Home Interior Ideas For Bedrooms: kitchen

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The Right Island Stool

OK, I lied. I said I wouldn’t be doing anymore posts about the island. But I’ve gotten so many questions about our stools and how I cut them down, I wanted to address it in a post. So this one is technically not about the island…just kinda sorta. I got these stools from HomeGoods – and I actually found a tag on them that gave me a bit more info, which is rare. I found two of these last summer and then months later found another one…score! I’ve seen that every so often at HomeGoods – I know it can be frustrating when you find out something you love is from there but I’ve found they carry similar items throughout the country and those items often come back. (I’ve seen one of our family room chairs there many times over the years.) Even though it happens occasionally, I thought it was pretty lucky I found a third! The tags describes them as the “sean barstool dark moon canvas” – if you Google that a bunch of options come up but I didn’t find many with pricing listed. I’m guessing the HomeGoods price was cheaper than what they are going for online, but I’m not sure. They have a canvas top that’s really easy to clean: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUJykuPfEwIo4z9RHodbSHmP2cN3fdIEEF6p-5N45U_bZGoNU-OSSuqzJjtfJg8yeLbVWYL2GTsRxfTlWfxKZYM2BhODMrSPBcs65wVSElYnUQxW6OMX7x7eCIUTXc3ryOdpTzNuOk7Vs/s1600-h/IMG_1512%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="canvas stool with nailhead" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhDg5EGlRNCmTGG_8Cwy__Kiopo1xBP8HlloS-nRwWJdYaQlgc1vChlXEqJwmIeHNvrTolJxcOllTO8chkmiI2-c3u1jRqQVbSYsLeUn_fK1SUpqMhL6qh-n9WjPBWrDEOTwW9WpWNdh4/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="canvas stool with nailhead" width="500" /></a> Although I’ll probably go ahead and spray some Scotchguard on them just to be safe. The canvas look wouldn’t be my first choice, but I loved the the color and the other pretty details like the nailheads: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPRCgfzMTY7F2-sZ09tZsrhusvdGZlggJydGI2D9J9IgTHCd_hP8PhBTdARy3SQW60LHMWXZau7klssKIiAaAHV9-rohdCMOH0wciZfq11XUO2ItbZtsPRXD11oiDPEotCFCIn1KSVJjw/s1600-h/IMG_1519%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="canvas bar stool " border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGsohxc1ogpjdgxuSkzMHbqi5gOrU21kB6RVWGtnUnLHvdHY1z8oj62TBGCzOgLmDjY-h3ZFgDvg-QyYN7zCRzbG3bYe4lOlSFeXYqzx7whGCLym_ux-NspLQNKuUvU-4OZj5QL062eig/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="canvas bar stool " width="500" /></a> You’ll notice this guy in any photos of these chairs. HE LOVES THEM. Really, he loves everything and loves to be in photos too. But he’s especially obsessed with the chairs. I also love that they have a brass metal cover that goes over one foot support so it doesn’t get banged up. (It’s hard to tell but it’s in the front in that pic.) Many of you mentioned that the stools were too high when I first shared <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2015/01/final-kitchen-island-plans.html" target="_blank">my plan for the island</a> weeks back. For some reason it’s hard for me to find counter-height stools that I like. They’re always bar-height. I found this little graphic that shows you the difference: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyKf0pQKkpegECIWppMCwejvVVYuiZBHuG5ONeUwNVxOTHA1yAtPgJyRItKKUdPgorUpVZII-0xFH9r-wKecfL7dqFTWYIxKVAN-XRhyLciqnXCe6_Ih3oD4IQh3IjgcYg7VRHjcpIG0o/s1600-h/Screen%252520Shot%2525202015-02-19%252520at%25252010.06.04%252520AM%25255B8%25255D.png"><img alt="stool height guide" border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_y7d_GQDfkhQayBGhRKy8wCcO8l4YCPOhhqgyZzgcLl11qi3FH7h-gAfxMUnm8SeMNca1Ml7hboZKpg-k40p-k9ObfY97QPDl8WKX3MuUqQSvuWhJ1NPlvmi7_4FgUsNqtWxCEj3utJU/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="stool height guide" width="581" /></a> (<a href="http://www.hayneedle.com/bar-stool-buying-guide.cfm?source=pinterest&redirect=false&crlt.pid=camp.FYCjXEI1H31X" target="_blank">source</a>) I’ve always cut down my stools because of this and it’s an easy DIY project! I had already chopped mine so I recreated this for you. ;) First thing, wrap the leg with painter’s tape where you want to cut it. This will allow for a really clean cut: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8efAuXaBLCWANoJaTVxtEMy1XEHWhXFNkILvTJdJbaL4ueSTMHjp8MINrLlRt7Cal3Al5LxTqRqoUZV7oMO2fMKa9q40EknEHA73T9Jf26oxx8R_qCuXmQ2n705oYX64TgseUhdK9jNg/s1600-h/IMG_1505%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="cutting down stools" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPZXeMe2OCp7-6UHlQDOOvBto9t25gJNB6L5lwpJs8eYP1GeYxN7s4adq4E9dc9Q_CgWzSIMvwcJ8aNgP5MhkF43qmDQEenBkq_EnHrM3yH2dF_i8NyVj3H3DU2F2x9KKIJCaywjFuOFE/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="cutting down stools" width="500" /></a> If you don’t do this you’ll probably get jagged edges on the bottom side, so this is important. After that you can mark where it needs to be cut. I cut these down by 2.5 inches. I always mark it before I take the stool out to the saw, but then I find that I have to measure and mark again because I’m never quite sure how I’ll lay it on the saw: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigSEofmpNet5S0w8z-Q7a_AaOAQV0TW8LbkvrU77wrnZzwDVSpYMjLWXjX1BLeYvc70Ub7b86d-0MYXEGfvta7TVhvHfBz3LHc0VdNXUsgPZ42xBmPi9oNsRW_UfvZGr9N9BjUTxPydSs/s1600-h/IMG_1508%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="cutting down barstools" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk7s5TOeeqfeNxPadRURp2OPV6PIn-HSOKdmoNE7dI5iZyi08GNqC35XNu4HlUn3INZRFSiQm9-l71RON9mStW0lJJm2nQ1H82m1JMbgX8914uyvHjiBXbeL7zVxJiBZjAxLIpArNNkCA/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="cutting down barstools" width="500" /></a> Just make sure the stool is up against the back to get a straight cut. You may need someone with you to get it tight. Also, on some cuts I have to lower the saw blade a bit to get the legs to fit in there. If you don’t have a compound saw, no worries. These <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007PMXLEI/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B007PMXLEI&linkCode=as2&tag=thrdecchi07-20&linkId=4L2UE6LMKTEMU5QR" target="_blank">miter boxes</a> work just as well: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8PKRa6O9Ortklp8Q-_DyJ7b_qBIofcrO7O2LKAmgkKTkHN3uq5wcmPbF3P0urBWi1wSTymVDccJi9b3npTG_Y-Jn1uWi23Kc3oyUtCsgsMr8r3W1Z97rTxDOK1497DcDiWlaLSSmaf2M/s1600-h/Screen%252520Shot%2525202015-02-19%252520at%25252010.14.41%252520AM%25255B6%25255D.png"><img alt="miter box and saw" border="0" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnAMO-LmoEE2NeqGmbubY6MM-EPvN2m176691PHg5udn1lkQ4AdLypSZT4l_YQcIvogKX5qZoL0F_EaPmNaPNh5KQw6SpJUHhFnTUBxStfxLZsCAjmP-fwxxk7mkrEp2s3svw_SfPFaic/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="miter box and saw" width="450" /></a> It will just take more time and muscle. :) Also, you’ll definitely want someone to help you hold the seat end up while you cut if you use the box, or just prop it up so it’s level. I used a simple miter box and saw just like this for YEARS and did a ton of wood and trim projects with it – and had some great biceps. You can do quite a lot with it! When you take the tape off you may need to touch up the bottom just a bit – if the chair legs are black or brown you can just use a Sharpie. Mine came out fine so I didn’t need any touch ups. I do always add some felt jobbies to the bottom to protect our floors: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEALx8n7-m7E2U8UOCQ9Cn-jB_AlsvbcYzIOFzxEsNtNTWVTt-Yy54-6ZhyphenhyphenwcZJ1lOwebZc0h2ImuckZBsbW5Z-oFa-oxfYYLgdhTniczFL09ehmIC8bQeAPkac55YAARZ2oUmczZ6nMU/s1600-h/IMG_1511%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="felt protector pads" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyDhIWqgh4zWx_74-how0mvMxdmiNudG8vM2wddf66240KP39ycTJ0D58-Jdrn3sOa_GgSAGakJpvy6-QzyPNwJ7D_hI2wCspH0zlfvIVQU0WE3c0EbywUqGpTHT0uldVgcg3F1RtVldM/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="felt protector pads" width="500" /></a> The legs most likely will have something on them already so you can also pry those off and put them on again – these had plastic bottoms so I wanted something softer on the hardwoods. OH, I forgot to mention – after you cut down all four legs sit on it and see if it rocks. Three of my four did, so I just figured out what legs were just slightly longer and cut them down a bit. Just barely shave it off so you don’t have to keep cutting the rest to make it work! You’ll end up with miniature stools if you keep going. ;) They are now a much more comfortable height! Our guests still used them before I cut them down and didn’t care. But this allows a little more room for the legs. I told you he’s obsessed: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrf80lYzFleqNzVg0OVls3NusHgF9e7EXv0uEHA2ulNv5wc-nThzZN7Hrvb5iPelYeXteySWkVoFCiYLEgL3nuMghQcGQfYNSvYFdQZVV_ePBSCVqt4lA8IG0XmdsIcnZOHLMbknWPihs/s1600-h/IMG_1516%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="cutting down stools for island" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguhhfwr7DCrLDHXjBYIG9s_otiZ2rV4jQK0U57b19UYeFVxD7am1YTuLVwkXtPBUTkabGF9jvN4AmgUF8KmX1urXcMmdbcmaiBpNg9iEwnU2gxjgCaRNbXetx44QODhmhpxGGfvGFrhQQ/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="cutting down stools for island" width="500" /></a>I found a couple options that are really similar to these in case you can’t find them for a decent price – <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00J5TSUNQ/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00J5TSUNQ&linkCode=as2&tag=thrdecchi07-20&linkId=A7SSYZW3VVC4SH3X" target="_blank">these are leather</a> and would be GREAT for kids!: <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-s3V1u2smPho/VOYO81qVqoI/AAAAAAAAu6g/RchmRIY3IR0/s1600-h/Screen%252520Shot%2525202015-02-19%252520at%25252010.11.18%252520AM%25255B6%25255D.png"><img alt="leather top bar stools" border="0" height="446" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-eWZ3lhwXhro/VOYO94XxP-I/AAAAAAAAu6o/rVmn5lyhz1E/Screen%252520Shot%2525202015-02-19%252520at%25252010.11.18%252520AM_thumb%25255B10%25255D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="leather top bar stools" width="450" /></a> That one only comes in the taller version, so if you have a regular island you’d need to cut those down. And <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00F1FOV9A/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00F1FOV9A&linkCode=as2&tag=thrdecchi07-20&linkId=VBZPTCLGULWPKNUO" target="_blank">this one</a> has a fabric top and comes in either the bar or counter height, so no cutting down needed: <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-eSgfUQrDHsA/VOYO-kKwylI/AAAAAAAAu6w/F46c-z-RSVU/s1600-h/71D0KBHHhtL._SY679_%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="nailhead counter stool" border="0" height="458" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-QaMoGy4dICc/VOYO_ZKoMEI/AAAAAAAAu64/a-iAxxj5XuQ/71D0KBHHhtL._SY679__thumb%25255B8%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="nailhead counter stool" width="350" /></a>This is our second set of wood stools at this island that I’ve cut down – it’s super easy to do, especially if you have a saw! Hope that answers any questions, let me know if not! Affiliate links included for your convenience!

The Right Island Stool

OK, I lied. I said I wouldn’t be doing anymore posts about the island. But I’ve gotten so many questions about our stools and how I cut them...

8:27 AM

Kitchen Island Progress!

Hello there! How was your long weekend? Ours was great! I didn’t mean to take yesterday off, it was just one of those mornings where I felt like I wanted to focus on my boy, you know? I got more done on the kitchen island too, so this post is a little more interesting than it would have been yesterday anyway. ;) So there’s a bit of progress happening to the kitchen island! Are you tired of hearing about it? I’m not. :) It’s so fun to see something come together as you had planned it in your head for months. Well, mostly how it was in my head – I’ve tweaked a few things. If you want to catch up you can see my plan for the island <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2015/01/final-kitchen-island-plans.html" target="_blank">here</a>, how I made the <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2015/02/diy-wine-rack-island-storage.html" target="_blank">wine rack</a> and then how I extended the current island <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2015/02/the-new-kitchen-island-start.html" target="_blank">here</a>. First up, I had the lights over the island installed last week. I was going to wait to do it but I had money left in the budget and went ahead. I picked out these lights from Lowe’s: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje4QtMEnwzDSYcw9OcrORDrF51zxTWn_FGmNa9UFqqjeCr39mlGot2nQiySyM_MObR9p3hPJsapGEIA4NxMwUfyU36QZhrIgLPPa7FKSRZTN94y-wnB6NyzZ5o_TRBPE-SiYWwDspwzBg/s1600-h/IMG_1503%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="pendant lights over island" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz307QonUXZgnGdaco8nZ97ayPDU_pawH_J8jqarqu0fGrnSdsdbentW46t6J6NIH4Pe0GaR1Ku8O8OmB7nu3oqYr_UaX3ONuPu4teAzEJ_PaEIn8fGtvKseAQg47JAYtrdtOMfGlGq8Q/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="pendant lights over island" width="500" /></a> They are the <a href="http://www.lowes.com/pd_559840-57278-P5026-74_4294609532%2B4294687726__?productId=50132722&Ns=p_product_qty_sales_dollar|1&pl=1&currentURL=%3FNs%3Dp_product_qty_sales_dollar%7C1&facetInfo=" target="_blank">Progress Archie lights</a> in bronze. I’m <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2010/07/mixing-metals.html" target="_blank">mixing metals</a> in here like I do throughout the rest of the house and I love how it’s looking! The new lights and those over the <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2015/02/a-dream-realized.html" target="_blank">window seat</a> all have a vintage/farmhouse vibe so they work well together. I don’t know why the price is so high online – they were $60-something at Lowe’s (on sale). I LOVE them. They are the same style (just a different finish) as the <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2013/06/powder-room-redo-complete.html" target="_blank">powder room</a> lights. I love that vintage look of the glass shade: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUCeFFTzoVy8WGv8bHdD0Ht3WUz0h7r6CZ5DWajzQaPqzOt9MeynkFm3zbj_GvWUtrMpXJe_tmpOJDXe5bM4BW0ab2kTl5au9MzgXAIe8aqkPOfq9x-4XGjOP7dtWt2lxhhlO68LzN5jU/s1600-h/IMG_1502%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Archie lights Lowe's over island" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDHRRTa2r0rAa0hb2d5nsuolefZzWK0zvE4PWkj0RM9QvlmS8EHdr1XWKUMua1WnnICCcgKOlSZ3eGySFFHeFr-HacDrmmDJRYXYR8rsn_6S9AxJ30XojcTOiT5C3zWV5T8ZUPj9eIXAk/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Archie lights Lowe's over island" width="500" /></a> Excuse the ceiling patches that still need to be painted! They are on the same switch as the other kitchen lights. I’d love to have them on a separate one but that would have involved more holes in the ceiling and I’m kind of over those and need a break for awhile. ;) Maybe we’ll have it done in the future but for now it doesn’t bother me. They are on a dimmer with the rest of the lights too, so I can turn them down. They offer great light – the shades keep the bulbs from being glaring but they are still really bright. I have 40 watt bulbs in them and it’s plenty: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHyrJ5MDkuKoa18c0NvG_DvPGCki0qs1VBXmAiUlrojmILPLrK6zu_jgqhrERnin5Lv-X2_Yi8CZ0BomRoo4bVjndSxqSviPFnQ6_DXzhLbmbjXIXR6sjym3AldEDQw3hne_5BaVFxpY0/s1600-h/IMG_1494%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="two lights over island" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh40a_BYfLmbDsBufokdtT7u0emKOSFN2KXHNczThS6UH_WtF4ILud5z9obyYRTplzHMy1NnU6sTPmMicLzoFYkIUEq1YOfCG5tVRVm8EM_cEh6YoTDEavp3ZXhhIyMA9SRrlojAE69CUQ/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="two lights over island" width="500" /></a> You may notice another small addition to the island in that pic – I finally got the side “supports” built! They are very basic, I just built them with 1 x 4s: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy5NPUScXPT_xR1ZR68xjA1gdQa6QRY8tUJt4xCyezNhLvMHojvzut7ocLIxK4HxoWBE3laPh3kLIpe0GNt04XvZi_PHAz2n8EW8UJyjLxXwhZ_zEAcqGj1flyKJnsN-4RTO5-B6XuFYc/s1600-h/IMG_1489%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="extending out kitchen island" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyznpSIZUZb-IQk4bWmXz0k39pIddMgU-evmYh6R_Q7JSMRCUPH-X1Q8_sq328PUzP8edGIj_cYgK4rKHijlfjB3ftu96Stj2LQqVRQV4Z44mqyji-ZURoR8dpSSAdXCq8U83ACk73a_8/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="extending out kitchen island" width="495" /></a> I attached one flat to the side of the island first, then attached two to the side of that. I cut down two pieces at the length I needed for the top and bottom and attached those with screws, then finished it up with the end piece and the two on the side of that: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHJ65_X2cqSvrbCfDm9wPtJctVvBj6p-7DdGGfzQJolJDBruL_xBeZKr8mrDSGvElorFFo8ag2TbkVfbtEKbt8wUYQGEkIIAirYbO2Lv1vtFGpfmmZyl7L3a__PRhNBbSgDP4K5st2vj0/s1600-h/IMG_1491%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="extending kitchen island" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzRQ2Y83lhSUhtMzS3qCRobZag9_htX67uqG3DWSO74DCo_dasGiwUl4ynfwIjWxR72kbcmtLug7UMiGn3jo0Tnps1QIkb0c0q_uRDaaeI0mR27Bic7_46kP6FbPYPfNzkguVdbOrvoeA/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="extending kitchen island" width="500" /></a> Very simple, very quick. I used three pieces of pine for each side, so these cost about $15 so far. By the way, these are not to support the countertop, they are just for looks so they don’t need to be structural. But they are super secure and aren’t going ANYWHERE. I will wrap one side of them to match up with the sides of the island, then I can start with my planking! I hope to get some of that done today. I can’t believe how much more custom the island already looks. Here’s a before: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqd4oKqs-yqX6C2m3MfbOAziOrBYlS4h3PDipsXYl3iMrvKihqZfqYiJGLcLiaUVOFiWeV9bwZnsCEGWWBxoNDWy6pC2gXfLhnh7CpaLypJT6wpPACroCncGX5F98bxy87BBXxqLZkNII/s1600-h/IMG_1412%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="adding on to a kitchen island" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_4ohYGRIoh0GTtVloLzfqhnBysW5ZBCpzJl-iWRVgsdLDyPF2zXzC-2ww2jNIAux5TZoo6NKt6n7LJXjso5qnFdrXuQxWRjX9r2vDGsIVIJ3Oj1CwW_cu8RjX2k55L4DB2X3j-HzA-Sk/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="adding on to a kitchen island" width="500" /></a> And here’s how it looks now: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLVKI9o8zjxU2ZTnC1mGc9sPh4unufvBt_Cp6A0POemwLFkBM8fn7y7yFpS86URrjlhdNNu3leJJv70D20rpLflqJs1jHQ4_SnMZRo4A81PJ0YYeAHs6znh4-ZLTvKXAnC5p49jNLHqP8/s1600-h/IMG_1488%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="decorative supports under island countertop " border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijClfUMGaLo0X3HPNPMH8o6Z0tuZO7MAIzmRbTQuYajdDM8NWt2M9zRV82mOyOSJw3eInqHYjkPO-vbpzv0aQn3cxFp8Jn1GNCXRC2Kv5pKvSOKc4Qldy-GonvQ7Uwfy2a4XLNYAVUCLA/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="decorative supports under island countertop " width="500" /></a> See?? I think it’s going to look so good! I had originally hoped for a wider island top that would go past the stools so they would tuck under perfectly, but butcher block in that size is incredibly hard to find. By the way, IKEA still lists their island butcher block online but they are discontinued. (They are the only ones I know of who carry the wider size.) Boo. So anyway, it’s still going to look awesome. The stools only stick out maybe four to five inches and I don’t mind it at all. I thought of something this morning though – I may adjust those top supports that are attached to the countertop from underneath. If I ever need to remove the top I’ll have to pull everything apart to get to that, which I really, really don’t feel like ever doing again. Ever. :) We only had to take the old countertop off once and that was to move the island, but still. Just in case I’ll probably remove those screws into the top, which will mean making some small adjustments. But I’m VERY excited to see how it’s coming together…very soon this will look like an actual finished piece. The “art” will be gone, ha!: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjZiBRz19gBw3DDd1f7Q1Ev_tf4A1MT-bDQ_lIGqV_42cjoAYL-JYTiv3fDOpaWVLSW83i2q_n9Tg4jx6cCWL-SkMnHci7XeiP9yCYRTwK5TbB0P7s3JM1j4-bvLCxI4owOKRBrE84E6E/s1600-h/IMG_1493%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="support columns on island" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqRmybvsHQfCnhaEN3nB6O_FVcFHqpDy9PKFT-uV3RpHyhyj79D_sNvoDf0i1L2zzZFXzklnRfchkCJ8jW-sWGHUbsBQLC8BDyjNmszhpKtpXwVk8doAuK8EnupA-pvWPbYU1n_VPjLF0/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="support columns on island" width="500" /></a>I’ve had a few visitors to our house and readers think that the design on the island is intentional – when it’s just glue from the old boards that I had on there years ago. I’m and artist and didn’t even know it! ;)    So there you go, a bit of progress to share! I’m thinking next time I share this it will be done. No promises though. But I do hope to be done with it by next week sometime!

Kitchen Island Progress!

Hello there! How was your long weekend? Ours was great! I didn’t mean to take yesterday off, it was just one of those mornings where I felt ...

7:35 AM

The New Kitchen Island (A Start!)

Happy Monday my friends! I hope your weekend was wonderful! We had a basketball game, hosted a baby shower, went out with friends, a bday party, our grandson’s baptism and then a movie with most of my family yesterday evening. It was a fun, wonderful, exhausting weekend and I’m looking forward to a few minutes of relaxing on this Monday. :) So I have to share the progress of the “new” kitchen island because I’m so pleased with it. I showed you the <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2015/02/diy-wine-rack-island-storage.html" target="_blank">new wine holder</a> I created last week: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSkRPnWeha4EmI7CuqLBzx7C1oGTc9JP_pw0Uub_Kj85_54PGRd23aHIFJuSKHLe_dIU2pKWoMqYhsPPMEdQH6zzUHIu0L5n-mVBbalMjp-w8wKIS629bxQ4rxJfEL5JSnpE5iA8n9XmY/s1600-h/IMG_1800%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DIY wine rack" border="0" height="667" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYzIA5VKA9B3v2z0DTMe8-jCz9icYZ88YlqP-ZIBjo2wvdt-H4I5qEhVDNPdmAJ1zEtm01fA1PAhpdOGHZ6qfqFNithhqPnUtV5byNSXo9tDNjIsXm-Tz4N32h24wzlRIvYdbUlRV2ov8/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DIY wine rack" width="500" /></a> It didn’t look like much, I know. But have faith my friends!! Next up I built the new cabinet for the end of the island. It is just a big box – I used 3/4 inch plywood for this and just used wood glue and screws to put it together like I did the wine rack. I needed to build it up off the floor a bit so I had some pine cut down to four inches (the exact height I needed – one by fours do not actually measure at one inch by four inches unfortunately) and built a simple box by nailing them together: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGygBfIAtT11yQAmnzRjo6Hy4h44N7aqlE2Slmrp0V7_BCmUimsoDxw8-F80uOb6UsDkKQQ-zKWrmmLKNQgntrlEIE2LX30xu_38UjpogkQ4VcWlkIY_ovjvtYJQFq4_ECqyfb5syUZtw/s1600-h/IMG_1802%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="building a base for cabinets" border="0" height="667" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhApNmaRGMQYr45syma5wjDU2EpwWhqXP7e2Fmfk5qGyMM_1lwPJ69Q5VpPF81WrcWXEZMcGPUDLjq7BxgIY5OlZLHUG1FRZgSQR2hrm0REjmvDSK6wt0pgE_sUFv6iZjHmzIQSiRitHUo/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="building a base for cabinets" width="500" /></a> It doesn’t need to be perfect because it will be hidden later, it just needed to be strong enough to support the cabinet. To attach it I screwed scrap pieces of wood into the bottom panel and then attached the frame to those with screws as well: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuIKXqJE7FzlDlmMldKozqU4niM8EJilqAqDBW-N17d7ne37CurIM4gGzpTe02u8D42JW8vGriG00as08wPkzqnv6siHMed3CbLxtqtk9trmrxe9bQ2zYV41WHxp5Ti9DMXtfptwiPoaY/s1600-h/IMG_1803%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="building a base for kitchen cabinets" border="0" height="667" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD2o_6AwFfeEv-mQzvXRbmGrnqe5Ee8hBMW5qdvv39aAPajDkTmtFaptj-eyT0jEkRmdt1T2VMAob0mXaUtuxi7XgjjmoJZbxozct-ItSzLAvVhih3iYk6IVhOMfixy4gYdaWQ4UK39Ls/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="building a base for kitchen cabinets" width="500" /></a> I flipped it over and then attached it to the end of the island (the wine rack). I was going to secure it through the floor too but realized I really didn’t need to do that once it was installed. It was super sturdy and I knew the new island top would keep it even more secure. Here’s the new size with the old countertop off: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDXSf4z4ErNkx3XiPCxyeyEzb4jMoGvYO9lAxzJWPxJv3ul_dbrc0bV50aIqpU9q7n0HGm6P28lY-vaIbl1bTLVhDgcA4UlK-XvKR8Iz42f85NoHSW06txFe-MrmsTBOJQamqazniBeuM/s1600-h/IMG_1814%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="extending a kitchen island" border="0" height="667" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI6dHJwWH49rE2aBWZ-cDwei8K-GWFtPHyZeElDi0zfYP5qyHPIfYPLAWIuhlIDpQ2M9zT-xeZ-Ci8sruSVsIWhQtSYql1UPq2Re6SBsRrU1r7UYj5dtLLPrBg1xVa3rEStGkmggjY9Jg/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="extending a kitchen island" width="500" /></a> We have two plugs in the island already – one is for the trash compactor and I had help extending a new plug from that into the new cabinet: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjImk7p-r3BJNtrbJ_t8w2FIr-SWHugVEdFnonQuC6gyZQkRtxWXAwfjNxjPIpQufhaUiXJ0gkNyvfvNUPtKTCeCxZ1rn_S-r07_tEZOFBk9AXfyMa-oR9EYIKqr3UxLDirzfPvvo0RMGE/s1600-h/IMG_1411%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="cabinet for microwave in island" border="0" height="644" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiouJMNzz1Cc4-umc5FxiEF22ITN9bbwHpBwDk8ys8c6PhV6Pc3NTakPHk53sgoxTzPROFCDhXhf8S3k4vP_wIyIRhvzPnm0tjz1bNgHWsJLNVxD-lgtapP1LVS6zn5Ki56EgsOdrDchHU/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="cabinet for microwave in island" width="500" /></a> This end will have a shelf and the microwave will sit on the upper shelf. I’m still doing research on what we’ll need to use. Here’s how the other side looked before the new countertop and before I closed up the end: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-iD9MVV-7iUFXazvxrhSd10xoSKChDh2-q7y6d2pnswJI-JvanePQ_cCASqhDlIyOiqD-QWkT4khBk1vbRpYyyDhQ3zSAaaDCPYjKJM9_soTzmfgBJbWcwudVJhJ8yROEIKhQHpF4uro/s1600-h/IMG_1815%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="extending a kitchen island" border="0" height="667" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiObN0qz8_fV6K_vbyR0VZcI3gcaPJdva3wwcYYK0hobiMmk85hTg_kv2-P-x3IjCZcJWESLmce5pEUG3W7Zj8ULl_pyZv1ulKISYEZqXk_z-R5XL0TVOW34vV0GJHVko7zA7W68_rKNk0/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="extending a kitchen island" width="500" /></a> Here it is after I covered the end and the new counter on top!: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipG7PWyEOs5md-APmVgCSxFSF2Fhe-JP6nB_j3ml8457K5gYGLBKhXk6XqlOjxJZrENQIlq-JWbh7PNZho1yMntXavV4ff_VYTK9JytPgpIlFmpsc1nQKt4qC9WkTjUP8fehF413nj0O0/s1600-h/IMG_1410%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="adding on to a kitchen island" border="0" height="565" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsoIvlmngk8estpnt7U59-MYs_-MGN6npuT2MgwhNX0nTrRMp1gXfuktf0Q10Ju1vlI4CBPNAiaIL95Vb75qNoUK6CtPqJIhwJJONER9cXlKw2soVi_eydUnQsuQ-5rSOso8wzOoYdiIg/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="adding on to a kitchen island" width="500" /></a> That wine rack added about six inches to the whole thing which gives us a little more space for the three stools: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidapaRXVLKDCDmBKxq52X9g9uNVF1b8rlwPM6E3J61JpVMbKsy-cTw9AfjYXR1_v58zQuy48Nh7Dl7WV_mxQv1vA8V8qXgG0hki1S02UqvXxyhPyZm6ZrfY5IX4oC_jXvj5F4LdrHDOaw/s1600-h/IMG_1412%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="making kitchen island bigger" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBqACjphB89w04NEgcrWxVaSfVjeCj7ZNlbIpfGlUvtmz_Id4ShyZLH1WTB8IYmjP-H2Wm79h_bPdR3bUiUnlPYNfEx_VgXHHgSuut8GeCU_c57m7P_kMk5QFVIOP7iAdwaNjubO8ptZc/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="making kitchen island bigger" width="500" /></a> Each end of the island will be framed out for an even more custom look and the stools will sit inside. That’s my next project. :) I framed out the wine rack and it looks a million times better already: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX7z-zI9NqWXysg3PMNs1i4Kdu1wYBfrj3OuXI2kYclDhxHGslEOJa689AJjBAfRywaHd1gnRytJnfI1rSf_mlnvDDYnzZSrPpriNvN6ddzoQ34rdBh6TPTYywvlBUKQChrvuR7eow8Pg/s1600-h/IMG_1420%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="built in wine rack island" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2TxBvF0XuVN3POAJqzAjhMpvOOL6tTsgRVDnQlX2k8HOxiXvKQAiaiGWVaNV52yegex36T0-vN1A4gCg6rXcvVL4tb3uX30R4qcSLzNK8j8u3b2e0eud9zAQlHP-OYVVRViy-rZnDmok/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="built in wine rack island" width="500" /></a> The side of the new cabinet will get the same planking that the rest of the island will get: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwlJ1qTywjct-J2j6sar72gq8yFkX-Nhk3OwzanBN_WnoKSdQ1i3CeQ2TD08RCBSOkrsFu4RPmwjV6i7nJjBp0uy6XjEl0N8OtCl66UphUVXpgKlniHW8BmpVFQ1Gj_qKS-rUHYj-qogE/s1600-h/IMG_1415%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="making kitchen island bigger" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjomBfGMAcfCLwxY0Wmx_gKEJhxl9rHWPptpZ-mb942drtdfmx3YdQ0licAABWUgz79tZvj2lq-4Q4xizd54_-hMXLlMxWqVrNbuS-SDJmDUVM-ewE_zIUs6lKLyvEt3hUR-YgdlXJ-scE/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="making kitchen island bigger" width="500" /></a> I’m going with horizontal planks instead of vertical ones this time and in my head it’s looking great! The best part though -- the new countertop! Last Thursday I got this beast home in my car and it was slightly terrifying because I had to tie down the back and let it stick out a bit. I have to do that a lot but this thing was so heavy I thought it would just slide right out. I was sweating the whole way home. :) But it arrived safely and it’s just gorgeous!: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKKxkVWx_89LhlPFnX2qvRFnEJyWsjXyWcZtTM5VWtOUhMCr8wtys8DFi9Ky23rb_JLiCcRfuEyXUwG2KPyAEBewUXYjrcVbE2WJsCb66cY30Wl0idKoZ7-cm_BXpcVzOEUjiqO2dKgZU/s1600-h/IMG_1419%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="butcher block countertop" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj44Tn4EYSuqAaNJcsIy9_ZGtcyEci2tTxMliZ0unW7JmongAGOuzC0au8mf8TwSMD1fL7e2en1t0ttjru6SpJEP5GQn-JzbQvbpTDPKN2sgSI8SNfB3Eb5mckQLpAondT3d0w1yklGh0w/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="butcher block countertop" width="500" /></a> I actually wanted to oil it with the Tung oil I usually use but Northwest Lumber (where I got it) put some kind of sealant on it to prevent cracking or warping instead. They said I could sand it down a bit to apply the oil but on closer inspection I realized it would take more than just a slight sanding. And whatever they used is AWESOME because it doesn’t scratch and it stands up great to liquid. My Tung oil does well too, but I can tell this will provide even better protection against scratches. (I’m going to call to ask what the sealant is so I can let you all know.) I hosted a baby shower this weekend and we had greasy food and wine droplets that sat there for awhile and they wiped right off – I’m very pleased with it so far. I don’t mind some wear and tear on something like this, but it’s not nice to not have to worry about it, you know? Can I tell you how dreamy the longer island is?? We had a TON of food on it for the shower and it all fit perfectly. I was making food Thursday evening and kept saying out loud how freaking awesome it was to have more space. It is WONDERFUL! It’s nice just to have an island, believe me. But the extra two and half feet is going to rock. The size is really perfect. We still have tons of open space at this end near the <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2015/02/a-dream-realized.html" target="_blank">window seat</a> and <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2012/02/no-more-wire-shelves-pantry-redo.html" target="_blank">pantry</a>: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu_VEGPnnSvRt-g4QpqO-rgkhArj_0PNQakSUWr22Su5llObaXvkL3A-6bWYN_hSJxh8C3nbNqP_cmQaerj3ci3i6Q5SQt62vMzTqEjbWpWq4NA5Z_kDXLsqnNmUXNssaDjdniqcG2edg/s1600-h/IMG_1416%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="glass door on pantry" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPgbs3UgG4asVizccTwYWAIFPYisee3JxMhycliIKeJ8UMMbj9nqYgVKsmOvuXBU9gswxwMXDKuCWHs_DbfUREL6cC1d7VamNB4aBAp71EahQA99wxTHZd6v_h_jjVPcqElwlP2yV7dG0/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="glass door on pantry" width="500" /></a> The new larger size is just right for the size of our kitchen now. I really couldn’t be more pleased with it! I am so excited to see how the vision that’s been in my head for all this time is coming together – and I’ve done it without breaking the bank!! Next up, build the end supports and then wrap the whole thing with the planking. After that I’ll get the base around the whole thing and then paint! The microwave will come later when we’ll tackle the bigger stuff like backsplash and taking down some of the current cabinets. For now, I leave you with a shot of pretty flowers, because they are hydrangeas and I’ve missed having them in the house so much!: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKZihu8zRCVinwZp2QXrkkRua2hVZP3lz1BOkfb01xQ2hhg1tnQAlZXPN4yZKxtOjsR2fKj447VG9e03Yl5YFm0AhkX1XasJDWoVNwMfyoH3WmOgFxtcAFKNLF8PNRuR59GE4ca-C8jy4/s1600-h/IMG_1432%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="hyrdrangeas in white pitcher" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMjcr1g7_5QXPgtAn4MbatLR5CYNdpN2FVcUfdYp25ZxtrQqOsZWucuJvOaSEV57pz-JBpqzNUH4GUC8r6iXEKi1CwD2K76cRHyDWh1RlgBxt3rHkd-jbdYPaTSwFlGA6c2ktGMhwHj28/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="hyrdrangeas in white pitcher" width="500" /></a> If I left out any details of what I’ve done so far let me know and I’ll be sure to respond. This really wasn’t hard to do – I completed the two cabinets in a day and then the other trim and details so far were done in a couple hours. I get a LOT done before people come over. ;) Have a great one!

The New Kitchen Island (A Start!)

Happy Monday my friends! I hope your weekend was wonderful! We had a basketball game, hosted a baby shower, went out with friends, a bday pa...

8:09 AM

DIY Wine Rack (Island Storage)

Hey hey there! I’m back with a bit of progress on the kitchen island that I’m STOKED about. If you remember last week I shared my final plan for <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2015/01/final-kitchen-island-plans.html" target="_blank">extending our kitchen island</a>. The plans went from a stone countertop and an extra cabinet and perhaps a wine fridge to just a DIY bookcase that will hold the microwave. Sooo…the cost went down a LOT. When I shared the plan a couple of you mentioned that the seats were too close together as I had it planned: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq5Z77OPjusx97dWZgo5sKzlxF-ZZpBgZ-MU2cDsf8OnAiYBqvSy3bUIFltGiUPHg9pb-qxkYPySIOKEhuT-mHEk0vthGMj5KwjkHhS6BG_Nl55tbpPl-MQIodSOtjPYOgrfPBogyTmLg/s1600-h/IMG_1342%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="extending kitchen island" border="0" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPmOMakMbiAj84EaJt_ZltomgPoOBlwEa2mDgoUfO2Aes43EEwtICEP09e_bXN7Ef6WCL8g3i4w6Spq8qKHwfbGlOLmKKmrwfpX604msHTwMKPvAGhpUSpIBVoJbU-QrMPY5BbFz8eVb0/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="extending kitchen island" width="550" /></a> And yes, the chairs will get cut down soon. :) I wasn’t really too worried about that but wouldn’t mind a little more space for the chairs and to build the supports on the side. So my mind started turning and I came up with a small addition to the island to give us a slightly longer island – a wine rack. :) So exciting! I drew up my plans for it and figured out my measurements. This thing is simple folks – it’s just a tiny bookcase. But because I’d have to have all my cuts done at Lowe’s (I don’t have a table saw) I knew I had to figure it all out perfectly before I started. I got the size of each piece figured out and then headed out to get the wood and have it cut down. On my way out to the car I checked my wood stash and HELLO I had three pieces leftover from the reno. Dude. I couldn't believe it – I didn’t have to buy one piece!: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq1y8TgYRzspGM5HJcnAEnzHRBAx6pDpuGma_hWi2QC-2Zr-sauckn5Z7rfUvhCw_xldjP5Hw-dgGG3w8kXo7Ky-acxowj6URR48PotVfDxq61ACzSsadsOya9vS8jVL75EHtnAsg8f5Q/s1600-h/IMG_1790%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="667" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZEAFnOaPUyoCUQtoH9M1Yewh0y4iFOLA3SgtJNjdm9wPoF55veqvetWubnqyuMQFz8GWZHhc1qkmLcHX6JpfHSUhdzu-ZfSUVSg7D_gXoelDx6FLrFcCqbQmUst5lEKlksTp9EfdLcEA/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="" width="500" /></a> Not included in this pic is a long piece I used for the back, top and bottom that I cut down myself. I used basic drywall screws for most of my wood projects because they grip so easily. (They are called coarse thread drywall screws.) Although I predrilled most of them so the wood wouldn’t split. I started by attaching a side to the back and then figured out the size of each cubby: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAR6aeD5-ig4aosAVkIHRnuMD2g7rbbFZZDiKUii8lgRYqWvltkQRXKBGH8YLVkO2RSjMB8uLTCW_jqDcG_EJccOOGFfGESJGciQpN_NRZkZ09kw0TlsWzUDqmueZoNmaCTtwa5_K17V8/s1600-h/IMG_1792%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DIY wine rack wood" border="0" height="667" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Nl20DYH_ZlCaawy6vwFQu42eaYikoTXvsN34NkmPqY00TZZuL_MnhXF5xG6mgPSeSz_ClbCQckYnKd7eQvZaGGtXzwkxoN0v-TtW0Dl3x3p6XvTOVZBx0eUZoHWPjeKm4w8AHmIQdSI/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DIY wine rack wood" width="500" /></a> You have to take the length of your board minus the thickness of each shelf, including the top and bottom, so that takes some math but then I was able to get them spaced out correctly. I am pretty sure for optimum wine storage they should lay at an angle, but this isn’t a wine cellar where we’re going to store them for years…these are gone in a few <strike>months</strike> <strike>weeks</strike> days so I’m not worried about it. Using screws for everything instead of nails was probably overkill but I wanted it to be really sturdy. Here’s a look at the side from the back: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZzAaWqwILKcjwJNcX1qNC0KphBXqrr6dRPkh9XPoP61HLHtgqktD7l-Ev6dmNlhWPxdiit5YEMThVUPBGV2NVZG3QcqXNufpjiBQyqvODTVYYX099oz9kTSN9_CSF5Fo5ktDl7qkvPcI/s1600-h/IMG_1794%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="building a wine rack for island" border="0" height="667" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4psWpt1a_qwqaXO1gngZWn44v5pznupLIM9cCORAo7H4LZDDdwUzKk2qDH5PsMSNKwt4YhwM0zJ1Wsx1NZxHm56pJwddRub0TC8Zn3qS32btV6wzUrNkHLui-TQbzEdKCl6DnopZBX6s/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="building a wine rack for island" width="500" /></a>To ensure I got the wood when I screwed in I would mark where it was along the back. Here’s how it looked half way done: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8lMpEVJLEbnZ_OR3UY_QcpeiYCK8JscxRV6i17dI_Z3_urxkIKb5ZF80nh39RXzxKe4KNDUcAjiCR1V2C7uKpnxVziwN5nVBmfzWKVlIyhi_1uRPnvOH5jdoLjaWSwy6UKWASZTydGPo/s1600-h/IMG_1797%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DIY wine rack " border="0" height="667" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUtqneM2OYh7Vv5JgviW62zG0-VdpJKKVIUd-tAr2jTdjdCca0mS1VXwEY7ztB5epd6v8zG6hbqElz6dHQ-_yPLpkBqo9aKEpyfqKEPSvoRQ4kLAOS4nFi5InkD0xMBEJqJ5gTXofyesw/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DIY wine rack " width="500" /></a>I left the side off so I could hang it up – otherwise I wouldn't be able to get in there to screw it into the side of the island:  <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh68jHcNmalSk_5cpqSA9KoaKEv34KyL_zoaH0EBXu5YpIYHe0WLLPKHBxdYfyd9XiyTc_d2kyooKiiN6V6vC3fZJd-YCrCWu-ZlHRF0OugkuJ3Ajv5T2goB0KBAySVgTeDG8VoTJ6ge2M/s1600-h/IMG_1799%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="building a wine rack" border="0" height="667" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheHAwOnZ627M8vPiW11P81nR3EHjoG4xZEdPgLzZthpPzLPQMY_AYFGcdbr2K1rQELVCt9hfVrepw95ns5azu_vH9sYYKFZKUbK9N8JZlaoT8_G2NEhceO8C1VDXoFNAqz_i6cEA5rQqY/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="building a wine rack" width="500" /></a> You’ll notice I didn’t make it as wide as the island and that’s because I didn’t want the bottles to be able to go back that far, and making it longer was just a waste of wood. I went ahead and primed it while it was open as well. Then I screwed the other side on. This thing is super sturdy and isn’t going anywhere! I planned to add a base on the bottom for extra support but it’s not needed because of the next part of the plan. But here it is done: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpPa5hA8B_ksCq-t3lFTx7NfKz8WykuIbEUE7-UoA_QYHPWhescerpzylrAfCBl4daEB09w_almNF4IuQhXg7I97kDZ1rLK4BG58GKy_7PpOxSfYxz2f8PHnbcng6GlMvXhtKqjWxzP3o/s1600-h/IMG_1800%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DIY built in wine rack" border="0" height="667" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiio1gYXF9JnOSFn1IM4vF2jyksmgA-FnR-q83e-TQ003LrPkoj443LhriPqPyJX7SHQxmE39-lWLyPnRL87_qH-vjSB1WfJCOCg35faDM8B3Su8zkkUGNYz6Fu6UD81ys4uPgNC5qnYzQ/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DIY built in wine rack" width="500" /></a> Because I was at the mercy of the Lowe’s staff for the cuts the shelves aren’t all exactly the same, but once I put trim on the front to finish it out and paint it, you won’t even notice! Or maybe you will but something like that doesn’t bother me too bad. I wasn’t sure what color the island will be (I think I’ve figured it out since last night though) so I’ll have to reach in there to paint but there’s room to do so. I’m not crazy worried about the backs anyway cause we’ll never see it. :) Last night I finished up the DIY cabinet that now sits next to it (that the microwave will go in) and that one is supported from the bottom and attached to this so there really isn’t any need for base under there. It’s not much to look at right now but it will look much more finished off when I’m done trimming it all out. :) I’ll show you that progress soon, I’m SO excited with how it’s coming together! We had to go with a more expensive butcher block that’s longer to accommodate the extra length but we’re still saving a ton doing it this way. Can’t wait to show you the progress – when I get it done. ;)

DIY Wine Rack (Island Storage)

Hey hey there! I’m back with a bit of progress on the kitchen island that I’m STOKED about. If you remember last week I shared my final plan...

8:11 AM

A Dream Realized

So you may have read that title and came here to read thinking this post was something BIG. Like dreams normal people have…a vacation overseas. Or a new car. World peace. (Um, me too.) My dream? It’s always been a window seat. Every since I was a wee one at 20 years of age – I’ve looked at them in magazines and on TV and I. loved. them. I have a couple spots in our house where we could potentially build a seat one day, but when we changed things around during our <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/search/label/family%20room%20reno" target="_blank">family room reno</a> last year I found a spot that would work even better. I knew it would be perfect and would be extra seating and would look like it was always meant to be there. Our bay window in the kitchen was that perfect spot. The first phase was to remove the old back door that used to be in between the windows. While they were at it I had some lights added since that area can get really dark: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjamSrOqbztBrLhGc33ZOKj0WPX_952-AbinqZN3N4-9r1mxhtUtpj92Qo9fqbMJiU1bJUw73ZGm81zsSmFJ82_43ckP6c6NEWwEQysG8qUA5v4en09ghOTzT7TdTs1JcTut-QjsR03Q8w/s1600-h/IMG_0483%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="bay window in kitchen" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLPGp-KvEUCrV83gdkCbujDb6XPSgUh47cEc6FH68zgX-TezpA0FFxyNOdQUACSr9K4nt3W9wfNI63mRdc_ZdmLd3q5Oxj4j1MWgHuNcuNjZrZbIGGL1dv1RDsdGWHqkiv76bu4UUpoRs/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="bay window in kitchen" width="500" /></a> It sat like that for the past three months. I didn’t even paint the trim because I was so busy. I lie…I knew it was going to take forever so I ignored it. :) But last week I finally started the painting and then at the end of the week this started as well: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjm0_7-bPm7aiamrGvDtDFFPUYYwdF5bwLWM1w8vr5hLqMiyDR8VbXSzxLjZRQ_FW10PdrVPPCceWAhfFygP5ZbjHEKg9qDnfRA23d6SOSztHLBgcFSsw1EaKoQs7osNmP-CBu-Hsh6JY/s1600-h/IMG_1710%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="building a window seat" border="0" height="667" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0nsIzK2MX7379rDl2vJ0ZmXDlNzDMEn_y8uQ-tAGdpbeYbtyK2hiQj3X-iwH9oIAmjXJV2y9lBdo7LQKWWRFVn-DE67tz41HLdE948zLkeEgxmapuNtpYvI7r8fFTLtEDoCvufy0zQ9U/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="building a window seat" width="500" /></a> If you remember I mentioned last week that our <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2015/01/final-kitchen-island-plans.html" target="_blank">plans for the kitchen island</a> changed a bit. Those changes resulted in a HUGE savings – the budget for the island was cut in about a third. So when the handymen said they would build the seat for $300, I said DO IT: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_kGAGtSz8K4ovDs4v1HiqUnnnCz2PVGBgl72AiNz1BOeATm829gGdw8M8CKfE4pEqKjRAtBX4X5rzTBz8E-0IFcds1zsdYlnDQxJy0f6XCa3lheoQapH7wQtURIbXthv6HYE-44_HP_s/s1600-h/transkitchens_ss3.jpg.rendition.largest%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="building a bay window seat" border="0" height="667" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNMqaWm8ibQ6fAgP8nJjNiSiGuqYNoLFBy669I-itJOF89F6WGIjEhOZoSF0ufLAUQp0C4hLyMoaEDtlCviDf8zdsRIH6Qfv7myUdcSnq5BTNhfdu4fqG0rheV1EAUBBcA36_kvrPX_UQ/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="building a bay window seat" width="500" /></a> And yes, I paid them on the last day of the no spend month. :) I planned to do this myself but I am hosting a shower this weekend (the extra seating will be wonderful!!), I don’t have a table saw and it would take me about a month to do this on my own. And goodness…sometimes it’s nice to have help. So I hired this part out. They framed it and put the face on – and were done in less than a day. We used scrap two by fours that I had for the frame and some other scrap wood I had for the inside of the seat. I also had them extend the outlet so we could still use it. Most of it wasn’t too complex – but the top piece did take some precise cutting. I was impressed that they got the front perfectly flush with the wall so the baseboard flows seamlessly. And they had to build up the inside of the bench so the lid would support a few human beings. :) When they left my work started. Here’s how it looked (I had already started all the trim and painting on the walls last week: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivgbCpgmHCXqj6So1ohtybCReUakLUbWfC1FnCdFnqeFezOJpAwMCAhVAGOKSf7kvVvApo0Y4Zfnl5dbUfjMUg_h2Xwlrxbi6S2J49RbJ-A1uAkF9Zb4p6cOAKZw_ftHfisnholPUMvWI/s1600-h/IMG_1382%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="window seat framing " border="0" height="451" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimhcnHbBfD8PUvdLUjV5XzHXah82PCU-PcCtFkVxuqoUTfELGMFXx0JQxTnJoj2zyJvxp-9eDXhV6nkPh4wfWp8NQwkqF05b4K3Vt11dVpg6dImfS0SgivCd0De0isN8B4do3xkOecINU/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="window seat framing " width="550" /></a> I added the beefed up baseboard first – I do it this way so the vertical boards (the board and batten around the room) have something flush to sit on. I also added a board across the top on the front of the bench: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiLYgXSM8crv3QT9pE3CXT3oqdciCW44kwbp4O_SjV-FGDZTPz81M3aRj9fpv0P5zZkuFrBuHOHqtFAKGYGFEA44hEt4C2AdTIIT_Kzmgw-RCYNmPRAaUvqpwGD-rz9suvBSxE4DSyT3Q/s1600-h/FullSizeRender%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="667" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-y98-JaAf3OIqW30UlhKjZ9FNE6XIqb9MKOzBf5VOErBR7ZXFbtkEX81nFFh02HmNP3419qKtxudbYjpKaoi3EnNT-YZhi3gCX3eU9kokWMuWVdfiCRiud2nEuO_jtBboC49swDl6yOg/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="" width="500" /></a> Next up came quarter round and primer: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaAcnGvZuJVh6xvYwiFKvjDIB1XJCvh1xWpjIILX9KOQjJsvdiXjQWFKQ2LOPyz6iAMB3-IbEZr7cwH7VaupmjnFF98VvKvVP1Bo4QSt3KLhwZplIkRykCPGiFVIXmysQPq2LAHmKZ_2A/s1600-h/IMG_1765%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="building a window seat" border="0" height="667" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimelEYHiA0xiPUKUadHXLtmLh62coVrQtrGtPPUU8Vgshpsx_mbOajRs6YS2Go8Lyl7w6L8aRWvwU5pw1M4sUdjoXed6GplgBvq5CI2783Fljdt4nx56SJ7FkQIwQo3TQ6DG1XjYYDwI0/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="building a window seat" width="500" /></a> It was starting to come together! I finished up the NINE coats of paint on the windows (three per window – I actually need to do one more quick coat on the fronts of the trim): <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqpQfYHNkdgCovTYj8-haFP1Q8pal_I7H9Zn0ToYx6Ogu1ahc6O2GZCMwVOoYsKlyZI22q-7-gCYrV5hBJ81y-S1JowO6rasaY3hqDnICfaJQdlRgCqLEFk4iQZWUcjwUh7cJkgugd-FY/s1600-h/IMG_1396%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DIY craftsman window trim" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQvlUgxsZSv8ApL2zCMA68jQi_XOtj1k9cv50aPi2_ldjZzSJBbsxTock8Y1RfcS-d2lEoN9qwNoFncPa9dSWW0HiF_O0c0_1bZlRQackvntsp_xVn8PX7tFBl01s9QLzu60wWtoRuPac/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DIY craftsman window trim" width="495" /></a> Next I sanded and caulked everything and did a coat of semi gloss white all over the seat. The last step was to add the rest of the trim to the front and along the top of the white on the walls: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqJSGyGBOOfQFGyz8YwlxSK3gW2c35j6Y73rdwyumY-UscIl14bGWMKlHf7w0nea0UJobRXCyIJfDD1ZvMqMobdUGfe_roFEWQGQyFz5HmPH4atSQ4_MZxoHvbFV5iwtKe10PSJImLswY/s1600-h/IMG_1389%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="white window seat" border="0" height="665" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiquI_Pjsg9DIKPWqM6L0b2X-XnTfmpVLUgi39XcNcivtpc3apDGPcm-d8bSMcHqrJVVR7nkHR_hFd5bVIUWp029YBKm2po-FTGj2UM-Siq-pWXsDQEl0wf83k9pTq52xDInMBXBy0GdHo/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="white window seat" width="500" /></a> I actually have one more coat to do on everything and a little more caulking but I was pooped at midnight last night and had to stop. I threw some pillows on here just to show how GREAT that white will look with some color!: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL707ezINJE6eTlNJ1J7WbqzCMqnP4uEPcVOJ6yKTo6O04puqyoqLtwWkBDOjg-oTa2YhCoTlvs0LPwUTQgE9gXa04_CijC8auo_w8Gel37HgaUaudDr0r90xkRJmWBeKsz6_TV82a8OA/s1600-h/IMG_1392%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="window seat in kitchen" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-kYmpUONwz3wONAhQ25Ayxzgp6f4p8f9R3_QJh_iWBHPvBA5s6V1TWcjUQ1w1KG7bfDXpIagJXbEbElE4urmnH9NGDWvd36hhKikJqQcCjuaQD8TRi7hODMw8737cSmn-psc5WgHmMpE/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="window seat in kitchen" width="500" /></a> Oh, and I still need to put some trim around the edges on top to hide the small gap along the walls. I am making myself finish all these details before I can start on the island. :) And of course eventually there will be a big cushion on here as well! It will take me some time to figure out what fabric and colors I want to go with here so that won’t happen for a bit: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFMyRKZQIcV9wDEZcnldHgEyJAH6L9ElhKzZwjOfI_708RpjpeMZNRL6-PVWYZC1bbHojBwRWV_59bS2Vjp1d7aB8O22LtSFz1kih76semYU2d3F0z3rYtREeW3KpRwZHJmNM5Pbinp_E/s1600-h/IMG_1398%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="metal outdoor lights inside" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlcj057bpq09f5mqMUOyi8foawwxIiINX8mKUNqiy4LNOwqE9wwMOa6Vv-pMMDMoQWNCJsEoAE1YZxsoYDQRZRXkPeV8NJ_K-E0_L7_g0BvdkYjHkd2VMDlg3lBEuonOvh_jh_cesGGW4/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="metal outdoor lights inside" width="500" /></a> It will definitely include some color though! Because this area gets so much sun I’m thinking I’ll have to go with an outdoor fabric. But for now…isn’t it lovely?? Sing it to yourself: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMjzfRWkM8LLgEYhHmzV08q1l6AhRiVWhyphenhyphenNRwBt6ABv1ZDSCo5L8fxiu3LDD7y8umR54-4NPIz2YRVR4pHnJVEx8XEQRRV1ObmGxBD9KKhmg2NG784V5jjAC21acOs9-DJtmmRERLiJ_o/s1600-h/IMG_1399%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="bay window seat " border="0" height="709" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoEP0i_dmodl8BmGGMvYRku_WrSgoQo-18mZGdO-9S4w5Qnfum-PrSB57MzlHKgs1P3uGGX__dBI0kOHenJmUeKpeX-d8w-obhKAvEDLo3WcFyTq7O7IWWT4PTvIZ1Qk6XV2kFBo7HS7g/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="bay window seat " width="500" /></a> Every night this past weekend I would stand here before going to bed and just stare at it. I’m not gonna lie, I got a little teary at one point. Goofy I know, but sometimes it hits me hard that I get to do this stuff in our house. Better than I deserve. Here is it is at night with the lights on: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfBJBOBnV-9Iaau2PaOzDTm8S0k69JI5Z3EgmjWziG1ga_tx-cK1d3Y4DSOnuAhmx-ygcYrYpctX05q7c6mY3KSbCvAl100Q-pCSxidhTW5imSXPBezfuG513EVN0-CR_vUMc1qpAj9h4/s1600-h/transkitchens_ss3.jpg.rendition.largest%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="outdoor lights inside" border="0" height="667" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPFuc2gfEc2KBZuYfvTf6VCboJesdMMTKHgxZ0vIV76loKMcE-iWBPY5hmibWShSvBS-sbpGHp0SOTU4SpDFMTzW5-rmywFOcouEvv1KoDGkjdofz8NA7G23gj0cmnP5Bs-aezZLCTLqw/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="outdoor lights inside" width="500" /></a> One more thing to add to my list – a dimmer. Oh yes. Of course in this house I need things to be functional as well as pretty, so the best part is hiding under that top: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwr_0UJB94IPd3R-SkGgEmYjgbtOCD5-tKmTlLnKZOiuu90fF04rNb_BS6sIAv1dZl2Yg6xnh2orhyntGtjdDqyEeyQuOVPY8K8yqK55MRH4zs5skkRC1YmJ7AdcFhgP8aJJtyh0gSdNs/s1600-h/IMG_1401%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="window seat in bay window" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifnBFEgqF-ZhMLGTvdN3ep3-vDy3k3DYafbKk6joZOPzBh6yA0wg3o9JSJJ05deqsum_fEzSgB5F27XRZrCNrCbMyHZcCD2nzgfj_P7uEeKX2k4ysO8H4fAQhFFVh33_ORQUqF3Y4wR1Q/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="window seat in bay window" width="500" /></a> BOOM. (Fist pump and explode): <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUOhIkkMrySDD4ehyphenhyphenVlPaGufQk5qgMtD1ibsmVFHaY63OBpc__bbW3Sprs8X5f_IfoyAxzSx6Qhoh56fRvHNbb1nZkd8pS0rX8pn5FRNe9D6RqB5na7Nr_Av6HdDNXNSio0DrXphxtKSE/s1600-h/IMG_1406%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="storage inside window seat" border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXgxWkEwlURj5jUtLEoQMsz83ZArGbH_I6_18bmbl_SwbmpxqvmM5WV7k57G9fnpT9-OTioTB98gXj5QUYAR9wnMv-3_nEffmiHmNKpQsBf1-JupBuku5__q5Uxalm9GZAAz7Fc1TfANk/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="storage inside window seat" width="500" /></a> I’ve had my supplies in here for now but finally a spot for all of the basketballs!! Is this heaven??  Actually I don’t know what we’ll keep in here. It may very well be the basketballs. I can also see keeping the big kitchen stuff like the crock pot and drink dispensers in here. Oh my goodness…the possibilities. I do need to add some hinges that will hold up the heavy door though – I think I may have to get something online because nothing I’ve found at the store is strong enough. There you go…a dream realized. It doesn’t take much for me folks. :) As I mentioned, I hope to get all the little stuff done on the seat this week and then I will start on the island. I will be building the extension for that myself and I’m so excited about my last minute addition! Crossing my fingers it all works out. After the island is done I’ll be taking a break from the kitchen to save up for the next phase, building an enclosure for the fridge. Thanks again for coming along for my house projects! It’s fun to share this with you all. :) Linking up to Beth’s party <a href="http://www.homestoriesatoz.com/tutorials/tutorials-tips-link-party-196.html" target="_blank">here</a>!

A Dream Realized

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