Simple Thrift Store Tray Makeover With Tile

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This simple thrift store tray makeover was a budget-friendly makeover with pretty mosaic tile and a little gold paint!

This super cute thrift store tray makeover with gorgeous mosaic tile and gold paint was a really simple project! Let me show you how you can do one too!

I often look around my home for things that need makeovers, as you know. ;)
Some things I’ve already given makeovers to. No matter! They may be in need of another, right?

Well, that’s the exact case with today’s tray makeover.

It was originally a thrifty find that I simply gave a coat of white spray paint to and promptly used it on our screened porch.

You can see it below…

This super cute thrift store tray makeover with gorgeous mosaic tile and gold paint was a really simple project! Let me show you how you can do one too! artsychicksrule.com #tiledtray #traymakeover #tiledprojects #howtotile #mosaictile

As a matter of fact, you can also see another gold and white tray makeover I recently completed in this same post here >>> Screened Porch & Patio Makeover
(well, it’s still coral colored in this post) Remember it?

Anyway, our porch is due for a big overall so all of this is going away…or somewhere else.
So I grabbed up the little tray to give it a brand new look.

Simple Thrift Store Tray Makeover With Tile (and gold paint!)

Here is how it started…

This super cute thrift store tray makeover with gorgeous mosaic tile and gold paint was a really simple project! Let me show you how you can do one too! artsychicksrule.com #tiledtray #traymakeover #tiledprojects #howtotile #mosaictile

Well, actually, as I mentioned that was after I got ahold of it! lol

Here is the color the whole thing was when I first found it at the thrift store.

This super cute thrift store tray makeover with gorgeous mosaic tile and gold paint was a really simple project! Let me show you how you can do one too! artsychicksrule.com #tiledtray #traymakeover #tiledprojects #howtotile #mosaictile

Just picture it that color all over. :)
I wish I’d taken a photo but at the time it wasn’t really a blog-worthy post.
Just a budget-friendly decor piece with a simple spray of white for our porch.

I knew I wanted to put tile over that weaving interior section. And I knew exactly which tile, too.

This one…

This super cute thrift store tray makeover with gorgeous mosaic tile and gold paint was a really simple project! Let me show you how you can do one too! artsychicksrule.com #tiledtray #traymakeover #tiledprojects #howtotile #mosaictile

Ack…it’s on clearance. Dang.
Great price but boo, I love this tile.

It’s the same tile I used on this table I did recently >>> DIY Tiled Table Top

So, yea, that’s a bit of bummer but what can you do? Oh, buy it all up!! Haha
Well, no I didn’t. ;) But I’d like to.

As a matter of fact, I found another gorgeous tile….also cheap and on clearance… for another project I’m working on.
If you follow along on Instagram with me, you’ve seen it! ;) I shared it in my stories over the weekend.

Want to see some of these projects in “live” time? Hop on over and follow along with me on INSTAGRAM. I’m always sharing in my stories as I’m doing projects, finding new furniture, fun finds….just all the day to day behind the scenes. 

Anyway, moving on.

In order to have it centered and nice looking, I would have to end up cutting both sides of the tile all the way down both sides.

This super cute thrift store tray makeover with gorgeous mosaic tile and gold paint was a really simple project! Let me show you how you can do one too! artsychicksrule.com #tiledtray #traymakeover #tiledprojects #howtotile #mosaictile

Which was not too much of a problem for the small points.
BUT it was a big problem for the large, flat triangle shaped pieces along the edge there.

So I said, what the heck, those are just coming out. I’m not dealing with all the chippy, crazy mess.

This super cute thrift store tray makeover with gorgeous mosaic tile and gold paint was a really simple project! Let me show you how you can do one too! artsychicksrule.com #tiledtray #traymakeover #tiledprojects #howtotile #mosaictile

Yuck.

So I cut them out and I’m so glad I did!

Oh yes, so very much better.

This super cute thrift store tray makeover with gorgeous mosaic tile and gold paint was a really simple project! Let me show you how you can do one too! artsychicksrule.com #tiledtray #traymakeover #tiledprojects #howtotile #mosaictile

Before we get too far ahead, let me share with you the materials and things I used for this makeover so you can find them for yourself.

 

After getting the tile all nipped and cut, I laid it out as you see above to make sure it was fitting well.
Then I used the E6000 glue to attach them to the tray. I don’t bother with all the typical tile stuff for small projects like this.
I don’t feel it’s really necessary.
And this glue STICKS. That tile is not moving.

Once that was dry (about 24 hours), I mixed up the grout and applied it to the tiles.

This super cute thrift store tray makeover with gorgeous mosaic tile and gold paint was a really simple project! Let me show you how you can do one too! artsychicksrule.com #tiledtray #traymakeover #tiledprojects #howtotile #mosaictile

Then I went back over it with a tile float to get it down in the grout lines well and remove excess.

This super cute thrift store tray makeover with gorgeous mosaic tile and gold paint was a really simple project! Let me show you how you can do one too! artsychicksrule.com #tiledtray #traymakeover #tiledprojects #howtotile #mosaictile

Let it sit for about 15 minutes then go back over it with the sponge. (slightly dampened and wrung out well)

This super cute thrift store tray makeover with gorgeous mosaic tile and gold paint was a really simple project! Let me show you how you can do one too! artsychicksrule.com #tiledtray #traymakeover #tiledprojects #howtotile #mosaictile

Wait about 2 hours before you come back and wipe the haze away.

This super cute thrift store tray makeover with gorgeous mosaic tile and gold paint was a really simple project! Let me show you how you can do one too! artsychicksrule.com #tiledtray #traymakeover #tiledprojects #howtotile #mosaictile

For the handles, I decided to give them a quick spray of gold.
I wrapped up the tray and taped it well first.

This super cute thrift store tray makeover with gorgeous mosaic tile and gold paint was a really simple project! Let me show you how you can do one too! artsychicksrule.com #tiledtray #traymakeover #tiledprojects #howtotile #mosaictile

This super cute thrift store tray makeover with gorgeous mosaic tile and gold paint was a really simple project! Let me show you how you can do one too! artsychicksrule.com #tiledtray #traymakeover #tiledprojects #howtotile #mosaictile

Then I gave the white wood part a coat of white paint.
Once that was dry I used my fave top coat/sealer on the whole thing, even the tile/grout.

This super cute thrift store tray makeover with gorgeous mosaic tile and gold paint was a really simple project! Let me show you how you can do one too! artsychicksrule.com #tiledtray #traymakeover #tiledprojects #howtotile #mosaictile
I did take a damp paper towel and immediately went back over the tile to remove it there though.
I only wanted it to settle into the grout to help seal it from spills, etc.
You can see the hint of sheen the grout now has. (it was flat and dry looking before)

This super cute thrift store tray makeover with gorgeous mosaic tile and gold paint was a really simple project! Let me show you how you can do one too! artsychicksrule.com #tiledtray #traymakeover #tiledprojects #howtotile #mosaictile

I just love how this tray makeover turned out.
And I’m so, so glad I decided to give it a new look!

This super cute thrift store tray makeover with gorgeous mosaic tile and gold paint was a really simple project! Let me show you how you can do one too! artsychicksrule.com #tiledtray #traymakeover #tiledprojects #howtotile #mosaictile

Isn’t that tile so pretty??
I love how it looks with the white grout. I used a darker grout the last time I used this tile. (see the link I provided for that further above)

This super cute thrift store tray makeover with gorgeous mosaic tile and gold paint was a really simple project! Let me show you how you can do one too! artsychicksrule.com #tiledtray #traymakeover #tiledprojects #howtotile #mosaictile

See my other >>> painted tile table over there? Remember I said I was going to use it in front of that window in my morning room for some of my small house plants?
That plant you see there is one my son brought home to me in 3rd grade. Aww.

This super cute thrift store tray makeover with gorgeous mosaic tile and gold paint was a really simple project! Let me show you how you can do one too! artsychicksrule.com #tiledtray #traymakeover #tiledprojects #howtotile #mosaictile

You can see >>> my little “footstool” I shared recently too. It’s still tall. ;)
I have not decided yet what I’ll do with it.

This super cute thrift store tray makeover with gorgeous mosaic tile and gold paint was a really simple project! Let me show you how you can do one too! artsychicksrule.com #tiledtray #traymakeover #tiledprojects #howtotile #mosaictile

Looks great on my kitchen island too. That’s a shell my son found for me on a field trip to the Eastern Shore a few years back.
He actually brought me two, both that big. They are such beauties and treasures.

These kinds of trays can be used in so many ways…

This super cute thrift store tray makeover with gorgeous mosaic tile and gold paint was a really simple project! Let me show you how you can do one too! artsychicksrule.com #tiledtray #traymakeover #tiledprojects #howtotile #mosaictile

This super cute thrift store tray makeover with gorgeous mosaic tile and gold paint was a really simple project! Let me show you how you can do one too! artsychicksrule.com #tiledtray #traymakeover #tiledprojects #howtotile #mosaictile

In so many places too.

Goes nicely on my Aubusson Blue dresser.

This super cute thrift store tray makeover with gorgeous mosaic tile and gold paint was a really simple project! Let me show you how you can do one too! artsychicksrule.com #tiledtray #traymakeover #tiledprojects #howtotile #mosaictile

It even looks nice in the family room on the ottoman here…

This super cute thrift store tray makeover with gorgeous mosaic tile and gold paint was a really simple project! Let me show you how you can do one too! artsychicksrule.com #tiledtray #traymakeover #tiledprojects #howtotile #mosaictile

Actually, I really like it there.

But for the time being, I have decided to use this one here, on >>> my Duck Egg Blue secretary.

This super cute thrift store tray makeover with gorgeous mosaic tile and gold paint was a really simple project! Let me show you how you can do one too! artsychicksrule.com #tiledtray #traymakeover #tiledprojects #howtotile #mosaictile

Along with photos of my “babies”….and a plant that tried to mess up the finish on my pretty desk.
And why I’m using it here for now. lol
I was able to fix the mess the plant left underneath that pot though…thank goodness. (all of this was sitting here already, minus the new tray)

I hope you enjoyed seeing this tiled tray makeover today!
It was a fun one to do. I’m finding that I am really enjoying working with tile and creating pretty new makeovers with them.
I can NOT wait to share the one I’m working on now with you guys.
Remember, stay tuned to Instagram, I may share a snippet or two before I post it next week. ;)

PIN it to save it!

This super cute thrift store tray makeover with gorgeous mosaic tile and gold paint was a really simple project! Let me show you how you can do one too! artsychicksrule.com #tiledtray #traymakeover #tiledprojects #howtotile #mosaictile

For my American friends, I hope you have a wonderful 4th of July!
Happy week to all!

xoxo

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25 Comments

  1. Love the tile pieces you have done and the tile on this tray is my favorite. You make it look so easy!! Have a happy and safe Independence Day!

    1. Thanks so much, Cecilia! It really isn’t that hard to do. Promise! :) Hope you have a wonderful holiday too! xoxo

  2. Love looking at all of your before, during, and after pics! This tray turned out great; love the clean, crisp of white! Wonderful accent wherever you use it.

  3. Such a pretty tray, Nancy. The monochromatic look is perfect for this one, with that hit of gold. And it’s always fun to see you working with tile!

  4. I just love the new makeover, it’s beautiful! It looks like a piece you buy in a high end store. The tile adds pizazz! Great job!

  5. Hi Nancy, Wow you are great with the tile on these trays! I’ll bet it was a pain cutting out all those little points, but it was the right call. I love the white and gold combination too!

    1. Thank you so much, Kaycee! :) No, not so much though I did cut myself a little on one of the little shards! Oops!! Not as careful as I should’ve been! lol xo

  6. I have only gotten through the first few chapters of your book, but will be taking it on vacation with me to read on the plane. I have been refurbishing furniture for a few years. Just thinking that your book would have saved me a lot of “self-learning” and redo. I am sure it will help me in future projects as well. I will give a good review after I’ve read the whole book. Thanks so much for publishing your book.

    1. Hi Lois! Are you talking about the Furniture Makeovers book?? That was my friend Jen from Girl in the Garage. I am glad that it is helpful to you! It is a wonderful book, I agree! :) xoxo

  7. Hi Nancy
    I just happened upon you while browsing and so glad I did! I’m such a detail minded person that each change you made excited me. The tray you created, the handles you chose, the brass basket (OH MY! where can I get one, so simple but really tugged at my heart for some reason!), the texture and that lovely blue in the throw with the plant pot on the ottoman.
    All so very pretty together,
    I haven’t gone through much of your site yet, only this page so I have lots to look forward too.
    Excited I found your site! Thank you for bringing more beauty into my life. :O)
    Beth ♥

    1. Aww, thanks so much, Beth! :) Yes, isn’t that brass bowl so pretty?? It tugged at my heart too! I saw it at IKEA at a press event and had to go back and get it when the store opened. Check them out online for it if you don’t have one close by. I’m so happy to have you here, welcome!!! xoxo

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