Craigslist / Repurposed / Kitchen island possibilities.
I have three competing design ideas for the kitchen. More or less the same layout/concept but depends on THE THING.
THE THING is defined as:
• thing that will simplify/infinitely complicate all decisions because I MUST have it.
• thing that will dictate layout/design because I MUST incorporate it.
The first option is to keep a traditional kitchen design along the perimeter walls and have the island be the repurposed/unexpected accent.
Doing just a repurposed island is the most practical of all three ideas. It lets us have an interesting workspace, but doesn’t force us to reconfigure the sink or dishwasher.
The could-be-island-things I have looked at could easily incorporate a sink but the dishwasher has been an issue on every single one.
Also bonus— if some future owner hates it, it will take them all of five seconds to remove it.
Last week I showed you inspiration photos of repurposed islands. As with all inspiration photos, they have the benefit of being professionally styled/photographed/lit.
Whereas all of these photos are taken with my phone, and are surrounded by piles of furniture/junk at either the auction or salvage yard. So they look way less fancy– please use your imagination.
If I want something that feels authentic and not reworked, I am going to have to go with furniture. Something like the buffet below would be a great workspace – it was 6 feet long, plus the drawers/storage would be great… But I have to say that I do NOT love the idea of having an unfinished side. Something about that bugs me.
The front was beautiful… and then the back was just— blah.
I don’t need it to look amazing from all angles, but there was too much contrast between the fancy feet/columns and the unadorned backside.
It is possible that I could find two similar and place them back to back, although then we are talking about a really wide island. Probably too wide for our room.
Pros of using furniture:
- Already standalone.
- Minimal chance of having to paint.
- I think an unusual piece of furniture repurposed into an island, and topped with a piece of Carrera marble would complement a more traditional layout around the kitchen perimeter.
- The contrast between a dark wood antique island, and white cabinets would be nice… and would alleviate some of my box-issues.
I really like dark wood, and I would prefer not to have to paint something. If we are repurposing/reworking materials, chances are we will be frustrated trying to match new stain to old patina or veneer and be forced to paint.
Most of the furniture I have looked at so far is either not really long enough to be a good-sized island, or height is an issue, or price is an issue… or it’s just not THE THING.
My preference is for Eastlake, or late Victorian period— about 1870-1890… Without wandering over to anything Federal, Gothic, Rococo, or Oak… although an exception could be made in order to own something with monster paw feet.
The most obvious island would be some kind of old, general store countertop: practical, generously sized, about the right height… But the problem with general stores is that GENERALLY they weren’t very fancy.
Plus, it would be easy to slide from repurposed into rustic… And I am not a rustic kind of gal. I mean, I could be, at my country house, but until I get one of those I am sticking with my preference for Versailles.
Although, I will say that a good way to wish you had bought something is to see it show up, looking pretty in Miss Mustard Seed’s workshop.
Here is where she cleaned it up and added a glass top… Below is a photo from her studio tour (which is full of other furniture on my list of things to steal.)
I have no transition for this final option, but I was SUPER into this FANCY! White porcelain enamel over cast-iron! Item of island-shaped-interest!
I said to Paul – oooh, look! This is unusual! AND the height is adjustable! AND there is room for barstools underneath!!
If we went more vintage-y, this would be SO FUN with retro/steel kitchen cabinets… they show up on Craigslist all the time!
Paul said – I am pretty sure that is for cadavers. We should get it. Whomever wins the next argument can put it to good use.
Then we had to go straight home so that I could soak myself in bleach, because I could not remember if I had touched the thing.
February 11, 2015 @ 1:51 pm
Where is this store!!! I want to go to there now..ugh California just doesn’t have any good antique shops like this. I have memories of running through these types of places with my mom when I was young (in Kentucky), but you just can’t find this type of place out west. So sad. And I vote for the bank table (although did you say $18K???) but I do love the idea above about adding a marble hangover to the one with the ugly back so you could have a bit of a bar space.
February 11, 2015 @ 1:57 pm
Victoria, if you’re concerned about the backside of a piece have you considered the large tin ceiling tiles to cover it? You may even be able to find some copper colored ones or paint them copper. I personally love white so I wouldn’t have any problem painting the whole thing but I also understand the love for the natural wood stain.
February 11, 2015 @ 3:26 pm
I like the very first piece in this blog. It would be easy to add a veneer to the back to finish it if need be, and if you wanted it wider or longer, you could always find some salvaged ornate legs under the marble top — that way you can have whatever size you want with good support. The reason I like the first piece is the additional storage possibilities, the color and carving. The bank table is interesting, but doesn’t offer any storage. Depending on it’s width and height, it might be fun to use with banquette (pardon the pun) seating in your kitchen. I would also like the porcelain cadaver (not) table in a laundry room! Will be fun to see what you decide.
February 11, 2015 @ 3:52 pm
I have a friend that likes old things and she had to have an old Library table as her island but it also was too short so she built a platform and had a cabnit maker echo the wood work on the table and she painted the enclosed platform it was a good thing cause gave your feet a place to rest when sittin on the bar stools. If somebody already posted this then you know it’s a good idea! Lol I like you am too busy and can’t be bothered to read more than 5 comments!! My mind wanders off to why that squirrel is digging right in my newly planted pot!!! Dag nabbit!! Off to shoo him out and sprinkle red pepper …toodles dearie
February 11, 2015 @ 5:20 pm
While scanning other suggestions, I misread the word ‘backboard’ as ‘blackboard’, which I suppose could be an option for the plain side of a buffet. I can’t understand the current obsession with chalkboards though, especially since I developed bronchitis–more than once!–from breathing chalk dust or plaster dust.
February 11, 2015 @ 6:27 pm
Thank goodness someone else in this world shares the same feeling regarding chalk dust. I just don’t get it. I’d rather paint a chalk-like looking drawing, quote or whatever on the surface, and be done with it.
February 11, 2015 @ 5:25 pm
Or . . . . cover the back with beadboard or salvaged tongue & groove boards. That’s all I have—now back to work on our own plans.
February 11, 2015 @ 6:11 pm
The pieces you found are just gorgeous; the first one looks like you. You could go back-to-back with another piece if you chose a narrower buffet. Both backsides would be covered, they wouldn’t have to match perfectly, you’d have more storage, and if you wanted an overhang with stools or chairs you could still do that. Not to mention you’d get to buy another piece you like!
(We re-built our island when we bought this house and added cabinets under a shallow granite overhang. It was the best idea we had as it gave us seating for four and three full storage cupboards.)
I pine over that bank table, though…sigh…
February 11, 2015 @ 6:21 pm
Also, if I remember correctly, you have room at one end of your kitchen that is a sitting area; near the powder room. If your kitchen is open, do you need to worry about seating at the island? Couldn’t you install the size island you want and still have good traffic flow and no family/friends under foot while you’re trying to cook? That can be a problem, no matter how much you love them. I know!
February 11, 2015 @ 6:31 pm
Others have probably said this already, but I will say it again, in my own inimitable way. Be patient and wait, Grasshopper. The perfect funky-weird-but-not-cadaver-weird island WILL show up. Remember, it’s all about the thrill of the hunt…well, followed by the thrill of acquisition!
February 11, 2015 @ 6:34 pm
Your blog will live in infamy as I just posted it to Facebook page with comments of adoration for all of the fancy finds you have found through the years, and I know your final selection for the kitchen will be no different. Love the pieces above with the exception of the cadaver table; but must say, since I know we are twins separated at birth, that that is exactly the same thing I would have done… not known what it was, loved it, had my Frank laugh as he wished me up, and then run home mortified that my eyes had even beheld such a thing, much less considered it for our home!
February 11, 2015 @ 6:49 pm
*wised me up…
February 11, 2015 @ 7:25 pm
I VOTE FOR THE BANK TABLE………the MOST VERSAILLE piece although you could probably use more storage!I ADORE THE BANK TABLE………………..thats my two cents!My island is an old FRENCH GARDEN TABLE………..then I have an old clothing rack that the pans hang from……I just did a POST on MY HOME YOU may be able to see……….GO PEEK!YOU and I are on the same PAGE!
February 11, 2015 @ 8:20 pm
Don’t let a boring back of something amazing with fabulous paws and carving put you off! Think like a Victorian and cover it up with a velvet curtain with a bullion fringe on a thin gold curtain rod.
February 11, 2015 @ 8:23 pm
There is an amazing porcelain cadaver table at Housewerks Salvage in Baltimore. This place will KILL you!
February 11, 2015 @ 10:44 pm
Love the idea of a buffet come island but agree an unfinished back would be crazy making. What about a waterfall marble countertop – it would only work on a piece without legs but might be a solution.
February 11, 2015 @ 10:53 pm
My husband is loving your taste. I read him your posts to try to encourage in him Paul’s ‘get shit done’ outlook. So far…he just likes the pretty pictures.
February 12, 2015 @ 4:19 am
Digging the piece from Yardley. As for a plain reverse side dilemma, have you considered having an artist embellish it?
February 12, 2015 @ 7:40 am
I am simply in love with it all. I think I could spend hours admiring each piece and have a terrible time picking. Glad I don’t need to make decided right now.
February 12, 2015 @ 7:50 am
Perhaps my fair city has a treasure trove of gorgeous fancy things but I’ve yet to find it. I am most impressed by the ‘finds’ you assembled here. I could ramble on about what to do with sad backs, but will instead share opinion based on experience. Do not use the island for sink and/or dishwasher. Seating at an island can be something of a fantasy–unless your island is pretty huge. Our builder basic island houses sink, dishwasher and had an overhang for counter seating. Ha. Who wants to eat a meal or have conversation within inches of a sink. Not me. Really, I hate having the sink in the middle of our kitchen. (If you can place a farmhouse-type sink under a window with the dishwasher, adjacent–please do.)
We re-purposed a mahogany dresser to fill in the overhang of our island–faces our dining room. It’s the perfect combination of good looks & storage. We also have a large, long but shallow, ‘secretary’ combined with our wall ‘boxes’ that somewhat negates builder basic.
February 12, 2015 @ 2:18 pm
I think your husband might be right. Would never ever cross my mind to look for one of these, if I hadn’t seen you blog. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Porcelain-Embalming-Table-Y01178-/261340902770