We have big plans to do a complete kitchen remodel at some point. Theres really nothing about my current kitchen that i love (except all the windows, which sometimes seem like more of an obstacle than an asset!) My recent hand injury has delayed the time frame….we were originally hoping to start it this spring but now we are thinking its going to have to wait another year at least 
When we threw my parents a big surprise anniversary party, we didn’t have enough counter space for all the food, so I brought up a round table from the basement & draped a white tablecloth on it, it became our “appetizer table”. The funny thing about this was that long after the party was over, we weren’t too worried about removing the table as it became very handy. Obviously I didnt want to leave it in there, so my husband announced one morning that he was going to build me a temporary island to use until we decide to go through with the remodel. Okay!
Well, needless to say I am quite impressed with his handyman skills
He bought various size boards from Home Depot, hand distressed & stained them. The base was stained with Minwax in a new color called classic gray. The top was stained in a natural matte finish. I love how it looks like an old butcher block!
He even built drawers & added a towel bar. I think it turned out great!! As a matter of fact, if I could just paint my current cabinets white, I’d probably be able to stand this kitchen a bit longer
I added baskets for storage, cookware & platters to the shelves underneath
The adorable putti was a recent find at The Big DC Flea
I can’t bear to show the rest of the kitchen… It’s not my taste at all. But at least this pretty little island brings a smile to my face every time I walk in there now! Thanks honey…you are the best!
View from the dining room.
Another great thing about this island is that once we actually do the remodel, we can reuse it in the smaller kitchen in our basement. We have a small second kitchen downstairs which is very handy when entertaining by the pool area. And this will look great down there as well!
Now if I can just figure out a way to get those cabinets painted……
He is handy! You even make a kitchen you hate look fab.
Thanks Debbie! You haven’t seen how bad the appliances look, & cherry cabinets with hunter green countertops…..ughhh. Gotta do whatever I can to be able to live with it a bit longer
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Hi- would you share the source of your checked fabric on your setees?
Thanks!
Heidi! I need to know what kind of wood he used and his distressing technique for the top! Could you email me or leave it in the comments here? It is outstanding!
Hi Melaine! I don’t know the details…this was completely his project from start to finish. I will have him post details in the comment section later this afternoon. Thanks & hope your doing well
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Melanie,
All the wood I used was from Home Depot. The legs were made out of 4×4 fir and the rest was basic pine in various sizes. HD offers various grades of pine boards. I chose the mid grade as I was not looking for perfection as I knew I was going to be distressing it.
In regards to distressing… Well that was the fun part
. I first used a chisel and chiseled all of the board edges. Once again it needs to be random so I did not need to worry about digging into the wood to much in certain areas. The goal is that this is suppose to look like reclaimed wood. I also used the chisel to make gouges in the tops of the boards, beat it with a hammer, used one of those 3 prong planting tools and a heavy wrench. Basically stuff I found around the garage that I could beat the wood up with 
. For the top I took a butchers knife and actually chopped and cut in a few places once again to give an used appearance. The key is just get random with it as no two boards should be the same (minus the top and the simulated knife work). Also I used a belt sander with 60 grit paper and then a palm sander with 150 grit to smooth things out a bit.
For the reclaimed look on the side I used Minwax Classic gray stain. Only thing to note is the longer you leave it on the more you will cover the natural wood grain that will show through. So in this case less is more until you get your desired effect.
I hope this helps
This is really fabulous looking.
Thank you Margaret, I think so too
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That’s gorgeous!
Wow! That is a gorgeous island….hang on to that hubby of your’s!
Love the island! Hunter green…a blast from the past! Wonder what favorite look from today will become the hunter green of tomorrow?
Your husband did an amazing job! I’m afraid I wouldn’t be able to part with it even after the kitchen reno though! Love the towel bar and shelves underneath for storage….practical but beautiful! Your new little putti looks so fabulous on the top too
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Your husband did a great job! You know I feel your pain when it comes to dealing with an unattractive kitchen. I am glad you have something to make it a little more bearable.
Wow! The island looks fantastic! I wish you would show us the kitchen! I’m sure it’s not that bad : )
You and your husband have fantastic ideas!
Angela
Thank you Jay! Love it, and you are so talented!!!