A picture-frame tray – a serving tray crafted from an ordinary picture frame – provides an easy and elegant way to serve tea for a morning breakfast or hors d'oeuvres for appetizers. You can enhance a picture-frame tray easily and inexpensively by adding a decorative lining to match your personal decorating tastes or to enhance the picture frame itself. This frame (see photo below), which was found at The Gate House in Los Angeles, California, is lined with an underlay cut from a straw beach mat; decorative paper and fabric such as toile work nicely as well.
It's easy to convert a picture frame into a tray by attaching two handles on the outside of the frame's short sides. Consider using an old frame – a favorite from home or an antique-store find – since the frame's detailed front will be displayed.
TECHNIQUE
Decorating a Picture-Frame Tray
Materials:
- Picture frame
- Two drawer handles and screws
- 1/8-inch-thick piece Masonite (available at hardware stores), cut to same size as picture-frame glass
- Kraft paper
- Muslin
- Wood glue
- Paintbrush
- Straw beach mats
- Rag
- Heavy piece of plywood or large breadboard
- Masking tape
- Scissors
- Artist's tape
Directions:
- Attach handles on the outside of the frame's short sides. Measure the piece of Masonite; add four inches to the length and width dimensions of the Masonite. Trace a rectangle onto a large piece of kraft paper using the dimensions you obtained. Cut out the shape on the paper; this paper pattern will be your template. You will need this template in order to create the decorative lining for the picture-frame tray.
- You need to back the straw mat with muslin fabric so it will hold together when cut. Lay a piece of muslin about the size of your straw mat down on your work surface, and use a paintbrush to apply wood glue that you've diluted a bit with water – a ratio of two parts glue to one part water is ideal. Place the straw mat onto the muslin, and run over the surface with a rag, applying pressure and wiping off excess glue. Place a heavy board and other heavy objects, such as books, on top of the muslin and straw mat to press them flat until the glue is dry.
- When the glue is dry, tape the template to the mat with masking tape, and cut around it with scissors. Center Masonite on mat, clip mat corners, and wrap over back of Masonite; fasten in place with artist's tape. Place glass and frame on top of mat and secure frame back.
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