This serving tray from Gretel captured my eye today. I am addicted to trays and love how they can be used for so many things — collecting objects on an entry table, as a “home” for candles or objects de art, or for their original purpose, serving food. This one seems particularly appropriate for the latter given its culinary motif. I love it!
Large Luna Spoon Tray by Michael Angove via Gretel
close up of Large Luna Spoon Tray by Michael Angove via Gretel
I have a pretty serious obsession with serving trays — something I’ve confessed to in an earlier post. Perfect for entertaining and incorporating into one’s decor, they really are very versatile. One tray with books sits atop my coffee table, another hems in my toiletries in the bathroom, one is for a grouping of candles on a table, another is used for meals in bed when one of us is sick, there are two we use every-so-often for dinner on the couch… and the list goes on!
There are so many fabulous options for trays in stores, but I am very fond of these recent DIY trays that I spotted — both using cork. Cork is a sustainably-produced, natural material with a very organic feel. It is easy to work with, readily available, and fairly impermeable, making it a great material to use on a tray.
The first project I spotted came from Design*Sponge, one of my favorite sites for inspiration. The basket-weave pattern of the cork provides texture to an otherwise drab tray (I know because I own that tray!) from IKEA. The process looks fairly simple and the instructions are easy to follow.
an IKEA tray transformed by cork
the weaving process
This Martha Stewart-inspired tray also features cork but in a completely different way. The punched cork adds a bit of whimsy to the tray and will also help to keep things from slipping.
Martha Stewart-inspired Punched Cork Serving Tray
"How to" for the Punched Cork Tray
I have fallen head-over-heels for this tray, spotted in Martha Stewart Living. It would be perfect for a teacher appreciation event, back-to-school kick off, or PTA meeting, though I think I could find lots of use for it everyday!
Cookies lined up on the tray from www.fishseddy.com
Memo Notebook Tray Light Yellow from www.fishseddy.com
I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season! My vacation ended yesterday and as such I am easing back into work and to blog posting.
This time of year is the time for lists and reflection, so it seems only fitting to look back at some of the most popular Rex & Regina posts over the last year. These popular posts reflect the three main categories regularly featured on the blog: weddings, social events, and at-home entertaining.
1. First on the list is the series dedicated to Julia Child and the release of the movie, Julie & Julia. The series included my humble review of the movie, information about Julia Child’s kitchen at the Smithsonian, Julia-themed party ideas, and other Julia resources.
photo via www.foodandwine.com
2. Serving trays are entertaining essential. This next top post featured fabulous trays for everyday entertaining.
lucite tray from Dabney Lee At Home
3. It’s always helpful to know the Do’s and Don’ts when bringing wine to a party.
"Cheers" wine gift bag, available from The Craft Pantry on Etsy
4. Napkins are a perennial topic for entertainers. This two-part series looked at eco-chic entertaining with napkins. The first post talks about the beauty and practicality of napkin rings and the second looks at just how cool cloth cocktail napkins can be.
Leontine Linens RIley Cocktail Napkins
5. Cupcakes were all the rage in 2009, but artisan chocolates were the new dark horse in sweet treats.
Fleur de Sel Chocolates from Recchiuti
6. A good host is always prepared for overnight guests and the tips in this next post provide a good checklist.
Silver Bamboo Clock from Williams-Sonoma Home
The final four popular posts on the list are all wedding-related.
7. I get a lot of questions about children at weddings — whether to invite them, how to entertain them… This post provides some helpful tips on the subject.
Photo courtesy of Karine Aigner Photography
8. Another question I regularly answer is the difference between escort and place cards — an important distinction.
Escort cards, photo courtesy of Baltazar Photography
9. Weddings are a great time to collect wishes and advice from friends and family. This post provided some creative ways to do just that.
Wish guest book; photo courtesy of CB Photography
10. A great way to extend hospitality to your wedding guests is to offer them a gift bag upon arrival at the hotel. This post outlined the elements of the ultimate gift bag.
City Out-of-Town Totes available at Blissweddingsmarket.com
OK, I have to admit it (because admitting is the first step in addressing addiction…). I am a tray-a-holic. I am completely, 100% addicted to serving trays.
A large iron tray graces our upholstered ottoman in the family room. Stacks of trays for food service or the occasional meal on the couch rest above our refrigerator, silver trays in our bathroom keep our toiletries hemmed in. When cleaning, I sometimes grab a tray and pile items on it that need to be carried and put away in other rooms. That represents about 1% of the trays in my house… I could go on and on.
The versatility and functionality of serving trays in the home are endless. If you are looking for a tray, you needn’t look far to find a style that will match your decor and needs. Serving trays abound for both formal and informal at-home entertaining. Here are a few that have recently caught my eye:
I love the color combination here — a sort of robin’s egg blue under a metallic repeated pattern.
Macbeth Collection Party Tray from Layla Grayce
I have about 30 of these trays from Pier One. I keep them on hand to use use when hosting a buffet-style dinner when guests will not be seated at a table. The trays alleviate the juggling of silverware, glass, and plate that otherwise guests have to deal with.
Natural Bamboo Tray available from Pier 1 Imports
I adore this monogrammed tray from Dabney Lee and think it would make a perfect housewarming gift.
lucite tray from Dabney Lee At Home
Christofle is one of my favorite tabletop designers (This is not the first time the brand has found its way onto my blog. See this post about coffee carafes for another recent mention.). One of my favorite Christofle designs is the Anemone collection. It’s sleek and modern but with a touch of flirty romance.
Christofle Anemone Large Rectangular Tray
This round tray from Atticus would be perfect for serving canapes or set on a bar with bar tools.
Cole 14-inch Round Tray from Atticus
Ah, the ubiquitous coral. It’s everywhere. So why should it not grace a tray? These small trays in three different coral-themed varieties would be great in a guest room, on a desk, or on an entryway table.
Coral Change Tray Designed by Fabienne Jouvin, available at Burke Decor
This botanical print tray from Burke and its classic, traditional look is simple and beautiful.
Botanical Ottoman Rectangular Tray
Animal prints are risky. Beautiful animal print accents can make a room. Bad prints can be, well, tacky. These giraffe-print trays from Kim Seybert fall in the former category. A gorgeous way to serve up treats to one’s guests.
Kim Seybert giraffe-print trays, shown here with matching bar accessories
Beautiful and functional, this Jonathan Adler butler tray table takes the serving tray to entirely new level. I love the bamboo-style legs and the overall design.
meurice butler tray table from Jonathan Adler
The Rex & Regina Blog shares both trendy and traditional ways to extend gracious hospitality through weddings, other social occasions, and at-home entertaining. Learn more about Rex & Regina.