The “old” kitchen island had a good run. In fact, it had a VERY GOOD run! It was featured in a number of national magazines, countless blogs, was “pinned” about a million times and served as great inspiration for someone, like me, who had more imagination than money and a small-ish kitchen. It served US well too. Periodically when I HAVE big projects I could just roll it into my Dining Room/Studio and use it as EXtra counter space. And the storage was handy to boot.
But one wheel broke off. That was okay because there were 6 legs with 6 casters and the other 5 stepped in and sufficed. Then over Christmas , I came into the kitchen to find the island at a tilt – another caster had come off.
“Why did you not put the leg back on?” you ask? Oh, I did, multiple times, but the legs to the desk were not super thick and eventually the part inside the leg that held the screw, was just too loose and stripped. It was time – to say goodbye.
We lived with it desk height through the holidays and then we moved the Island into the Dining Room/Studio and lived without an island for a couple of weeks. I had not even begun looking for a new one ; we were not even sure – with potential upcoming renovations coming – up if it made sense to replace it – And then I walked into one of my favorite stores in Charlottesville called “PATINA” …and spied the perfect piece for us.
Turns out PATINA is closing as a full-time store and becoming more of a “Pop-up” store and BONUS – everything was 20% off! I went home, looked at my kitchen and I could completely picture the Island there. It was almost a no-brainer.
HERE ARE 5 things I LOVE about this Island (which are good in an enclosed kitchen)
- Stools can be stored under it – and sitting around it is easier with more leg space
2. The design is open – and in a kitchen our size – having an OPEN piece of furniture (vs something SOLID) in the middle of the room and make it feel less cluttered. Your eye does not stop at the island but is able to see to the other side – making things feel larger and more open.
3. The length is longer.and 4. The width is narrower. Better.
5. The hip industrial vibe is cool in my old country house!
This was the perfect excuse to get some new bar stools – and I found these on Target and I ordered 4! – they come in 9 different colors and I let the family vote! We chose two Blush and two Goldenrod.
All in this makeover cost around $400 which is a perfect number when we are in such flux and not sure where we will be in a year and if whether we are going to renovate this kitchen. My thought process included “Would the kids like these ?” and the answer was “Yes!!! ” Plus as I said – the island was designed as an outdoor piece so it could tolerate the elements if we moved it outdoors some day.
I love quick and simple HIGH IMPACT makeovers like this. They are the perfect cure for the January BLAHS!!!
HAPPY HUMP DAY! SEE YOU FRIDAY!
Great piece! Looks fabulous in the kitchen but I can imagine it outdoors too.
As always, your cleverness reigns. l love the industrial look and the color is perfect. It fits the space with many other options if you do renovate. l love my kitchen because of your input. Thanks for sharing
This is perfect – about the coolest island ever!
so dang cute.
It’s perfect! You made a great choice. I live in a small house so my furniture must be flexible enough to use in any space. I love that this can go outside too.
Your new island has inspired me! I recently got an old 5 panel door that I would like to turn into a table to do crafts on. I am going to have a piece of glass cut for the top but was in a complete quandary about what kind of legs to put on it! Metal pipe! Woo hoo! I wonder how difficult it is to work with? The style of the legs on your island is quite perfect, so at least I have a picture to refer to when we decide to do it! Thanks Lesli!
Brenda, you can buy metal legs at Ikea.
Fantastic piece and it does make the kitchen feel more open
This wood look great outdoors too
Cindy
Hey I just saw your blog on tiling your backsplash. I noticed you had a pride of the countertop on the backsplash then took it off at tiled where it was. I am needing to do that. Was it hard I have a Corona countertop plus corian backsplash trim and had tile put above it. Now I’m getting quartz and want the tile all the way to the countertop. Thanks!