My husband bought me this beautiful wooden salad serving set from Pottery Barn many years ago for Christmas. They came with a beautiful big wooden salad bowl, but I will get to that later. First, lets talk about these poor worn out wooden utensils that have been sitting under my desk waiting for their makeover for nearly 3 years. I know, I know. Shame on me. What the heck took me so long to get started on this “Wooden Salad Serving Set Makeover”? I guess I was a little intimidated by them. Their special, you know? I mean, I love Rick. He gave these to me, so I love them. This makeover needed to work.
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While these poor dudes sat under my desk, I came across THIS. WHOA!
I knew immediately that I could do this. Somehow. Some way. I think.
But…there they sat for probably 2 more years. Procrastination at it’s best. I just kept ignoring them. Until yesterday. I finally said to myself, “What the hell is the matter with you, Julie. Get the sander and just do it.” I said, “Ok.”
So, I went to get our little electric sander out of the cobwebish green tool box it sits in. I was shocked to realize that it seemed to be missing. I checked over and over, and still no sander. Hmmm. Did someone steal it? No, that can’t be. I texted Rick and asked, “Where is the electric sander?” He answered immediately and said he lent it to a co-worker. 😯
My red head turned deep red (and a little hot) and I really became quite upset with him. I mean…who lends out an electric hand sander to a co-worker? Rick does. That’s who.
So, as I worked through my little tantrum, and we discussed this by text, I began to realize that-wait a minute…who gave me the spoons in the first place? Rick did. Why are they so special? Because Rick gave them to me. Was I still mad at Rick? Yes. I got over it though, and I eventually saw the irony. I also drove by a church the other day and their little sign out front said, “Love doesn’t anger easily.” I totally forgive you, Rick.
Okay…so back to the dilemma. I decided to just sand them by hand with sand paper because there was no way I would put anything toxic on this wood that will be used in salads It took a little effort and time, but it wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be. In fact, the old finish came off so easily I was concerned with how much of that stuff came off into our salad 😯 .
After I sanded them down to the handle where I planned on painting them, I wiped off the excess dust. Then I wrapped the sanded parts in blue painters tape. Next, I painted the bottom with blue & white acrylic paint using the spoons in the ad for my guide. I copied the design in the ad as closely as I could using a very fine paint brush. I found this part to be very relaxing and enjoyable.
After the paint dried, I sprayed a polyurethane on just the painted part (not the wood where food will touch it). Then I rubbed olive oil on the sanded wood and look how gorgeous they turned out. I love how the wood looks so natural now.
I know I’m not the best painter, but you get the idea. You should try this, it’s very fun.
Now the only problem that I have, is getting the bowl finished before 2021.
Here’s my popular salad recipe if you’re craving salad like me now…
Healthy Olive Garden Salad Recipe

Dude, You did good, love, Dad in NY
Holy gorgeousness, Julie!!! You’re so inspiring & talented!!!
Happy weekend Paige
GREAT JOB..I love them!! Now get the bowl done NOW- don’t delay- you’re on a roll?
Gotta get that sander back first! Ha ha!! ???
OHMYGOSH; they R Gorgeous. I so agree with your dad; U done Good and what a labor of love
Thank you, Colleen!! I still can’t believe how much fun this was. Maybe I should make more and sell ?
Sometimes you just don’t wanna throw something out cuz it looks shabby…a little paint and ingenuity and …VOILA. You did good
Thank you, Cheryl. Yes, these have sentimental value so I had to do something. So happy you like them!
Julie I absolutely love these and not just because blue is my favorite color! Such a great idea as gifts for the cook in the family.
That is a great idea!! I was thinking of getting more wood spoons at the dollar if they have them???
Seriously, I have everything needed for this project. So, if you’ll excuse me, I have to get started! Thanks for the inspiration!
Oh my!!! That just made my day, Linda! Good luck let me know if you have any questions!
Amazing!!! You have such great talent!
Hi Mari! Those little strokes scared me a little, but I liked the challenge. Thank you for those kind words ?
Julie you did a great job! Haven’t they come up lovely? We used to have Pier 1 shops in England – they were called The Pier. Sadly they all closed years ago.
Have a lovely weekend.
Thank you, Shirley! I found this ad so long ago I bet they don’t even sell them anymore ha ha! Enjoy your weekend ?
Julie,
Again what an inspiration you are. Isn’t it amazing how little things just pop in your head and you have a vision of what can be done just using what you have around the house.
I love your new project and once again, thanks for sharing. have a great weekend.
Ann
Hello Ann! Thank you- you make me blush ha ha! I hope your weather is nice. Omg it is so pretty out today here in MI. I better get out of my pjs!!
Que bonito. Bravo Julie
Thank you, Patricia! ???
I love what you did with the wooden spoon sets.
Thank you, Linda!
Great job. They look great! Who’d a thought! I’m going to rub olive oil on my old ones! Yours look amazing. Thanks for sharing.
Hey Cyndi! If you sand them lightly before that will help, too!
What a great project! So are you gonna paint the outside of the salad bowl, too? Hopefully, soooooon! 🙂
Oh dear. Did you have to say that Erika! Now you know I have too!! ?
Julie, Julie, Julie you never cease to amaze us!!! How awesome and creative!! Salads are definitely going to taste better with these ‘new’ utensils. =) A+++
Hi Julie! I hope so!! I need some salads about now!! ?
Oh wow! This is seriously pretty. Pier 1 has nothing on you.
Awww!! Thank you, Melva! ?
Oh Wow! This salad serving set is so beautiful ~ Absolutely great redo! They would even look fabulous hanging on a kitchen wall displayed!…. (while they are waiting for the bowl!) ~ Hope you are enjoying the warm weather back there…. ( gonna be 106 out here in No. California 2day, but I like that better, than rain!)
OMG…they are gorgeous! So, much so, that I like yours so much better because they’re sentimental because Rick bought them and because you painted them yourself! You’re so talented…I want some now!
So true, Melissa! I wish i had more to give out!
You did an excellent job. Love this idea! Now I wished I had my old wood salad spoons to redo.
Yes, great job! You made something drab looking to bright and cheerful!
NIce !! Great painting. As my Mr. would say… “get-ER-done” !! LoL
Olive Garden dressing is de-lish. take care… 1
p.s I’ve got a number of “get-er-done” projects that are NOT completed.
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You did a great job! Way to go! Kyle
Thank you, Kyle! ?
Oh my, the light just went on! Going to make a basket ( or maybe 4) full of these cute things for a fundraising auction that aids young women college scholarships. In a small way I can help and have fun at the same time and all thanks goes to you…we all win!
Thank you so much Julie?
That is so amazing Darlene! Good luck!!
Beautiful !!!! ???
Thank you, Linda ♥️
Way to go! When I got to the end and saw the bowl, I just cracked up.
I know, right Jan!!! I plan to do it soon ?
It was worth the wait (and the anger)! They look great; all brand new and awaiting their ‘new’ bowl.
Thank you, Carol! It seems so silly to me now how angry I got. He was laughing at this post when he read it. Thanks for stopping by ?
[…] DIY Salad Serving Set Makeover […]
Such a nice idea. I will be making a set for a family I will be visiting in Morocco in May. Looks fun and easy too!