Urban Change Lab

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cutlery tray with the outer dimensions...31x48cm, height 5 c

Custom Pine Cutlery Tray 31×48 cm

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Caleb Nyakaba made Petra a pine cutlery tray with a calm, practical layout that brings order and ease to her daily routine. What's your wish? →

View material & custom-made details

The Custom Pine Cutlery Tray 31×48 cm project shows how a made-to-measure drawer insert was developed for a specific kitchen size and cutlery layout. Caleb Nyakaba completed two pine trays with a wax finish, making this a useful example for anyone considering a custom wooden cutlery organizer for an existing drawer.

  • Request: The goal was a fitted cutlery tray with outer dimensions of 31 × 48 cm and a height of about 5 cm, with sections planned for knives, forks, spoons and additional divided storage.
  • Final result: Two solid pine cutlery trays were produced with a wooden base and waxed finish, designed as practical drawer inserts rather than decorative serving trays.
  • Design details: The trays were made with 10 mm wood thickness and a simple rectangular layout that focused on usable compartments, clean edges and a natural wood look suitable for everyday kitchen use.
  • Fit and use: This project is especially relevant for customers who need a tray built around exact drawer dimensions, where even a few millimeters can affect whether the insert slides in easily or needs adjustment.
  • Process: The making process included sourcing seasoned wood, cutting, sanding, joining and waxing, with progress updates and finished-item photos shared before delivery; the final customer feedback was positive overall, with one tray needing a small size adjustment on arrival.
Customer's rating: ★★★★☆ “Thank you very much, the cutlery box has finally arrived. I like it very much. Unfortunately one of…Read more“Thank you very much, the cutlery box has finally arrived. I like it very much. Unfortunately one of the two boxes was 1mm too wide. I had to saw off a bit more. But otherwise we are very satisfied. (Automatic translation)” — Petra Herrischried, Deutschland (2. April 2021)
cutlery tray with the outer dimensions...31x48cm, height 5 c

Every unique piece tells a story. What’s yours?

This design was custom-made exclusively for Petra. Let it inspire you: customize this design to fit your vision or start with a completely new idea. You chat directly with our artisans, and we handle the secure process.

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A request by Petra from Herrischried, Deutschland

I would like a cutlery tray with the outer dimensions…31x48cm, height 5 cm
Please make 3 divisions for knife, fork and spoon with at least 28cm, and again a 3 times division of the rest

The Journey of Creating Custom Pine Cutlery Tray 31×48 cm

Negotiation & Planning

Custom Pine Cutlery Tray 31×48 cm - design ideas and artisan proposals

Custom Pine Cutlery Tray 31×48 cm - design ideas and artisan proposals
Martin Musyoka (3. January 2020)

Hello Petra,
I'd love to make an offer for your request

I have understood your measurements and made a quick sketch of the tray detailing the measurements. Please find attached a drawing of the same

The wall thickness dimension for the tray I'd suggest we use 10mm/1 cm size of wood.

Also what is your preferred choice of material in terms of timber and finishing eg varnish or wax?

Would you like any adjustments, additions or any other particular issue that is left out addressed?

Please advice
Regards,
Martin.

Martin Musyoka (3. January 2020)

Hello Petra,
I'd love to make an offer for your request

I have understood your measurements and made a quick sketch of the tray detailing the measurements. Please find attached a drawing of the same

The wall thickness dimension for the tray I'd suggest we use 10mm/1 cm size of wood.

Also what is your preferred choice of material in terms of timber and finishing eg varnish or wax?

Would you like any adjustments, additions or any other particular issue that is left out addressed?

Please advice
Regards,
Martin.

Automated Translation (4. January 2020)

03 Jan 2020 9:39 pm: Petra
Hello, Martin,
We agree with your sketch and with a wall thickness of 10 mm. But we would like to have a cutlery tray with a bottom. Did you include a floor?
Preferred wood species: Pine.
Finishing: Wax.
Can you make us an offer?
Thank you very much.
Best regards,
Petra

Martin Musyoka (9. January 2020)

Hi Petra
Sorry it took a while to get back to you.
I'll consider the 1o mm thickness, choice of wood and a wax finish. The tray will have a floor of wood of the same thickness of 10mm.
Thank you,
Musyoka.

Automated Translation (11. January 2020)

11 Jan 2020 10:25 am: Petra
Dear Musyoka
We would like to order 2 copies.
Dimensions as shown in the sketch 48cmx31cmx5cm; Wood type: Pine waxed for a total price of 95€
Many thanks and best regards
Petra Eckert

Martin Musyoka (11. January 2020)

Hi Petra
I'll make two copies as requested.
Thanks
Musyoka

Automated Translation (13. January 2020)

13 Jan 2020 8:15 pm: Petra
Hello, Musyoka,
in the mail of 11. January I ordered 2 copies for a total price of 95€ for 2 cutlery boxes. Because that's how it was stated in your offer of January 9th. Now one copy already costs 133.28€. I don't get it?
Kind regards
Petra

Martin Musyoka (14. January 2020)

Hi Petra,
The cost for the two boxes is still 95€. The extra costs are all urban change lab costs which include 19% German taxation, urban change lab handling fee, customer acquisition costs and shipping to your address.
Regards
Musyoka

Crafting Process

How to make a Custom Pine Cutlery Tray 31×48 cm – work in progress

How to make a Custom Pine Cutlery Tray 31×48 cm – work in progressHow to make a Custom Pine Cutlery Tray 31×48 cm – work in progressHow to make a Custom Pine Cutlery Tray 31×48 cm – work in progressHow to make a Custom Pine Cutlery Tray 31×48 cm – work in progressHow to make a Custom Pine Cutlery Tray 31×48 cm – work in progressHow to make a Custom Pine Cutlery Tray 31×48 cm – work in progressHow to make a Custom Pine Cutlery Tray 31×48 cm – work in progressHow to make a Custom Pine Cutlery Tray 31×48 cm – work in progressHow to make a Custom Pine Cutlery Tray 31×48 cm – work in progressHow to make a Custom Pine Cutlery Tray 31×48 cm – work in progressHow to make a Custom Pine Cutlery Tray 31×48 cm – work in progressHow to make a Custom Pine Cutlery Tray 31×48 cm – work in progressHow to make a Custom Pine Cutlery Tray 31×48 cm – work in progressHow to make a Custom Pine Cutlery Tray 31×48 cm – work in progress
Martin Musyoka (15. January 2020)

Hi Petra
I'll keep you posted on each development of the tray making process.
Thank you
Musyoka

Automated Translation (18. January 2020)

18 Jan 2020 9:38 am: Petra
Thanks

Martin Musyoka (19. January 2020)

I'll be getting proper seasoned wood as from tomorrow and Tuesday. I'll let you know of the progress so far.

Martin Musyoka (25. January 2020)

I already got the wood and split it into the appropriate sizes. I begin sanding the wood and cutting in the course of the day.

Automated Translation (26. January 2020)

26 Jan 2020 9:08 am: Petra
Thanks a lot

Martin Musyoka (30. January 2020)

The wood is already cut, joined and made to the specifics. Working on the height to standardise it to 5cm height, sand and wax.
Thank you

Automated Translation (31. January 2020)

31 Jan 2020 9:51 am: Petra
🙂

Martin Musyoka (1. February 2020)

All set and ready. Packaging it in the course of the coming week and sending it to the local operations manager.

Martin Musyoka (1. February 2020)

Let me know your thoughts about the two trays.

Automated Translation (3. February 2020)

03 Feb 2020 12:25 pm: Petra
everything looks good. We are looking forward
Kind regards
Petra

Prisca Noela Waiganjo (7. September 2020)

One tray is 2mm (31,2 cm) wider and the other one is 4mm (31,4cm) wider than requested and that therefore the trays don't fit and need to be redone.

Automated Translation (8. September 2020)

Prisca Noela Waiganjo 07 Sep 2020 12:11 pm
One tray is 2mm (31,2 cm) wider and the other one is 4mm (31,4cm) wider than requested and that therefore the trays don't fit and need to be redone.

Martin Musyoka (11. September 2020)

Okay, that's possible.

Martin Musyoka (17. September 2020)

It'll be redone

Martin Musyoka (22. September 2020)

I'll redo the changes

Prisca Noela Waiganjo (16. November 2020)

Hey Petra
My name is Noel, local operations manager, Kenya. I current have the trays for quality check. One of the trays is 30.5 cm instead of 31cm. Does that make a big difference? Kindly let me know.

Kind regards,
Prisca Noel Waiganjo
Local Operations Manager
Kenya.

Prisca Noela Waiganjo (17. November 2020)

Hey Petra
My name is Noel, local operations manager, Kenya. I currently have the trays for quality check. I have attached some photos. Here are the dimensions:
Tray 1- 31cmx48cm, height 5.5 cm
Tray 2- 30.5cm x48cm, height 5.5 cm
Tray 2 is 30.5cm instead of 31cm.
Is this okay or should I ask the carpenter to adjust? Kindly let me know.

Kind regards,
Prisca Noel Waiganjo
Local Operations Manager
Kenya.

The Finished Unique Piece – Individually Handmade

cutlery tray with the outer dimensions...31x48cm, height 5 cThe Finished Unique Piece – Individually HandmadeThe Finished Unique Piece – Individually HandmadeThe Finished Unique Piece – Individually HandmadeThe Finished Unique Piece – Individually HandmadeThe Finished Unique Piece – Individually HandmadeThe Finished Unique Piece – Individually HandmadeThe Finished Unique Piece – Individually HandmadeThe Finished Unique Piece – Individually HandmadeThe Finished Unique Piece – Individually HandmadeThe Finished Unique Piece – Individually HandmadeThe Finished Unique Piece – Individually HandmadeThe Finished Unique Piece – Individually HandmadeThe Finished Unique Piece – Individually HandmadeThe Finished Unique Piece – Individually HandmadeThe Finished Unique Piece – Individually HandmadeThe Finished Unique Piece – Individually HandmadeThe Finished Unique Piece – Individually Handmade

Photo © Urban Change Lab · Photographer: Enok Kaye · Model: Natasha Wren

Reference: a5fb3-11162

Cost structure of this project

Price
Cost of material
31.89
Cost of labour
25.51
Cost of packaging
6.38
Local Transport to photoshoot and parcel drop-off
4.56
Subtotal – payout to artisan
68.34
Customer acquisition costs (advertising etc.)
6.83
Handling fee Urban Change Lab
6.83
Total (excluding shipping & taxes)
82
  • Secure: Transparent ordering & approval
  • Personal: We support you at every step
  • Fair: Direct local value creation in Kenya

Note on shipping & taxes

The cost breakdown above shows how the value of this individual project is composed.

Shipping costs and any applicable taxes (e.g. VAT) depend on the delivery country and the specific setup and are therefore not shown as fixed amounts here.

All additional costs are communicated transparently before placing a binding order.

If you have any questions, you will find our contact details further down this page.

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