My family loves weekend movie nights. All five of us gather on the big comfy sectional sofa in the family room and watch videos together.
We bought this huge leather and wood ottoman because it's perfect for resting all five pairs of feet around it. It's enormous and heavy. Can you see Tucker's paws in the photo above? They don't quite reach. :)
It also has big drawers for storing cozy warm throws on each side and pull out trays for snacks. It's a really well designed and well made piece of furniture.
When Tucker is jumping on and off the sofa or squeezing between the ottoman and sofa, I'm always worrying that a glass or cup will get knocked off the pull out tray onto the carpet. It's a bit distracting during the movie when mom yells, "Grab that glass!"
I started looking for a tray with deep sides that could hold our drinks and would contain fluids if they got knocked over. I figured a round tray would work well to also break up the big square expanse of brown leather. Does it ever happen to you that when you need something you can't find it? That's how it was with big round trays. Nowhere in sight.
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| Pottery Barn |
Finally, I found this round galvanized tray on Pottery Barn. I didn't just find it, I fell in love with it. The original price was too much, though, so I kept my eye on it for months. When it finally went on sale for around $40, I ordered it. I was so happy. I really really loved this tray.
When it was late arriving, I called and was told they didn't have anymore. "But," I said, "You sold me one and took my money for it!" Oops. They made some kind of mistake. I even asked them to search their warehouse, but nope. None left. Grrrr....
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| World Market |
I'd sort of stopped thinking about trays when I saw this one at Cost Plus World Market. It was round, galvanized, and only $15! "But," I can hear you saying, "It's bright shiny fire engine where-the-heck-are-my-sunglasses-red!"
No problem, I can handle that!
I taped the outside and spray painted over the red with some leftover primer and hammered nickel paint.
I buffed the outside with some sandpaper, so it wouldn't look so brand spanking new, but I didn't like the shiny new finish of the hammered nickel paint on the inside. I wanted the whole tray to look old.
I sat and stared into my craft closet for awhile and then grabbed my dark furniture wax. I rubbed some all over the tray and then impatiently gave it an hour to dry. I really thought the wax would all come off when I buffed it, but to my surprise, it didn't. It covered the shiny paint with a dull soft sheen and a slightly distressed look.
For $15, I'd take it!
Sometimes things work out just fine. I love my galvanized tray redo!
What are we watching tonight?
