Making Beautiful from Forgotten Treasures

I am really trying to make our home beautiful. Full of pretty, functional (and many not so functional) things.  
And this can be a pretty expensive endeavor!  Just ask Mr. Suburbs.
So I have been rooting around in the depths of my basement, opening boxes of long ago treasures, shopping amongst things we already have.  (I started out this task with the mirror in my room.)   
And then I remembered this tray!
I have had this tray for many years.  It has survived 4 moves, but it had seen better days.  
And it didn’t match what I had going on in this here white home!  
Nothing a little spray paint couldn’t fix!
I had a vision for it.  White.  Tile.  Pretty.  In the living room.  Serving munchies and cocktails!
Here’s What I did!

Using sandpaper, I scuffed up all the surfaces.  
I didn’t think this piece needed a complete sanding.

Then, outside, I used Rust-Oleum’s Bright White Satin spray paint, and sprayed on!
I ended up using the whole can.

Here it is after a full day of drying.  
Looks nice, but it needed something more.
Like I mentioned before, I envisioned tile in the centre.
So I went to Home Depot in search of some glass tiles.
I had them all picked out and in the cart, with the adhesive, grout and sealer.  I was set. 
Or so I thought!


But, then I saw these!
Basically, they are sheets of stick on tiles.
Seriously?!  These were what I was looking for and didn’t even know it!
They weren’t cheap by any stretch, but how can you beat peel and stick?
No grout.  No mess.  Done in 10 minutes.

Just peel and stick.  You can cut them down to size.  So simple to use.
And if I hate them next year, I can peel them out and replace them!
Purtay.

Here it is all done.

A close-up.  Love it!

Another close-up, just because.

Now with a little decorating, it looks so pretty!
I think it’s so great when you can turn unused items into beautiful things for your home, in an inexpensive, easy way!

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33 Comments

  1. O.M.G. You just MADE my day! I have two trays that I want to redo and one is an odd size and while my original thought was to use a piece of glass and maybe put pretty paper underneath I was thinking have glass cut to the odd size would be expensive…but THESE tiles that you can cut to size would be absolute PERFECTION! Do you happen to remember whereabouts in the store you found these? I am definitely going to have to go find some now!

  2. This is a great idea Jo-Anna. Your tray looks beautiful! and who would’ve thought that peel and stick tiles exist! Now I’m trying to think of an excuse to use them 😉

  3. Visitng from FJI. This is wonderful! I have a few of these laying around. I think I might try this. I never seen those faux tiles before. I have to look for these the next time I am in Home Depot. Great inspiration, thanks!

  4. Oh my gosh, you had me fooled for sure! I’ve never heard of Smart Tiles, and I was certain that you had tiled and grouted the tray. It’s a beautiful transformation. I’m gonna head to Home Depot today to look for those tiles. 🙂

    I hope you’ll come link up your project at the Sunday link party at Addicted 2 Decorating!

  5. Just came over from A Girl and a Glue Gun to take a peek…how purtay. I have 2 trays similar to this that I plan to redo. Thanks for the idea!

  6. Jo Anna! I think this is awesome! Love those tiles! Wondering how much??? 🙂

    thanks for linking up and linking back. Will be catching you next week!
    gail

  7. What a great idea to use smart tiles! I’ve always loved the look of tiled trays but didn’t want to deal with the mess and grout. Thanks for the awesome alternative, I’m excited to give it a try!

  8. thank you SO much for posting this – SMART TILES – i have been wanting to do tiling in my kitchen, but was scared of the grout. this is the solution i’ve been looking for! thanks =)