Repurposed / Reclaimed / Nontraditional Kitchen Island.
Obviously I want a sink. And a stove. And for sure a dishwasher… But the rest of it?
I DO NOT WANT THAT.
And the thing I most do not want is cabinets… Paul is so excited.
We have been everywhere from the super high-end custom place to the maze of hope-turned-despair that is IKEA… and? They’re exactly the same: boxes.
Varying degrees of niceness and bankruptcy, but still just boxes… That look just like everyone else’s boxes. Which, invariably is what I will end up with, but is still bothersome.
It is strange that a total kitchen remodel is one of the most expensive projects you can do in your house… And after you spend all of that money, what you have is a kitchen that looks JUST LIKE EVERY OTHER kitchen.
I mean, maybe you project your specialness onto your cabinet doors and countertop… But I am not sure that I can limit my self-expression to knob-choice.
On the other hand – I hear that boxes have good resale value.
And that you may be burned at the stake for violating the box code.
I just read a comment thread on one of the shelter-magazine’s Facebook pages where random people said how DISGUSTING someone’s kitchen makeover was because they had replaced two upper cabinets with open shelving.
I cannot overstate the angry-mob-with-pitchforks-and-boiling-oil.
The commenters predicted doom and armageddon and ranted about how the shelving would soon be coated in a thick layer of grease, dog hair, and unimaginable filth.
It was hilarious. And completely insane– what is wrong with people? How can anyone possibly care that much about a total stranger’s kitchen choices?
I mean, as a blogger – I can only HOPE that people care so much about my kitchen.
I hope all of the haters arrive together, on a party bus… I will welcome them and hand out Mardi Gras beads and jell-o shots to fuel the shrieking outcry of criticism and loathing.
But what if Paul and I do not live here forever? What if at some point we need to move?
If total strangers can hate a minor deviation from traditional kitchen design THAT MUCH… How might they feel if they are actually considering buying our kitchen?
9 million more kitchens– my pinterest board
I will love you EVEN MORE… if you share me with your friends!
February 3, 2015 @ 1:43 pm
So, are you thinking of using your $50 card catalog (http://victoriaelizabethbarnes.com/antique-card-catalog/) as part of your new kitchen island? That could be so fabulous! Stack two sections on chunky legs, put two sections on turned legs from Restore (maybe with an open shelf below?), so the whole unit is 3 sections wide? My husband built me a table top on my card catalog base using old yardsticks collected at rummage sales (based on this Pinterest idea: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/137922807311646050/ ), and I love it! If it were going to be a counter top/island instead of a table, I might have sealed it better, but mine is coffee table height, and the card catalogs themselves are our end tables.
February 3, 2015 @ 1:44 pm
Build the kitchen you love, you have AWESOME taste and no matter what you choose I highly doubt it would actually make it hard to resell the house. Also, cabinets are THAT much, someone could always hang more boxes if they buy it and want to change it. I LOVE all the kitchens you posted, especially the antique server, and the one with the ladder, le sigh! Do it girl!!!
February 3, 2015 @ 1:45 pm
Do whatever you freaking want and ignore The Masses. The Masses are boring and mediocrity is to be feared.
^^Deep I know. 😛
But seriously, I’m swooning over the island with all the cookbooks in the little shelves. So. Cute. And still practical!
February 3, 2015 @ 1:47 pm
Today’s post on Lacquered Life features a great looking kitchen. The sink with wood farm table legs is FABULOUS. It is still a lot of cabinet boxes but with the glass doors you won’t have all those people worried about dog hair, dust & grease. (Don’t those idiots know looks are the most important thing?) I love open shelving too but I have a few cabinets with glass doors. Can’t wait to see your kitchen.
February 3, 2015 @ 1:49 pm
The ancient dilemma: get what you want or get when a future buyer might want. such a thin line.
I love the server as island. Why not install it as lower cabinets? You could line your whole kitchen with furniture and connect them with the countertop. great idea.
February 3, 2015 @ 1:57 pm
Fancy a road trip to Ohio? http://www.columbusarchitecturalsalvage.com/catalogdetail.php?inv_id=9371&Salvaged%20Oak%20Pharmacy%20Cabinet
February 6, 2015 @ 12:49 pm
That piece is fabulous, Robin. I can just picture Victoria on a road trip to Ohio with a huge UHaul and six big guys to lift it, knocking down an exterior wall to get it in the house, then embellishing it with elaborate trim. Probably shouldn’t be giving her any ideas…
Sorry, Paul!
February 3, 2015 @ 2:06 pm
The kitchen you posted with the antique server in the center…oh my…love, love…I definitely want that one when I get my dream home…
My neighbor recently “redid” her kitchen and did what everyone else has…the granite and the usual boxes…after all that money, it still looks the same. Go with your bliss…and you know, when the time, if you sell, the person who comes into your home will either love it or hate it…but, that’s the way it goes…you think about your dreams now…
February 3, 2015 @ 2:29 pm
Oh, if you want to feel the hate and disdain and marvel at how spoiled some people are about kitchens and everything else…watch a few episodes of House Hunters on HGTV. So many of those people are truly horrible, and don’t seem to realize it.
February 3, 2015 @ 2:56 pm
Oh my god, you made my poor little brain buzz! It never occurred to me that we could live without cabinets. Now I’m wondering what other things should be changed. What stupid things have I lived with out of ignorance? Seriously, why do we have those big cabinets hanging on the wall? I’d much rather have the large walk-in pantry someone mentioned. That would be a thousand times handier!
I’ve been longing for open shelves too. Except for the tupperware cabinet. That always looks bad and should be hidden away from all eyes.
When do we get our replicators and when we do get them, can we put them in an elegant roll top desk or something?
February 3, 2015 @ 2:57 pm
I actually like the look of the open shelving as long as there are also some upper cabinets. My only concern about open shelving is keeping the shelves dusted. My house is only 7 years old, but man even with cupboard doors, my shelves need dusting every couple of months and it’s only me and my two cats and miniature schnauzer! All the dust is just a pain and seems like a complete waste of time to have to move everything to clean. If I had open shelving it would be even worse because I would have to do this on an almost weekly basis, just like the rest of the house.
February 3, 2015 @ 2:59 pm
Your kitchen is just that ~ YOUR kitchen. Enjoy the home you live in while you live in it. Whatever resale value you’re sacrificing is worth the satisfaction you’ll enjoy each day in your home.
February 3, 2015 @ 3:13 pm
Some people like expensive designer boxes and some people might prefer open egg crates stacked floor to ceiling. Why does anyone care? I could care less what’s in my neighbors kitchen as long as I’m happy with mine. The people kissing your butt on this thread are almost as annoying as the army of people who are expressing their distaste of open shelving. The latter feel courage to express their rudely strong opinions because they are hiding behind a computer; and the former are pathetic followers who are delusional enough to think they are like you simply by agreeing with your creative style. YAWN!
February 3, 2015 @ 3:17 pm
Am I the only person on the planet who doesn’t want a kitchen island? I have a large pine table which is piled up with junk, overflow food supplies and sometimes tins of paint. And it’s moveable. I have some open shelves because the box wall cabinets stopped short of the far wall and it was just too temptingly easy to put up shelves. I keep fancy tins of dried goods and cereals on them, I guess they get dusty but it falls off when we grab them to use, probably.
My kitchen is a 3rd hand one from the 80’s – it’s fairly awful but so relaxing. Paint splatters, cat claws, spilled beetroot – who cares, it adds character… the walls are cheap matt beige tiles, but covered with paintings and antique plates, if I move one I just put filler in the hole. Not a subway tile in sight. I call it English country style, as that’s where we are. Around here it’s a fashion must to have an Aga. No thanks – I could retire on what they cost to buy and service.
Really enjoy looking at kitchen dream pics though ♥
February 3, 2015 @ 3:21 pm
I’m not a fan of boxes either. I discussed, at length, with our architect 6 months ago, the merits of turning our home from a 3 bedroom into a 1 bedroom but the “resale committee” prevailed so I’ll still have 3 bedrooms when our reno is complete (even though we’ll end up spending more than a kitchen to build an “upstairs” to accomodate the 2 bedrooms that I don’t really want. Back to the kitchen….like you, I’m “box averse. I’ll end up having at least some boxes (also to be attributed to the “resale committee”) but am having fun finding old furniture pieces and cast off hardware store fixtures to use as well. I for one happen to think that you’re on the right track…I wonder if the haters moonlight as members of the “resale committee”?! xo
February 3, 2015 @ 3:33 pm
have you seen the An Urban Cottage kitchen? He made his lower cabinets out of an antique counter and put in a big glass fronted cabinet instead of upper cabinets. It looks unique but not too eccentric.
http://anurbancottage.blogspot.se/search/label/Kitchen%20Renovation
February 3, 2015 @ 3:55 pm
I say do what makes you happy in your kitchen! You are the one who has to live with it. And in the event you decide to move, you can always put up ikea boxes for the buyer 🙂
February 3, 2015 @ 4:10 pm
Victoria,
You will not live there forever. It does not matter. Make the kitchen of your dreams now. My only advice is to select the countertop (if you have one) first and go with it (meaning, put a deposit on it). I did not do that for my kitchen and now for my bathroom and it was not a good move. If you like open shelving with attendant grease removal and frequent dusting, go for it!!!
Speaking of bathrooms, mine is presently under construction. Hooray!
Your bathroom redo soulmate,
Kathy
February 3, 2015 @ 4:36 pm
My house was built in 1968. It was a dead zone lacking total grace and charm. Upside? No constraints! My remodel involves the back of our house. It had large windows that over look the garden and is mostly open shelving. I’ve collected cookware for over 40 years. I like the way they look and love them being in grab ‘n go mode. I put most of my budget into appliances and a beautiful quarter sawn oak floor. My kitchen isn’t for everyone. It’s for me. Next buyer: use your own money to get what you want.
February 3, 2015 @ 5:11 pm
Once upon a time ago, when I first got married, I lived in an ancient house that had open shelving instead of cabinets. Unfortunately my kitchen looked awful with the open look of my stuff on the shelves. I did not mind the shelves at all but I had to admit that I needed much cooler kitchenware to pull it off. I refuse to tell you how long I have been married as I still have the same uncool junk hiding in my cabinets (ex: free Star Wars glasses from Taco Time) …..therefore….I need cabinets.
February 3, 2015 @ 6:18 pm
Victoria, don’t listen to any of us – neither the gushers nor the haters will be living in your house or using your kitchen. Those without creativity will either resent yours or try to emulate you. Those with creativity will cheer you on and continue to be interested in your adventure. Go for it!
February 4, 2015 @ 1:29 pm
This comment is so wise and true. I am going to remember it every time I read a blog that has amazingly angry replies. I don’t think many of us would respond to opinions offered at a party or other gathering with this kind of frustrated rage. It puzzles me no end. Why do they care-really in the end we live with ourselves and our own decisions and those of strangers shouldn’t matter a fiddlers fig.