Each Martelo & Mo tray is made in our Hertfordshire workshop using materials chosen for their appearance, suitability and everyday use. Alongside our standard collection, we can also produce bespoke colours and selected specialist wood finishes for custom projects.
Oak
Oak is a light to medium brown timber with plenty of natural variation from board to board.
Its grain is generally straight with a distinctive open texture, and some boards show the characteristic ray fleck associated with oak. Tone and grain will vary naturally, giving each tray its own appearance.
A good choice if you are looking for a lighter, warm natural timber.
Walnut
American black walnut varies considerably in tone, from lighter warm browns through to rich chocolate shades.
The grain is usually straight, although wavy or figured areas are common. Reddish or purplish tones and darker streaks can also appear naturally within the timber.
Walnut is not uniformly dark, and this variation in colour and grain is an important part of its character.
Painted Ash
Our painted wooden trays are made from ash, chosen for its strong and distinctive natural grain.
Rather than completely hiding the timber beneath the colour, our painted finish allows the grain and texture of the ash to remain subtly visible.
The result is a coloured finish that still has the character of natural wood.
Our Colour Collection
Our painted trays are available in a carefully selected collection of colours, ranging from soft neutrals and muted blues and greens to deeper, stronger shades.
The colours are matched to recognised references from Farrow & Ball, Little Greene, Dulux Heritage, Benjamin Moore and RAL.
All painted trays are finished in our professionally applied water-based, low-VOC lacquer with approximately 10% sheen.
The Autumn/Winter Edit
Linen
Based on Farrow & Ball String No.8
Coming soon
A warm neutral with soft beige and earthy undertones.
Terra Cotta
Based on Benjamin Moore Baked Terra Cotta
Coming soon
A muted earthy terracotta with warm red and brown undertones.
Burgundy
Based on Farrow & Ball Preference Red No.297
A deep, rich red with warm burgundy undertones.
Duck Green
Based on Farrow & Ball Duck Green No.W55
A deep, muted green with rich olive undertones.
Smoke Blue
Based on Farrow & Ball Inchyra Blue No.289
A deep muted blue-grey that can show subtle green undertones.
Quiet Neutrals
White
Based on Farrow & Ball Wimborne White No.239
A warm off-white with a very subtle creamy-yellow undertone.
Light Grey
Based on Benjamin Moore Sidewalk Gray 2133-60
Coming soon
A pale, cool grey with a clean, slightly blue cast.
Warm Grey
Based on Farrow & Ball Mole's Breath No.276
A strong warm grey with depth and a soft brown undertone.
Dark Grey
RAL 7005 Mouse Grey
A deep, muted mid-grey with a slightly warm, understated appearance.
Black
RAL 9005 Jet Black
A strong, deep black with a clean and neutral appearance.
The Green/Blue Edit
Summer Blue
Based on Little Greene Celestial Blue No.101
Coming soon
A soft, dusky blue with subtle grey undertones.
Sage Green
Based on Farrow & Ball Lichen No.19
A muted mid-green with soft, natural, earthy undertones.
Summer Green
RAL 6025 Fern Green
Coming soon
A rich natural green with a fresh but grounded appearance.
Classic Green
RAL 6005 Moss Green
A dark, traditional green with a deep and slightly muted tone.
Slate Blue
Based on Farrow & Ball Hague Blue No.30
Coming soon
A deep, inky navy blue with considerable depth.
The Statement Edit
Saffron Orange
Based on Farrow & Ball Charlotte's Locks No.268
A strong, warm orange with rich red undertones.
Cherry Red
RAL Design 030 40 60 Emperor Cherry Red
A rich cherry red with depth and a slightly muted finish.
Bright Red
Based on Little Greene Atomic Red No.190
A bold, clear primary red with a bright, saturated appearance.
Royal Blue
Based on Dulux Heritage Deep Ultramarine
A deep, saturated blue with a clear and confident tone.
Indigo
Based on Farrow & Ball Blue Maize CB11
Coming soon
A very deep, muted blue with a cool and slightly softened character.
The Spring/Summer Edit
Bone
Based on Farrow & Ball Ammonite No. 274
A warm off-white with a very subtle creamy-yellow undertone.
Butter Yellow
Based on Farrow & Ball Dorset Cream No.68
Coming soon
A soft, creamy yellow with warm, mellow undertones.
Mint Green
Based on Farrow & Ball Teresa's Green No.236
Coming soon
A fresh, pale blue-green with a soft and slightly cool appearance.
Aquamarine
Based on Little Greene Aquamarine No.138
Coming soon
A soft blue-green with a cool, muted appearance.
Dusty Pink
Based on Farrow & Ball Peignoir No.286
Coming soon
A soft muted pink with a generous grey undertone.
Colour references are used for colour matching only. Martelo & Mo is not affiliated with or endorsed by the colour brands listed above. Our trays are finished using our own professional lacquer system rather than the manufacturers' decorative paints.
Colours can also appear differently depending on lighting and screen settings. If an exact colour is important for your project, we recommend ordering a physical sample before placing your tray order.
Bespoke Colours & Specialist Finishes
Looking for something outside our standard collection?
We can produce painted trays in bespoke colours using references from Farrow & Ball, Little Greene, Dulux, RAL and other recognised colour systems. Bespoke colours usually carry an additional charge.
Selected specialist finishes are also available for oak trays, including fumed, aged, whitewashed, cornsilk and charcoal finishes using Rubio Monocoat or Osmo oils.
For stained or oiled finishes, please send us the exact manufacturer, product and colour reference where possible. As natural timber varies in grain and tone, we cannot reliably colour-match an existing piece from a photograph or by eye.
Natural Variation
Oak, walnut and ash are natural materials, so no two trays will look the same.
Variation in grain, tone, figuring and natural markings is expected. Walnut in particular can vary considerably between lighter and darker areas, while oak can show differences in grain and distinctive ray fleck.
We carefully select the timber used for each tray, but natural wood will never have the complete uniformity of a manufactured surface.
Painted ash will also show subtle differences in grain beneath the finish.
Photography, lighting and screen settings can affect how both timber and painted colours appear, so physical samples are recommended where precise colour coordination is important.
Material & Finish Samples
Not sure which timber or colour will work best?
Our material and finish samples allow you to see the colour, grain and finish in your own space before ordering your tray.
Samples are also useful for interior designers and specifiers coordinating trays with upholstery, joinery, flooring, stone and other finishes within a project.
