cabinets when possible since they require less sanding than those that are either already painted or sealed.
Clean the cabinet surface with dust cloth
Measure the recessed portion of your cabinet surface and write down the measurements for future reference.
Protect your work surface area
Lay your cabinet surface flat on 2 x 4 (optional)
Prime your cabinet surface.
Paint your cabinet surface, either with latex paint or spray paint. You may need more than one coat. Don’t forget to paint the bottom side!
While the paint is drying on your cabinet surface, cut the textured wallpaper or decorative paper to size.
Omit this step if you are using decorative paper. Paint the textured wallpaper with the same color as the cabinet surface (or you can totally change it up to another color…it’s your call!) Select your complimentary paint color (don’t use spray paint at this point, I use latex or acrylic paints). Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for adding glaze. I always add just a splash of water. Apply the paint/glaze/water to the textured paper, cover the entire area. Now, grab a rag or cheesecloth and wipe off the paint until you get a desired effect. The paint/glaze/water will stay in all the nooks and crannies and give the paper a great looking effect. The glaze is what makes it easy to wipe the paint off.
Once the paint is dry on your cabinet surface, glue your textured wallpaper or decorative paper inside the recessed panel of the cabinet door front.
Turn your cabinet surface face down.
Measure the width of your cabinet door handles (usually between 2-4 inches).
Measure and find the center point of each of the sides on your cabinet surface. I measure, mark and drill from the bottom. Take the width of your door handle measurement and divide by 2 and make your drill marks. (For example, if your handles screws are 2 inches apart, mark 1 inch out from each side of your center point on the cabinet surface)
Use the countersink drill bit to drill your holes (size will depend on your cabinet hardware screw size). The countersink is an important step because it allows your screws to sit flush with the cabinet surface so the tray can lay flat on a table.
Wipe the surface clean.
Protect your tray with 1-3 coats of polyurethane. Follow manufacturer’s instructions for dry time, etc. Spray is easier to apply but I feel that you get more protection from brushing it on.
Install Hardware: put your handles on the top side of the cabinet surface and put the screws in from the bottom.
If you are going to use the resin, go to a highly ventilated area and mix according to manufacturer’s instructions. Lay flat to dry and keep away from places where there is a lot of dust, etc. that may stick to the surface. (Don’t do this step outside, too many bugs and debris blowing around!) This can take up to 72 hours to totally cure/dry.
Omit the resin step if you are just going to get glass or plexiglass cut (which is much easier and less messy)
Voila. You have just completed your very own, decorative tray. Now go show it off to your friends!

Where to buy?

My favorite supply shops: Habitat Restore, Liberty Salvage, Home Improvement & Craft Stores

(Go GREEN! I strongly encourage you to re-use and shop at Restore and Liberty Salvage. They have great prices.)

Cabinet door fronts -Habitat Restore has lower prices on cabinets but a smaller selection of unfinished doors than Liberty
Cabinet hardware (handles) - Liberty Salvage has a TON of hardware to choose from at just $2 a knob!
Paint (Restore has some discounted paints as well as Big Lots – but colors are limited. Craft stores have spray paint and acrylic paint. Obviously Home Improvement stores have a ton, always look for the “Oops” paint section which has heavily discounted paints)
Wallpaper – Home Improvement stores have a great selection of textured paintable paper. Liberty has a large selection of decorative wallpaper, Restore has a smaller selection. There is also a great store on Trade Street called “Designed by Snooze” which has amazing cool papers or “papers with panache” as they say it.
Adhesive or ModPodge – Craft stores like Michaels or AC Moore (look for 40% off coupons in the paper and online!) Wal-Mart also carries a good selection of glue.
Resin – Home Improvement or Craft Stores
Krylon Preserve It Spray – in the paint section at craft stores
Other tools and supplies – Home improvement stores or local hardware stores.

Special note on Liberty Salvage and is located downtown. There are two buildings. Make sure you go to the one with doors and cabinets, but the other building has the wallpaper (great carpet and tiles too).

Reduce, reuse, recycle! This is a great project for all skill levels. It may take you 1-3 days to complete due to all necessary drying times.

For this particular project, I used an ivory base color and a metallic silver acrylic paint for the glaze.

If you have any questions or problems please feel free to contact Marybeth at mb@addressingspaces.com or visit our website at www.addressingspaces.com.

Happy Crafting!