Skip to content

92 Comments

  1. maureen
    May 27, 2015 @ 10:15 am

    Elizabeth, this is genius!!! You are so lucky to have Paul to make your designs a reality! I can’t wait to see the final island, in place in your kitchen… I think this tops the “kitchen wall” of your dreams. It is so creative and different. P.S. I am on the lookout for a piano like this….MUST HAVE, MUST POSSESS!!

    Reply

    • judy
      July 9, 2015 @ 11:35 am

      You and Paul are probably trapped in a huge GFT of Antique Cupboards,Cabinets,Huge industrial Gas ranges and walk in restaurant sized Cooler/freezers but give us a heads up that otherwise All is Well! We your loyal followers are starting to Wonder? Or perhaps you have realized the futility of trying to satisfy the internets insatiable lust for New! Better! everything and have quietly retired to a paradisiacal Desert Island with a Booze Blender and a life time supply of Russian Vodka. If that is the case throw us one of those message bottles with the map coordinates. We will save you! or join you?

      Reply

      • Carrie
        July 21, 2015 @ 2:04 pm

        Agreed. I’m new to your blog, so went and read from the beginning and have enjoyed it so much. Hope you guys are doing okay!

        Reply

  2. Janet
    May 27, 2015 @ 10:19 am

    Good lord, your husband is some kind of engineering genius (due to your diligence, of course)…my husband can’t/won’t even change a light bulb or figure out how the thermostat works! Can’t wait to see the finished piano island…

    Reply

  3. Diana
    May 27, 2015 @ 10:20 am

    So in love with this piece and your blog and the way your brain works. My suggestion on the drawer handles – mix them up! I’m totally into mixing things up right now. I’ve been getting rid of all the matchy matchy stuff and buying what I love from thrift stores and salvage places or making it myself if I can. Now I get to look at many varieties of the things I love and the pick and choose is much less onerous and it’s interesting and colourful.

    Reply

  4. CharleneMcD
    May 27, 2015 @ 10:23 am

    Oh my this is turning out to be so beautiful! You have a super special guy there! Love reading your posts and following your home renovations, they make me smile!

    Reply

  5. judy
    May 27, 2015 @ 10:23 am

    I kept referring back to my email to see if you had posted and I am now HAPPY! This is so impressive in displaying Pauls’ talents and your considerable contribution to the marvelous end result. Whoever eventually buys your home will never realize the enormous pure Genius, Blood ,sweat and probably tears that went into its restoration. I wonder if the rest of the Kitchen will pale in comparison to this utilitarian work of Art.

    Reply

    • Carolyn
      May 27, 2015 @ 11:01 am

      No, NO!! No selling allowed!

      Reply

  6. Linda
    May 27, 2015 @ 10:26 am

    This is very neat! I hope your food processor never needs to be replaced!

    Reply

    • Victoria Elizabeth Barnes
      May 27, 2015 @ 10:33 am

      I had that thought too! But Paul could reset the upper drawer to accommodate a different style… or bring it forward to make it match the others (if someday they make a better food processor that is not a storage issue.)

      Reply

      • Katie
        June 2, 2015 @ 4:23 pm

        I have the same food processor and the exact same issues with it. It lives on a shelf in a closet and there’s wasted space behind it and in front of it because once I set it down, it will not move. But what’s the alternative? Cutting things with a KNIFE?? On a BOARD?? I’d rather waste space.

        Reply

      • Christine
        June 3, 2015 @ 10:30 am

        I love how you so blithely say, “Paul could reset the upper drawer . . .. ” What I especially love is that he so clearly COULD — and even better, WOULD! You married well, Victoria.

        Reply

  7. Bridget from Refined Vintage
    May 27, 2015 @ 10:27 am

    I think the drawer storage is genius. Especially for the food processor, it’s heavy and awkward to move around. Once you cut the piano top to make the drawer fronts it’s going to be amazing. What style drawer pulls are you looking for? Ornate or simple? I have quite an assortment in my inventory of useful things and I am trying to imagine the finished look with different period styles… Are you a fan of Brass? I cannot wait to see the finished island. Aren’t you lucky that Paul is a carpenter and kitchen planner too?

    Reply

  8. mary w.
    May 27, 2015 @ 10:38 am

    Reply

    • Kelly
      May 27, 2015 @ 12:52 pm

      Love this idea!

      Reply

      • Kay
        May 27, 2015 @ 4:00 pm

        Me too–highly suitable. They’d need retrofitting, but Paul could manage that. Cup pulls are great, but even ornate ones would look odd, IMO.

        Reply

    • Yvonne Angus
      May 28, 2015 @ 11:02 am

      I, too, love this idea. I was actually thinking about dark bronze with white (ivory on vintage) ceramic attachments.

      Reply

  9. Jenny
    May 27, 2015 @ 10:41 am

    This is pretty darn neat, VEB!

    (I also am unable to comprehend drawer slides. I know they are absolutely indispensable for work drawers, but the idea of installing them myself curdles my blood. My son is a cabinet maker, and whenever I ask him about retro-fitting the drawers in the storage unit in my workroom [built-in cabinets from the 60s, I think] with slides, he gets a weird look on his face and changes the subject. But I NEED those drawers to open and close easier! I will gladly give up inches off the storage inside to make them slide!)

    Really, really amazing work in the kitchen. I’m a little bit envious and a lot happy for you that your island dreams are coming true!

    Reply

  10. Fred Wishnie
    May 27, 2015 @ 10:41 am

    Absolutely beautiful work. I vote for no drawer pulls. Just recess the drawer bottoms, it will preserve the original cabinet design.

    Reply

  11. Laura
    May 27, 2015 @ 10:42 am

    Enough with the lies, I do not look fantastic. But the island does. And has anyone offered to HIRE you as a kitchen genius on the strength of this gorgeousness? Not that I am offering but seriously, you are so good at cabinets you should be in the White House or something. Secretary of State for Kitchen Governance. Do they run the AKDCCE?

    Reply

  12. Gaylin
    May 27, 2015 @ 10:42 am

    Wow! I dream of such talent!
    You are a visionary! Paul is as meticulous in his planning and building!
    I wait with bated breath for this kitchen evolve!

    Reply

  13. Julia
    May 27, 2015 @ 10:50 am

    I was at an antique store in Northern California last week and ran across a similar piano. I was so excited and thought “Now I can have an island just like Victoria’s!” My husband looked at the $6000 price tag and said…”Who’s Victoria and why would you spend $6000 on a kitchen island?”. I showed the store owner your video and tried to convince her that they were just giving these things away back East but she didn’t bite…sigh….

    Reply

  14. Angela
    May 27, 2015 @ 10:51 am

    Paul is amazing! I think he can do ANYTHING! You are one lucky woman!

    Reply

  15. Alina M.
    May 27, 2015 @ 10:52 am

    No matter how many amazing treasures you find on Craigslist, never under estimate the value of finding and marrying PAUL. 🙂

    Reply

  16. Sharyl
    May 27, 2015 @ 10:55 am

    Thousands of women are asking if Paul had any brothers as you read this…. 😉

    Reply

  17. Sandi
    May 27, 2015 @ 11:00 am

    This is pure genius. Major kudos to you and Paul. ESPECIALLY regarding the food processor storage. I might use mine if it were so accessible. 🙂

    Brilliant work!! Thank you for sharing all the dirty details with us.

    Reply

  18. Garden, Home and Party
    May 27, 2015 @ 11:02 am

    Genius! This is beyond spectacular. Oh, and by the way, on the food processor not sliding…I have the exact same machine and Martha had a great cure for the not sliding part…you attached the felt pads that you put on chair legs (self adhesive). They come in a variety of sizes and they work great. You won’t need to worry about that now, but just so you know! 🙂
    xo,
    Karen

    Reply

  19. Connie in Hartwood
    May 27, 2015 @ 11:06 am

    Unobtrusive black knobs, so drawer-opening hardware doesn’t detract from the overall impression of your piano/island.

    Reply

  20. Diana
    May 27, 2015 @ 11:12 am

    Your husband is a SAINT!!!! Kudos to both of you for a truly unique kitchen island.

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.