Kitchen Islands

A Kitchen Island is the center for gathering in a living space.  If your kitchen is all matching cabinets with a center island - here's an easy way to update that heavily used space and give it some old world charm.

This is how I do it....

Most cabinetry is veneer on the sides and back so to sand and paint that is a big deal because paint does not like to stick to it. (there are products to do so but my way is much faster)

I buy 4 ft. x 8 ft. sheets of thin wood paneling (birch, oak or pine)  The cost is usually under $30 per sheet.

If the island is wrapped in bare wood paneling then it is ready to paint.  Beaded board actually is really easy too but I have a favorite board and batten way that turns out so pretty.

In the photo you can see how I applied the paneling, the slats are lattice, the legs are 2x4's and I make my own feet with a pretty molding.

The front looks like this...

That's where all the sanding comes in but the doors can be removed and sanded outside.

This island was getting a new counter top so I was lucky to be able to get in there before the template was made for that.  This way I could make those legs really chunky.

The front feet are usually as thick as the back but in this case we had to work with the central vacuum inlet.

To paint - Ben Moore Aura was a great option.  I painted and distressed it and sealed it with lacquer.  Lacquer stinks but it dries really fast and hard.

a few others I've done in a similar style...

this one is my own

 BEFORE...

AFTER...

I just took the whole island out at my house and built a new one.  Then I reused the granite top.  One of these days I'm doing a chunky concrete top. :)

A project that has this big of an impact is so worth it!  It's easier than you think, too.

To see another post of an island redo click here
for kitchen island accents click here or click the photo below -

If you like to build your own benches or tables go here.

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linking with:
Primitive and Proper