Ron has promised to make an island for the newly remodeled kitchen. Actually, we have been planning an island for years (and years), but the recent renovations have brought the plans back into the forefront, so after he finishes Kristin's second bookshelf, the island is the next thing on the list. (I hope. Hint, hint to Ron if he's reading.)
We definitely want a freestanding island. We like the flexibility of adding a work/serving surface while also being able to move it about if necessary for a gathering or project. So when I saw Melissa's post about freestanding kitchen islands, my wheels started spinning.
The "freestanding" part is definite...but little else is. Shelves or not? An open feel, or solid with doors and drawers for coveted storage? A place for cookbooks? Butcher block or old wood? Painted or stained?
So today I experimented.
How does one "experiment" with an island, you ask?
I robbed this table (made with old wood) from my living room...
...and brought it into the kitchen. Just to see if the "open" feel is what I want. (I suspect that it is. I don't want to hide my new farmhouse sink with a closed-in type of doors-and-drawers island.)
I can't leave it here. Ron and I would miss it there in the living room between our chairs. Where would we set our cups of evening coffee?! Plus, an actual island would need to be a bit higher to be used as a work surface for Kati and me. We're too tall for this one.
But what do you think? Does it look at home here?
I think it looks real homey there! We have an island - came with the house; matches cabinetry, etc. I'm happy for the storage and work top, but wish it were more open....
ReplyDeleteA few years ago, we DID remove the laminate on it and my husband fashioned a wood top, which I really like, but I can't think of any way to open it up more.
Your ideas of shelving for cookbooks, etc. are great. Keep dreaming, noting how you'd like to use it, etc. and you'll come up with something wonderful. I just KNOW it.
Oh I'd be leaving it there or looking for something similar in the interim. Isn't there something else to use between the chairs. Yes, it might need some height, but what about wheels that latch so they don't roll unless you want them to? Great job of experimenting!
ReplyDeleteI love how it looks, but I think it (well, any island at all) would make me claustrophobic. Now that we have a large kitchen after years of tiny apartment kitchens, I can't let anything rob my open space. ;-)
ReplyDeleteI do like it! It's great to experiment isn't it? Let's us get a feel for what we like or not....
ReplyDeleteDeanna
I think there should not be any island at all
ReplyDeleteYes, I think an island would look nice and it seems like you have the room! One in a distressed black would be lovely.
ReplyDeleteLooks good, Cheryl! Great idea to try somethng out to see if it helps or hinders work and movement in the kitchen!
ReplyDeleteI do like this piece there ,it seems fitting with your country look. People are using the craziest things as islands these days but they all seem to work. I recently painted up a weird little island and shared on my post. I think you should leave it there, you can heighten it with rollers and you could also add a shelf on the bottom and some hooks to the side for hanging towels. I would just find something else to put between your chairs. Love your cabinet and window frame colors! Lisa@ Sweet Tea N' Salty Air
ReplyDelete