Stylish Trays

Serving trays have always been a wonderful functional accessory, but now they're prettier than ever.

• A favorite entertaining staple has moved to decorator item status. Today's trays are serving up a lot of punch and style including watercolor designs, photographs and even laminated fabrics.

Figure A

Look for trays made from fabrics that have been laminated. Choose animal, floral and bamboo prints or the up and coming shagreen (sharkskin that was very popular in the '20s and '30s now available in fabulous colors) (figure A).

The reason for the popularity of trays is twofold--they combine functionality and fashion. The variety of styles, sizes and designs available means there's one for every decor.

Group a series of crystal perfume bottles on a tray in a boudoir, put a dried floral arrangement in a wooden one to set on an ottoman/coffee table or group various serving pieces on a tray on a table for easy use.

	Figure B
	Figure C

With very little effort and expense, trays can completely change the mood of your home.

Attach decorative handles to the side of a mirror with a deep frame for a quick and beautiful display piece. Top it with flowers and a favorite piece of stemware or teacup (figure B). Do the same thing with a picture frame holding favorite family photos (figure C).

painted ceramic, painted wooden and aluminum trays (Bloomingdale's)

Shagreen faux shark skin, toile, floral, bamboo, red leopard trays; trays with small serving dish on top or with dividers; trays with pointed corners (tele-fun Decorative Accents)

plastic laminated trays with pictures (fruit, floral) (athome international)

Resources
home furnishings - Bloomingdale's
Bloomingdale's
475 Knotter Drive
Cheshire, CT 06410
Toll Free Phone: 800-472-0788
Fax: 800-596-2116
URL: www.bloomingdales.com

home furnishings - tele-fun Decorative Accents
tele-fun Decorative Accents
225 Fifth Avenue, #619
New York, NY 10010
Phone: 212-686-9313
Fax: 212-532-4777

Guests
Leslie Monsky
Owner, tele-fun Decorative Accents
225 Fifth Avenue, #619
New York, NY 10010
Phone: 212-686-9313
Fax: 212-532-4777

Christine Gentry
Regional Director of Public Relations, Bloomingdale's
660 West DeKalb Pike
King of Prussia, PA 19406
Phone: 610-337-6300
URL: www.bloomingdales.com
Also in this Episode

Smart Design : Episode SDN-113
•	Asian Appeal
•	Precisely Sisal
•	Take a Powder
•	Stylish Trays