Monday, April 13, 2015

Dollhouse Miniature Tray Table Tutorial

One of the most cottage style table out there is the tray table. I've made a couple of these miniature tray tables for my dollhouses. They add a lot of charm. I've seen there's a kit out there somewhere. But I've never found it. So I decided to try to make one. I'm just winging it though! So as usual it's not perfect. But a good vintage style piece to have anyways! :)
 Deb this one's for you!  (Deb requested this tutorial)
I use 1/16" x 4" x 24" bass wood veneer. I bought it at Hobby Lobby. http://shop.hobbylobby.com/products/24-x-4-x-1/16-basswood-sheet-787267/
First, cut 4 strips that are 1/8" wide by about 3" long.
Cut all four ends a little slanted so they will touch the ground and the tray when they are crossed.  It's about a 45 degree angle.  Your legs should be about 2 5/8" or so.  You can make the table as tall or short as you need it though. 
Cross your pieces so all the ends are as flat as possible when they touch the ground and the bottom of the tray that will be there. I mark both the top and bottom piece. Put a dot of glue in the center and glue down.  Let dry completely.  (glue: Aleene's Tacky Glue)
Cut out  two more pieces that are  1/8" wide x 1 1/4".
Glue those pieces to the bottom of the legs about a half inch from the ground.  Let dry.
Glue to other legs about half an inch from the ground. Let dry.  The bottom is done!  
For the tray, you'll need a  1 7/8" x 1 3/8"  piece for the bottom.  Two ends are  1/4" x 1 1/2"  and two sides are   1/4" x  2".  I did make 45 degree cuts at the ends for miter joints. You can keep them straight if you don't want to bother with that.
Glue two ends at a slight angle if you do miter joints. And let dry.  This way  you can adjust the two sides as needed before you glue them on in the next step.
My miter joints are far from perfect. But it will be fine after sanding. I dry fitted the two sides and cut them as needed to fit with the ends already on. Glue and let dry.  
Sand the tray.  Almost looks like it's perfect. LOL!
Glue the tray to the legs. Paint. Age if you wish. I use brown ink stamps for that old vintage look.
I also used gloss on my tray. This is Minwax oil modified polyurethane. It has a slight brown tint to it. I was not impressed when I first got it. But later realized it was perfect for vintage looks.  For the really colorless gloss I use water based polycrylic by Minwax.
The tray table is 2 5/8" x 1 1/4".
Thanks for coming by!

33 comments:

  1. Thank you so much Caroline. The tutorial was perfect. I can't wait to make one. I love the rose paper you lined the tray with. I recently made a miniature farmhouse table based off of a full sized one. I'm hoping to build a full size one for my dining room soon. I love building & I will frequently build a piece in miniature before attempting it in full scale. Thanks again for the tutorial. You are so nice to share. Hugs from rainy Washington. It is currently coming down Gigie's and Lizzie's, aka cats and dogs! Lol.

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  2. Wow! Chic wonderful table! Thank you for a perfect and detailed tutorial! The composition of the bed was very impressed me.
    Caroline, you have golden hands!
    Best wishes from Russia ♥ Elena

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  3. Hi Caroline,
    Thank you so much for taking the time and effort to give us this marvellous tutorial! Such a lovely little piece. It's amazing how different furniture looks after painting and ageing :) Thank you, again.
    All the best
    Vivian

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  4. Thank you for the tutorial =) (And thanks Deb for requesting it =) )
    This makes a great detail to your wonderful houses!! I'll save the tutorial for later, maybe I dare to try one day =)
    Hannah

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  5. Your tray table is amazing. I like the scene in the last photos. Thanks for the tutorial.

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  6. Great tutorial, and fantastic results! Thank you so much, Caroline! I'll pin it now. :-) xo Jennifer

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  7. what a wonderful tutorial, thank you very much for sharing it with us ...Im going to give it a try. thank you very much Caroline :)

    Hugs
    Marisa

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  8. Muchas gracias Caroline, un tuto magnífico y qué bonita queda al lado de la cama, me ha encantado.
    Seguro que me animaré a hacerlo. Gracias también por tus bonitos comentarios.
    Un abrazo

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  9. Hi Caroline, what a wonderful tray table :D! Thank you so much for taking the time and effort to give us this great tutorial!
    Hugs, Ilona

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  10. So sweet of you to share! I'll have to try this soon.

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  11. Muchas gracias por esta perfecta explicación. Me gusta mucho como queda.

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  12. Una bandeja deliciosa para una escena de ensueño! Felicidades! Yo también guardo el tutorial :), a ver qué sale!
    Un beso!

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  13. This is beautiful, thank you for sharing the tutorial! :)

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  14. Wow, gorgeous tutorial. Thank you so much Caroline.

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  15. Thank you for the tutorial for a nice table.

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  16. Thank you Caroline for this fabulous tutorial! I love it and am going to try and make one. Will be perfect for my eggshell mosaic experiments.
    Hugs, Drora

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  17. Is a lovely table!
    Thanks a lot for the tutorial.

    Hugs Caroline

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  18. Oh my goodness, this is just too cute! I'm pinning this one for future reference and am already itching to build another tiny house:)

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  19. Hi Caroline
    you are so clever love this butlers tray!
    Mini Hugs

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  20. wow! thanks for the tutorial is great! to you will always look great.
    A big hugs.

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  21. Hi Caroline, what a beautiful tray table , i love the vintage look !
    Thank you sooo much for this wonderful tutorial :)
    Have a great week.

    Hugs Mieke xxx

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  22. Your tray table is gorgeous Caroline thank you for the wonderful tutorial.
    Hugs Maria

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  23. Hi, am busy building your house from your book but will try this tray too! Thank you for all the tutorials and inspiration on your blog. Reading it from the start, am at febr 2011 now 😄 Hug, Sandra

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  24. It is so wonderful, I love it so much...thank you very much Caroline, for this great tutorial! Hugs

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  25. Gracias Caroline, tan sencillo y tan hermoso.
    Un abrazo.
    Yolanda

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  26. Outstanding. I will have to try the tray. And the bed is so dreamy and looks so comfortable and cozy. I love all of the little details elements that you add. I don't know I missed the previous post. Lots of good stuff there and the little girls are so preciously cute.

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  27. Es preciosa!
    Muchas gracias por este tutorial.
    Feliz semana!

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  28. Thanks for such a clearly guided tutorial! Love the little vignette you put together showcasing your tray table at the end!

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  29. Hoi Caroline.
    wat een mooi tafeltje heb je gemaakt en goed uitgelegd.
    dank je wel.
    groetjes Marja

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  30. Hi Caroline! I LOVE this little tea tray and the bed is also FABULOUS!!!
    Your skills in decorating and now with construction, continue to Impress the socks off me. :)) Another totally enjoyable and informative visit! :D

    elizabeth

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  31. Привет Кэролайн!
    Вы показали сказочный учебник! Я люблю ваш стиль!
    Кровать и чайный поднос выглядят великолепно!
    Обнимаю
    Татьяна

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  32. Wow, wonderful tutorial! Thank you:) Dorotea

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  33. Que hermosa te quedó muchas gracias por compartir , perfectamente explicado para intentar hacerla ojalá me quedé tan bella como la tuya

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