I have about 10 projects running right now. None are getting done fast. So to make myself feel better, I did a “quick hit”: I easily transformed this vintage cheese tray from Wheat-y to…
… Georges Briard-a-licious.
The wheat tile — it’s enameled steel — popped right off. I peeled and scraped off the old glue. Then, simply pasted the New Old Stock Georges Briard tile on, I think I used high-heat hot glue. I got the Briard tile here, from a stash of TENS OF THOUSANDS found in a warehouse yadda yadda.
I also hit the wood with a wood conditioner. Of course, consider whether what you are using is food safe.
The new/old tile fit perfectly. These cheese boards were super common — the tiles must have been a standard size accordingly. I see these cheese boards all the time at local estate sales.
I quite like this! So does DH! And I finished a project — oh happy day!
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The original looks better. Modifying the original with fabric doesn’t work.
The new one was modified with: Tile. Not fabric.
Opinions are subjective, of course. But the original was a colonialawful horror. As a member of groups that celebrate that particular era of decor, I actually LIKE the really over-the-top stuff. But this was a weak representation, just blah and bland. The new tile is much more fun. But all that REALLY matters is that Pam (and her husband, since he lives there too) likes it. And had fun with it!
I read «cheesy tray», and I was wondering «what is so cheesy about that tray? It looks perfectly fine to me…» 😀
I have to agree that the blue one is much more suitable.
By the way, in some countries these trays are unheard of. I guess you place the different types of cheese around and use the tile to cut them, right? (And scratch the wonderful tile, right???)
You put the cheese on the tile and cut it there, with a little cheese knife. I guess it would scratch if you put a lot of pressure on the knife… That said: I believe in using these vintage things!
I have one of these cheese trays. In fact, I think I’ve had two and I don’t know what ever became of the other one. The one I still have just has a white tile in the middle. Both “Before” and “After” are lovely, but the tile one is better for serving cheese.
Again, to clarify: Both the before and after are tiles. Porcelain-on-steel tile.
You are saving the wheat tile for another project or person who likes the wheat motif, right? Hopefully it didn’t break when being removed.
It survived just fine, as I recall, it had actually popped off on its own, which is what got me started with this project.
Yes, I’m giving it to Goodwill in my next delivery.
I do like the new tile, but I have a couple of wheat themed things in my cowboy themed guest bedroom; although, that would be more of a farmer motif. Guess I like wheat themed stuff because I grew up in Kansas.
Nice work!
My mother sold these in her gift shop years ago. There were square ones too, and I have one of those with the same tile. The tile was to cut cheese; some of them came with little knives. The outside was intended for the crackers. We sold lots of these at Christmas in the 50’s and 60’s.
Well done, Pam. You gave this object new life. Personally, I think the NOS tile looks much better. The colours of the tile are complemented by the wood. Thanks for the project idea.
The switch in tiles is a fabulous change-up! The original
wheat/colonial-ish motif wouldn’t work for me, but the NOS tile certainly does!
That looks great! Makeovers are my favorite! (Gives me a sense of control in a world full of chaos.) Usually it involves stripping, polishing, repairing and painting kind of stuff, but it doesn’t always have to. I recently took a $5 garage sale set of stacking footstools and changed the legs out from bulbous colonialawful to sleek tapered legs. Easy, required no skills really, and BAM! Make me smile every time I see them. 🙂 Now if I could only finish the 136 OTHER projects I have squirreled away for later so easily…
Well, huh, I never thought about changing the legs on my stacking ottomans. Good idea!
I actually think that the fabric center males sense too, since some cheese is made by pessing curds through cheesecloth. …. jk! (Sorry to potentially contribute to the confusion, but I couldn’t resist.) 😄
It’s a cheese-cutting tray…
I think both look acceptable. I remember the Wheat one from the 70’s. I think I may have gotten one as a wedding gift? LOL As long as you like it, that is all that matters. The vintage tile is very nice. I like the colors.
Very nice! The wheat motif was used a lot post war. Corning used it briefly before settling on cornflower blue for its Corningware line. I like what you did -colorful
Very nice Pam! I have a few of the old round cheese “things” with the glass domes – no tile in it though. I don’t use them for cheese though – I stick some little item in there and use it as a display cloche.
Nice transformation! I really do get the satisfaction of finishing something too. I am looking around for a small satisfying project myself – maybe I’ll give one of these a go.
My parents have “wheat” dishes, glasses, etc. that match the tile that was removed!! I love the “wheat” pattern!!
I apologize for not giving the wheat more love. I know it’s sentimental to many. And in our world, all artistry is welcome!
I grew up with the wheat dishes, and my grandmother still has them. I liked them fine and still do, however, I don’t like the motif on the cheese tray for some reason. I like it much, much better with the stripe. Reuse and re-purpose for for your needs I say. And so the stripe will blend with the kitchen and the Mahalo Lounge, and the cheese tray will have a new life and be used. I have an old set of wooden fruit in the tray and so does my mother. I have seen the fruit hand painted and it looked fabulous. I so want to paint the fruit but don’t want to “remuddle”. Sometimes it is a tough choice. There are only 10 million of those wooden fruit trays crammed in cabinets all across America still. It’s not like they are precious.
I love what you did. The “new” tile looks much better…such pretty colors that complement the wood. I love these quick easy projects. Just bought one of the vintage mosaic tile kits on eBay. I think it might be harder than it looks though! Fortunately DH is super artistic so he can help! Lol!
I have … like 100 … vintage tile trays from the famous World of Tile liquidation sale. Some of them have a World of Tile etched imprint on the bottom. A tile tray projects… or projectssssssss… are in my near future, too!
I like the wheat but the new old tile looks wonderful! Good job!
My Mom had some square ones with white tiles with gold on them. They had a little cheese knife attached with a chain, kind of like bank pens 😉
Yours looks much nicer!
Hi, I still use “Cheese Trays” for my dysfunctional family get togethers. There is also a small knife with fork prongs on the end to pick up just cut cheese. Yes mine is very old from the Danish Design era. From my parents home, their second of five homes over the years. That home was total walnut modern funiture in a spit level home. LOL. Your color tile on your redo tray looks great, reminds me of that home.
I once had one of those cheese trays, and it had colorful mushrooms on the tile.
Dave, if your family is that dysfunctional, you might want to do what Chris’ mom did–attach the cheese knife to the cutting board with a chain. That way it can’t be hidden in a shoe and used as a shiv. 🙂
I am lucky in that the level of my extended family’s dysfunction stops at (1) saying you’ll bring the cheese and then not bringing a cheese tray or cheese knife to go with it, (2) saying you’ll bring cheese and driving off with it on the top of the car when you leave the cheese shop, or (3) saying you’ll bring cheese and eating it all on the way to the party.
Not a fan of the wheat pattern, but love the “new” old tile. So nice that the tile was the correct size. The colors are perfect for a shore house! (Or a Tiki bar)
You improved it Pam, and did a much better job centering your NOS tile than they did with the original!
You inspired me to pick up a round cheese board, sans tile, at the local Salvation Army Thrift Store for just $1. I have no round tiles on hand, so I’m waiting for the perfect trivet or round wall hanging to stick in the middle. I’m also considering staining the lower part green for a minimalist wreath. So many ideas; so little time!