This is the story of a kitchen island that was once a plain old rectangular-shaped box. You know the kind. Functional but boring and in need of a little help. Don’t we all need that at one time or another? Don’t we all need someone to recognize the promise within us and then walk with us through the process of bringing us to our full potential? Well, THAT was my little kitchen island!
This is a before picture, after we’d removed the old counter and had a new piece of granite installed. With this remodel we added a good amount of additional counter space by adding 12″ of length to one end and taking down the raised bar and making the entire counter 14″ deeper. In this picture the bracing is in the process of being installed by the ever handy Mr. OTN.
With purchased legs and corbels we set to work “gussying” her up!
Some kitchen islands have legs that sit toward the outside of the granite top and that was the original plan. However, every time I placed the legs there to see how it would look, something about it really bothered me. With the bar stools in place it looked liked there were LEGS everywhere! WAY to leggy! So for a long time I stashed them in the back of a closet to
“think about it”.
Then one day I came across a blog post that had the solution to my problem! Now I can’t remember which lovely blog I first saw this idea on (let me know if it was you and I’ll be happy to link back to you) but this is a “pizza” cut. I’m not sure if this is a real woodworking term but it worked for me.
WARNING: Unless you are really good with a saw don’t try this yourself.
No, those aren’t my hands, but the hands of a surgeon . . . a wood surgeon that is, whose name was NOT Rick (Haha! Inside joke). After making these simple cuts he drilled a hole to attach the leg to the island.
And there you have it!
The painting begins with a little Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in the color Graphite.
The corbels are attached to hide the metal bracing. Mr. OTN used a router to create a “slot” (another made up woodworking term) so they would sit over the bracing and flush with the cabinet. After adding additional support boards inside the kitchen island he pre-drilled holes and attached the corbels with screws.
I distressed the legs and corbels in the areas that they would receive the most wear over time.
To match the rest of the island, that revealed the underlying red mahogany color when distressed, I rubbed on a little Minwax wood finish (oh, how I wish they were paying me to mention their name).
I had both of these on hand for touching up my cabinets when they used to be this color, before painting over them with chalk paint.
Looks like one of the dogs enjoyed a little nibble on this one!
Voila! Here she is. This formerly boxy kitchen island all grown up . . .
. . . and even a tad bit elegant!
You can find wooden island legs and corbels in many places, including local hardware stores. I chose to search online for the best selection and ended up choosing Osborne Wood out of Toccoa, Georgia. Not only do they have a huge selection of wood products but I liked the STORY behind the company. For anyone who knows me you know that I love a good “overcoming adversity” story! By the way, I’m not being paid to promote Osborne Wood. I truly love their products.
Corbels and legs range in price from about $50 to hundreds of dollars, depending on the style and the type of wood. I chose the least expensive ones since I was going to cover them with paint anyway.
This is my Budget Kitchen Remodel With Sparkle. If you haven’t seen the whole kitchen yet you can check out that post right HERE.
And HERE is the link to my tutorial for Painting and Waxing Kitchen Cabinets.
Watch for PART 4 where I’ll share my shopping secrets for a Budget Friendly Kitchen Makeover. I hope you’ll sign up to follow along by one of the many ways you’ll find on my sidebar or at the very bottom of this post. I don’t want you to miss a thing!
Do you have eyes to see the potential in your surroundings? Sometimes, for me, it takes seeing what others have done to get the inspiration needed to do-it-myself. I enjoy spending time on Pinterest getting ideas and pinning to my own boards for future reference. Do you have a project in mind that you’re toying with? Be brave. You can do it!!!
Blessings,
VMG206, TuesdaysAtOurHome,
Gorgeous, Patti! I love corbels on an island. I wish I was able to put some corbels here at our counter but there is molding there that gets in the way. I may have to ask hubby if it is possible to do. He is very handy so if there is a way to do it, he will figure it out. I saw that same blog post you are talking about, but I can’t remember who it was either! Also ~ love your nail polish! : )
I love, love, love your island. The legs and the corbel are fantastic. I have those same corbels on my island and I think they have such character. Your kitchen is one of my favorites. Thanks tons for linking to Inspire Me.
Patti,
WoW!!!
What an exquisite transformation, dear friend!!!
Thank you for sharing Mr. OTN’s process!(Our poor husbands.)
Nearly 8 years ago, I painted our nasty, dark, mahogany built
on site kitchen cabinets white. . .and they are definitely needing
to be repainted this Summer. I really like the gray hue you used,
but the whole reason for going white was to bring lightness to
my Galley Style Kitchen. Looks asif I’d better make a trip to my
local Sherwin~Williams for some paint chips and samples!!!
Thanks for sharing all your tips and procedures!!!
Fondly,
Pat
This looks fantastic! So custom looking, and the paint color and finish is beautiful!
Fabulous, Patti! I just can’t get over how beautiful it all is. Thanks for sharing this at History & Home, take care. Dawn @ We Call It Junkin.com
Oh wow, what a beautiful and fabulous transformation! Just the right amount of bulk and elegance.
Gigi @ Old World Patina
I love how your island turned out Patti! I am wanting to ad corbels to our counter overhang some day. Thanx for partying at THT!
Wow!
It is amazing what some fancy pieces added to a box can do – kind of a plain old box wrapped in pretty paper and a bow for a present.
I love the new look!
The island came together beautifully, and it is truly elegant. I love the corbels and will be checking out Osborne Wood. Thank you for sharing at What We Accomplished Wednesdays. Have a great weekend!
Blessings, Deborah
I love it Patti! Adds so much character. I found some old finials that I wanted to add to mine. Hubby thought we would be bumping them all the time. I caved and we used them on a faux mantle in the living room. Love how it turned out, but boy do I still one some on my island. lol! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
hugs,
Jann
Wow Patti I think those corbels are gorgeous! The island makeover looks really fantastic! Thanks so much for linking up to Its Party Time!
This is fantastic! I am still trying to figure out how to get some sort of island/cart in my kitchen, because I badly need the counter space, but I’m not quite sure yet how to do it. Your blog has given me a few ideas though!
Patti,
I found your blog from the linky party Project Inspire{d} hosted on The Silly Pearl {Handmade}. I was honored to be featured this week. I love those special details only corbels and hefty legs can add to a piece. You have made a huge transformation on your island.
Thanks for sharing your talent,
Karen Marie
Dragonfly & Lily Pads
That is really pretty! Great job on it!
Sherry
Patti, I love what you’ve done with your kitchen make-over. It’s not only beautiful. but also very inspiring. I’m delighted to be sharing it on Shabbilicious Friday tomorrow.
Patti I love your “new” kitchen island! The graphite color is amazing…the new legs and corbels are stunning…and the chairs are the perfect complement. That is going to be hard for you to leave behind, I’m sure.
Thanks for sharing your extraordinary island makeover with us at Project Inspire{d}!
Beautiful, Patti! Thank you bunches for linking up and partying with us!
Wow, what a beautiful difference! Great idea, turned out perfectly…
Thanks so much for sharing at AMAZE ME MONDAY…
Blessings,
Cindy
Great transformation, and so inviting! I’d love it if yo shared this on Worthwhile Wednesdays http://thecraftiestallie.blogspot.com/2014/06/worthwhile-wednesdays-23.html
~Allie
I am so impressed! This is exactly what I am wanting to do with my entire kitchen, but especially my island. I haven’t thought through the plan though, so seeing it written out is awesome. Bookmarking this for when my chance to makeover my own kitchen comes!