Our New (Old) Kitchen Island

We have an oak kitchen, the kind of oak kitchen cabinets that everyone is painting white these days. I have a love for farmhouse style, and to me white cabinets evoke that laid back country feel. I'm also a sucker for a well constructed piece of furniture, one with the patina of age to its old wood, the kind of patina you can't buy new. Today I found my dream kitchen island, I didn't know exactly what I was looking for, until I found this gem. Our kitchen isn't large, so an old general store counter wouldn't fit--I fell in love with one last year in a Maine antique shop. It was too short in height as well. 

Today's antiquing foray was in search for a vintage dresser to convert to a bathroom vanity, but quickly changed when I discovered this tall industrial cabinet. I believe it once held blueprints. 

The drawers are 36 inches deep. Yes, 36 inches! imagine the cookie sheets, pots and pans these heavy duty drawers will hold. Each drawer has a file label thingy, and I can label them with ingenious names like: pot lids, cookie sheets, muffin pan, etc. I'm original that way. 

This photo below features a double towel rack on the island, I like this look.

Vintage French towel racks, which Susan Dossetter added to the antique baker's table .

This Gatco towel bar would do. 

Gatco 4754 Austin 24-inch Double Towel Bar, Bronze $54.

I like the mix of painted wood and some stained in this kitchen. This kitchen has quite a bit going on, White and green above the exhaust hood, stained pieces, a lighter green below the counter and in the forefront, and off white piece. Definitely not matchy, matchy.

 

I love this kitchen below, and see, I'm back to the double -rack towel holders. The white cabinets add a fresh crisp look, while the antique wood from the reclaimed floors, kitchen island, dining table and cabinet lend a warmth to the room.

This picture and description is copied from Miria Killam  "The antique oak cabinet, originall made for a French store, is perfect for a collector. Susan Dossetter found the reproduction Windsor chairs in Nantucket and had the table made to work with the chairs and the cabinet. The floor is hand-rubbed wide-plank red oak."

I would love a mix of white, green and stained oak with the signature piece--my new (old) island remaining antique oak. 

The kitchen below works well with the stained oak cabinets lower and the painted cabinets above. Where to add that pop of green though...

 Coastal Living's 2011 Beach House

I am so pleased to have our island on layaway, now we know the footprint of the work area in the kitchen. Next, we will rework the laundry room and remove the wall going into our dining room and finally we will be ready for hardwood floors. 

To be continued...much later. 

Shared here: