Silver Tray French Chic Makeover

If you are anything like me you’ll get easily distracted with items that are for sale on Facebook MarketPlace, Charity shops, Bootsales .. etc. You know the ones .. you don’t (really) need them, you have NOOOO idea what you’re going to do with them .. but you definitely want them 🙂 Yes? We can be friends!!

So, enter this silver plated tray .. I bought it for a bargain about 2 years ago. I figured I would make it work in our home, but it really didn’t fit in anywhere. And of course it disappeared to the back of the cupboard. Where it remained, getting tarnished and rather blahhh looking.

So, it was time for a “pretty in pink” makeover. Now, I know painting over silver can be quite controversial and will make some of you a bit anxious, but I made sure it wasn’t some antique masterpiece first! And so once I knew I wasn’t sitting on a fortune .. here’s what I did:

Here’s what I used to transform my silver tray

Annie Sloan chalk paint – Henrietta
Annie Sloan warm gold gilding wax
Mystic Hydrangeas transfers Re-design by Prima – buy them HERE
Matt Mod Podge – buy it HERE

By the way, a quick video on the whole process can be found on my Youtube Channel HERE (could you give that “subcribe” button a little tick while you’re there? – thanks so much!)

Step by step

Start with cleaning your tray so there is no grease or dust residue. This will help the paint to stick to your surface

Next, I used the Annie Sloan Chalk paint to paint straight over the top. Chalk paint will stick to metal surface so there is no need to prime. When using chalk paint, it can get a bit stodgy and if this is the case a simple spray of water with a mister will help to re-active the paint and make it more pliable.

Make sure you leave the paint to fully dry in between coats before applying the next one. All in all this project took about 4 coats to get full coverage.

I only painted the surface of the tray, the handles, sides and feet, but chose to leave the bottom of the tray silver.

Once you are happy with the coverage, leave the paint to completely dry and give a coat of Mod Podge. This will form a good base for the transfers we’re using.

adding the transfers to your tray

I bought these beautiful Mystic Hydrangea transfers and had a look to see which ones I wanted to use before cutting out the designs.

I had a dry run, placing them around the tray first, before taking the first one and peeling the bottom layer away from the design. Carefully place onto your surface and smooth down with your fingers.

Once it is in place, take your provided transfer took and rub over the plastic surface, which will encourage the pattern to adhere to your tray. Gently peel away the top plastic layer and make sure it’s sticking. If not, move the plastic back and continue the process until it sticks and peel away the plastic.

Once you are happy with the design, give it another layer or 2 of Mod Podge to protect your project. This will not make it waterproof, but will allow you to wipe it with a damp cloth.

Finally I used some Annie Sloan gilding wax in warm gold to add some detail and shimmer to the tray. Go gently, adding more if you want – it’s easier to add this in gradually!

I normally start off applying this with my fingers and use a small brush for any hard to reach areas.

Pretty in Pink

I’m so pleased how this has turned out! It definitely looks a lot better in our home than the original silver colour.

It’s now looking pretty in pink in our bedroom.

Ideal as an eye catching display and for storing small items of jewellery.

Loving the gold shimmer on the detail.

Want another “Pretty in (Bright!!) Pink” makeover? Check out this Flamingo memo-board .

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