DIY White Wood Cottage Kitchen Island-
DIY White Wood Cottage Kitchen Island
Or… “Clean, purge, flip. Ta-Da, it’s now an island”.
Whichever you prefer.
Did you miss me? I missed YOU!!!!!!!!!!
I’ve been a bit pre-occupied, but busy. Some stuff hasn’t really been bloggy so I’ve skipped writing about it or sharing. Like tons of purging. No need to bore you! ! I’ll give you a short catch-up version. (somewhere my mom is laughing her butt off) Admittedly, I don’t do a short version very well. I’ll try though.
To get you up to speed on my exciting life; I came home from Alabama about a month’ish ago. When I got home, my husband was very sick (which is rare). I hit the ground running doing housework, laundry and work-work. Then, we had a family member fall seriously ill and our priorities suddenly required a shift. We always try to make time for family but we sometimes get busy, and not as much time is spent together as it should be, I’m guilty of that, it happens. I admit it. About the health issue, it’s not my story to tell so I won’t talk much more about that here, unless I clear it first. Things are okay for right now.
Next Austin got sick… and then, yep. I got sick. As I type this Jim, Austin and I are all well. Whew.
In addition to all that, there is GOOD NEWS too. Jim and I have had so much fun creating, picking & building for the Marshfield Vintage Markets, that we have decided to get a permanent booth at a local brick & mortar location!! This was all in the works pre-trip and pre health crisis. I’ll share more about that soon, but we are really excited!!
Our other good news is that we’ve been meeting with contractors to have a shop built and some hard & softscape done to our property. I’ll take you along and make sure to take before pictures and share the process with you! We are just beginning to make selections on some materials now, and there might be an extra project thrown in too. I’m crossing my fingers on this one!! (toes too)
And eyeballs.
And the photo above? Yeah, that is the new paint job I gave the chalkboard paint backed open cabinets. I redid it before the last market we did in March and I never blogged it because I suck and should be fired. So look! It’s a new open cabinet color. It’s Magnolia on the body & Silver Mink on the back walls. (Maison Blanche Vintage Furniture Paint)
I made a little mini-drink station on the counter under the cabinets. I could not resist these Honu glasses I found at HomeGoods.
… and everything tastes delicious if you suck it through a paper straw. Aqua? Even better!! I think this will be a great place to fill up during parties & get-togethers. I can add an ice bucket and all the extras. I’ll use the big bar in the sun room for food.
Now, about the “kitchen island”.
This chunky bad boy has been around. It was a quick & simple build with 2 x 4’s and some scrap lumber. Super un-fancy, but also super strong. You could jump up & down on this thing!
I shared my light-bulb moment idea with you on Instagram over the weekend. If you don’t follow me there, please do! It’s a great place to share quick snippets, so you might catch things that don’t make the blog. I love hanging out there, it’s kind of like Facebook used to be, in that we can all still see each others posts!
This was the before:
It was originally a TV stand in Austin’s room that served as Lego tote storage too. After Austin and I’s Epic Room Flip, it worked hard in my Home Decor Storage Room.
It most definitely needed a good dusting, cleaning and a paint job if it was going to out in my house though! I vacuumed it with my Dyson (so good for dusting!), wiped it down and then gave it a nice coat of fresh, white paint. It’ll be sort of a place holder. If I like it, Jim and I will come up with a design that will best fit our needs and the space.
Now, because I know myself so well… I thought I would be smart for a change, and paint it now, before I load it up with decor & kitchen-y stuff in case I like and I have to wait until I can build a customized replacement. Just on the off chance it lives here for a few weeks… or months.
Probably more like a year… you know, whatever. Don’t judge me. hehe
Over the long weekend, I pulled it out during a “purge & cleanse” kick I was on and decided to try it out and see if I liked the idea of it.
I replaced it with a slimmer, taller model. Please note: I’m holding back on a really smart alec comment here. I hope you are proud of me!!
It was holding pillows but after the purge, I was able to delete it and it worked out perfectly here, it was a good trade.
I sort of knew immediately that I liked it in the new spot.
Our house is old, and all the rooms are oddly shaped, they don’t really seem to be set-up for modern day living… or normal size furniture! This spot is a major thoroughfare in our home. It’s a walk through space for sure. Obviously it’s off the kitchen but you pass through it to get from the front of the house to the kitchen, the sun deck and most importantly, downstairs! It’s really too tight for a dining table or more accurately, the chairs.
It’s open & free on both side, and end-to-end. There is even room for an improved version with a pinch extra length, plus a bar stool at each end!!
I’m still feeling really good about selling the Broyhill set and freeing up this space. The few times a year we have a huge gathering, I’ll figure something out. Our day-to-day living needs to be the first priority.
It’s so nice not feeling like you’ve got to skinny-up if you want to walk between the island and the cabinet like you did when we had a dining table there. Sigh… it’s so roomy!!
Of course having something new to decorate has nothing to do with it.
A new place to put the galvanized tray with the wood center…
Or polka-dot plates & pitchers.
Nope.
Didn’t even cross my mind.
.
SOURCE LIST:
Island: DIY (sorry it was pre-blog, will make sure to do a tutorial when we make a new version!)
HomeGoods: Honu (Sea Turtle) Glasses, Enjoy The Little Things Pillow, Galvanized Tray, Dishes, White Enamel Watering Can, Aqua Floral Pitcher, Paper Straws
Thrifted: Small Aqua Pitcher, Aqua Trimmed Enamelware Double Boiler, Chippy Seafoam Bowl, Vintage Ball Mason Jars, Milk Glass Vases
World Market: Tiny Colanders
Ross Dress For Less: Faux Lemons, Starfish, Teal Jar/Urn, Iced Tea Glasses (2.99!), White Rooster
Birch Lane: Seagrass Lamp
Throw: Under The Canopy at Bed Bath & Beyond. *Disclosure: This item was gifted to me.
Stephanie @ Casa Watkins says
Shannon it looks wonderful!! I love how you have styled your cart as well. I also have to paint kitchen cabinets and have been postponing it for a while. Did you get a new camera as well? I noticed how bright your pictures are today? Or perhaps it was one of those great lighting days, lol.
Shannon at Fox Hollow Cottage says
I keep putting it off, even though I know I’ll love it after. The trouble is, they are in perfect condition with the factory finish and I’ve been sort of waiting until they “need” it. lol. Nope, same camera. That is SUMMER here 🙂 We have SUN! hahaha – BIg difference, from gloomy rain.
Caroline says
Glad all are on the mend over that way! I thought something had happened to my subscription haha! Love the island re-use and am so jealous of your staging room! I have a spare bedroom where I stash my “stash” and then have to hide it all when we have company (NEVER look under my beds!!!) You did the right thing- family ALWAYS should come first!
Shannon at Fox Hollow Cottage says
Nope, all is relatively well 😉 I just got bogged down in life. lol. Our son graduates this week, we have family coming from out of town and then we will enter into the next stage of our new normal. No one ever used our guest room, between the sofa, Austin’s room and the little cottage I just had to use it for more 365 use!
Bliss says
Good stuff in the works, but you know, don’t cross your eyeballs they might stay that way.
Love, Mom
Shannon at Fox Hollow Cottage says
Girl if eyeballs froze, mine would be in the back of my head from “rolling” them when I was a teen. > little miss attitude here < hahahaha
Barbara Neubeck says
… hi Shannon…. I love your Island bench…. I love furniture that can be used is various places in the house…..
Glad you and your family are feeling better…
Hugs… Barb xxx
Shannon at Fox Hollow Cottage says
Thank you so much, we like it too, and so far everyone is doing well. Just need to get through Graduation now! 🙂
Dee Ann says
Love this and all your accessories! Where did you find the aqua rug?
Shannon at Fox Hollow Cottage says
Oh gosh. I’ve had that for years… um. Ross maybe?
Barb Hughes says
I missed your posts and glad to see you writing, improvising, decorating…. 🙂 I wonder if you have a post on the finished bath makeover. I only found the pre-work blog.
Shannon at Fox Hollow Cottage says
Oh dear… the one that is about 2 years old? No. I’m so terrible. It got so close to done, I didn’t do that last 10%… then I pulled out all the decor and changed the counter top. I’ve got a few things I’m actually working on this week to wrap-it UP! Should be posting after Graduation.
debbiedoos says
It is awesome Shannon! One of my favorite things you have done:)It’s the little things for sure. Love the decor and the look you have going on. Nice to see a post:)!~
Shannon at Fox Hollow Cottage says
Thanks Deb!! Yes, feels good, looking forward to being back in the swing of things. So many things I want to do!!