Transform a wooden mail tray
Refresh an old fashioned mail tray with a modern new look using the Resene Whites and Neutrals range.
Resene upcycling for good with Sarah Herring - Project 50
Finished project
You will need: 1 x testpot brush and 2 x small detail brushes, a small piece of sandpaper, painter’s masking tape, scissors, Resene Quick Dry primer undercoat (smallest size is enough), Your choice of testpots, Sarah used Resene Whites & Neutrals testpots in: Resene Villa White, Resene Double Ash and Resene Masala.
Top tip: If you don’t have enough mail to fill this tray, reinvent it as a magazine holder, spice rack or use it to hold your favourite cookbooks. Paint the front panel in Resene Blackboard Paint and use it as a handy writing space.
Before
Finished project
Step one This old mail tray was still perfectly functional, it just looked a bit unfashionable.
Step one contd.Sarah’s aim was not to change its purpose at all, but rather update it with some on-trend colours so it could be used and enjoyed again.
Step two Once the primer is dry, apply two coats of your chosen colour. Sarah used Resene Masala, which would suit most neutral modern interiors, so that this mail tray could blend in on a countertop or desk.
Step threeOnce the base coats are dry mask out some uneven shapes by hand with painter’s tape. Sarah aimed for imperfect shapes, for a fun design. Once you have masked out all the shapes, paint them with two coats of Resene Villa White.
Step fourOnce dry, freehand paint some paint strokes over the top in Resene Double Ash. It gives an interesting effect when the masking tape has been removed.
Step fiveRemove all the masking tape and if necessary, clean up some of the edges with a small detail brush dipped in Resene Masala.
Step five contd.Place your completed mail tray on your kitchen bench, hallway table or desk for holding your mail and/or stationery items such as pens, envelopes, rubber bands etc.
Finished project: You could even use this elsewhere for storing makeup or paint brushes.