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    Home » Upcycle And Repurpose Projects

    Boho Bliss: Transforming Thrifted Bamboo Into A Stylish Serving Tray

    Published by Pam Kessler | 1195 words. · About 6 minutes to read this article. - 7 Comments

    I like to mix a little boho decor with my vintage decor pieces. Or as I like to call it, my somewhat eclectically eccentric vintage-loving decor.

    I feel the old bamboo pieces so easily found at thrift stores and estate sales give a little bit of a classic, bohemian aesthetic along with a bit of whimsy.

    The key is to use them in small bites here and there so as to not be overpowering.

    Today I'm going to show you how I updated a well-worn bamboo serving tray I found at the local thrift store. If you want to jump straight to that project just use the Table Of Contents below to get there (I won't be offended if you don't want to read through my blathering on and on about my other bohemian bamboo pieces).

    Table Of Contents

    • Boho Bamboo Around The House
    • Updating A Thrift Store Bamboo Tray
      • Supplies
      • Instructions
    • Where To Find Bamboo Decor Pieces
    • Thrift Store Decor Team Projects

    Boho Bamboo Around The House

    For instance, I have this wonderful bamboo plant stand in my entryway.

    Or is it a washstand? Side table?

    Whatever it is it is one of my favorite pieces I've found lately. I picked it up at a local 2nd hand shop.

    Bamboo side table used as a plant stand.

    And I have this honest-to-goodness plant stand that I picked up at Marshall's a few years ago.

    OK, Marshall's is not exactly a thrift store or anything, but it is a great place to find quirky inexpensive items for the home.

    Bamboo plant stanf holding a snake plant.

    And who can't use a sturdy plant stand?

    And to get even more off the thrift store beaten path, I bought both of these bohemian-styled pieces at Walmart last year.

    The woven lantern is actually an outdoor summer dining table piece and the 4 legged elevated plant stand was sold in their garden center.

    I wonder if Walmart will go for the boho bamboo look again this year or move on to something else? You never know with those guys.

    Elevated round bamboo plant stand fround at Walmart in 2023. It is holding a snake plant and setting on top of a vintage baker's cabinet next to an orchid.

    BTW, the big-leafed plant just peeking out to the left is a Fiddle Leaf Fig.

    I have a love/hate relationship with these guys. They are quite finicky and I don't always have time to play their games (they don't like to be moved around a lot, so pick a good spot for them and, for all things Holy, leave them be).

    ✨ If you're interested in more information on houseplants, I have a post about my favorite 9 Easy To Care For Houseplants - HERE.

    Updating A Thrift Store Bamboo Tray

    When I found this well-worn tray at the thrift store I had to buy it and try to revive it.

    Bamboo serving tray found at the thrift store is ready for a makeover.

    It had a lot of the original finish worn off on the rim and quite a few stains on the tray part of it but was still in good sturdy shape.

    It had a lot of life left to live.

    Stains on bamboo serving piece.

    An interesting thing about this tray is that it says "Made For Elizabeth Arden in Hong Kong" on the bottom.

    I'm assuming for the Elizabeth Arden beauty counters at high-end department stores and not for Ms. Elizbeth Arden herself. Was there an actual Elizabeth Arden?

    I'm picturing a lot of perfume bottles that have sat on this over the years and that is where the stains came from.

    (This post contains some affiliate links for your convenience. You can read my full disclosure policy here.)

    Supplies

    Supplies needed to pain a piece of bamboo home decor - chalk paints, paint brushes, stencils, painter's tape and plastic paint tray.
    Supplies For Your Bamboo Makeover
    • Thrift Store Bamboo Tray
    • Stencils (Hello Hobby Paisley set at Walmart #49882 )
    • Paints (Waverly Chalk in Ivory, Elephant and Mineral)
    • Artists Brushes
    • Pouncer Brushes (Hello Hobby at Walmart - 10 pack)
    • Painter's Tape (Scotch Blue)
    • Cute little tray for paints (optional)
    • Repositional Spray Adhesive (Elmer's Craft Bond Multipurpose Spray Adhesive) -optional
    • Clear spray protectant (Rust-Oleum Satin Clear Enamel) - optional
    Spray cans of Rust-oleum Satin Clear Enamel protective finish and Elmer's Craft Bond repositionable adhesive.
    Optional Sealer and Adhesive

    Instructions

    Time needed: 20 minutes

    Tray Upcycle Project

    1. Tape Off Tray

      If planning on using two or more colors of paint, tape off the bottom portion of the tray.

      Bamboo tray from the thrift store taped off for painting.

    2. Taping Round Corners

      If the tray has rounded corners you can cut small pieces of tape and layer them around the corners to make it easier to contour the tape.

      Usinf small pieces of tape to tape around a curved edge.

    3. Paint Sides

      Using a paintbrush, paint the bamboo edges with the off-white paint (Ivory).

      Painting the sides of the tray with white paint.

    4. Paint Base Of Tray

      Using the dark grey paint (Elephant), paint the bottom of the tray.

      Painting the bottom of the thrift store tray with dark grey paint.

    5. Add Stencils

      Cut out your stencils (they come in a sheet with many stencils on one page).

      You can either spray the back of the stencils with a repositionable* spray adhesive to make them stick to the tray or just do it the old-fashioned way by holding them down with painter's tape.

      *If using the spray make sure it says it's repositionable and not permanent, or you will have trouble getting the stencils up.

      Using a pouncer stencil brush apply paint to the stencil.

    6. Paint The Stencils

      I ended up switching from the foam pouncer stencil brushes to a traditional stencil brush with bristles. I felt the foam brushes weren't getting into the crevices of the bamboo well enough.

      I used the light grey (Mineral) for the stencils.

      Using traditional stencil brush on the tray.

    7. Remove Stencils & Let Dry

      When you are done stenciling, carefully lift the stencils and allow the piece to dry.

      You can add a coat or two of CLEAR enamel for added protection. I find that chalk paint by itself can be easily scuffed, so if you are going to use it as a real tray (like putting glassware, plates or plants on it), a protectant is a good idea.
      Repurposed tray with a bohemian vibe.

    I put my tray on my bookshelf along with some pieces of milk glass.

    I believe the ones with the bumpy bits are Fenton Hobnail design. And the ones with the scroll design might be Anchor Hocking Old Colony design milk glass.

    I could be wrong though as I am just a casual milk glass collector and basically just grab it when I see it at the thrift store!

    Upcycled boho bamboo tray turned into a fun piece of home decor. Shown as part of the decor pieces on a bookshelf.

    Along with the milk glass I have some old clarinet cases, colorful books, some wooden office supply boxes and a clock on the shelving.

    Also a head. Gotta have a doll head lying around.

    Boho inspired bookacse with lots of white milkglass, wicker and bamboo  and antiques.

    Yes, that is a fall wreath on top of the bookcase. Good eye.

    I liked it so much and felt since it wasn't shouting FALL (not tons of pumpkins, mums and cornstalks) I decided to leave it out year-round.

    Or until I find another wreath I love as much.

    Where To Find Bamboo Decor Pieces

    Back in the 70's and 80's inexpensive bamboo and wicker were hot, hot, hot!

    Now that Grandma and Grandpa are getting up in years (that's better than saying dying, right?), those pieces are finding their way to thrift stores, yard sales and estate sales.

    Anything from end tables to bookshelves to fancy wall art, bamboo and wicker is easily found and fairly popular again.

    Thrift Store Decor Team Projects

    Let's pop on over to the other Thrift Store Decor Team's sites and see what they've been up to this month!

    Thrift Store Decor Team Projects

    Eleven Washboard Upcycled Decor Projects - Organized Clutter

    DIY Love Sign- Petticoat Junktion

    Thrift Store Box Makeover - Our Southern Home

    DIY Vintage Aged Pottery Vessel - My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

    Upcycled Cedar Chest - Shop At Blu

    Vintage Headboard Makeover - My Repurposed Life

    Upcycled Boho Bamboo Decor - House of Hawthornes (that's me)

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    Items found at the thrift store are being given a makeover turning them into stylish home decor.
    « Festive Christmas Cocktails For A Taste Of Yuletide Cheer
    Vintage Teak Wooden Bowl Makeover »
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Holly

      February 04, 2024 at 9:42 am

      Yes, there really was an Elizabeth Arden, but that wasn’t her real name. Google to learn her fascinating history of being a pioneer of beauty & cosmetics.

      Reply
    2. Christy | Our Southern Home

      January 16, 2024 at 6:54 am

      First of all, that hutch is fabulous! Wicker and rattan are so hot right now, and I just love what you did with this piece. It's perfect on the hutch. I need to be on the lookout for plant stands at Marshall's like yours. I need to get a few. Sadly, I ruined the finish of a table upstairs when I moved one of my plants there for the holiday. I should have put a plate under it. Ugh! Happy New Year.

      Reply
    3. Addie

      January 13, 2024 at 9:19 pm

      You scared the ba-jeebers out of me!!!...I thought you were going to paint that beautiful entry table in the first picture!!! PLEASE NEVER do that!!! Okay, the tray I can understand. You did a fine job on that.

      Reply
    4. Gail Wilson

      January 11, 2024 at 9:11 pm

      Pam,
      I love how the tray turned out. The stencil is cute, and I love how you have it placed on your hutch. I missed the wreath but not the doll head. lol That's an awesome piece of furniture!
      Pinned your sweet tray.
      gail

      Reply
    5. Kristin salazar

      January 11, 2024 at 12:18 pm

      This turned out so beautiful, I love the stencil on it! I need to keep my eye out for some of these trays next time I go thrifting!

      Reply
    6. Edinger Suzanne

      January 11, 2024 at 6:37 am

      Pam, isn't it amazing what a little paint will do to something with good bones? I love to find these old, well made treasures. I have to laugh when I pick up a newly made bamboo tray...how could it even hold anything? Not even a tray! Loving that little doll head too! Pinned.

      Reply
    7. Carlene

      January 10, 2024 at 2:53 pm

      I like picking up serving trays at thrift shops too! Great makeover!

      Reply

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