Imagination Island
It feels like forever since I’ve blogged about our Cottage8.
Since I’ve been getting lots of inquiries about our kitchen island, I thought it to be the perfect thing to post about this evening.
The decision whether or not to add an island to our kitchen was a topic of controversy when we were remodeling our kitchen, nearly two years ago. What could be so controversial about putting in a kitchen island you ask? The kitchen size, and lack thereof. Nearly everyone debated me that an island would never fit in a kitchen our size. Well…
1) I’ve always dreamed of a having an island in my kitchen
2) Never, ever tell me “it can’t be done, it’s impossible, you can’t do it”
After an extended search, I found the most perfect island at JC Penney of all places. And it was, in my sole opinion, the perfect size for our kitchen.
So what happened next? More controversy!
My darling husband was convinced that the island wouldn’t fit, even with 21” of room on each side to pass through, between the island and the cabinetry.
So what did I do? I had to prove it to him! I came up with a mock-island. (Keep in mind, image below was mid-remodel, nearly two years ago. Note bottles of wine & brandy on counter next to coffee maker, need I say more?)
I give you … Imaginary Island:
This desperate island kitchen situation called for desperate measures, so I gathered up all my old shipping boxes, and I stacked them with the height of the boxes measuring the exact island height. Hubby certainly couldn’t argue with logic this scientific.
Looks like I won that debate:
The top flat cardboard piece on my mock-island represented the actual island wood top measurement. Note the chrome stand with the apples - clearly I was using anything in reach to help sway my husbands opinion on what a kitchen island could offer us…
And now I love creating vignettes on top of my kitchen island…
By the way, how do you like the new barstools? They’re vintage industrial, right up my alley! I purchased them at the Agoura Antique Mart…
I have future plans to make our kitchen island look less “manufactured” and give it more character, so I plan on having a real wood butcher block top cut to fit, some old corbels to support the top from underneath, beadboard wallpaper inside the recessed panels, and a kick plate along the bottom to hide the wheels and make the island look more like a permanent fixture in our kitchen…
Wishing you all a wonderful week!
By the way, if you have any questions about our home, like how we paneled our fridge, what paint colors we used in our home, or to view before and after photos, please check out our FAQ’s page!
Posts
That's fantastic!! I'm going to have to remember the cardboard trick the next time my husband says something won't work!!
ReplyDeleteI have to tell you I love , love , love your home. I looked and looked at your post when you first posted it and I couldn't get enough!Thanks so much for sharing it with us.
ReplyDeleteThe new barstools look awesome.I am collecting barstools these days, not to sure why but I am.~Cheers Kim
Oh I love how you proved your point. Clever girl. Thanks for sharing that 'trick' with us, I am sure I will be using that idea in the future. Loving those barstools.
ReplyDeleteAlison
Oh I love the way you did that! Way to go girl. Love the new island.
ReplyDeleteEverything is perfect about this kitchen. I love all the use of burlap and the white is so charming.
ReplyDeleteI love your 'mock' island...brilliant idea!!! My hubby is a big fan of doing stuff like that, it's a great interior design tool! :)
ReplyDeleteI love it! Your house may be my dream house :)
ReplyDeleteHi we just put in an island as well, thought it would not fit so we ran it sideways so that the pot drawers were close to the dishwasher. If you go to my blog you will see that my kitchen has a simular layout. My island was purchased at IKEA.
ReplyDeleteYou are so clever to have set up an island of boxes! Way cute! You have got a real gift of decorating!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you blogged again. It's been awhile. :)
Where did you get that glass drink dispenser? I LOVE it!
ReplyDeletehaaahhaaa...you are so cute. Who else would have thought to make a mock island? Clever !!
ReplyDeleteAnd, your island looks great.
What a great post, the lengths we sometimes have to go through for husbands, but it has a happy ending , don't you just love that!!! It looks great, i sell that beverage disp at my Home Store, Im the manager of the Dillards Home Store in Charleston, it looks very inviting.
ReplyDeletebest to you
kate
You are too funny! I love it ~ it's beautiful!!
ReplyDeleteDid you make the burlap curtains? If so how and if not, where did u purchase them? Thanks, Bekah...
ReplyDeleteIt looks wonderful Jennifer, you've inspired me to also blog about my mock kitchen Island, with less room to get around then yours, I will tell you it keeps my family out of the kitchen when I am trying to make a meal. It was great saeeing you yesterday, can't wait to re-purpose that fabulous document box I got from you at the flea market.
ReplyDeleteYou are way too clever. What a way to convince him. Sometimes myhusband vetos something just because he doesn't want to move it or do the work involved. Love the boxes.
ReplyDeletefabulous,,,so resourceful. Love it!!
ReplyDeleteThat looks fabulous!
ReplyDeleteI'm jealous! Your kitchen is a dream. Love the island. I just had my bathroom done, and put an island in it too...... Psych!
ReplyDeleteThat is one clever island...
ReplyDeleteI nearly fell over when I found out what new corbels cost (and how many I would need). I'm going to have to find a way round it - bandsaw, anyone?
LOVE the island, Jennifer! It looks fabulous in your kitchen, and those barstools are awesome!! Your kitchen is beautiful!
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful day!
~ Jo :-)
Your island is so perfect there that it's hard to believe that it ever caused any controversy! I love your new stools and I know the island will look just amazing after you have added the intended embellishments.
ReplyDeleteJENNAAY! Miss ya! I love this post! Wonderful styling! Lunch??~Lulu
ReplyDeleteI also love your drink dispenser. Can you tell us where you got it from and if you like it a lot? I am looking for a sturdy dispenser. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteWow, your island blends in so well you would never know it was a JC Penney piece!
ReplyDeleteI just read your FAQ and am in awe of how you did your refrigerator doors! I always thought it was built in cabinetry or something.
Very clever! I'm so happy you won the debate, as the results are just beautiful. In fact, the entire kitchen is breathtaking! You've got me salivating for a white kitchen--but then what would I do with the nasty gray formica countertops?
ReplyDeleteThose light pendants are gorgeous too!
FABULOUS!!!! I am sooo in love with those stools! I can't get my husband to see the allure of the vintage industrial look ;=(
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! What a great way to show how the kitchen will look! It is a great addition!
ReplyDeleteI love the stools. I think I will be looking for 3 of those at some of our local shows! Thanks! Kristin at www.KateMcRostie.com
You have such a great kitchen! My island is a table I bought at the thrift store for $5.00...hey, it does the trick!
ReplyDeleteMarcia@vintagefrenchhen.blogspot.com
Your kitchen is beautiful and I love the mock island! Hilarious! (but effective)
ReplyDeleteHave you been working on your bedroom? The man cave? Will we see pictures soon? Can't wait!
ReplyDeletehaha your imaginary island made me laugh.. such a clever idea! The result is stunning, you have a very beautiful kitchen!
ReplyDeleteall the best
desiree
That's awesome LOL your cardboard island cracked me up...
ReplyDeletelooks great!
I'm going to make a cardboard claw foot tub when I get home :P
Natalie
I love the cardboard island- very cute. :) But oh my goodness, not nearly as cute as the real island! Your kitchen is so pretty! I've scrolled through the pictures about a hundred times now and it gets better every time I look! I just found your blog- it's wonderful. I also looked through all your before and after photos on your website. Wow, those are some craaazy before pictures. You've done such an outstanding job on your home!
ReplyDelete