Making a kitchen island from odds and ends

 

 When I knew we were going to be remodelling our kitchen, I started making plans for a new island. But I didn't want a "new" one, I wanted an old one, of course.  I knew that it couldn't be large, it needed storage space, wheels, and I wanted a granite or marble top.

I couldn't find a piece already like that, so I thought I'd marry an old cabinet with a stone top that I purchased.

Well, after a trip to the local granitorium (I made up that term, but it seems to fit), I realized that a new slab, even for a small piece of furniture was not in my budget after spending a wad of cash on a whole kitchen redo.  At first, I tried to pretend that it was just in the "construction budget" but, I had to force myself to face the truth.  Just because we were spending a few thousand dollars already, it doesn't mean that a few hundred will disappear into it that vast amount like a drop in a bucket.

What it means, is that I had already spent too much and shouldn't spend a few hundred more.

So, I searched for an old piece of stone at antique stores.  I actually found quite a few, for a fraction of the cost of  new (even though all of them are billions ?? of years old, the ones from the granitorium are like "new")

The best piece I found was 28" by 38" and came from the teller's window of an old bank in western KS.  It was only 50 bucks too!

For a month, I carried those measurements around, hoping to find a piece of furniture to fit them.  I went to flea markets, antique malls, and consignment shops and found some hopefuls, but was being cheap.

One day, I stopped at our Salvation Army to look for some warm pants for Sugarwings (did I mention that I am cheap?) and found this not so old, but not new Lane TV cabinet.  Its nice, solid wood, and could support the weight of the marble.

Plus, it had a green tag and that was 50% off of green tags day!  I got it for $14.

That is about how much I spent on spray primer.  This is the BEST kind to use, and its about $7 a can now at Home Depot. But its worth every penny, no matter how cheap I am, because I hate sanding. With this product you do NOT need to sand! 

There are lots of tutorials on my side bar about how I paint, if you want to redo something and need to know some short cuts.

You might notice that I sprayed the top. That was a waste, since I was covering it in marble. 

I also used too heavy of a coat, because I thought I would be using this as the base coat, skipping the paint step, distressing the edges, and just glazing over it. I changed my mind and painted it white, so could have gone with a lighter coat of primer, since I had paint over it after all. 

Once I had it primed, there were still some problems. One was that the back was just fiber board, stapled on. The other was that the wheels had no where to attach because of the shape of the bottom of the piece.

Also, the cabinet was a bit smaller than the marble.

While the contractor was here to finish up a few trim details in the new kitchen, I asked him to do a little trim work on this too.I figured that for the small amount I had into it, I could afford to pay him to help me with the hard part of the redo and still be way ahead on this.

My garage is full of tidbits and doodads. I found a couple of iron brackets and he cut out notches to add them to the side of the cabinet to support the marble that was too long.

And to cover the fiber board, I added an extra piece of ceiling tile leftover from the ceiling job, then had him trim it out for me so that the rough edges wouldn't snag anyone's pants (or slash anyone's leg, that stuff is sharp!)

We added a block of wood under each corner and screwed the wheels to them.

The marble was attached with liquid nails and set into place.

Then, all I needed was some white paint. I decided it didn't need distressing or a glaze. I kind of liked just the pure white.

After it was done, I realized that the brackets were perfect to hold a paper towel roll. So far, the roll is just tied up with a ribbon, I'll be looking for a better way to hold it in place.

Hey, if you are looking for a project for yourself, on a slightly smaller level, my good pal, Mary is doing another glue book class.

A Christmas glue book!

I was with her when she was searching for ephemera to use. We went to a flea mkt together last summer and it was interesting to watch her sift through all the papers, picking and sorting.  She is very knoweldgeable about old paper.

Mary and Beth were both here for craft day and I got a glimpse of what Mary was making, and I have to say, its a cool class. Button might not look very enthusiastic about it, but he isn't into ephemera like we are.

Craft day meant working on my Cuff Bracelet tutorial, and Beth was nice enough to make a cuff for me to show, using my guidlines for the construction. Pretty, huh?  I love craft day!

Comments

[Gypsy Rose]

I love the island. WOW! Your imagination and creativity continually amaze me! Thanks so much for your blog.

[Mrs. Kwitty]

Wonderful!! You are just plumb full of wonderful ideas!
Smiles, Karen

[gail]

Love the new island and that you used a piece of tin ceiling tile for it. It is perfect!

[Beverly]

I love it, Karla. It's just perfect in your new kitchen - which I love, too.♥♥♥

My best friend, Jeanne at Backyard Neighbor, told me she met you at Once Upon A Dream.

[Patti]

Love your new "old" kitchen island. The addition of the ceiling tile and the brackets are genius. I really like the decorative and collected element that they add.
Gorgeous!
Hugs,
Patti

[sadie]

wow, that is the most brilliantly creative thing ever. I love it, and it's so 'you'.

xx

[mary]

Karla this is a wonderful island! I now have it in my inspiration file for my someday awesome kitchen!

[Karen]

Hi Karla, the island is gorgeous. I love your whole kitchen redo its just beautiful. That's a great cuff bracelet too, very pretty.

[gayle]

Your island turned out great!

[Andie]

Karla,
That is amazing! Just stunning! Your house is so very beautiful!

xoxo
Andie

[Kim]

LOVE it!!! It turned out great!!!

[Dawn @ The Feathered Nest]

Karla, your kitchen turned out so AMAZING!!!! I've been meaning to stop by and tell you but now, the island is like icing on the cake!!!! Just GORGEOUS! I love that you are cheap because I'm cheap too! I love making something wonderful from a cast-off. I'm always finding the prettiest clothes for Clara at the thrift ~ hug everybody in the craft group for me, ok? xxoo, Dawn

[Kathy]

Karla, projects like this are one of the reasons I read your blog. It just delights me to see someone else who "gets it" and makes something out of nothing and it's so much better than anything new. Your island turned out perfect in every way!!

[Leann]

Karla you are just too much. I love how your mind works and wish I could be just as creative. Love the island!!

Enjoy your new kitchen!

Leann

[Julie Ann]

omgosh- I LOVE the way your kitchen island turned out!! I especially love the ceiling tile on it and the paper towel holder! It is SO cool!!! Great job! :D

[holly]

It's fabulous Karla! Clever YOU! And you know I love seeing your furbabies. :)

[Sheila R - Blessed and Distressed]

You can do the best things with "cheap" finds! Just love your new kitchen island!

Have a great week.

[Saucy Chick Sherry]

Brilliance on a budget...love your "new" island. Great way to spend a day...creating with a friend. Happy week ahead dear.

[Theresa Smith]

Of course the island is awesome! Love it!
tot

[Thespoena McLaughlin]

So very cute! I really like your island.

[silvia]

Oh my gosh...I have to agree with EVERYONE !!!
So awesome! I am searching high and low myself since quite some time for a cheap solution in my kitchen, I just wish I would ever bee this lucky like you!

[Patty in Kansas]

Karla...what a gorgeous island for your pretty kitchen! The brackets as a paper towel holder/ marble support was a genius idea. Good thinking! Loved the expression on your little Dorkie's face. Priceless. Patty in Kansas

[Tami Hacker]

Adore how your island turned out - you are so creative!

[Heidi Meyer]

I love your gorgeous kitchen island!! You are so smart and creative!! xxoo Heidi

[jeanie]

Button has a good life! And I've loved following your kitchen exploits -- the island looks great!

[Soarenth]

That is really cool how you pulled together so many different elements to make your kitchen island. Your skills as a thrift shopper really paid off. And on wheels, too! Are you liking having it be mobile?

Hope you are enjoying your island in your new kitchen and craft day with old friends.

[Marilyn Pollock]

Brilliant Karla! You're my kinda gal!!

[Amanda]

You go girl! That island is just fabulous!!