Convert a vintage Hollywood Regency gold mirror tray into a contemporary incense tray. You can find these vintage trays in different shapes on eBay or Etsy. They range in cost from $10 up to $50 based on the age, size, condition and ornate quality of the metal filigree.
My home projects need to be super easy or else the pot of soup on the stove will boil over and the potted plant that I positioned with a running garden hose will drown. I start too many projects simultaneously. Inevitably, one or the other is neglected and catastrophe ensues.
This DIY has 3 Simple Steps, easily performed in a couple of hours on a Sunday afternoon mixed between other activities.
1.) Protect mirror with tape and a paper cutout
2.) Spray and dry
3.) Remove tape & paper cutout. Voila!
Clean the mirror. Pre-cut several small strips of tape. You can use masking tape if that’s what you have lying around the house. I prefer this easy-to-remove painter’s FrogTape.
Tuck the pieces as close to the mirror’s inside edge as possible, moving slowly around the perimeter of the tray.
Go all the way around until you have formed a complete circle or oval.
Make a rough pencil outline of your tray on a cardboard or thick paper remnant from another project. Make sure the paper is thick so the edges do not lift up when using the aerosol spray or you can simply tape it in place. Cut less than one inch inside the pencil line and drop the cutout into the center. Now the mirror is fully covered.
Take your protected tray outside to spray and place on discarded cardboard. Shake the can well. Spray the inside edge first, holding can about 6-10 inches away and rotating cardboard as you go. If the paper lifts and you get some spray on the mirror, don’t worry! It comes off easily with a damp rag and some Windex spray. Next spray the outside of the filigree edge. Let dry a minimum of 30 minutes before handling.
After the preliminary drying period of 30 minutes, check your filigree closely by indoor light to see if you missed any spots. It’s easy to give these a quick spot treatment spray, so be 100% sure before you pull off the protective paper and tape after drying completely for a couple of hours. After removing all the tape pieces, wipe down mirror with a soft rag, applying glass spray if necessary. Arrange your tray with found rocks or sea shells for a calming element (perhaps no bark or greenery since they are flammable items.) Arrange incense sticks in a candle holder or attractive dish to make them easy to grab. Cut each incense stick in half to get twice the bang for your buck. Place a vintage lighter or match box at hand. Find an inspiring receptacle for the incense, making sure it’s large enough to catch the ashes. The tiny brass ball incense stick holder was found on-line at Spartan. Based in Austin, Texas, Spartan Shop curates a carefully edited collection of beautiful and practical objects influenced by the changing seasons.
Here is the Hollywood Regency tray before the color change. I used the fixtures and knobs in the room to inform my color choice of Krylon Short Cuts 3 oz. can in chrome metallic paint – perfect for small jobs and I still had leftover paint.
That was easy! Peace out.
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