Monday, June 1, 2009

Trash to Treasure - TV Tray Table Transformation

I had wanted a metal TV tray like those from my childhood for quite some time. The wooden ones they make now are nice enough, but they take up too much room. I want to be able to slide my TV tray behind a dresser when not in use.

Ebay has a bunch of awesome TV trays but the shipping might be a hassle. I saw this Retro TV Tray online, but c'mon! This is the kind of thing I should be able to get at Walmart for $19.99!

Metal TV Tray

Goodwill's got it!

This table was only 99 cents! But, the best part is that there is an address label on the back giving me some clues to the history. I love thinking about the previous life of my junk.

God bless Ester, who loved this tray table enough to put her address label on the back and keep it for a long time. So long in fact that the zip code for her LA address was simply "26." I quickly Googled this and 5 digit zip codes started in 1963.

This little orphan table was was rusty, stained and scratched up.

When the building all but cleared out for Memorial Day, I set up some cardboard from the recycling bin and painted out on the balcony. Not going to let my "penthouse in the sky" keep me from my crafty ambitions!
Apartment Balcony Painting Station
I wonder how many of my neighbors think I am nuts digging through the recycling dumpster for cardboard?


Here it is painted the most lovely green- RustOleum American Accents Seaside Green.
It is the exact green of Jadeite pottery, or for locals, the chairs at the farmers market on Fairfax. Love it!
99 Cent Tray Table
I haven't sealed it with any kind of varnish yet. I still haven't decided if I want to decoupage the top. If I find the perfect paper I will. In the meantime, it fits my small scale living to a tee!

Oh, and Ester, just for you, I saved that label and I may just add my own.
Back of Tray Table
Be sure to tune in next Tuesday. Today I found a little trash on the curb that made my husband's head spin! He actually said, "I'm calling my mother!" Cliff really thinks I do this just to get a rise out of him. I can't help it though. My former room mates Piper and Kate would tell him, I have always "shopped" the curb!

More Trash to Treasure Tuesdays at Reinvented.

17 comments:

Mama Said Sew said...

Love that color! Can't wait to see your next treasure. :)

ChesterAndDonkey said...

Great project - I love it! That is fantastic the address label stuck on the tray for at least 46 years.

mustangkayla said...

How cool! I never would have thought to grab an old tv tray like that! The history just makes it that more special too! I love how you googled the info!

mustangkayla said...

Oh, and thanks for stopping by my blog!

Nutsy Coco said...

That turned out great! I love the color too!

Julie H said...

I have some really cool old TV Trays that I want to paint. I think I need to sand them first though.

HollyLynne said...

It is just gorgeous!!! Awesome use of that beautiful green paint. I LOVE that it had an address underneath as well. So cool!

Unknown said...

Less than a buck??? Great job! I love that sea glassy color, too. I got a chair for $2 yesterday, so it looks like the week for mega deals.

Unknown said...

Thank you for sharing the color. Sometimes all it takes is the right color and you have a masterpiece! That color accents well in your surroundings!

Jen said...

I love how simple you kept it and I love the color.

the pleasures of homemaking said...

Love it! I'm a Goodwill junkie - I think eventually everything will show up there that I want. Love the color you chose and I'm so happy you preserved the label!

Manuela

Unknown said...

I love that color. How bout a stencil of some sort in White?

Amanda @ Serenity Now said...

I LOVE that makeover! If you don't want to decoupage, you could always do a stencil in black (or white?) of a neat shape or design and then do the spray sealer over top. It looks great next to your chair. I love that you kept the history, and I think you should add your own label. :)

Thanks for visiting my blog yesterday!

Unknown said...

Fabulous makeover! Love that green. Thanks for linking up, I can't wait to see what you come up with next week!

Vivienne @ the V Spot said...

Fantastic color! Love it.

Kristy said...

Your TV tray table looks great! I've been thinking about some small side tables, and as much as I pride myself on thinking outside the box, I never would have considerd a TV tray. Great job!

claire5of6 said...

Aaaaaaaaaah I love you...I wanted to do the same thing but was really struggling with how to paint the legs...brace them with paint cans. Genious! I actually bought the same green paint as you before seeing it! But, only you will have Ester's tray...I need to make up a name for mine...maybe Margie? or Delores? :)