Thrift Store Wooden Leaf Tray Upcycled As Fun & Colorful Fall Decor

September 18, 2021

Photo of a leaf shaped tray from Goodwill.

This wooden tray was a Goodwill find from the Twin Cities area.

It had some water stains and some wear and tear. I decided to give it a fall makeover.

(When you click on the bold Amazon, Old Sign Stencils or Dixie Belle Paint Company affiliate links you will be taken to the products I use for this project. If you order it does not change the price or service at all. As an Amazon Affiliate, Old Sign Stencils Affiliate or Dixie Belle Paint Affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases.)

Photo of leaf shaped tray painted in Colonel Mustard.

I thought my leaf should be painted a fall color, and my first choice was Dixie Belle Rusty Nail, but I changed my mind and brushed on several coats of Dixie Belle Chalk Finish Paint in Colonel Mustard.

I won't kid you, at first, I wondered if I had done the right thing. It was really bright.

Photo of Dixie Dirt being brushed on a mustard tray.

I purchased a jar of Dixie Belle Dixie Dirt in Ash, I have never used this product, but lucky for me, there are a variety of videos online with instructions and pointers. I thought I might like the tray better if the color was toned down a bit.

A few of the videos suggested a coat of clear wax (paste or spray) before adding the Dixie Dirt with a brush. I tried this method, using a brush dipped into the powder, tapped off and brushed on. Yikes! I wasn't really liking this look either.

But when I applied more clear wax with a rag over the tray to remove some of the Dixie Dirt, I liked it.

Next time I use the Dixie Dirt, I may apply a coat of Dixie Belle Clear Coat before the waxes like Brandy did HERE.