Island dreaming

I have been thinking a lot about islands since we started the main phase of our kitchen redo last spring. Now by this I don't mean tropical islands, although there have been times during this process that I have certainly dreamed of that kind, too! But how I love kitchen islands!

Above is my favorite island of all time~ the white wood with a shelf underneath, and it's charming old wood top. I love the contrast of the island and the metal pots and such on the shelf. (Sigh.)

The thing that is so amazing about this island in particular is that it was originally an old workbench. As in a garage. But no one would ever, in a million years, guess that by looking at it!




Or take this island, with it's unique shelves on the end for spices and cookbooks...and again, the butcher block paired with the white...so heavenly!




Of course, I could not leave out this vintage-table-turned-island~ and just look at those wonderful baskets for storing cooking odds and ends!





Another beautiful piece, with plenty of storage space!

Now I know this island is very different from the others, but it has been one of my "kitchen inspiration" pictures for a while now. I love the bead board on the side, with the thick molding on bottom. I think a truly cottage island must have bead board!

Now the real question remains: what is a girl to do if she longs for a cottage island, but the kitchen can't accommodate one?

I figured out how to solve this problem without rearranging the floor plan, which we could not afford...sometimes you just have to do the next best thing. Such as, create an island that technically isn't one, and put it somewhere other than the middle of the room. If it still affords the extra work space and ambiance that a traditional island would (and I think it will) than it will be a next best alternative...at least I hope so!

Stay tuned for more on this! I have this project in the works! :)

Have a blessed night,