MONDAY MAKEOVER - DIY KITCHEN ISLAND

 We will get back to the Powder Room makeover as soon as the Plumber does his thing...for now!
Let me introduce to you...

MY NEW KITCHEN ISLAND!!!!

     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

" UVA - Department of Neurology" 

metal ID tag on it.

It was my oldest sons, he got it when he started 2nd grade, and it began a tradition of the kids getting their own desks...when they started second grade. Eventually he 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..which honestly just collects clothes because ALL 3 kids prefer to do their homework at the Dining Room Table!

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...

It is a nice size for our big/small kitchen.

It had drawers and nice solid legs where I could add rollers...

As it was a school desk...the back was not up against a wall...and it was finished..

both front and back...

making it perfect for an out in the open piece.

.......and finally..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.

 

THIS                                                      TO THIS

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.

and before I put the varnish on the top. 

I ADORE the color...

Benjamin Moore Goassamer Blue, which is a cousin to the Ocean Air which is the stripes in the adjoining Laundry room...and the interior backs of the kitchen cabinets. 

....here is the crazy thing though...I almost dismissed this color...as too dark..

I had tried it as a possible color for the kids bathroom...guess which one it is?

Gossamer Blue is the big one up top...! and Ocean Air is the one on the front right bottom and just above!

This just goes to show you how you REALLY have to try each color in the room they will live...

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 allllll the hardware at RH..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!

ON THE MOVE

I knew I needed to be able to move the island around...

and so had always intended to attache wheels. I had some black one picked to and then spied these big gray ones with locks even...

 and was sold!!

I had to drill BIG holes in the bottoms and then insert these...

they are called "Brass Inserts" or T- Nuts"

You will need to amke sure to get a drill bit to accomodate the size you need

my hardware guy helped me with this. 

.....then screw in the rollers. 

That process was a bit of an ordeal for me.....

but 

my husband was a huge help and we got her up and rolling by bedtime!

ACCESSORIES

My husbands favorite part is the cutting board I made!!! From the pull out desk top thingy!

  

I am having a top made that is in the same material as our new countertops...

but in the mean time I applied one coat of water based varnish and now I am sold on varnish and
when I get caught up plan to varnish every surface in my home!!!

The varnish smoothed out the grain lines and makes the top soooo easy to keep clean!!!

The Dash and Albert "Jamaica Ticking" rug is unfortunately not for the kitchen, I got them for the upstairs hall, after the ceilings get done...but they look great in the kitchen!!!

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!

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