DIY: Red Tray Embellished with Lion Head Drawer Pulls

red tray embellished to resemble Chinese red doors

About a year ago I bought a shiny red wooden tray at Ross ($9.99).  The red color is so bright it reminded me of red doors in China.  According to this site, many doors in China are painted with a fresh coat of red just before Chinese New Year to invite good luck and happiness.

Chinese Buddhist temple door in San Francisco via

The lion head on my tray is actually a drawer pull from this hardware store online.  To imitate little golden knobs I looked for large upholstery tacks, but with no luck.  Had to settle for these white plastic furniture tack glides from HomeDepot.  

cut the nail part off

and spray painted with Krylon's Metallic Gold

The lion head drawer pulls and the spray-painted knobs were glued to the tray (two sides)  using Aleene's Jewelry and Metal Glue.  Warning: this glue is very strong but is also messy.  It is of gel-like consistency and is hard not to overdo and make a mess.
 

in the foyer to hold family photos...

or on the coffee table to hold large art books or any knick knack

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