This post will show you how to make a cabinet door repurposed into a tray. This is an easy project, perfect for beginners.
Cabinet doors are easily found at your local Habitat for Humanity Re-Store. I get mine in various places and many times for free.
![100_8943%5B2%5D[1]](https://i1.wp.com/lh3.ggpht.com/_TrDKdmiRg0Q/TQlyPQgkhbI/AAAAAAAAL1g/GA7G1528EOI/100_8943%5B2%5D%5B1%5D%5B2%5D.png?resize=599%2C450&ssl=1 "100_8943%5B2%5D[1]")
I measured and drew my lines for a Harlequin pattern.
I used the Painter’s Tape to mark off my diamonds.
I painted the diamonds blue.
I wanted a little something extra for my tray. Scotch Blue Painter’s tape is great for making your own stencils. Overlap some tape onto waxed paper.
Print off a template. You can see how I did this painter’s tape stencil on my post Harlequin Fleur-de-lis Stenciling
I chose Ebony paint from DecoArt for the Fleur-de-lis.
Here is my former cabinet door looking all dressed up in her new outfit! I asked the opinions of my readers, and they overwhelmingly said . . . “it should be a tray”.
This Rockler Drawer Pull Jig allows you to get uniform measurements each and every time. I have made trays before and I found it difficult to get the holes the right distance apart. Not with this jig! You simply find the center of your wood, choose the right width of your handle, and center your handle from top to bottom.
The “fence” on the left locks your measurements in place so that if you’re doing more than one drawer, the handles will be the same on all of the drawers.
My handles are 3 inch centers, so I set the jig so that those holes are centered left to right and top to bottom. I used an auto center punch. I have to tell you I was amazed at what this little tool does! I went around punching “dents” in scrap wood in amazement! Seriously! Something so simple entertained me for quite a while.
Do you see those two little indentations? SWEET! That little punch is going to come in very handy. Why? you ask!
Because of this feature right here. Instead of marking your spot with a pencil, you PUNCH the spot. Because it leaves that special indentation, your drill bit has a “resting” spot, meaning it’s less likely to jump around. I think this will really come in handy when I do hinges on my Window Cabinets!
It is winter, and very cold here, soooo you can see I’m working right in my kitchen. I drilled the holes on both sides, and the handles fit perfectly! Plus, they are equidistant on both sides. I’m pretty good, but usually my handles are not this perfect.
I decided to change out the paint. I taped of the inset part of the cabinet door with some more Scotch Blue Painter’s tape.
You can see the handles in the background before I painted them. You can also see that I have my kitchen island/bar covered with plastic. 😉
Using some more Mythic paint, and a fabulous Purdy Paint Brush I changed out the blue to the grey.
I spray painted the handles (in the basement, due to the weather) and attached them with some screws leftover from my kitchen handles.
I have a lot of handles in my stash, but I chose these because of the detail. It reminded me of the fleur-de-lis shape.
I’m still playing around with maybe hanging it on the wall when it’s not in use. We’ll see. I don’t have a nail in the wall where it would go, so I didn’t want to hang it yet until I’m sure. Sometimes I’m so wishy washy!
Thanks for hanging in there with me folks! Ya’ll are the bestest!
gail
See more cabinet door project ideas here
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To Sew With Love says
December 29, 2010 at 1:59 pmwow!!!! so so pretty!
would love for you to link up at our saturday linky party.
http://tosewwithlove.blogspot.com/
Sue@Uniquely Chic says
December 29, 2010 at 4:20 amLOve this! The painters tape stencil idea is awesome! I will definitely be giving that a try. Thanks for inspiring!
Julie says
December 28, 2010 at 1:36 pmI love this!!! I saw you on alittlenicknack. This is a project that is definitely on my “to do” list!! Great job, it looks amazing!!!
Meg says
December 27, 2010 at 8:45 pmHi! I featured your project today! Hope you can stop by and grab a button! Have a great New Year!
alittleknickknack.blogspot.com
Mary says
December 21, 2010 at 7:24 amYou are so talented, very french! Have a Merry Christmas! Mary
Angie @ The Country Chic Cottage says
December 20, 2010 at 10:07 pmGorgeous as always! Love the pattern you chose!
Stephanie says
December 17, 2010 at 8:17 pmI love that drawer guide pull jig! I am going to order one of those!
Rose @ Confessions of a Curbshopaholic says
December 17, 2010 at 10:52 amI need one of those jigs too! And that punch thing? Very cool. I’m off to ask santa to put one in my stocking…. 😉
Love the tray with the grey edgy and black handles. they are perfect with the pattern!
Cheryl says
December 16, 2010 at 10:33 pmFabulous!!! Love the fleur-de-lis!
Ginger@cottageonrosewood says
December 16, 2010 at 10:17 pmAdorable project. Stopping by from E’s party. I think I need one of those jigs! Merry Christmas!
Debra@Dejarenew.blogspot.com says
December 16, 2010 at 8:29 pmI love the idea of using the painting tape as a stencil! I will for sure be trying that. I love the tray turned out beautiful
Deb.
Cassie @ Primitive & Proper says
December 16, 2010 at 5:26 pmit turned out so nicely, gail!!!
Cassie @ Primitive & Proper says
December 16, 2010 at 5:26 pmit turned out so nicely, gail!!!
My Cottage Charm says
December 16, 2010 at 4:59 pmThat turned out lovely! Can’t wait to see your kitchen completely finished…it’s looking SO good! 🙂
Have a great day and hope you’re taking it easy! ;0)
Missy
Pudel-design says
December 16, 2010 at 4:45 pmThat looks nice, I like it al lot!
I did something similar;)
You can see it here…
http://pudel-design.blogspot.com/2010/10/picture-frame-diy-tray-project.html
Lovely greetings…
Suzanne@Meridian Road says
December 16, 2010 at 3:21 pmThe handles are perfect~they do look like little fleur-de-lis. Your tray is going to look good no matter where you put it.
Jennifer says
December 16, 2010 at 3:05 pmDefinitely a cute idea, especially for a newlywed couple. Reminds them to serve each other breakfast in bed once in a while, hehe.
http://www.alwaysinwonder.com
Having a little blog giveaway for a $20 gift card to Home Depot if anyone is interested.
Proper Prim says
December 16, 2010 at 3:03 pmOh that looks fabulous now… like it much better with the outer edge in the lighter colour… great job. Now I am off to find one of those jigs… I wish I had that when I did the handles on Mya’s dresser that is awesome.
Have a great day Gail.
Hugs, Deb
Megandvd@Beauty in the Attempt says
December 16, 2010 at 3:02 pmIt is darling!!! Love the handles….they make it perfect.
Cheers~
e
Shannon says
December 16, 2010 at 2:59 pmLooks great, Gail! I love the colors! The dark handles really help set it all off!
Suzanne says
December 16, 2010 at 2:46 pmLove the tray — beauty and functionality — what could be better!?! That jiggy thingy is awesome too! I learn so much from your blog. Thanks for sharing your ideas and knowledge with us all!
Ann Marie @ Twice Lovely says
December 16, 2010 at 2:44 pmI got my Scotch Blue Paint Kit yesterday. They really went above and beyond! I was so impressed with the kit! Can’t wait to try it out too! 🙂
Terri says
December 16, 2010 at 2:42 pmYou did a beautiful job on this tray…not that I am surprised by that. I wish I had the nerve to try these types of things! ~sigh…maybe someday!
Tru@TRU TALES FEATS says
December 16, 2010 at 2:34 pmYou could always put a nail at the top of your wall where it won’t be noticed, and hang it from a ribbon. Awesome project, by the way!
gypsy@Hebrews11:13 says
December 16, 2010 at 1:23 pmI love this tray! You did a fabulous job! And you could lean it on a shelf or hang it when it’s not in use…holding mugs and fixin’s for hot cocoa…brrrrr….it’s getting cold early this year!
Cindy @ LeChaiseParfait says
December 16, 2010 at 1:18 pmThe outside in the lighter color was really a good idea. I really think it looks good.
Dawn says
December 16, 2010 at 1:08 pmI love it SO much more now that you made the harlequin an inset and painted the outside white – its perfection now!! You really notice the handles and the fleur de lis, it is just gorgeous!
kathie says
December 16, 2010 at 12:37 pmlove that!!!
Coleen's Corner says
December 16, 2010 at 12:13 pmA+++! I really like your tray… good idea to paint the trim white to really show off those perfect handles. I’m never disappointed with your projects!
I Play Outside The Box says
December 16, 2010 at 10:25 amAwesome job ….as always!