Everlasting lace

A little time with a paintbrush can brighten up a tray and create a permanent lace pattern. An unvarnished tray is first painted in a spring colour, the table beneath protected by scrap paper. When the paint is fully dry, a paper doily is placed in the centre and masking tape stuck neatly along the sides of the tray to give the pattern a clean edge. Holding the doily in place, white paint is then dabbed gently over the doily and tape, with care taken not to load the brush too heavily. When the paint has dried to a sticky consistency, the doily and tape can be carefully removed to reveal the lacy detail.