UPCYCLED WOODEN SERVING TRAY

About a month ago we were guests at the sweetest, most beautiful wedding.  Such thoughtfulness and care were given to all of the details, and I noticed.  One of the things I paid attention to was the buffet line.  Not only was the food delicious, but the catering company used amazing, rustic serving pieces.  One of those was a huge, live edge wood slab with chunky iron handles on the sides.  It was being used to hold a delicious spiral sliced ham, and as I picked up my piece I thought what a great DIY that serving board would be!



Well, I didn't have anything quite as cool as the rustic piece, but a few weeks ago when I found this large cutting board that I shared with you from our weekend garage sale haul, I knew just what I had in mind for it.  (Stay tuned on the tiered piece, I have plans for it too!) 

The board was in fairly good shape, but had obviously been used.  I gave it a light sanding to smooth the top out and clean it up a bit.  Then, I rinsed it off, let it dry, and re-conditioned it by rubbing some olive oil on it.  That was just to use in a pinch, I'd like to make some spoon butter (like this one or this one) to use on my wood pieces, but I haven't picked up the ingredients yet (where do I buy beeswax???).

All I needed to add were some great handles.  This was a bit tricky, just because most cabinet hardware attaches from the back side of the wood.  I wanted to find some handles that would just screw in from the top.  There aren't very many that do that anymore!  The hardware store had a very basic option for a few dollars, but then I found these at Hobby Lobby (they had several options for handles that attach from the top) and knew I found a winner.  They were a little more expensive, $7.50 each during the 1/2 price sale, but they totally made the piece.  

I applied a little bit of Rub & Buff to the heads of some wood screws, made a mark on the center of each side, and screwed them in.  Such a quick and easy upgrade! 

The rustic finish on the turned wood handles complements the wood cutting board nicely, but an iron or metallic finish would look nice also.  

So, for $20 invested in this piece, I think it's a winner!  I floated through a fancy home decor store the other day, and they had similar things that were WAY more expensive than that.  You probably already have something that would work for this project in your kitchen!  If not, I saw these on clearance at TJ Maxx the other day for $8, I like the feet underneath and think it gives a nicer look when adding the serving handles.  Just keep your eyes open!

(Yes, I had my gloves on in the store.  It was a cold day and I was freezing!)

I think I know what our ham will be served on this Easter...  but it makes a really cute tray for the kitchen counter or table, too.

Do you have a favorite serving piece?

Linking up with:  The Chronicles of Home, The Shabby Nest, Fridays Unfolded