Redo It Yourself Inspirations : Country Kitchen Island

upcycled ...from a coffee table

It was just an idea.

I bought this coffee table from a thrift store for $45 and used it as a side table in between two large recliners. It was perfect for storing throw blankets. I refinished it in this lighter golden oak because the former finish was as dark as the walnut inlays. The walnut didn't show through as dramatically.

Since then, I revamped new "old" furniture for the living room and this had to go.

The table is a good solid piece with great space and storage. Someone will want it.

I never liked the steel feet on it and intended to change them at some point.

In fact I disliked them even more after breaking and splitting my toe on the corner of this piece just prior to this photo last week. I ran into it with bare feet.

I had a photo of my older son making an apple pie at an old porcelain top oak cabinet when he was young. His fiancee saw it and claimed she wanted an island for their small country kitchen. She said they were going to invest in one. I told her, "No don't! I've got something just the right size and I'll make you one!"

I set up for the materials to build a base for the table. She wanted it on castor wheels and it had to have a towel rack.

4- 24" prefabbed turned legs
4- castor wheels
4- leg plates
2- round curtain rod brackets
8'- 3/4" dowels for leg supports
6' 6"x 3/4" oak board
2- hammered barn style door handles
Wood screws
Black paint/stain
Woodglue

I painted the legs and attached them with the leg plates in each corner. Then cut my dowels for leg support.

Drilled for the dowels at 7" from the bottom.

Added the leg braces without gluing yet.

Drilled holes for the wheels

Inserted the castors

Mounted the curtain rod brackets and painted another dowel for the towel rack.

Painted two copper handles black ( to match the handles on their kitchen cabinets). Cut a six foot oak board into three 24" pieces for slat shelving.

Glued in the dowels for leg supports and held with a ratchet tie down while drilling pilot holes for the shelving. Then used screws to attach the boards from the bottom of the dowels.

After the glue dried, painted the boards and giving the corner joints complete coverage.

The towel rack makes a great handle to glide the island on its wheels.

I did nothing to the original interior. (Sporting the color the exterior used to be).

I decided my son could use this large basket to hold his garden veggies on the shelf area while he cooks.

So I trimmed and hot glued the frayed areas. Sanded the entire basket, stained and clear coated it. The stain was the same warm Golden Oak that I did the coffee table in 5 years ago.

And they go together well.

Sporting my own kitchen attire, this baby is ready to rock and roll at my son's house.

I can see him making his pizzas and other creations on this space while singing.

And his whole family will be happy. Danzig, the big guy in the back, first rescue dog who is a ball and swim athlete, and there is Miller, the three legged pup, baby of the family, getting all of his mom's attention. ( yes Dan is giving the "really" look)