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When Victoria, over at Restoring our 1890 Victorian, invited me to play lead guitar for her Linky party, I was thrilled. Victoria will be Lead Singer and Danielle of Storypiece will be on drums. 😀 Playing with blog friends is so much fun. Then reality set in, what was my favorite find?! I’ve always loved scouring flea markets, antique stores, and thrift stores for treasures. Since I’m now more mature (read: older) I have amassed a lot of good stuff from these excursions. So what would win the beauty contest as the best thing I’ve ever found?
I thought and debated with myself…I had recently done a post on homes becoming the scrapbook of your life and figured I could use that post to link my finds. Then I decided to work on my creativity, “let’s not become lazy where your blog is concerned, Karen!” and I came up with a recurring theme with my inventory of “treasures”…TRAYS, specifically silver trays, but pretty much any tray that strikes my fancy. Trays have always been a draw for me, as evidenced in my two previous posts on the topic HERE & HERE.
I have been given a couple of trays by family members and a particular favorite tray came from a friend (she found it for me on one of her excursions)…but most of my stash comes from bumping into the odd tray at consignment, antique or thrift stores, the prices have one thing in common, they have been rock bottom for all of the useful benefits they can provide the willing owner (moi).
Both the tray above and below belonged to my mother-in-law. I was honored when she gave them to me a few years before she passed away.
This tray (below) is hammered silver and coincidentally has a B monogram, our last name starts with a B. Our friends know us well…we love this tray!
I bought the larger tray at a flea market last year, but the tray in front is a trophy tray I purchased in 1999 in Oxford, England. Such a find, and a great reminder of the fun we had as a family while visiting England during Christmas.
This Sheffield tray came from a favorite antique store in San Clemente, Stanford Court. It was cheap because it was missing a foot {I love footed trays} but a visit to Normandy Metal Finishers remedied that for me for only about the price I paid for the tray. It remained a bargain…
I’m now using the tray in the reading room. It holds a couple of antique books, one of the little nests I’ve found in our yard, and an orchid.
This silver plate was found at a consignment store for $25. I love the detailing
Recently I stumbled upon this little, and I do mean tiny, tray. I couldn’t resist. Look at the detailing on this cutie…
Another recent find…wait, am I overboard on this collection? No, can’t be, one can never have too many trays, right?
There’s always a holy grail of trays I’m in search of, the impossible find, and this is it…
If you know where I can pick up one of these beauties for, oh say, $25 let me know!
Join me over at Victoria’s place…it should be fun finding out what surprise “find” Victoria recently acquired and some of the treasures other collectors have discovered.
Wait until you see what Victoria has to share! Visit Restoring our 1890 Victorian.
Wait there’s more…I’ve visiting Art@Home for her “My Happy List” party, and Savvy Southern Style for Wow us Wednesdays, Stop by.
Patricia said:
What a wonderful collection of trays. However, the tray in the last photograph is the tray that I covet. I have not ever seen one. Good luck in your search.
Victoria • Restoring our Victorian said:
I’m kind of weirded out how you may be my long lost twin… I JUST told Paul that I needed to start collecting old trays. I’m really not kidding at all… plus obviously you share my affinity for blue and white porcelain. (I would totally steal that orchid pot from you while you were in the kitchen arranging the tea tray.)
I SHOULD go mingle with my party guests, but what I really want to do is go check eBay for that last tray… WHAT is THAT????
Thanks coming on tour with me… I REALLY appreciate it, hopefully the screaming fans don’t overwhelm us.
Karen B. said:
That last tray is one I had posted before and you commented on it…I’ve never seen one like it, but clearly its not for not trying! I think the concert is going well and your post was spectacular! This is fun. Later today I hope to be able to spend some time pouring over the links to see what everyone else found.
Linda Coble said:
Karen,
I loved this post on trays! I’m sure I’ve seen most of them, but this post made me realize that I missed several. All of them are so lovely and they complement the decor in your house so well. I much prefer silver trays to the painted variety and I treasure the few that I have. I’m always on the lookout for more but I’m very particular, as you know.
Victoria Elizabeth is such a hoot! I always love her comments!
Karen B. said:
Thanks, Linda. I just happened to find a pretty interesting consignment store near my office that seems to get the occasional steal of a an item. I’ll have to take you buy the next time you visit. xo, Karen
trouverlesoleil said:
Bsautuful post! There is nothing so elegant as a silver tray. On a vanity, vignette, or kitchen counter loaded with appetizers..it works perfectly anywhere. Happy Tuesday! xxleslie
Karen B. said:
Thanks, Leslie. I confess to being pretty attached to trays of all material. Silver just seems to be popping up on my quests for an accessory or two at a bargain price. 😀 xo, Karen
Kelly - Talk of the House said:
Your trays are beautiful, and I love how you have styled them. I have an addiction to silver trays,too (really anything silver.) I worked for a doctor’s family many years growing up – secretary in his office and baby sitter of their children. They ALWAYS gave me silver trays for Christmas gifts and a wonderful one for graduation. What a wonderful treasure from them.
Karen B. said:
Kelly, What a wonderful present and great memory. Our daughter in law worked for an attorney during college and pretty much did the same…work in his office and babysit his children. I’d love you to post one of two of your trays some time. Karen
Natasha In Oz said:
You have the most gorgeous silver collection! I only have a few pieces and would love some more, especially after seeing how you create such beautiful vignettes with yours.
Best wishes,
Natasha in Oz
Karen B. said:
Hi Natasha,
Thanks so much for stopping by and for your kind comment. I really am surprised that silver trays, in our area (So.California) seem to be a real bargain. Good luck growing your collection. So nice to meet you.
Karen
beggingforattention said:
ohhh, that sheffield karen! one can never have enough trays………
loved seeing your vignettes with the trays, masterful!
xx
debra
Karen B. said:
Thanks, Debra. It’s always fun to have a little collection to keep one interested. 😀 Spring may have finally arrived here, how about your lovely area? Has it warmed up a bit? Karen
Ricki Jill Treleaven said:
Wow, Karen….you have a seriously gorgeous collection of trays! And I hope you can find the “holy grail of trays”….I’ll be in New Orleans next month, so I’ll take a look around (I always go to As You Like It Silver Shop)….
I think I’m turning into a magpie in my old age because I’ve been wanting to decorate with mercury glass, silver, and anything else shiny lately. I love how the light reflects from the surface of the silver trays.
I like it: your home becoming the scrapbook of your life! I think our homes should reflect us, our interests, and loves, our activities and travels. I don’t like homes that are so done by a decorator that the homeowners’ tastes and loves are not represented. I think you should do a whole series of posts about this, and you’re off to a great start with the trays!
Thanks for linking-up to My Happy List!
xo,
RJ
Karen B. said:
Ricki Jill, I know what you mean, I suddenly love mercury glass, I didn’t used to care for it in my home, but now I’m hooked. Your happy parties always make me happy! Karen
Christina @ Floridays Mom said:
Beautiful round up as always Karen. I love hearing about all your favorite finds and I adore that you have that ‘dream tray’ in mind. So often people don’t know what they really love and just fall victim to trends, its so refreshing to hear your love for something so original. i can’t wait for the day you share with us that you finally been able that coveted tray to your already beautiful collection.
Keri said:
I LOVE trays. I love YOUR trays! And I’ll cross my fingers that you’ll find that “holy grail” soon. 🙂
K
Karen B. said:
Thanks, Keri. As you undoubtedly know, it’s the search that is fun so I’m okay with continuing to look in every antique/consignment/thrift store for something like it. 😀 Happy Thursday! Karen
Sharon said:
You have a stunning collection of trays, I am so envious, and each one so beautifully and thoughtfully displayed. I am sure you will stumble upon your dream tray someday – after all, all good things come to those who wait. X Sharon
Karen B. said:
Sharon,
Thanks. The search is at least half the fun!
Karen
Acquired Objects said:
Karen you have a gorgeous collection of trays and I love how you use them. Good luck in finding more! Now I’m off to dig out one that I know the husband brought into our marriage and I haven’t seen it in years!
XXX
Debra~
Karen B. said:
Debra, Glad I could assist with the rediscovery of something stored for safety. 😀 Thanks for your kind comment on my collection. Enjoy your week, and the bit of spring weather you’re enjoying. Karen
Gretchen said:
Karen, your creative vignettes have always been my favorite part of your house. I don’t know anyone who does them as well. The fact that many of them are structured around those beautiful trays make them all the more lovely. I hadn’t realized you had such a vast collection!
We have to figure out a way to get Victoria (your long lost twin) to California for tea and a tour! I bet even Linda would fly down for that!
Karen B. said:
That sounds like a plan, I’ll send the invite! Thanks for your constant support and complimentary words, my friend. Karen
Alison said:
Such gorgeous vignettes, Karen!
I am so very lucky to have found this older post through an
image on Google search!
Thanks for leaving the bread crumbs for me to follow them
to you here.
LOVE silver and also collect English oak pieces.
Your collections are wonderful!!!
xoxox
Hope you are enjoying your weekend.
A 🙂
Karen B. said:
🙂 Thanks, Alison. xo, Karen