great ideas for your kitchen island

I don’t think I’ve told you yet about my one, brief experience house hunting in Huntington Beach have I?

Well don’t worry, because I can quickly sum it up for you in four easy words:

“Are.You. Kidding. Me?”

At least this is what Mr. Moss tells me I kept repeating throughout our time with the nice realtor. I don’t remember, but I think I can blame it on shock.

  Let’s just say I’ve been spoiled for a loooong time and I didn’t realize it. But my current kitchen with its big, lush island will be a thing of the past unless we win the lottery very soon (hard- to-do-since I don’t play), or we stumble into an incredibly rare situation.

Every kitchen I saw in our price range was very small although

(once I got over that sinking feeling in my stomach),

via

…I could feel my creative juices start to churn.

So today I thought I’d share some unique ideas for adding counter space to your kitchen because not everyone is lucky enough to have a built-in island.

And while I’m not sure these all work for tight spaces, they sure inject some fun and personality into a boring kitchen.

my kitchen today

Sigh, so goodbye to my huge kitchen island…

and hello to all you eclectic, free-standing possibilities

 

via

Let’s see. How about

an antique baking table with Pottery Barn baskets…

in a very cool color?

Or an island painted in Paris Gray by Anne Sloan Chalk Paint.  I honestly included this one because I love how this antique dealer transformed her Sonoma, California home.

 

I wish I knew more about this creative island. But source is unknown….

via

…Hmm…the reason I should keep going to flea markets and antique shops…what a great find.

Very pretty, wish I could see the back side though…

…in Country Living’s 2013 House of the Year

they used this affordable table from Cost Plus’ World Market.

And here’s a simple idea…

putting your butcher block on casters offers more flexibility in a small kitchen…

via

I like that shelf below for added storage…

via

…included this because it’s my favorite turquoise colored island ever.

By-the-way, would you ever paint your island in a bold color?

via

Here is a late 1800s Belgian butcher’s table paired with Carrara marble counters…

in case you’re wondering what materials can go nicely with Carrara marble.

and for all those DIYers out there…

this is a basic chest that has been transformed to fit against a kitchen wall. Click HERE to see this impressive tutorial.

(You can see the back side too)

And oh look. An impersonation of me.

In my slightly-crazed, emotionally exhausted mood after house hunting.

It’s ok friends…don’t worry,  I’m better now.

(me thinks)

 BTW--Which island was your favorite? 

 

 

 

…sharing this post with these friends:

http://www.stonegableblog.com/2014/02/the-scoop-104.html

---

 

Technorati Tags: great ideas for kitchen islands