In this post, Adding Tray Très Chic to Your Home, we’ll explore one of the secret tricks in the interior decorating book of voodoo. It’s the secret to corralling pretty objects and everyday essentials on tabletops, ottomans, and nightstands, while creating a layered look in one fell swoop. It’s the ART of LE TRAY and LE PRETTY CLUTTER as well as the modern key to almost every interior designed vignette’s success. Even wonky, rustic items like the one from a barn on my hotel silver tray (below) graduate to object d’art!
Adding Tray Très Chic to Your Home
By the by, when I say TRAY, I am extending the boundaries of tray to encompass platters, boards, and even shallow woven baskets. It’s more fun this way, less rigid in a sometimes stuffy design world, and we can push boundaries a little on planet Michele…so we will.
Silver Trays in My Home
Clearly I have a thing for silver platters and trays. I own a bunch of ’em, and they have worked in different homes and styles as my taste evolves.
Mirrored Tray in My Home
Since this photo was snapped, everything you see in the pic was placed inside ANOTHER tray – this one silver leafed! Ha! Tray layering is alive and well in the heartland no matter what they’re saying on the coasts!
Black & White on Silver is a Favorite
Tray Inspiration from Interior Designers
My designer friends in blogland undoubtedly know their way around LE Très Chic TRAY like nobody’s business. Interior designer Sherry Hart comes to mind immediately for her adeptness for curating, arranging, and zhushing like the reigning queen of ZHUSHVILLE.
Black Laquer Trays
Subtle Tray With Bold Coral Pop
Rustic Bread Board is Très Clever
If you follow Angelina of Petite Haus, then you know she chronicled the construction of their lovely French farmhouse (in California). I have noticed she has this clever trick involving one of her kitchen islands.
A rustic wooden bread board on the island acts as a staging tray for seasonal decor. In this way, she celebrates the seasons and holidays by changing out the decor atop the “tray.”
What I particularly love about this ‘every tray is a stage’ idea is how that board is a functional item in the kitchen that can be brought into service as needed. So very authentically French to have only useful items for decor!
Beads & Books in a Tray
You can’t go wrong if you layer favorite books and interesting beads within a tray.
Organic & Natural Woven Trays
Whether it’s a basket or a tray matters not to me–only that decorating maven, Leslie of Gwen Moss knows her way around adding gorgeous texture to a room. Boxwood spheres in a round woven tray on a weathered table? Boomchakalaka. (And the shiplap you see on the walls…pretty sure that creative renovator ripped those planks herself!)
The decor moment below thrills me to my beachy core. Oh, I love a relaxing bohemian exotic moment with neutrals (pink would ruin this for me!) and clean lines. The round woven tray holding succulents keeps things feeling orderly and geometrically interesting.
Rustic Elegance in a Weathered Tray
This gorgeous vignette by interior designer Mary Ann of Classic Casual Home gave me pause with its varying textures and unexpected color combination. Design should be just like this: full of delightful surprises!
Rough Luxe in a Leather Tray
Trays need not visually sedate you! I love how designer Cindy Hattersley created drama, energy, and height with antlers and branches rising skyward from a leather tray. I could move right into this comfy space!
Shopping Sources for Decorative Trays for Your Home
This post contains affiliate links which I hope you will use since they won’t cost you a penny extra yet may earn this blog a small commission.
Shiny & Black Tray
Pink & Gold Tray
Parisian Inspired Tray
Tray With Slate & Serving Pieces
Acrylic Tray
Weathered Trays With Handles
Classic Navy Tray
Round Marble Tray
Nesting Serving Trays
Handwoven Tray
White Marble Bathroom Tray
Rustic Wood Tray
Round White & Glam Tray
Metal & Wood Tray
Marble Hexagon Tray
Beadboard Tray Set
Ready to Party Tray
Mirrored & French Inspired Tray
When French Country is Très Chic
Know where the above tray would look exceptionally très chic? Inside the charming French country property below…treat yourself to a French farmhouse tour!
Oh my goodness, what a timeless and tranquil place to rest your head!
If you missed these recent posts, do give them some love!
Interior Designer Picks for Favorite White Paint Colors
How I Turned an Ugly Wall into a Design Feature
Thanks for reading!
I independently selected products in this post—if you buy from one of my links, I may earn a commission.
Peace to you right where you are.
-michele
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Ooooo what lovelies this morning! There are so many gorgeous options but I think my heart stopped for a second or two when I saw the beautiful high gloss pink one with gold handles!
Author
Wouldn’t it be fabulous in a neutral office with pink roses on the desk!?!
Yes, it is quite amazing how everyday items can look chic collected on a tray. Sometimes I think I may have gotten in a rut, and wish someone else with a fresh eye would come to my home and simply “shop” it. Then rearrange what I already own in new ways. I bet they could make many chic new tray displays. You’ve inspired me. Maybe I can do it myself!
Author
Now there’s a job I would personally love – personal house shopper & styler (zero special orders/deliveries/cost for materials!). You’re already sensational at styling, Celia – I love what you did with that guest room with the rustic wood walls, iron beds, and baskets at the end for pillows! Simple and perfect. 🙂
This is such an elegant post today! Le tray does seem to magically elevate ordinary objects. I like your silver trays and also that fabulous pink one!!!
So dainty, chic and French!
xo
Holly
Author
Yes! Elevating the ordinary is at the heart of all brilliant design! 🙂
Oh, the hardscape and landscaping of that French Country home. I drooled over the trimmed boxwood and the pool, both swimming and reflecting. Oh, be still my heart. I love a trim, manicured garden and work hard to keep my small property under control. The inside is a little dark for my liking. I love a light filled home with soft white walls and high ceilings. I think I could lighten that chateau up, if given the chance to live there. But, oh the gardens!
Yes, trays and baskets, even cake pedestals give collections a tidy look. They create little vignettes all over our homes – bathrooms, night tables, coffee tables… I love Cloches too. They elevate simple objects to works of art.
Blessings,
~Joanna
Author
You’re so right! Cake pedestals and cloches – they deserve their own post – you’re awesome and as enchanting as those French country gardens over which you swoon! xox