Saturday, September 8, 2012

Old Dresser = Kitchen Island

Some very dear friends of mine got married last month.
As with most marriages, this one came with the expense privilege of furnishing a new home.
(actually an old one, but "new" to them)
I was lucky enough to throw a few ideas at them as they redid it.
I love throwing ideas at people.
Sometimes they splatter all over the place and it's just not cool.
Sometimes they turn out halfway decent.
 
Toward the end then Derek and I had the opportunity to make them a wedding present that we hope will earn us freee babysitting until our kids are in highschool.
You think I'm kidding.
I am.
Sorta.
No really I am.
 
sorry I didn't crop the photo. It slipped through before I got the chance. Plus you get to see that I live life on the edge with my "in the red" battery symbol. 
 
Pretty cool eh?
 
This is the dresser I found on Craigslist to do the job.
It needed a few fixes but they were all pretty easy.
The part that had me thinking for a few days was what to do to the back of it since it would be facing the living room and it's current face just wouldn't do at all!
Some people can go au'natural but some need a layer of makeup between them and the rest of the seeing population.
This one was no exception.
 
 
I actually enlisted Derek's help here.
He was kind enough to add some bead board to the back and trim it all out for me.
 
 
I removed the original top from it and got to work on a new one.
(the old top will be made into a sign at some point)
 
 
I used end glued wood from Lowes to do the job but since it wasn't wide enough then we cut the whole piece in half and attached them together in more of a square instead of a rectangle.
As you can see I just used some T brackets to do the job.
(two of them)
 
 
 
I custom matched the original paint by throwing some paint in a cup and continuing to throw some in until I got the right color.
It took a long time...
I like mixing my own paint though so that it's pretty much impossible to ever tell someone what the color is.
People love that.
If you really need to know though...
It's a creamy white color.
More creamy than white.
That help?
 
 
I wanted the distressing on the back to match the original, old chippy distress marks on the front.
So I painted them on:-)
I've done this a few times when I want a more chippy look.
It's not hard to do but you can either make it look authentic or really cheesy.
 I hope I got the authentic choice here...
 
 
Obviously I also added corbels for charm and support.
 
 
The kitchen still wasn't finished at this point so Curt
(the man of the new home)held up one of the cute little lights
(he custom spray painted) over the new island to give us a taste of what it would look like when all done.
 
 
I'll be sure to get updated photo's when the newlyweds come out of hiding and let me come stalk their house.
They did a TON of work to the place and I'm hoping they will let me show you some before and afters of it!
 
Meanwhile, go find yourself an old dresser.
You need a new kitchen island.
 
Photobucket

22 comments:

The Tattered Cottage said...

Absolutely Beautiful!! You did a fantastic job. I'm sure the newlyweds will enjoy it for many years.

christie said...

That turned out so cute! I'm sure C and L love it.

Jane of All Trades said...

Great job, guys! (Uh guy & gal) ;)
I'm sure they are loving it.

Helen said...

Hmm, you do realize that you are posting "trade secrets" to the public in this post? We (ahem, I use that term lightly) have been using so many items to make 'islands' for our shows and the store. (We sold over 6 at the last show). It is like people are just catching on to the idea that you can have this wonderful piece of furniture in your kitchen, although I have been telling them to use them in the living room (for flat screen TVs), den, craft room, just anywhere you can imagine, even a covered deck. Also, I see you have casters on it, too. Very popular here. Even BIG chunky casters that came from industrial stuff. Well, a lot of words to say, GREAT JOB. I know they will love using it.

Lisa @ Fern Creek Cottage said...

What a great idea and it looks so fabulous!!! I'm going to have to put this in the ol' idea file. (otherwise known as pinterest) :)

Shell said...

OMgosh you're my heroine! lol I have this exact same dresser that I found on Craigslist also. I want to turn it into an island & now I can show my hubby since he can never see my visions. Could you share the dimensions you cut the planks, how many you used? Please & thanks

Unknown said...

Very cool and what a great wedding gift. The back looks like it was original so I would say it worked out well.

Dawn said...

Love it, what a great idea:)

Amy Kinser said...

You did a wonderful job!

Between Blue and Yellow said...

This is beautiful, what awesome friends you are to create such a special piece. Great work! And great blog :)

Designing Domesticity said...

What a great idea and how fun as a wedding gift. Love it! Thanks for sharing, liz

TxGranny said...

Great job and fantastic idea, you are such an inspiration to all of us. Keep the posts and ideas coming. Blessings to you all!!

Cheyenne said...

I absolutely, ABSOLUTELY think this is divine! You are a first class kind of pal---anyone would be insanely lucky to have.

Love your ideas.

Can't wait to see more of the house, too! The light fixture is amazing and it looks like there are some great cabs going in there. Wow.

Lana M. said...

Amanda told me about this. I think she might have seen their house when she was back there. It is so very cute. I heard you guys were nice enough to do ceilings too. I'm pretty sure that should warrant lots of babysitting!

Empty Nest Full Life said...

Absolutely love that island!

Julia Kendrick said...

I love this! What an amazing Job! Thanks for sharing! Your newest follower from threekendrickblessings.blogspot.com

Between Blue and Yellow said...

I hope you don't mind, but I will be sharing this awesome redo with my readers today at B&A Friday.
Come by and check it out
http://btweenblueandyellow.blogspot.com/2012/09/b-friday_28.html

Unknown said...

Wow this is gorgeous!!! Awesome work!! Your newest follower from thelifeoflindseykaynichols.blogspot.com !

karlene said...

oh, I LOVE that, it is chunky and funky.

takeelah said...

How did you attach the new top to the island? Love this project!

Christine said...

I am planning on making some similar when we get to our new house, because the kitchen is lacking in counter space. I just need to find the right dresser. I am so excited to try to make something like this!


Christine at pawprintsandpaintbrushes.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

This is beautiful. I'm attempting to use a buffet cabinet from my dining room as a breakfast bar against a wall in my kitchen. Trying to figure out how to be able to make it so that people can sit at it. Any ideas?
E. B.