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Chalk one up for this creative kitchen tray upcycle idea

07 Aug 2019

Give a well-used kitchen tray a second life with a glam new makeover. A splash of paint and a spot of elbow grease can transform it into a useful chalkboard, perfect for little restaurateurs or for those wanting to plan weekly meals.

You will need:

Step 1 Lightly sand your old kitchen tray with sandpaper. Wipe the surface clean and then apply one coat of Resene Quick Dry primer undercoat using a Resene testpot brush. Sarah decided not to paint the underside of her tray as she wanted to hang it against a wall. If you are planning to use the tray as it was intended, you could prime and paint the underside also.

Step 2 Apply your chosen chalkboard colour to the base of the tray in 2-3 coats. You can use Resene Chalkboard Paint or Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen paint. Sarah used Resene Indian Ink.

Step 3 Choose four bright Resene testpots to create a carnival-style striped theme. Sarah chose Resene Irresistible, Resene Spray, Resene Bright Spark and Resene Trinidad. Sarah applied two coats of Resene Irresistible as her first colour over the entire outside of the tray.

Step 4 Once dry, use masking tape to create stripes. Paint to create a frame effect. Sarah did this one colour at a time using Resene Trinidad, Resene Bright Spark and then Resene Spray. It’s best to use a detail brush for these stripes as they are quite narrow. Take your time with each section and make sure the paint on the previous colour is dry before you mask and paint a new one.

Step 5 Once fully dry, use white chalk to turn the tray into a menu board for the kitchen – starting with Taco Tuesday!

Top tip:This chalkboard could become a to-do list, chore chart for the kids or a welcome sign for a party! Simply wipe it clean with a soft lint free cloth and use it for any purpose you like. It’s a fun way to introduce a pop of colour into your home.

project and images Sarah Herring

Published: 07 Aug 2019