This kitchen island of ours has undergone so many changes!
Basically, the butcher block top had experienced enough fluctuations between high humidity in the summer (remember, we don't have AC) and intense dryness in the winter (wood-burning stove in the kitchen!) that it had rather fatally split.
Remember the “before before”? When we first moved in, we painted the walls (well, the girls removed a gazillion layers of wallpaper and Sukie painted), but the cabinets and island (and floor!) were as we found them:
Then I had the idea to take an old desk of Phil's and rework the top into a new butcher block for it, so that I could actually work on it without navigating that awkward insert of a cutting board. You can read about how we did it in this post about me getting a new top and figuring out how to seal and protect it with our own homemade beeswax paste!
Here's the “in between before”:
It was almost nine years ago that we did this fix. Since then, the island paint job got a bit beat up. I must say that black is great but when it scrapes the white underneath shows and it does get to be a mess.
Here's how it was looking…
But mostly, the top was shot. He tried to fix the split — you can see how in this Instagram pic. But every winter it got worse… and I was back to having things seep down into my drawers! Terrible.
Once again, I tried to play with the thought of a different island entirely (some of my previous thought process is in this same post back in the day). I like the storage, I can't see sinking money into cabinetry that would not be in keeping with the rest of the kitchen, and I couldn't find a dresser that I could re-purpose, à la Pinteresty vintage rustic chic examples.
Honestly, this one is fine, it has great storage, and because it's actually on wheels, the floor is easier to clean and we have flexibility if we want to push it over to the side, on the wall under the plate rack, and open up all our space for a big party! So it stays.
Meanwhile, Phil was searching for a butcher block to replace the old one.
On Craigslist, a guy was pulling out shelving from an institution and had these big counters for sale. Phil bought one off of him and cut it to size, then sanded and sanded and rubbed and beeswaxed and buffed…
I decided that a nice upgrade, if we were going to be repainting anyway, would be to add corbels and switch out the hardware. There's a lot going on in this room, so I went for black.
Black is also super hard to take nice pics of, even when so newly painted, so try not to judge haha!
The top is ever so slightly bigger, just a little. But I do like that. And it's in great condition! I hope we can keep it that way!
So that's the upgrade! I love the top, I love the corbels, and I love the new hardware! What do you think? I'm thinking about stools…
Notes: the paint is “black” from Home Depot. The hardware is also from there — the drawer pulls are “cocoa bronze” but honestly they look pretty darn black. The corbels are from there as well. The top is thrifted from Craigslist — it's maple, finished with a paste made from mineral oil and beeswax, completely food-grade.
Denise says
It looks so amazing! Walmart has high chairs with pretty rod iron looking backs that might look nice with it.
AnnyM says
It looks great! I LOVE the corbels (what a simple way to add a little detail!) I’m going to file that trick away for later. 🙂 Also, the hardware looks great! I always love seeing your kitchen- it looks like such a bright, cozy space. Well done.
Lisa G. says
Nice nice nice!!
Lynn Marie says
It looks beautiful! So pretty with your home grown veggies.
Donna says
Auntie Leila, this looks beautiful! I have been toying with an island remodel ever since a water damage issue ruined the maple surrounding my island~I enjoyed a quick/not beautifully done attempt at “white milk paint” over the whole thing, but have determined I am not a *white kitchen girl* at all!
I love the richness that the black affords with the sunny yellow backdrop–well done!
Dixie says
It looks super! Great job. The corbels are inspired! I have a two-week-old baby right now (my third), so no DIY for me for awhile other than DIY mothering, but I love seeing what you are doing!
Anne says
Really nice! What about just painting the white part of your current stools black to match? Seems like they have held up so well to years of hard use, I’d be reluctant to let them go. Stools with backs are nice to sit on, but they would visually clutter your counter line.
Claire says
Smashing!!! The corbels!! Hmm, I like Anne’s idea about the stools . . . might even be free, if you have some leftover paint . . . and when they get dinged up, you can touch them up with a Sharpie.
Regina says
I like the idea about painting the stools-can you spray paint them?? Also, I thought I was the only one to use a sharpie to touch up black furniture😂
Donna L. says
Hello Auntie Leila~
This is simply beautiful! Your project is inspiring me to finish our island!
Since you have lots of lovely little grandbabies, could the Chief “round off” the sharp corners of the butcher block island to protect darling little noggins? Just a thought, as our kiddos would find that corner when they were the perfect height~
Leila says
Thanks, Donna! It’s the *table* corners that are a menace to the toddlers! The island is high up enough. But the truth is, it’s me and Habou who whack our shins into everything!
Donna L. says
Hello, Auntie Leila~
Yes, I know what you mean–I *just* put pulls and knobs on our old island, and I have ripped apron pockets and bruised shins….I thought I was fairly coordinated…maybe not!
I remembered that you don’t care for “rounded corners”–after I sent my reply–I suppose I meant “eased edges” because you have a beautiful new butcher block surface—It would be a terrible tragedy to cut any of it off!
Leila says
Haha, Donna, I *know* I’m not coordinated — well, all my family tells me so!
Somehow in reality those corners are not as wicked as they look in the pics. If they turn out to be (I’m sure they’ll tell me that too!), we can remediate!
Jamie says
Niiiiiiiiiiice!
Melissa D says
So, so pretty!! Love every part of it.
mebarrett8 says
I love it. We are about to embark on a kitchen redo. Our upper cabinets are falling off the walls (old) and Dave is going to build me shelves. You’ve made all your changes look so custom and beautiful it inspires me.
christineguest155 says
I’m hoping this can seed your winter safeguard the butcher block plan: people have little cords they dip in water and store inside their violins in winter to keep them from drying out. Is there some way you can have a local source of moisture for the butcher block? I’ve never heard of one, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t one (or that you can’t invent it…)
Laura Fidler says
There is a special kind of moisture-regulator made for the insides of pianos. This would probably work in a drawer!
jadeddrifter says
Your island looks lovely! I have a butcher block island project in my future, so I’m glad you shared the beeswax and oil trick. Some days I worry about all the projects in our old house and that we won’t get to them until all the kids are grown… *imagine laughing and crying face here* I keep telling myself an old house is worth it for a big yard and a good church nearby, but it can be a tad embarrassing at times.
Leila says
Christine, I think you’re onto something.
I have to keep it well waxed. Since I make my pizza and other doughs on there, I am never up on the waxing. But besides that, I think you are right. There needs to be something underneath to keep it “hydrated”!
For one thing, I have to be good about keeping the pot on the woodburning stove filled at all times!
Katy says
It looks lovely and I do like how the black contrasts smartly with the creamy cupboards. What I was really here to say thought was that I have pictures of saints on my fridge too – my husband calls it the kitchen shrine!
mrsnightskyre says
I had forgotten about your kitchen pics! Tried not to linger too long on them back at our old house, with its tiny galley kitchen. I’ve moved in the last year, and I try hard not to complain about my new kitchen because it’s big, and spacious, and has a large island… but *everything* is white and the room still feels dark because it gets very little natural light.
All that to say, I love the yellow cabinets / whitewashed brick / black island combo! I might consider painting our lower cabinets black and our uppers (and the wall) a nice lemon-y yellow like that!
Leila says
Mrs. N — you know, my galley kitchen back in the city when we first got married was my most efficient!
And did you know that now it’s so trending to have white in the kitchen. Rosie wants me to paint things white, but I’m not sure my old cupboards are worth repainting… yet I can’t redo them either. We’ll see.
I like the idea of black on the bottom cabinets, but I would really suggest if possible to put a dark tinted primer on there first. Every scratch reveals white… so demoralizing…
Here’s my “kitchen inspiration” pinterest board, if you are interested! https://www.pinterest.com/_leila/kitchen-inspiration/
Often, it isn’t so much the color as the details that make a kitchen seem less cold and empty. Adding corbels (like on my island) and feet to the cabinet bottoms really helps. A welsh dresser or other furniture can work wonders. Opening up cabinets up above that have nice things like plates and cups…
Anyway, thanks for your kind words about my funny old kitchen!