— old country house blog —

MONDAY MAKEOVER – DIY KITCHEN ISLAND

February 4, 2013
aDIYkitchenislanddiy

Let me introduce to you…

MY NEW KITCHEN ISLAND!!!!
aDIYkitchenisland
     WE Have had this old school desk for 8 years.
I got it for $40 at the Greenwood Country Store and it still has the
metal ID tag on it that said…” UVA – Department of Neurology” 
TATE'S DESK 2005
TATE’S DESK 2005
With our oldest, we began a tradition of the kids getting their own desks…when they started second grade. Eventually Tate out grew it, and it was handed down to his younger brother…and then, when the boys became roomates again, they got a larger desk..
TATE DESK
TATE DESK
So, the Old School Desk was put in our back room…to await it’s fate.
But I always kind of wondered if it might not make a good kitchen island for a few reasons…
1. It is a nice size for our big/small kitchen.
2. It had drawers and nice solid legs where I could add rollers…
3. As it was a school desk…the back was not up against a wall…and it was finished..HUGE BONUS
both front and back…making it perfect for an out in the open piece.
…….and finally..4. I looked and looked at PRE Made Islands and I found nothing
 that was as good as what I thought this could be…for us.

I thought long and hard about just leaving the wood, but I did not like it in our kitchen. Too much is old in our house…I need fresh and new, especially in the room that tries to bring me down…daily.

 

HANDLES TO MATCH THE RESTORATION HARDWARE HANDLES ON THE CABINETS
HANDLES TO MATCH THE RESTORATION HARDWARE HANDLES ON THE CABINETS
HARDWARE
The “Aubrey Pull” hardware is from Restoration Hardware and is on sale!
The existing hardware was spaced at 3 1/2″ which is tough to find,
though I could have just puttied the holes and started fresh…
But of ALL the hardware at Restoration Hardware, ..the only one that comes in that 3 1/2″ size…
is the ONE I WANTED!
and it matches our other hardware all in the Polished Nickel from Restoration Hardware!!!
Serendipity!
kitchenisland1
THE PHOTOS ON THIS BLOG POST HAVE BEEN UPDATED AS TIME HAS PASSED AND CHANGES TO THE KITCHEN HAVE TAKEN PLACE…IN FACT…HERE IS A “CAN YOU SPOT THE DIFFERENCES…” GAME… HOW MANY DIFFERENT EDGE PROFILES CAN YOU SPOT ON THE KITCHEN ISLAND TOPS….
PAINT
The painting was pretty straighT forward, I used my power sander and took it down to raw wood,
then applied Benjamin Moore Advance Paint in Semi Gloss( primer built-in) .
I sanded with extra fine between coats I ADORE the color…
DIY Kitchen Island with wheels and Formica CALACATTA MARBLE top to match the counters. I got the AEGEAN on two sides and just the "old fashioned" straight edge on the remaining two edges. I could have done "IDEAL EDGE" but their profiles are limited and they would have been different than the rest....
DIY Kitchen Island with wheels and Formica CALACATTA MARBLE top to match the counters. I got the AEGEAN on two sides and just the “old fashioned” straight edge on the remaining two edges. I could have done “IDEAL EDGE” but their profiles are limited and they would have been different than the rest….
TOP
the top was made when we had our kitchen counter-tops done, from the same Formica Calacatta Marble. It has held up beautifully!
THE ISLAND TOP IS THE SAME CALACATTA MARBLE FORMICA WE HAVE ON OUR KITCHEN COUNTERS
THE ISLAND TOP IS THE SAME CALACATTA MARBLE FORMICA WE HAVE ON OUR KITCHEN COUNTERS
I also fashioned a cutting board out of the sliding little shelf that many old desks have! Love these old touches!
CUTTING BOARD!
CUTTING BOARD
The drawers are handy for things that never could find a home, like all the TEAS for my family of tea drinkers!
The drawers are handy for things that never could find a home, like all the TEAS for my family of tea drinkers!
ON THE MOVE
I knew I needed to be able to move the island around…
THIS ISLAND NEEDED TO BE MOVED AROUND AND THESE WHELLS MADE IT HAPPEN!
THIS ISLAND NEEDED TO BE MOVED AROUND AND THESE WHELLS MADE IT HAPPEN!
I had always intended to attach wheels. I had some black one picked to and then spied these big gray ones with locks even…!!
I had to drill BIG holes in the LEG bottoms and then insert these…
they are called “Brass Inserts” or T- Nuts”
You will need to MAke sure to get a drill bit LARGER to accommodate the size you need.
And be Careful, these babies are SHARP!
THE ROLLER WHEELS JUST SCREWED RIGHT IN….IT WAS A TWO MAN JOB.
WE STORE THE STOOLS UNDERNEATH THE ISLAND...SUPER HANDY
WE STORE THE STOOLS UNDERNEATH THE ISLAND…SUPER HANDY
KITCHEN
KITCHEN…BEFORE THE FLOOR WAS PAINTED
THE KITCHEN ISLAND OFF TO THE SIDE AND TUCKED INOT ITS OWN LITTLE CUBBY!
THE KITCHEN ISLAND OFF TO THE SIDE AND TUCKED INTO ITS OWN LITTLE CUBBY!
KITCHEN ISLAND AND PAINTED VINYL FLOOR
KITCHEN ISLAND AND PAINTED VINYL FLOOR
THE WHEELS ALSO ENABLE US TO MOVE THE ISLAND OFF TO THE SIDE IF NEED BE….
phoebekitchen

 

I am getting so excited to get the kitchen finished. This has been the longest renovation in history…going on two years..but BOY will it make me happy when it is done!
Bit by bit…putting it together!

kitchen4

Have a Great Day!
Do you have a Kitchen Island?
Tell me more!!!

55 thoughts on “MONDAY MAKEOVER – DIY KITCHEN ISLAND”

  1. I don’t have an island but I have an old school desk that is exactly like that one! I’ve been on the fence about painting it, but after seeing this post, that’s exactly what I’m going to do!! Thank you for the inspiration!

  3. What a darn clever idea! The color is great and I love that you used something else from your house and didn’t have to spend a ton of money! We do have an island and it’s wonderful and annoying all at the same time. Great to gather around and use to prepare meals, but also catches everything as you come in the door. It’s a non-stop job to keep it cleared :o)

  5. this is awesome, I love all of it! we are going to to turn the bar that we are building for our reception into an island when the wedding is over. I cannot wait to have it! It is made out of wood from an old barn that was torn down in the area I grew up in plus some wood from my fiance’s grandparents old barn.

  8. I love your island! Our kitchen is too small for an island, but it is laid out in such a way that I don’t really need one. Next house!

  9. LOVE it, Lesli! I’ve actually used that color in lots of furniture redos, ever since I bought a gallon of it as oops paint years ago at Ben Moore.
    It’s perfect! Nice job!

  12. Love the desk/island. Love the color. My sister went to UVA :). I have an island and my decorating mantra is always have the largest kitchen island your space can house. Our whole world goes on at our island. Can’t wait to see the powder room once the plumber moves on. Hope Phoebe is well. Burning question… what water based varnish did you use that was so fantastic. In the middle of a bathroom re do and your vanish may be the answer to my decorating question! Marcie

    1. Hi Marcie. Yes, Phoebe finally went back to school today. In truth, she looks better than she has in months. I think she needed to crash and just sleep which is what she did alll week. Now she is good. Thanks for asking.
      The Varnish is called “Stays Clear” and I got satin finish. I planned on two coats but one was plenty.
      I like your Island Mantra! Plumber comes Wedneday!

  13. Awesome – I’m totally copying you. Can you provide a few more details on your steps? After you sanded, i assume you wiped it down, then did you use a deglosser? A primer? Did you sand again in between steps? Where’d you score your grey wheels, and do you have any idea what those screw-y things for the legs are called? Thanks for the idea/info!

  14. Hi there…okay so I sanded only, NO de glosser just sanded down to wood and then used the fine sander to make it nice and smooth. The paint has a primer built in so did not prime it. I did sand with extra fine in between painting coats and on top, before I put on the varnish.
    They just emailed me that the top is in!! You will be so excited to see it! The screwy things are called “brass inserts” or “T Nuts” I am going to add all this info to the post as well.

    Thanks and have fun!

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  24. the desk/island is really cute! you could get more storage by fitting a shelf or 2 into the “chair” area and get baskets to fit-just an idea!

  27. i have a kitchen island which i got at an estate sale for 5 dollars. The top is a cherry color and the sides are black. I’d like to add a marble top and change the cherry stain, but would like to know if you attached the marble somehow to the bottom or does the weight keep the marble in place?

    1. if you scroll down on the post you can see that the island top is not marble but Formica! I am flattered you think it looks real…it does even in person! There is a link under a photo on that post which can take you to more info…and btw it was super easy to attach…just screws right into the wooden base!

  31. I am in awe of your talent…..I love this! And your pictures and explanations are good.
    Thank you for sharing!

  33. Hi there, Lesli. This is my first visit to your blog. I found you through Pinterest. I’ve recently bought an old enamel top desk for a steal at a local antiques fair here in Upstate NY. I’m in the process of repairing it and turning it into a kitchen island. I was so excited to find this post because I was having a hard time getting my friends and family to embrace my “vision”. What I’d LOVE to know is where you found the casters, if you recall, because I’m struggling to find that exact thing. I want them to be large enough to raise the height of the desk a bit and small enough that they don’t look ridiculous on the small legs. Thanks, in advance, for any help you may be able to offer. Btw, your blog is great. I look forward to exploring it further.
    Thanks,
    Leslie

    1. Hi Leslie,

      Nice to hear from you. I got the casters at Lowes or Home Depot. I believe on the post it should say and I also show how I installed them with special screws you install into the legs. It sounds like you have found the perfect piece to convert. feel free to email me a photo…and I can take a look..lsdevito@gmail.com

  34. Hi Lesli,

    My name is Tierney and I’m a writer for CountryLiving.com.

    We love your project from this post https://myoldcountryhouse.com/monday-makeover-diy-kitchen-island/ and would love to feature one image in our round-up of DIY kitchen islands.

    Of course, we will include a credit to My Old Country House and link back to your website. We think our readers will really enjoy your tips and we’re excited to show support for your blog and hopefully send traffic your way.  

    Just a heads up that if you grant us permission to include your image, the story could potentially be syndicated and featured on our sister sites such as GoodHousekeeping.com, WomansDay.com, and others, which will mean even more exposure for you.
     
    Also, if you didn’t take the photo yourself, can you please share the name of the photographer and their contact info with us?

    Let us know if it’s okay to include your image and a link to your blog on our site within the next couple of days, if possible — and definitely keep us in the loop about other projects you have coming up. We always love to feature fun ideas from creative blogs like yours.

    Thanks,
    Tierney

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