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Young House Love » Reader Redesigns » A DIY Tray Makeover

| By Sherry Petersik | August 19, 2009 | 49 Comments

A DIY Tray Makeover

When Roeshel sent over this adorable key-wrangling project, we couldn’t wait to share her brilliant creation. Everyone knows we’re crazy about organizing, right? Here’s her letter:

I’m a fan and wanted to share my latest little organization project because a lot of times, you’re my inspiration. I wanted a place specifically designated for my “you’d forget your head if it wasn’t attached” darling husband’s keys when he walks in the door. I found this cute snack tray at World Market and decided to give it a new impressive job title: Sargeant Key Keeper. I think it’s very happy, preventing rushing-out-the-door meltdowns by guarding the keys and of course I couldn’t help labeling each “dish” because it would be pretty rude of me if guests were to arrive and see what they might consider is an empty snack tray. How heartbreaking. Now…even guests have a special designated spot for their very own keys. – Roeshel

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Isn’t that adorable? Now if only her hubby would remember to use it! Heck, I’ll drop by and help train him now that I know there’s a place for my keys too. So fun! To learn more about Roeshel’s fabulous project you can head on over to her blog. Thanks for doing your part to make the world a little more organized one snack tray at a time, Roeshel!

Wanna know how we stay organized? Check out a few of our favorite systems and a slew of other storage solutions that work for us.

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Comments

  1. Kristen A says

    August 19, 2009 at 1:54 pm

    I love this! It makes me want to go out and make one myself!

    Reply
  2. Cary says

    August 19, 2009 at 1:59 pm

    Wow, that is really cute! That is definitely something I would do but convincing my boyfriend to use it wouldn’t be easy!

    Reply
  3. Ashley T. says

    August 19, 2009 at 2:03 pm

    I love this idea. I’ve been looking into what to do with our keys at the door because my husband keeps putting his stuff on the counter (which drives me crazy). I’d considered hanging hooks by the door but with the lightswitch and alarm it just looks odd. I need to run to WM now and see if I can’t find the same thing. Thanks for the great idea.

    Reply
  4. elle ar says

    August 19, 2009 at 2:07 pm

    So cute! I wish I had an entry way where I could copy this idea.

    More importantly, is that a leopard print key blank she used for her key? If so, I am definitely jealous and will be heading to Home Depot tonight to locate a leopard key blank to use for my own key.

    Reply
  5. Lindsay says

    August 19, 2009 at 2:19 pm

    How cuuute!!!! How to incorporate this dandy organizer into my space….hrmmm…? The brain is a-workin’!

    Reply
  6. Kasey at Thrifty Little Blog says

    August 19, 2009 at 2:22 pm

    I love it! The decals are such a easy, cheap, and cute touch.

    Reply
  7. Megan says

    August 19, 2009 at 2:22 pm

    Um, she could seriously sell these on Etsy or something. I would buy a His and Hers key holder!

    Reply
  8. Sandra says

    August 19, 2009 at 2:32 pm

    Brilliant! Buying one of these trays *right now*!

    Reply
  9. andrea says

    August 19, 2009 at 2:42 pm

    That is so darn cute! I use those sticker letters for scrapbooking, but I’ve never thought to use them on other things. Great idea…thanks for sharing! PS – The etsy comment above is a great idea!

    Reply
  10. Jennifer says

    August 19, 2009 at 2:51 pm

    Um, this is just a tiny bit adorable – great idea!

    Reply
  11. Sarah says

    August 19, 2009 at 3:21 pm

    These are awesome!!! I love all of Roeshel’s projects!! She has such great taste and vision.

    Really good video this morning on arranging and hanging frames/art too! Thanks, guys:)

    Reply
  12. Emily says

    August 19, 2009 at 3:37 pm

    What a good idea – I love it.

    Reply
  13. Roeshel says

    August 19, 2009 at 3:38 pm

    What a great surprise today!

    Thanks everyone for your super kind comments! Training husband is hard work…he’s still losing keys on occasion but I’m not giving up – it’s for his own good and my sanity! I.made.this.and.he’s.going.to.use.it! haha Once I accomplish that, etsy key keepers with training tutorials WOULD be a hit! :)

    (The leopard key blank came from WalMart.)

    Thanks so much Sherry for sharing my project! I had completely forgotten about it and I was so pleasantly surprised when a friend told me she recognized my project.

    Reply
  14. Heather says

    August 19, 2009 at 3:40 pm

    I just so happen to have a tray and some little white dishes that are going to play copy-cat to this fabulous idea!

    Reply
  15. Elizabeth says

    August 19, 2009 at 3:51 pm

    Great idea!! Thanks for sharing : )

    Reply
  16. Jacci says

    August 19, 2009 at 4:19 pm

    LOVE IT!!! That looks so fabulous! :)

    Great posts today, y’all. Loved the video, and now this little project is definitely one to keep in mind. Thanks!

    Hey, on training the gentlemen… what if there were also a little bowl of M&Ms right beside the keys??? Drop your keys, grab your candy! Positive reinforcement, right? :)

    XO,
    Jacci

    Reply
    • YoungHouseLove says

      August 19, 2009 at 4:23 pm

      You have me cracking up over the M&Ms idea Jacci. That would totally work for John!

      xo,
      s

  17. City Chic - Jamie says

    August 19, 2009 at 4:19 pm

    LOVE this! What a fantastic idea!

    Reply
  18. Kate says

    August 19, 2009 at 4:24 pm

    Um, I’m going out and buying the supplies right after work so I can make this tonight. I have been in search of a cute way to stash our keys on the kitchen counter/bar for a few months now and this is perfect. Thanks for sharing such a great idea!

    Reply
  19. Tiki says

    August 19, 2009 at 4:41 pm

    Genius!

    Reply
  20. natienka says

    August 19, 2009 at 4:47 pm

    Oh. my. God.
    I can’t believe what great places you design and create. And your house!
    I think I just found my inspiration… I’m just about to embark on the professional interior design route with the ambition to create wonderful spaces on a budget (with my blog http://natienka.wordpres.com to keep this ambition alive) – and am so excited to have found you!

    Please keep this up, and I will be a frequent visitor!!!

    Reply
  21. becky says

    August 19, 2009 at 5:19 pm

    That is SO clever! I love it!

    Reply
  22. Tricia says

    August 19, 2009 at 5:24 pm

    Yay, Roeshel!
    She’s such a rock star!

    XO*Tricia

    Reply
  23. Angie says

    August 19, 2009 at 5:38 pm

    Such a simple, yet unique project…I just love it!

    Reply
  24. Jen says

    August 19, 2009 at 6:30 pm

    Roeshel’s work is amazing! She has great projects and her other blog The DIY Showoff is a wonderful resource for some fantastic DIY projects!

    Way to go Roeshel :-)

    ~ashopaholicmom

    Reply
  25. Tracy says

    August 19, 2009 at 6:47 pm

    LOVE this idea.

    I went right after work to my local World Market and got the last one. Now I am sitting in class itching to get out to start this project tonight! Thank you for the great idea!

    Reply
  26. Stacy (EG) says

    August 19, 2009 at 8:06 pm

    Roeshel is full of cleaver ideas and this one is top drawer. So glad to see one of her many and fabulous DIY projects featured here!

    Reply
  27. erin says

    August 19, 2009 at 8:22 pm

    adorable!!!

    my hubby has the problem of dropping his stuff off in differet spots everyday when he gets home takes half of it the next day- so we end up with loose change etc all over the house. i tried i dish on the console table but it fills quickly with junk. this seems a bit more organized!

    Reply
  28. Jacquelyn says

    August 19, 2009 at 8:47 pm

    I love this! Its a great idea.

    Reply
  29. gail says

    August 19, 2009 at 9:08 pm

    way to go Roeshel!
    love this organization idea!

    gail

    Reply
  30. Jenny says

    August 19, 2009 at 10:28 pm

    Very cute! I love it!

    Reply
  31. Christy says

    August 19, 2009 at 10:39 pm

    Yay, Roeshel! You are an inspiration to us all!

    Reply
  32. Katie says

    August 19, 2009 at 11:30 pm

    So adorable. My husband needs a catch-all like this one.

    Reply
  33. Sevi says

    August 20, 2009 at 2:14 am

    Wow! I thought that was only MY problem. It was actually last night’s issue at my place, hubby keeps leaving his keys on the dinner table and on the couch and I’m tired of picking them. So, the universe gave me the answer just after a good night’s sleep and a check on the web site I love.
    Thank you and lovely job Roeshel!

    Reply
  34. Michelle says

    August 20, 2009 at 8:00 am

    Very cute idea! As of now, I have 2 boxes stacked up that serve as my dump station. I think this would make it look a bit more sophisticated. :)

    Reply
  35. lauren says

    August 20, 2009 at 8:56 am

    I feel like World Market needs to order some more of these soon. I sense that they’re about to sell out.:)

    Reply
  36. Jenn says

    August 20, 2009 at 9:08 am

    What a great idea. I want to make one for my house now!

    Reply
  37. Nicole M. says

    August 20, 2009 at 10:48 am

    What a cute idea! But, this totally wouldn’t work with my hubby. He currently has a fairly large basket for all of his stuff, but he’d still rather leave his keys, phone, etc. all in a pile on my end table. Oh, and that’s right next to his basket!

    Do you have any ideas on how to train hubbys to use their cute little stuff holders?

    Reply
    • YoungHouseLove says

      August 20, 2009 at 11:21 am

      Nicole,

      When it comes to training the hubby, I love the M&M idea above.

      xo,
      s

  38. Casey says

    August 20, 2009 at 11:47 am

    such a neat idea!

    Reply
  39. Krissy says

    August 20, 2009 at 11:51 am

    This is such an adorable idea! I’m trying to think of ways it might work for me, I love it just that much! Thank you for sharing this with us. :D

    Reply
  40. Lisa says

    August 20, 2009 at 3:40 pm

    I love this idea but unfortunately it looks like the tray is out of stock on the Cost Plus Web site, and there are no Cost Plus stores in Manhattan or Brooklyn. Also, dumb question from an urban apartment-dweller… where are the letters from? And how do you apply them to what I assume are ceramic dishes? Do you peel them off the backing and then shellac them on with the Mod Podge? Or use a pencil or heavy flat item to rub them onto the dishes like you would an iron-on or pressure-sensitive transfer? We are getting a Michaels about 10 blocks from where I live in a week or so (oh happy day!) so maybe I’ll be able to pick up something similar there… Thanks for any help you can offer!

    Reply
  41. Roeshel says

    August 20, 2009 at 6:15 pm

    Hi Lisa – I see it is out of stock. :( Maybe try googling three-way divided snack tray. I think Target has one (without the bottom wooden tray) and I believe I might have seen something similar at TJ Maxx.

    The letters are vinyl stickers that I picked up at Michael’s. I did apply them directly to the ceramic dishes. I used the Modge Podge to help protect the stickers from peeling up in the future. Also spraying with a clear lacquer/shellac will help protect when washing (by hand). Good luck!

    Reply
  42. amyks says

    August 21, 2009 at 12:06 pm

    Super cute idea…

    Reply
  43. Rachel says

    August 21, 2009 at 5:30 pm

    I love that this one has a spot for guest’s keys. What a great idea! I’ll be linking to this post. And keeping an eye out for my own trays this weekend. Thanks so much for posting this!

    Reply
  44. Michelle at Her Cup Overfloweth says

    August 21, 2009 at 8:24 pm

    blown away by this super cute and fun project!

    Reply
  45. dianne says

    August 22, 2009 at 5:07 am

    You should check out “centsationalgirl” blog. she has some awesome ideas you’d probably love

    Reply
    • YoungHouseLove says

      August 22, 2009 at 9:28 am

      She’s already in our reader and we love her! We even featured a Reader Redesign she submitted a while back!

      xo,
      s

  46. Angie says

    August 26, 2009 at 3:05 pm

    This is such a great idea. I went to World Market and it looks like they are sold out of these. Is there any other place that sells similar trays??

    Reply

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John and Sherry Sitting On Woven ChairHey, we’re John & Sherry. We’ve fixed up 7 homes, written books, designed products, started a podcast, and then downsized & moved to the beach! Here you’ll find over 3,000 DIY projects & home updates. More about us…
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