Embossed Oval Serving Tray

A good tray earns its place twice. Most of the time it sits on a dresser, a console or a bar cart, holding a few favorite things together so the surface looks finished. Then, when guests arrive, it comes into its own as a way to carry glasses and drinks without a wobble. The best trays look right in both roles.

The Embossed Oval Serving Tray is built for exactly that double life. It is an oval stainless steel tray with a decorative embossed rim, offered in silver or gold and in three sizes. It works for serving and equally well as a fixed spot for perfume or candles on a dresser, and because the metal wipes clean, it handles both jobs with ease. That versatility is what makes it such a useful decorative tray.

What makes the embossed tray stand out

The rim comes first. A pressed, decorative border gives the tray a classic, slightly vintage character, so it looks like a considered piece rather than a plain sheet of metal. On a dresser, that detail frames whatever sits on it, from a perfume bottle to a small candle.

The material comes second. Stainless steel wipes clean, which is what lets one tray go from carrying drinks and glasses to sitting on a dresser. It handles the odd spill during a party and still looks polished the next morning.

The finishes come third. Silver suits cool, modern and classic rooms, while gold brings warmth to a neutral bedroom or a dark wood sideboard. Both finishes carry the same embossed rim, so the choice is simply about the palette of the room.

The sizes come fourth. Three sizes are offered: 8.5 by 6 inches, 9.5 by 6.7 inches and 11.1 by 7.8 inches. The smallest suits a bedside or a bathroom shelf, and the largest is the one to reach for when it has to carry more than a couple of glasses.

An oval shape also softens a room. Where square trays can look rigid, an oval sits comfortably on round tables, curved dressers and narrow consoles alike.

Where it looks best, room by room

• Dressers. Perfume bottles and a candle gathered in one polished spot.
• Bar carts. Glasses, a shaker and a small bottle ready to serve.
• Bathroom shelves. Soap, lotion and a small vase on the smallest size.
• Coffee tables. A candle and a stack of coasters on the largest size.
• Entry consoles. A landing spot for keys and sunglasses.

It suits classic, glam, vintage and traditional rooms especially well, and it adds a little shine to a modern space with plain surfaces. It also makes an elegant host or housewarming gift, especially paired with a candle or a bottle of perfume.

Because it is steel rather than glass, it can be carried confidently during a party without worrying about breakage.

Choosing the size and placement

The three sizes are 8.5 by 6 inches, 9.5 by 6.7 inches and 11.1 by 7.8 inches. The Dimensions section above lists the same measurements. Each order is one tray in the finish and size you select.

• Choose the smallest for a bedside table or a bathroom shelf.
• Choose the middle size for perfume and a candle on a dresser.
• Choose the largest to carry more than a couple of glasses.
• Match the finish to other metals in the room, silver with chrome and gold with brass.

Group what sits on the tray rather than spreading things out, so the embossed rim frames a tidy arrangement. Two or three objects of different heights usually look best.

If you carry drinks on it, wipe it dry afterward rather than leaving it wet, since standing water leaves marks on steel.

Pairing it with other pieces

A metal tray looks best with glass, crystal and soft textures around it. On a dresser, pair it with a glass perfume bottle and a small candle. On a bar cart, set crystal glasses on it beside a small plant. On a bathroom shelf, add a rolled hand towel and a bud vase.

Browse the decorative trays collection for trays in other shapes and materials, or the candle holders collection for holders in matching silver and gold tones. Repeating the tray finish elsewhere in the room pulls the look together.

Buy 2 or more items and save 10%, which makes it easy to take one tray for display and another for serving.

Is the embossed tray right for your space?

It is a strong fit if you:

• Want one tray for both display and serving.
• Like a classic embossed rim with a little shine.
• Prefer silver or gold to wood or plastic.
• Are happy to wipe steel dry after use.

It is not the right choice if you want a tray that goes in the dishwasher, or one for a very rustic room where warm wood would suit better. For a natural look, a wooden tray from the decorative trays collection will suit better.

Care is simple: wipe it with a soft, damp cloth and dry it immediately, clean the embossed rim with a soft brush, do not soak it or put it in the dishwasher, and keep it out of prolonged direct sunlight. Every order ships free across the US, most arrive in 6 to 9 business days, and unused items in their original packaging can be returned within 30 days. Questions go to info@norafurnish.com.