Farmhouse Style Upcycle: DIY Chalk Painted Tray

See how I added some farmhouse style to an upcycle project with a DIY Chalk Painted Tray!

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It’s time for another month of Inspire Me Creativity link party!

Last month I fixed up some antique candleholders for our thrift store makeover theme:

This month we are all doing projects with chalk paint!!!  I have to say I was SO excited to used real chalk paint.  I’ve used chalky finish paint before but never chalk paint.

This tray (similar tray) has been sitting on our farmhouse shelves in the dining room for quite some time now.  I like the general shape of it and the small details on the tray.

BUT, I’m not really sure what I was thinking when I bought a silver tray.  Silver? Gross.  It didn’t really go with anything else on the shelves.  Kinda sticks out like a sore thumb.

There is NOTHING ELSE silver on the shelves.  Anywhere.

It was the perfect choice for a little chalk paint makeover!

So, I went to Joann’s and picked out the prettiest dark gray chalk paint (this one!).  I used one of my kid’s foam brushes and applied 3 coats of chalk paint.

I was surprised it actually took that many coats.  The chalk paint is really thick and dries reallllyyy fast.  But, the tray I used also had all those tiny details indented in the tray.  So, I think it was a combination of me using the paint for the first time and the crazy amount of the details in the tray that needed filled in with paint.

I chose not to distress the tray because I couldn’t stand to look at the glittery silver finish under it at all!!  Plus, I love love love the matte finish and didn’t want to mess that up.

You’re supposed to put a clear coat of wax over top any chalk paint project.  Supposed to.  I, however, did not.  I’m hoping since it’s just going to sit on the shelves undisturbed that it will be fine (fingers crossed!).

Here’s how it looks now:

I really do love the color.  I was trying to go with a theme of black and gray accents on the shelves so I think it really compliments whats up there already!

Actually, I did just do an update on the styling of these shelves.  Gotta switch it up every once in a while, right?!  I should share how they look now.  Hopefully soon!

Now it’s time for the link party!  Check out the hosts below and hop over to see their thrift store makeovers!!

Next month we will be sharing a fall project.  I can’t believe fall is just around the corner!

Wishing you a joyful day!