Trays are one of those quietly brilliant decor pieces. They don’t ask for much, but they do everything.

They organize. They style. They corral chaos. They make a messy surface look like a design choice.

And the best part? Whether you’ve scored a vintage brass beauty, a weathered wood find, or a sleek modern marble tray, there are about a hundred ways to use it beyond “holding stuff on a coffee table.”

Let’s get creative.
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The “Morning Ritual” Moment ☕
Best for: Small to medium trays

Turn your daily coffee (or tea, or matcha, or ...) into a styled vignette.
Use a tray to hold:

• Your favorite mug
• A small ceramic bowl for sugar or honey
• A spoon or vintage stirrer
• One sculptural object (shell, stone, or mini vase)

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Place it on your kitchen counter or open shelf and suddenly your morning routine feels like a boutique hotel experience.

The Entryway Catch-All That Actually Looks Good
Best for: Medium trays

Keys, sunglasses, lip balm, dog treats, receipts - the entryway collects everything.  A tray gives all that chaos a home.
Style it with:

• One shallow bowl for keys
• A small plant or branch clipping
• A candle or match striker

Vintage brass or ceramic trays shine here because they add warmth and character without trying too hard.

Nightstand, But Make It Styled
Best for: Small trays

​Instead of letting your nightstand turn into a “random object museum,” use a tray to define the space.
Try:

• Book
• Glass of water
• Hand cream or lip balm
• One sculptural decor piece

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It keeps things tidy and gives your bedroom that calm, collected, design-forward look.

Bedside Jewelry Station
Best for: Small vintage trays

This is where tiny vintage trays really shine.
Use one for:

• Rings
• Earrings
• Watch

It keeps things visible, pretty, and not scattered across your nightstand.

The Bar Cart’s Best Friend 🍸
Best for: Medium trays

Trays on bar carts = instant styling win.
Use one to group:

• Glassware
• Citrus
• Cocktail tools
• A favorite bottle
  
  

Bonus: You can lift the whole tray and carry the party wherever you need it.

Open Shelf Styling That Doesn’t Feel Try-Hard
Best for: Small trays

Trays are perfect for breaking up rows of books or stacked dishes.
Place a tray flat on a shelf and layer:

• A small object
• A candle
• One vertical element (like a bud vase)
  
  

It adds depth and gives the eye a place to rest.

How I Style Trays When I’m Thrifting or Curating
My personal rule?
One tray = one story.

If it’s coastal, I pair it with something organic.
If it’s vintage brass, I keep the styling minimal.
If it’s modern, I warm it up with texture.

That balance is what keeps things feeling collected instead of cluttered.

Shop My Favorite Vintage Trays
If you’re hunting for something special, I always keep a rotating collection of curated vintage trays, sculptural decor, and coastal-inspired styling pieces in the shop. Perfect for coffee tables, entryways, and everywhere in between.
Shop Trays

Final Styling Tip
Big or small, modern or vintage trays work best when they don’t try to do too much.
Let them frame a moment, not fill a surface, because the best spaces don’t look styled.
​They look beautifully lived in.

Bookends are one of those things I’m always picking up even when I don’t need them. If it has good weight, an interesting shape, or that “what is this?” quality, it’s probably coming home with me.
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They’re practical, sure. But I mostly love them because they solve design problems quietly. They add structure. They keep stacks in check. They make a space feel finished without shouting about it. And honestly? They’re way more versatile than people give them credit for.

Break Up Open Shelves (They Need It)
Open shelving can get busy fast. Bookends help break things into smaller, calmer moments. Instead of lining books straight across, use bookends to create little groupings that feel intentional (and give your eye somewhere to rest). Pair them with a plant, a favorite object, or a simple coastal accent and call it good.

Coffee Tables Love Bookends Too
Oversized books on a coffee table? Always a yes. Bookends help keep those stacks tidy while adding a sculptural moment right at eye level. This is a great spot for stone, ceramic, or metal bookends, pieces that feel substantial without trying too hard.

Make Your Home Office Feel Less… Office-y
Bookends are an easy way to make a workspace feel styled but still relaxed. Use them on a desk, side table, or shelf to corral notebooks, cookbooks, or magazines you actually use. Vintage bookends with a little patina are especially good here, they soften clean lines and keep things from feeling too polished.

Yes, They Make Great Door Stops
​This one’s underrated. Heavy bookends, think marble, brass, ceramic, make surprisingly great door stops. Functional and good-looking! We love a multitasker. Set one beside a door in a bedroom, office, or sunroom and suddenly your door stop is a design moment.
Pro tip: If it’s heavy enough to hold a door open and pretty enough to leave out, it’s doing its job.

Use Them Where You’d Normally Use “Something Else”
​Bedside tables, bathroom shelves, kitchen open shelving, bookends work in all of these spots. Use them to frame cookbooks, folded linens, or a small stack of favorites. Stick with simple shapes and neutral tones and they’ll blend right in (while still quietly stealing the show).

Let Them Fly Solo
​Sometimes bookends don’t need books at all. When the design is good, let them stand alone on a shelf, mantel, or sideboard like the small sculptures they are. Mid-century shapes, animal forms, and abstract pieces shine here. No stacks required.

Most of the pieces I love in a home aren’t flashy—they’re useful, well-shaped, and quietly doing their thing. Bookends fall squarely into that category.
If you start thinking of them as small sculptures instead of shelf accessories, they’ll show up for you all over the house. And that’s exactly the kind of decor I’m always hunting for.

First off a big thank you to Envirotex for providing me with the pour on resin to make this project really shine!  The high gloss finish is equivalent to 50 coats of varnish!  It is a durable, waterproof and heat resistant finish that is perfect for my dining room table which has been known to take a beating.  

I found this vintage metal tulip table base a few years ago in a Berkeley, California Craigslist search.  I picked it up and have been waiting for the perfect opportunity to transform it into a piece of furniture I will treasure for a long time.  After a lot of back and forth on design concept I purchased a 36" wood round from my local hardware store and headed home.  ​

Pulling into the garage I noticed a box on the porch, my Envirotex product had arrived and I was excited to get started.  Orbital sander in hand I attacked both sides and the edge of my wood round with 150 and 220 grit sandpaper.  Then using a small foam roller and a can of Kilz water based primer I painted both sides and the edge, closed the garage door and not so patiently waited for it to dry. ​

The above steps I am very familiar with, resin on the other hand was a new product to me.  I chose a project with a large surface area to cover and I was nervous my ambition may have gotten the best of me.  After watching countless "How To" videos I felt ready to start stirring.  

Due to the chilly weather I decided to pour the resin inside of the house.  I laid down a sheet of painting plastic and a couple of blocks to raise the table top off of the floor about 4 inches.  I used masking tape to go all the way around the bottom edge and used a razor blade to trim it smooth.  This will hopefully help keep a smooth drip free bottom edge.  ​

Once I pulled the resin out of the sink I poured 4 oz. of resin into each of the 5 cups.  Watching the clock I then added 4 oz. of the hardener to the first cup and started mixing for two minutes.  I added in 30 drops of color (20 white and 10 white pearl) and stirred for another one minute.  I quickly moved onto the next cup, adding the hardener, stirring like crazy, adding the color and moving on down the line of cups. ​

​Once all of the resin was mixed I poured all of the cups into the middle of my table top and watched as it began to spread outward.  I was too nervous to move the board as I wanted it to remain level so I used the side of one of the sticks to help the resin move outward and down the edge.  I used one of the small brushes that came with the Envirotex product to collect the drips and help keep the bottom edge smooth.  I used a barbecue lighter to pop the tiny bubbles that came to the top and after a few minutes I went back and did another sweep.  Be careful to not get the flame too close to the product.  

Now that the table top was setting I got started on the table base.  I sanded the base with 220 grit sandpaper, used a tack cloth to remove any dust and pulled out the paint!  I love high gloss finishes and my go to paint is Fine Paints of Europe Hollandlac Brilliant, I had it tinted in Benjamin Moore Big Country Blue.  Two coats of paint with a light 400 grit sanding in between and the base was looking beautiful!

But I didn't stop there!

I found some Brass Craft Strips and Brass Finishing Nails at the hardware store and knew they were the perfect finishing touch.  I pre-made the nail holes in the brass strips and then taped the stripes in place while I tapped the finishing nails into place.

I am absolutely over the moon with how this vintage tulip table makeover turned out!  I mean look at the shine on the table top, you can see the kitchen clock in the reflection!  I had to order more brass strips, they will eventually go all the way around the top.  I am looking forward to celebrating the holidays and enjoying many family dinners at this Colorfully Chic table! 

Anyone interested in joining this amazing community of creators reach out to Evey's Creations and check out some of this month's host entries.  Jessica created a fun step stool and Christie made a lovely Mermaid Tray. 

Building sawhorse legs is an affordable project you can complete in under 30 minutes.  A quick trip to the hardware store and the project was underway.  

Supplies:
Sawhorse Brackets (2 sets)
2x4's cut into desired length (4 each)
1.5" Nails 
Hammer

I decided I wanted my sawhorse legs to be fairly tall so that I could top it with a piece of wood and use it as a workbench if I needed to.  I had the hardware store cut four 8' 2x4's into two 36" sections which left me with a 24" section.  (These numbers are for making two complete sawhorse legs.)

First thing you will do is insert the 36" 2x4's into the metal brackets.  The first set was super easy but the second I had to sand around the edges of the 2x4's and put a little muscle behind shoving them into the brackets.  Don't get discouraged the brackets are made for 2x'4s so they will fit with a little convincing.   

Next I laid the brackets with 2x4's on the garage floor, I put a piece of cardboard underneath so that it didn't slide and make as much noise while hammering the nails.  The brackets have pre made holes which makes it super easy to secure the 2x4's in place, you will use 8 nails.  

Once you have the legs secured to the brackets stand them up about 24" apart (or the length of your top piece).  I decided to make the brackets flush with the ends of the top piece but you can have the ends hang over a bit if you want to be able to hang things off of them.  Open the sawhorse legs just wide enough so that you can get the top piece into place.  Then with a little force, not too much, spread the legs so that the bracket clamps into the top piece. Do this on both ends and secure with an additional nail.  I went ahead and added two more nails since I won't be closing mine up for storage I wanted them to be sturdy.  

Wa La!  I now have a set of two sawhorse legs ready to be topped with a piece of plywood for working on small projects or stand alone so that I can place an item on top for prep or paint!

​I hope everyone enjoyed their Thanksgiving celebrations, the holidays officially feel like they are in full swing!  As the gifting holidays are sneaking up fast I am first in line to get all of my gift shopping done early so that I can sit back and enjoy my time with family.  To help you get to the state where the gifts are all wrapped and the stockings are hung the After Thanksgiving Sale has begun!

All Vintage Italian Treasures have been marked down and for an added holiday bonus if you email "Save Me 20" to hello@delightfuldesignsdecor.com I will send you an additional $20 Off! 

Recently back from Rome, Italy I have selected some treasure that would make perfect gifts! Check out all of the Italian Treasures available and find one that is perfect for the special people on your holiday list!   

Whether the Holidays are a time you enjoy or a time that brings stress please remember to be kind to others and to smile the holidays are a time to celebrate!

I am truly thankful for this year and all of you who have participated on this journey!

Besides the street markets there are Thrift Stores also called Mercatino Usato scattered around the city in transformed underground parking garages.  These overstuffed shops are filled with everything imaginable! Beautiful china is pilled high, multiple racks filled with designer clothing, furniture stacked all the way to the ceiling and cabinets upon cabinets crowded with small trinkets.  Without restraint I could have lost days wandering these shops and drained my bank account!  

Vintage marble boxes come in every shape and size, they are so beautiful and have endless uses!  As jewelry boxes, shelf decor, on an entryway table for your keys or even as a salt cellar in the kitchen. Besides the boxes which were always an exciting find anything marble was cool to uncover, like this set of mushroom shaped bookends! 

Organizing your life doesn't have to look like the land of plastic, contain your belongings in style with beautiful plates and trays! This Italica Ars yellow cane print Palm Springs style ashtray can be repurposed into a nightstand dish to hold your jewelry or as a pop of color to your entryway so you can always find your keys.  The wood plate is a lovely addition to a coffee table, the intricate hand craved details are mesmerizing.  One of my favorite finds is the Aldo Tura wood and brass carafe that I found on a dusty shelf hidden underneath other miscellaneous items.  It is a delightful piece that can be used as a vase or as a unique piece of Italian Mid-Century decor!

Here is the before of our 109 year old house.  The blinds have seen better days but that doesn't matter because you will only need a few of the metal slats.  There are so many great tutorials out there on the web, I used Pinterest to search for help.  First step is to take the blinds down and lay them out face down on your work surface.

You will need to measure your window to see how long you would like your roman shade to be... there will be some math involved.  For a step by step with plenty of great photos check out Honestly WTF they have a great tutorial!  The process is very easy if you take your time.  

The entire process took about an hour and after letting it dry overnight I put the blinds back up and the front door facelift was complete! 

First stop was a caffe latte and then a walk to the Piramide di Caio Cestio.  A structure built in 12 BC as a tomb for Caius Cestius, you can learn more here. They offer tours on the 2nd and 4th Saturday of every month, I am looking forward to sharing more on this beautiful structure! 

Right next to the pyramid is the Non-Catholic Cemetery.  A beautiful tucked away location that is the resting place for many note worthy people.  Poets Shelley and Keats among other authors and artists.  It is a peaceful place full of history and beauty.

After a long hot day of exploring it was time to sit down and enjoy a cool glass of wine.   During the Summer white canopies pop up along the Tiber River, full of places to eat, shop and play.  Grab a drink, some snacks and park yourself on a comfy river view sofa to people watch or make your way through the crowds of people to play foosball and carnival games. 

Once the crowds of people became too overwhelming we grabbed a gelato and wandered the streets while they were slightly cooler and a touch less crowded.  The Piazza Venezia is grand and I am looking forward to exploring it during the day! 

We settled in the Trastevere neighborhood which is lively and full of places to eat, shop and explore.  Our new home is located at the end of the Sunday Porta Portese Market that has everything you could possibly think of.  From shoes and clothing to curtains and kitchenwares and then my favorite vintage and antique goodies! Get there early to avoid the crowds and beat the heat.  

The street shows are nothing short of amazing here! After a lovely dinner we went for a walk and came across a theatre troop performing. We watched as a women spun around on a hanging ribbon while others danced on stilts, definitely a major feat on cobblestones and the finale had fireworks! Not speaking a lot of Italian I couldn't really tell you what was going on but it was exciting! 

There are breathtaking pieces of art around every corner, the cobblestone alleyways lead to hidden statues and magnificent fountains.  Everyday brings something new and exciting and now that we are settled in, for the most part, I can start to treasure hunt for beautiful vintage pieces hidden among those alleyways.  There is still a lot of exploring to do and I am excited to share it with you! 

Stay tuned for more market finds and Roman adventures!

Saturday was more of a lazy day, after a late breakfast we hung out and watched a movie before getting on the road to Bellingham for the Memorial Day Parade and post parade burgers and beers.  Sunday was the big Ski to Sea race, a 8 member team competes in a 7 leg race consisting of cross country skiing, down hill skiing, running, road biking, canoeing, mountain biking and kayaking.  This is Dan's father after completing the 42 mile course in 2 hours and 18 mins! Way to go!

A week of relaxing and saying goodbye to family and friends we packed our bags for Austin, Texas!  Juno, a very curious kitten, was helping me make sure I have everything I need in my carry-on. She is so cute I could have just zipped her right up to come along :-)

We board the plane the old fashioned way to Austin for the weekend followed by a week in Florida and then a quick 2 day stay in Manhattan before we are on our way to Rome. Multiple heavy bags in hand we arrive at the Seattle airport, check the large bags and surprisingly zip through security in under 15 minutes!  Since a 3 am wake up call is never pleasant we were thankful for a smooth morning.  

An avid follower of HGTV's Fixer Upper I was excited to stop in Waco and visit Magnolia Market.  A lovely compound with a play area complete with yard games and bean-bag chairs.  We checked out the Feed & Seed store and pet the goats! A little bummed that the bakery wasn't open yet but a great trip all the same!  

We are in Austin for the next couple of days and will be in sunny Florida next week! Follow along on Instagram (#romanwithjaxanddeano) and come back here next Saturday for more of our adventures!