A New Island for My Kitchen

I am in the process of making a functional and decorative change in my kitchen and thought I would share with you what I am up to.

Does your kitchen have a standalone island where you can sit or stand to prep food?

I became a big fan of having a kitchen island after having one in my kitchen in my previous home that I lived in for 22 years. When we moved 10 years ago to my current home in SC, the kitchen is small and there was no island.

I had become so used to having a kitchen island that I had to figure out a way to get even a small one in my SC kitchen as an extra food prepping surface.

Not only is a kitchen island a place to prep food, having a center island also provides a central surface to set up with food when entertaining. It is a workhorse all the time.

About 8 years ago I found this stainless steel topped prep table with wheels. It was just the size that would fit. I even liked the industrial vibe.

It has been the island in my kitchen since then. I wrote a post all about this stainless kitchen island back then. It was wonderful until about a year ago when the legs and shelves that are not the same metal as the top became pitted and began to rust.

The stainless steel top was still perfect, but I couldn’t stand looking at the “not so nice parts” and have been in search of a new small island to replace it.

What I Would Really Like

blue and white kitchen from matthew quinn design

What I would really love to do is an entire kitchen remodel like the one in the photo above. A total remodel keeps getting pushed back when other big home improvements take precedence – like the timing of the municipal offer to get the house connected to our town’s sewer system so we no longer will have a septic system.

Exciting right? But the cost is cha-ching!!! It is an investment for the house and resale someday so a remodeled kitchen will have to wait.

In the meantime I have been searching for a new kitchen island and one finally came up in my onlines searches.

It is a ready-made wood kitchen island in the 36″ x 24″ size needed to fit the space and not be in the way.

Before finding this I figured I would have to build an island myself as I kept finding nothing that would fit. I found plenty that I liked, but not in the size I needed.

unfinished 24 x 36 Wood kitchen island from Wayfair setup in kitchen before painting.

As I mentioned above, having an island not only provides another surface in my kitchen, but it also adds storage and style.

The worktable/island is made from solid wood, and since it comes unfinished, it can be stained or painted to match a home’s style.

close up of wood drawer in wood kitchen island before getting painted with Sherwin Williams Emerald paint.

It features a drawer that the metal island did not – so I am looking forward to this.

Looking down at the two slat shelves on small wood kitchen island before getting painted.

It also has two slatted lower shelves. These along with the space up top, will give me the additional space I need to work more efficiently in my small kitchen while freeing up valuable counter space.

How Am I Going to Add My Style To The Island

I dug this photo out from my someday kitchen remodel file.

blue kitchen island

I like the blue color and am in the process of painting the base of my new island a similar color.

close up of wood grain top on kitchen island before getting finished with Polycrylic Max.

As for the top, food-grade mineral oil is recommended, but I am not going to be using the top as a chopping block so I may use a new Minwax product on it. I am still not sure.

24 x 36 Wood kitchen island from Wayfair setup to be painted and the top finished.

For now I have it set up in the multi-purpose room and am in the painting process.

Once I get it painted and in the kitchen I will share the “AFTER” with you.

Till then – Diane. :-)

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15 Comments

  1. That is a very nice looking island! I think the blue base will add a nice pop to your kitchen. Can’t wait to see the finished results. I’m sure you will do a bang up job on it like you do with everything else. It will be great to get hooked up to the municipal sewer system. Priorities..priorities… :)

    1. Diane Henkler says:

      Hi Deanna – I was so happy to find it. Up until I did all I could find were ones that were way too long. Priorities – sometimes no fun. They should be starting the sewer line soon. We are hoping it is not going to be too disruptive for our cul-de-sac where 4 homes will be hooked up.

  2. Anne Kinsey says:

    Looking forward to seeing the finished table! I have followed you for years, always with great ideas and solutions. We will be moving to a retirement community in a couple years where there won’t be nearly enough kitchen space. So I’ve been collecting ideas like yours in preparation. many thanks for all your postings, always enjoyed & have saved them all!!
    Best wishes!!
    Anne
    P.S. Still singing and doing some of that combining with Trinity!

    1. Diane Henkler says:

      Hi Anne – It took some planning to downsize from our Lansdale kitchen. I truly missed that island, but over the years I have become accustomed to a smaller kitchen – it works for our needs now that we are empty nesters. That is great that you are still singing. Ed is also. He was the president for the last 2 years of his choral society here in SC, but handed off the reins to another member for next year. He says hi! :-). Hope you have an enjoyable summer. Take care :-)

  3. Looks very sturdy and I bet the blue will be beautiful. Will you be putting casters on the legs to make it mobile? Can’t wait to see it!

    1. Diane Henkler says:

      Hi Gina – The island is super sturdy. It didn’t come with casters and if I added any it would make the height of the surface too high. I thought of cutting doen the legs, but decided not to as the casters on the metal island got all rusted. When I need to move the new island, I will place it on sliding discs that I will keep under the sink when I need to move the island to mop the floor. :-)

  4. Oh, how fun! Anxious to see it completed and in your kitchen. I always get inspiration when I come here. Enjoy your day! ;)

    1. Diane Henkler says:

      Thanks Donna – I love hearing that you always get inspiration from my posts. That is so nice to hear even after 15 years of blogging. :-)

  5. You solved your problem! It’s perfect solution for you!! I have finished a wooden countertop using Waterlox! It great for kitchens as it’s food safe!! You will love having an island again! Enjoy!

    1. Diane Henkler says:

      Hi Cindy – I looked into Waterlox along with a few other similar products. I am still decided which one to use. With no island in the kitchen the past week, I realize just how much we truly use it everyday. I will be happy when I get it completed and the kitchen is whole again.

  6. Looks like you may have found the perfect solution.

    1. Diane Henkler says:

      Thanks Nancy :-

  7. Looking forward to seeing the magic you work on your projects!

    1. Diane Henkler says:

      Hi Carla – I finished painting the base today, next the top.

  8. What a perfect size, and blue will be so pretty! I would love new counter tops & a dishwasher but I don’t think a kitchen remodel will ever be in our plans. Its fun to dream though!