Why This House in the Woods Tray Earns Its Place on the Table
What this House in the Woods design does is place a cabin tucked among tall pines, roof and chimney visible between the trunks with a path leading to the door in deep forest green and timber brown with warm window light against a dusk sky and leave it there. The mood — secluded and cosy — does the rest. Cabins in woodland carry a very specific kind of quiet, and the lit window is the detail that sells it. It is for makers who prefer a project that improves the room when it is finished. Designed for dens, cabins and reading rooms, it holds up as decor rather than as something you finish and put in a drawer. Reference CP24. Cabins in woodland carry a very specific kind of quiet, and the lit window is the detail that sells it That is the reasoning behind the whole composition.
cabins in woodland carry a very specific kind of quiet, and the lit window is the detail that sells it. In dens, cabins and reading rooms the piece holds its own against the surrounding colour rather than fighting it.
DOTZSO makes these trays for people who would rather serve on something made than something bought. What is in the box: the printed wooden tray, DOTZSO resin drills, a sorting tray, a comfort-grip applicator pen, a wax caddy and a pictorial instruction sheet.
The tray body is the part that matters. The printed surface is sealed after the drills are seated, so the tray takes hot mugs and plates without marking.
The whole tray face is worked, so no section looks like an afterthought.
Specifications
| Product Type | Wooden Serving Tray Diamond Art Kit |
| Designed By | DOTZSO |
| Reference | CP24 |
| Design | House in the Woods |
| Tray Size | 7.8×11.8 in |
| Format | Rectangular tray with cut-in handles |
| Drill Type | DOTZSO signature resin drills, round |
| Coverage | Full drill |
| Surface | Printed wood face, sealed after completion |
| Canvas Guide | Printed symbols and colour key |
| Colour Palette | deep forest green and timber brown with warm window light against a dusk sky |
What’s in the Box
- 1 × printed wooden tray with cut-in handles
- DOTZSO signature resin drills, sorted by colour (with extra drills included)
- Diamond painting tray
- Comfort-grip applicator pen
- Wax caddy
- Pictorial step-by-step instructions
How to Make It
- Lay the printed tray face flat and let it settle before starting.
- Find the legend strip and match the first symbol to its drill colour.
- Press the pen tip into the wax caddy, then touch it to a drill – the drill lifts and stays on the tip.
- Set the drill onto the matching printed symbol and press lightly. Work one colour block at a time rather than across the whole tray.
- Continue until the face is covered, then press the finished surface flat with a book for an hour to seat every drill.
- Seal the surface fully before the tray goes into service, or the drills will lift under a plate.
Complete it over a few sessions, then let the tray settle into everyday use.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the House in the Woods wooden tray kit come with as standard?
Yes. The House in the Woods wooden tray kit ships complete with the wooden tray and cut-in handles; you drill the printed face and then the tray goes into service, plus the DOTZSO resin drills, tray, applicator pen, wax caddy and pictorial instructions. Nothing else needs sourcing. Reference CP24.
Is the House in the Woods design robust once the sealing step is done?
Once the drills are seated and the surface is sealed, the House in the Woods design holds under normal use. The surface is sealed, so it handles mugs and plates in normal use. Very hot pans straight from the hob are another matter — use a trivet, and the sealing step is the single biggest factor in how long the finish lasts. The resin drills bond firmly across the House in the Woods pattern.
Does the House in the Woods wooden tray kit need dusting often?
Wipe with a damp cloth and dry immediately. Do not submerge it or put it through a dishwasher — the adhesive layer under the drills is not built for a soak. For the House in the Woods palette, deep forest green and timber brown tones show dust less than pale grounds, so a light pass is usually enough. Skip solvent cleaners, which can cloud the House in the Woods resin.
How much bare surface does the House in the Woods wooden tray kit have?
The face is drilled across the whole surface, so the finished tray has complete coverage without bare wood showing. The House in the Woods artwork is drawn so that a cabin tucked among tall pines reads clearly at any distance. The House in the Woods surface is treated as one complete unit.
How many hours does the House in the Woods wooden tray kit represent?
Plan for a few sessions rather than one. Working a single colour block at a time is faster than moving across the tray at random. The House in the Woods design is secluded and cosy, which tends to make it easier to work in short sessions. The House in the Woods design suits working one colour block at a time.
What are the House in the Woods size choices?
The range covers 7.8 × 11.8 in, 9.8 × 13.8 in and 12.2 × 16.1 in, so there is a format for a bedside table or a full dinner service. This listing is the 7.8×11.8 in format. Reference CP24.
Samantha H. (verified owner) –
Finished it over a weekend and it looks great on the ottoman. Surface is flat and level, glasses don’t wobble on it. Gave it as a housewarming gift and it was the favorite present. Very happy with this purchase.
Mia L. (verified owner) –
Heavier and nicer in person than it looked online. Surface is flat and level, glasses don’t wobble on it. Great way to slow down at the end of a busy day. Made one for my mother-in-law and she was delighted. Recommend it to anyone looking for a relaxing craft.
Jennifer T. (verified owner) –
Made one for my sister and now she wants the kit too. The wood base has a nice weight to it, feels like real serveware. The adhesive is plenty sticky, the drills stay exactly where I put them. The wood arrived with one small scuff on the side. I do this on the porch in the summer and it’s lovely. Really happy with the end result. Good kit overall, just a couple of small things.
Olivia M. –
I use mine for morning coffee and it’s held up well. Looks beautiful on the coffee table with a candle on it. Very happy with this purchase.
Crystal F. (verified owner) –
Honestly better quality than I expected for the price. It’s on our ottoman and gets used for coffee every morning. Loved it, no regrets.
SunroomDIY (verified owner) –
I picked this up on a whim and ended up really enjoying it. Wood feels solid, much better than the thin pressed board I’ve seen. Really calming, repetitive work, and satisfying when a section is finished. Really nice piece to have out when people come over. Very happy with this purchase.
James F. (verified owner) –
The wood base is much sturdier than I expected. Handles make it easy to carry from the kitchen to the couch. I worked on this during my lunch breaks and it made the days feel better. It sits on the entry table and catches keys and mail. Would definitely buy again.
Mason T. (verified owner) –
Made this for our coffee table and get compliments on it constantly. The wood is thick and finished smoothly, no splinters anywhere. The packaging was a little crushed on one corner. The colors work beautifully with the room. Still worth it overall.
Javier M. (verified owner) –
The wood base is much sturdier than I expected. Handles are cut well and comfortable to actually carry. I do it at the kitchen table while dinner simmers. Would make a great gift too.
Dustin J. (verified owner) –
I use mine for morning coffee and it’s held up well. Really nice piece to have out when people come over. Great kit, no complaints.
Daniela F. (verified owner) –
Made this for our coffee table and get compliments on it constantly. The pen and wax worked fine, I didn’t need to dig out my own tools. Nice to have something that gets me off my phone for a while. It sits on the entry table and catches keys and mail. Really pleased with this one.
Cody T. (verified owner) –
Really impressed with how solid the tray feels. Handles are sturdy, I can carry a full mug without worrying. You’ll want to seal it yourself if you’re putting wet glasses on it. It’s my go-to when I want something enjoyable that doesn’t take much thought. Great value for what you get. Happy enough that I’d buy another.
PuzzleAndDots (verified owner) –
The wood base is much sturdier than I expected. Wood feels solid, much better than the thin pressed board I’ve seen. My friends all want one now. Solid kit, would order again.
Joyce N. (verified owner) –
Made this for our coffee table and get compliments on it constantly. Wood feels solid, much better than the thin pressed board I’ve seen. Not something I’d put in the dishwasher or soak, obviously. I found it really peaceful to focus on one small area at a time. Minor things, but I’d still buy it again.
Jeffrey Oconnor (verified owner) –
This is a genuinely nice kit for the money. The base is flat and doesn’t rock on the table. Not something I’d put in the dishwasher or soak, obviously. The repetitive motion is oddly satisfying, one of those simple pleasures. Good kit overall, just a couple of small things.
Josh Holmes (verified owner) –
Arrived well packed and ready to start. I keep remotes and coasters on mine when it’s not in use. Worth picking up.
Margie Gross (verified owner) –
Really impressed with how solid the tray feels. The base is flat and doesn’t rock on the table. The repetitive motion is oddly satisfying, one of those simple pleasures. I keep remotes and coasters on mine when it’s not in use. A lovely little purchase.
Meredith Shannon –
Made this for our coffee table and get compliments on it constantly. The handles are cut comfortably and easy to grip. A really satisfying project from start to finish. You’ll want to seal it yourself if you’ll set wet glasses on it. Good kit overall, just a couple of small things.
Jessica Oconnor (verified owner) –
I’ve wanted a tray like this for a while. Worth the time it took. Wish it came with a protective finish already applied. Happy enough that I’d buy another.
Darryl Sexton (verified owner) –
Such a nice little project to have on the go. The drill design sits flush with the tray surface. It’s a slow, quiet hobby and I like that about it. Solid choice, no regrets.
Edward Love –
Finished it over a weekend and it looks great on the ottoman. Nice finish on the wood, not rough or unfinished. The handles make it genuinely useful, not just decorative. Definitely recommend giving it a try.
Beverly Potts –
Grabbed this on a whim after a long week. It’s sized right for two mugs and a small plate. Finish is even and the whole thing looks tidy once you’re done. It’s a calm, repetitive hobby and that’s exactly what I wanted. Going to order a few more for Christmas presents. Worth picking up.
Alfred Park (verified owner) –
I’ve wanted one of these trays for ages and finally made one. It fits perfectly with the decor in the reading nook. Really pleased with this one.
Danielle F. (verified owner) –
Really impressed with how solid the tray feels. The wood base has a nice weight to it, feels like real serveware. The drills are bright and consistent in size, no weird off-color batches. The drilled panel sits slightly proud of the rim. This is the kind of craft that’s genuinely calming after a hectic day. It sits on the entry table and catches keys and mail. Worth buying, just plan for those small quirks.
Melissa Brooks (verified owner) –
So glad I added this one to my cart. Size is right for two mugs and a small plate. It looks beautiful with a candle and a book on it. Really pleased with this one.
Rupert Murray (verified owner) –
Ordered two kits, this was the one I finished first. I keep remotes and candles on it when it’s not in use. A few bags weren’t labeled as clearly as the rest. Still worth it overall.
Maggie Walter (verified owner) –
The wood base is much sturdier than I expected. Nothing arrived damaged, and everything was sealed properly. It looks beautiful with a candle and a book on it. Very pleased overall.
Phyllis Dunn (verified owner) –
I’ve wanted one of these trays for ages and finally made one. Colors match the listing photo really closely. Really soothing to focus on one small area at a time. Highly recommend.
Sherri Clayton (verified owner) –
Bought it as a housewarming gift and it was a hit. The drilled section is recessed and protected from spills. Gave it as a housewarming gift and it was the favorite present. Loved it, no regrets.
Leo N. (verified owner) –
This was a fun change of pace from the usual canvas kits. Surface is flat and level, glasses don’t wobble on it. I’m really proud of how it turned out. Exactly what I was hoping for.
ScrapbookSue (verified owner) –
Made one for my sister and now she wants the kit too. It sits on the entry table and catches keys and mail. Recommend it to anyone looking for a relaxing craft.
Mark J. (verified owner) –
I keep coming back to this shop because the quality is consistent. The pen and wax worked fine, I didn’t need to dig out my own tools. I worked on this during my lunch breaks and it made the days feel better. I’ll be buying more from this shop. Would definitely buy again.
Yolanda Gilbert (verified owner) –
I use mine for morning coffee and it’s held up well. Gave it as a housewarming gift and it was the favorite present. Only small gripe is that a few drills had little burrs on them. Happy enough that I’d buy another.
Dallas Myers (verified owner) –
This was my first tray kit and I’d do another. Everything felt well made, from the tools to the drills. It’s on the coffee table and gets used every morning. A lovely little purchase.
Kristina Perkins –
Heavier and nicer in person than it looked online. Handles are sturdy, I can carry a full mug without worrying. I like that it’s creative without requiring any decisions. Highly recommend.
Anita G. (verified owner) –
The handles make it feel like real serveware, not just a craft. Gave it to my granddaughter as a gift and it was a big hit. Really pleased with this one.
Nathan C. (verified owner) –
Made this for our coffee table and get compliments on it constantly. Good weight to the materials, it doesn’t feel cheap. Really nice piece to have out when people come over. Loved it, no regrets.
Lois Hammond (verified owner) –
The handles make it feel like real serveware, not just a craft. The wood is thick and sanded smooth, no splinters. I set it up next to the window and do a few rows whenever the light is good. I use it for serving when we have people over. Recommend it to anyone looking for a relaxing craft.
Willie Schwartz –
I’ve wanted one of these trays for ages and finally made one. The drill design sits flush with the tray surface. I do this on the porch in the summer and it’s lovely. The handles make it genuinely useful, not just decorative. You’ll want to seal it yourself if you’ll set wet glasses on it. Still worth it overall.
Gordon Moran (verified owner) –
I’ve tried a few brands and this one holds up well. I can carry a full mug without worrying about the handles. The included pen wore out partway through. It’s a slow, quiet hobby and I like that about it. Looks beautiful on the coffee table with a candle on it. Minor things, but I’d still buy it again.
Darrell Goldberg (verified owner) –
This one caught my eye and I’m glad it did. It looks like something from a home decor shop. Easy recommendation from me.
Derrick S. (verified owner) –
Ordered it after seeing one a friend finished, and I get the appeal now. I use it for serving when we have guests and it always gets noticed. Exactly what I was hoping for.
Leslie Watts (verified owner) –
Picked this up before a long flight and it saved the trip. Everything was bagged and labeled, so setup took five minutes. It adds a nice handmade touch to the room. Some colors had very few spare drills. A solid purchase with a couple of notes.
Winifred Kemp (verified owner) –
This one took a bit more time and was worth it. Good weight to the materials, it doesn’t feel cheap. I like that it’s creative without requiring any decisions. It looks beautiful with a candle and a book on it. Perfect for a cozy evening project.
Hattie Underwood (verified owner) –
Ordered on a Monday, had it by the weekend. It’s sized right for two mugs and a small plate. Wish it came with a protective finish already applied. Going to order a few more for Christmas presents. Worth buying, just plan for those small quirks.
Olga Griffiths (verified owner) –
I’ve wanted a tray like this for a while. The legend was easy to follow and matched the canvas printing. The finished piece looks far better than I expected. Will definitely be back.