As soon as we learned that taking walls down to make our current kitchen footprint more open was possible, I knew that meant I could have an island. (You can read all about the kitchen renovation HERE.) Without that extra space, a tiny island may have worked, but there wouldn’t be room for anything substantial. The possibilities are endless now that the walls have come down and the room is open. As I’ve shared, I didn’t want to do a built-in island, because I wanted the flexibility to have either a table or an island and I thought an antique freestanding piece would be more my speed, anyway. It would also be more cost effective than ordering the cabinets and a quartz counter to go on top.
The only issue is now I needed to find the perfect one and, when you’re looking for something very specific secondhand, you have to be patient.
Here is what I did know…
- I wanted the island to be counter-height (36″) so it would be a comfortable work height.
- It had to be sturdy so we could actually use it.
- I envisioned at least one open side with drawers and shelves.
- The drawers needed to be a size that makes sense for a kitchen. A counter with a bunch of teeny drawers may look cool, but it’s not practical storage for a kitchen.
- It has to have the right look. I don’t want something that feels too industrial or rustic. I am using Georgian English kitchens as a bit of a guide, so I want something that fits in that vein.
- It needs to have a top that’s practical for food prep and is finished on all four sides.
It’s a tall order! Thinking through what I wanted in a free-standing kitchen island made me think of all of the awesome counters that have passed through my hands over the years. I actually have two in my studio that could be contenders, especially the one I bought at the Lucketts Fall Market.
It is finished on all four sides, has great working drawers, a nice top, and it’s sturdy. The only issue is it’s a few inches too short. The other issue is I could lose an awesome piece for my studio, but it is worth considering. I could replace it with a big work table, which would work well.
The hardware counter is the right height, but it would need to be finished on the back and left side (it was a built-in piece) and it would need a custom top. The current top has been fine to use in the studio, but it has a channel along the top front edge that would be problematic in a kitchen.
A couple of other antique counters came to mind like the shirt counter I used in my retail space at Lucketts, my home, and my studio when we lived in PA.
That was an amazing piece and would make a killer kitchen island.
I also thought about this great store counter I bought for my PA studio and sold before we moved to MN.
That was also such a special piece with four drawers on either side and panels on the ends. That was a Craigslist find and it was a hard one to sell.
We even built a counter when we needed one for markets. I designed it and Jeff and I built it together. It had removable shelves and hinges on the inside so it would fold flat and be easy to move. You can read more about that counter HERE.
I have been looking around on Facebook Marketplace and in local shops, but I hadn’t found anything that looked just right. I am going to VIP day of the Lucketts Spring Market in a couple of weeks, so I have been looking ahead to that trip, knowing there will likely be some amazing counters to choose from. I learned from the Lucketts Fall Market, though, that going to the event with a special high-ticket piece in mind is stressful! Looking for a cabinet and counter for my studio was overwhelming. I did end up finding a couple of great pieces, but only after I settled down and reminded myself that I would find the right pieces if it was meant to be. I didn’t need to force it and it was okay to go home empty-handed.
With Lucketts on the horizon and the bustle of renovation activity at the house, I decided to not worry too much about looking for an island. I can always use another piece of furniture as a stand-in until I find the right piece.
But, as it sometimes happens, an island found me. A long-time blog reader reached out and shared that she had a pine island she needed to sell. She had moved and her current kitchen already had an island, so this one was just sitting in her garage. When I saw pictures of it, I was pretty excited. It was very close to what I imagined. It was, perhaps, a little narrower than I was envisioning, but the other dimensions were right and it had the drawers, shelves, and finished sides that were all on my wish list. And, even better than all of that, she was asking $200 for it. Sold! At that price, I could test it out in the space and see how I like the size and functionality of it. If it’s perfect, we’ll keep it. If I feel like we need something wider, longer, or just different, then I know what to look for and there won’t be pressure to find one as fast as possible. I can then move this one to the basement laundry room to use as a folding counter.
I don’t think the counter is particularly old, but it is very well-built with dove-tailed drawers, and wooden peg construction. I am planning on stripping it down to see what the raw pine looks like. It would be great if I can give it just a more natural, scrub-pine look. The configuration of the drawers and shelves couldn’t be more perfect, though.
And there are panels on the other three sides…
It is a great piece and, I must say, it’ll be fun to dust off my furniture refinishing skills. If you’ve started reading my blog in the past five years or so, you might not know that furniture rehab was my specialty for about a decade. I cranked out several pieces each week and did painting, fixing, rebuilding, upholstery, slipcovers, and refinishing. I still love furniture and always see potential in pieces at secondhand shops or online marketplaces, but I got a little burnt out on it. My back hurt almost all the time from working at a below-waist level most days (even using short rolling stools) and moving furniture. It was just time for a new chapter, but I miss it at times. Working on this piece will give me a little fix.
I ordered some stripping products recommended by Natalie of Vintage Porch since she hasn’t met a piece of furniture she doesn’t strip! I’ve always used pretty traditional chemical strippers as well as sanding, but this finish remover is sprayed on and scrubbed off, so it’s more like washing a piece than stripping it. Anyway, when the products arrive, I’ll give you all of the details and let you know how they work.
There is a lot happening this week including the floors, the basement door, the new kitchen window, and the cabinets were delivered this morning…
31 Responses
*SQUEEEEE* This is so exciting!!!!
What a great piece! You could always have a custom top made for it – the extra overhang for width would be nice to accommodate extra seating, if needed. You could go with multiple options: butcher block, stainless steel, or a solid surface to complement your countertops.
I reached out to you, as I have a really great counter, from an old country store, I used in my shop…which is now closed. Maybe you did not get the message, but I would be happy to send you a picture.
I came home the other day and the drywall between the kitchen and the living room and dining room had been torn down by my zealous husband. I just gasped…the studs are still there but you can seen the whole main floor and it looks like twenty five times bigger and lighter. He did the basement reno over the last year or so, and now he is working on the main floor bathroom, but he had to remove the drywall to get to the electrical wiring so the electrician can move the wiring…we’ve talked about taking the walls out for a very long time, but I had no idea what kind of transformation it would be. Still lots of work to do but we are nearer to the final result.
It’s beautiful, love it!
This has such classic lines! I can’t wait to see how you finish it!
Can’t wait to see the finished product. Thanks for sharing!
what about adding wood feet to the piece that is in your office if this current one doesn’t work out?
That dark island currently in your studio would look beautiful with the green cabinets. You could build a frame to set it on for height. But if you are going to Lucketts, you will definitely find something there. We redid our kitchen last year. I love our island, but almost wish we went with an antique piece. Would have made the kitchen more unique.
I agree. Always been my thought, but she might love it too much in her studio.
You’ve got alot of experience in creating something new from something “else”. I like the counter that is too short. You could add a 3/4″ plywood base (doubled) to the bottom, and trim that out with moulding to finish it off covering the raw plywood edge. Add sufficient number of tapered or block legs with/without casters, to accommodate the weight (6 maybe) and create it to the height needed.
Yes, I had considered we could raise it a few inches with a new base and feet. It’s a possibility, definitely. the nice thing is, it would be free to try it in the space. I would just have to convince my guys to help me knowing they might be moving it back!
Can’t wait to see what you do with this one…it has great bones already.
How exciting for you that the island found you rather than the other way around.
That island is going to be fabulous!!!
I’m with you on missing your furniture make overs. ❤️
I love, love the one you have in your studio that you think is too short. I would switch it out with the one you just bought or use the new one in the laundry as you mentioned
We’re you thinking of putting drawers in the empty spaces?
A really nice find and it will work very well w your kitchen aesthetic! If the piece works for you once it’s in but the size needs to be adjusted, I would def look into building a base and legs and also adding a beautiful new top (soapstone maybe?). An overhang of the top on the paneled side would allow for barstools if you were so inclined. I love an old piece that sits off the ground on some pretty feet:-) I kniw that whatever you do the solution will be fantastic!
Sorry it’s me again:-) I meant to also say that the counter in your studio is gorgeous and maybe I would do a switcheroo w the one just purchased. Those huge drawers! And I like the way it is all closed which I think is more practical than open shelving at a base level. Just a thought.
I think a scrub pine finish would look beautiful on this piece and with the green cabinets. I love the raised panel details on the end. I’d replace the knobs with more interesting metal pulls. Baskets might look nice in the open shelves if you aren’t using them for books or displaying items. You may find you like the narrower size of this piece. I had a larger island made to replace our original island when we remodeled our kitchen. I wish it was a bit smaller so there would be more space to walk around it. to walk around it.
Just thinking outside the box. Could you use the pine shelf for drawer fronts?
In my mind I am envisioning your kitchen looking like a Devol kitchen as in For The Love of Kitchens. Will be wonderful! You will need some Bum stools.
We rehabbed a built in cabinet in the old farm house kitchen we remodeled then added a custom made butcher block top.
oooohhhhhhh that is an awesome piece. I absolutely love it. Whoo hoo!!!
All those boxes! So exiting.
I am so hoping you will see my comment. I went to the linked post of the cabinet you built, and it’s perfect for something I’ve been scouring the inter webs for.
Any chance you can post a photo of the inside? It would probably take too much digging in the way-back machine, but I’d really like to build it. Or, how did you fix the shelves inside? Any tips? Anything? If not, I totally understand!!! Building a new kitchen is busy!
I love that island!! I really like how it’s open shelving below the drawers. I can’t wait to see how you re-finish it!
All of the islands are beautiful, but I don’t see any toe-kick area. We recently stayed in a vacation rental where there was no toe kick and we spent 2 weeks with our backs aching from having to lean over too far when prepping food or washing dishes. Something to think about.
This is an excellent point. Ergonomics def matter in a kitchen!
I think the one you just bought is a very viable option! The top can always be made with corbels and overhang to create the size you want, custom. You will make it all look great!
If you have the extra width in the room, you could add a marble remnant to the top with an overhang on the back side supported by antique corbels or brass brackets for some extra seating with bar stools. I don’t think I’m going to actually have an idea that you haven’t thought of. . . but I thought I’d throw that out anyway! 😉 Can’t wait to see it stripped down! 🙂
So agree with Suzie about the absence of a toe kick on an island you’ll be using for a workspace. Perhaps add some bun feet or casters that will prevent you from having to bend to use the top easily.