unique serving tray by Henry Forwood

Trays, trays, trays.

Discover the Art of the Tray – A Personal Journey Through Drinks Trays, Serving Trays & Decorative Trays

I’ll be honest with you—when I first started designing home accessories, I didn’t think much about trays. They seemed… well, a bit ordinary. But how wrong I was! Over the years, I’ve come to realise that trays are the unsung heroes of the home. These elegant workhorses are as practical as they are beautiful. Whether you’re carrying cocktails to guests, serving tea to your mother-in-law, or just trying to corral your clutter in style—a good tray is essential.

At Forwood Design, we’ve turned tray design into something of an art form. Our unique collection of drinks trays, serving trays, and decorative trays blends functionality with flair, designed to elevate every corner of your home. Let me take you on a little tour of what we fondly call the Forwood Tray Emporium—yes, it’s a thing!


Why Trays Matter (More Than You Think)

Let’s start with the basics. A tray might seem like a simple object, but it serves so many purposes. Practically speaking, trays are perfect for carrying drinks, organising bits and bobs, and displaying items beautifully. A tray can be the difference between chaos and calm in a busy household.

But trays aren’t just useful—they’re gorgeous. The right tray can act as a statement piece, pulling a room together with colour, texture, and shape. That’s why we’ve created a collection that isn’t just about utility—it’s about luxury, style, and a healthy dose of personality.

       


Materials Make the Tray

When it came to choosing materials for our luxury trays, I didn’t want to settle for ordinary. So we went bold. Think rich faux malachite, deep lapis lazuli, shimmering faux tortoiseshell, Henry Forwood’s signature shagreen, natural linen, and Japanese tamo ash wood. Each tray is finished with either polished brass or stainless steel handles, depending on the look and feel we’re going for.

The result? A tray collection that looks just as at home in a chic Mayfair apartment as it does on a rustic farmhouse table. And trust me, they’re as functional as they are fabulous.

    


Shapes & Sizes for Every Situation

One tray does not fit all. That’s why we’ve designed our trays in a variety of shapes and sizes. You’ll find rectangular trays perfect for breakfast in bed, round trays for cocktails at your next party, oval trays for elegant tea service, and even hexagonal trays for something a little more playful.

We genuinely believe that different shapes suit different settings. And let’s face it—who doesn’t love having options?


Drinks Trays – Raise a Glass in Style

If there’s one thing we take seriously, it’s the drinks tray. A drinks tray is more than just a place to rest your G&T—it’s part of the ritual. Our Lapis Lazuli and Alexander Malachite trays were designed with that in mind. Both feature tempered glass bases, which means you don’t have to panic if someone (inevitably) spills something. A quick wipe, and it’s good as new.

For something lighter, our Duchess collection of faux shagreen drinks trays is perfect. Made with lightweight aluminium, these trays are a dream to carry—even when fully loaded with your favourite bottles and glasses.


Serving Trays & Tea Trays – Tradition Meets Modern Luxury

Now let’s talk serving trays. Whether it’s afternoon tea, breakfast in bed, or simply ferrying sandwiches to the garden, our classic shagreen tray collection is up for the job. Available in both oval and rectangular shapes, these trays feature our signature twig-shaped handles and come in two sizes to suit any surface—from coffee tables to console tables.

Looking for something with a little more pizzazz? Our Deco collection is inspired by the glamour of the 1920s and features both rectangular and hexagonal trays that are as decorative as they are practical. Use them as tea trays, display trays, or anything else your inner host requires.

    


Decorative Trays – A Touch of Organised Elegance

These days, trays aren’t just for carrying things—they’re for showing them off. We love using trays as decorative accessories to add polish to a space. A tray on a kitchen island keeps oils and spices looking tidy. One on a coffee table can group candles, books, and objets d’art into one eye-pleasing vignette.

Our Jules collection is ideal for this. With its distinctive curved handles and base options in tortoise shell, malachite, or shagreen, it adds colour and character to any room. It’s the kind of tray that doesn’t just sit there—it makes a statement.


Wooden Trays – A Natural Choice

Let’s not forget the classics. Wooden trays have been around forever—and for good reason. But we wanted ours to stand out. Enter the Tamo Ash Drinks Tray. I chose Japanese tamo ash for its stunning, swirling grain that’s almost hypnotic to look at. Paired with sleek brass handles, it’s the kind of tray that gets people talking.

Use it as a bar tray, a decorative tray, or just admire it from across the room. Either way, it’s a showstopper.


Mix, Match & Accessorise

One of our favourite things to do is pair our trays with our barware accessories. Our shagreen cocktail shakers, bottle openers, and wine coasters all look fabulous together—and they make entertaining that little bit more enjoyable (and stylish). It’s those thoughtful touches that turn a simple drink into a moment of joy.


The Final Word on Trays

So, if you thought trays were just flat surfaces with handles—think again. At Forwood Design, we’ve created a collection that combines beauty, utility, and a good dose of fun. Whether you’re hosting a cocktail party, serving Sunday lunch, or just trying to keep the remote controls in one place, our drinks trays, serving trays, and decorative trays are here to help you do it in style.

We invite you to explore the full collection and find the ideal tray to suit your space, your needs, and your personality. Because in our world, every tray deserves a place of honour.

Here are some useful tips about the care and maintenance of our tray collection.

  1. How should one clean a shagreen, malachite or lapis lazuli drinks tray?

Simply wipe down the serving tray with a damp cloth as soon as practical after a spill.

  1. How should one store a serving tray?

Finally a dry place where moisture is not present is ideal an ideal area to store a tray.

  1. How should you carry a heavy dish on a serving tray?

If you are carrying a heavy dish, make sure it is positioned on the tray so it is close to the body.

 

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