Board and batten kitchen island

April 30, 2012

Well peeps, it had been FOREVA since I had done a DIY project and man, I missed it. :) While working on this one I was in my zone, and it felt good! I have been planning this project for the longest time, but was just trying to figure out one little detail before I got started.

This one is in the kitchen and involves…can you guess?? I’m sure you’ll be shocked.

The kitchen island:

black beadboard island

This was how the island looked up until last week. I think I will go down in a world record book for most changes to a kitchen island, for real. FOR REAL.

It was that time again though. For the six months or so, I’ve wanted to do a little change up. I kept seeing islands in pictures that were covered in beadboard, like mine, but also with a little board and batten trim as well.

I had been leisurely looking for just the right material to use for a while now, but couldn't’ find anything thin enough. I didn’t want it too thick because our butcher block island top doesn’t hang over a ton. I wanted something with a low profile.

So on a Home Depot trip the other day, I found just what I had been looking for. It was a really thin two by four foot piece of mdf. And at only $6 a piece, it was a smokin’ deal. I only needed two, so I had them cut down at HD to 3 1/2 inch strips – plenty for what I needed.

I started the redo by taking the trim off the island:

  

You could keep the baseboards on, but I wanted a very simple look so I went without.

Then I just cut my 3 1/2 inch boards down to the lengths I needed and nailed them in with my nail gun:

installing trim on kitchen island

There was one spot in particular I needed to figure out – that toe kick on the cabinet side:

island toe kick

It wasn’t going to work with my simple squares, so I came up with a way to make it work. I took the board all the way to the floor:

And along the front part (under the cabinet doors), I filled in the empty space with scrap wood:

I glued them in there so they won’t shift, then just nailed the mdf board along the bottom in front of them. Confused? Show you in a minute. :)

Then it was time to paint – this time I decided to try something different. When we had our kitchen put back together last fall, the guys used Sherwin Williams paint and I couldn’t believe how well it covered the bare beadboard wood.

In my cheapness thriftiness, I’ve never spent the extra on “fancy” paint. But I wanted to try it out. I got my own, and it happened to be on sale – even cheaper than Home Depot or Lowe’s!

BOOyah.

I wanted something lighter that would work with the colors in the rugs and window treatments in the kitchen. It’s called Jubilee and it’s a beautiful gray blue color:

sherwin williams jubilee

sherwin williams jubilee

I LOVE the color and oh my gah, I LOVED this paint! It went on like butter. I used a paint brush for the whole thing – not one roller. I’ve never ever done that to paint, well, pretty much anything.

I am hooked, fo sho.

Here’s the little toe kick area at the bottom now:

You can see the line where the mdf board doesn’t meet up perfectly on this side, but you’re standing you don’t see it at all:

quarter round kitchen island

Which is fine with me because really, who will look at it from the floor? NO ONE.

I absolutely love how it turned out:

beadboard board and batten kitchen island

I had planned on changing out the chairs eventually, but when I put them back I was pleasantly surprised at how the green and the blue gray looked together.

They are the exact colors in the window drapes:

dark cabinets light island

And I adore the contrast between the butcher block and the island color:

white chairs gray kitchen island

You can actually see the detail of the island now – the beadboard and the board and batten. When it was black, the beadboard definitely got lost in the darkness.

dark cabinets light island

I especially loved how smooth the paint was on the cabinets – this was easiest paint job ever:

gray kitchen island  martha stewart home depot hardware

And I love the new hardware! It’s Martha Stewart from Home Depot. No, it doesn’t match the other cabinet hardware. No, I don’t care. :)

I went ahead and knocked one off my list – sanded down the counter and put two more coats of Tung oil on it:

 ikea butcher block countertop ikea butcher block counter

The board and batten was pretty simple, just big boxes all around:

And as always, caulk was my BFF. :) There are many DIY sins you can hide with that goodness.

And I actually decided to not reinstall the corbels I had on there before. I like the simpler look:

Did I mention I love it?? It was a quick and easy install, but the whole project took me a week. Surprised? No? :)

First I did the board and batten, then the toe kick spots, the quarter round, painting one coat, another and then installing the hardware.

I may put a poly or wax over it to protect it, but I’ll just wait to see how it holds up.

I love looking back to see how areas in our house have changed over the years! I’ll spare you all of the kitchen island transformations, but here’s how it looked for years:

kitchen island before

And how it looks now:

board and batten beadboard island

I swear this is the last you’ll see it change…at least for a year or so. ;)

Obviously the island is my go-to for an easy change up in the kitchen. This latest change has really transformed the room – it is SO bright and has more of a presence for sure.

I’m trying to add more COLOR to this space and this was one step in the right direction!

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Comments

  1. honey, i LOVE LOVE LOVE the color and the hardware and the mesh of board and batten with beadboard! sign me up to copy cat you in about 5 years when i finish copy-catting the stair remodel :-)

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  2. Love, Love, Love! That is one of those changes that mades a bigger difference than you even thought it would!

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  3. LOVE this makeover!!! It looks really great. Bravo!

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  4. Oh! LOVE LOVE LOVE the way it turned out! I HATE the island in our new house and was planning to rip it out and replace it with something more like a dresser...but I might try to dress it up first!

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  5. LOVE the paint color and the change! Definitely brightens up the space more than the black. And what a happy surprise that the stools look so nice with it! =)

    Do you ever think about painting the other cabinets? I love a contrast, but when you think about it, you now have two different wall colors (beadboard and the tan paint), two different countertops, two different cabinet colors, and two different hardware styles. Maybe you could do one of those fancy photoshop tests and have readers vote on it! =)

    Not trying to be critical AT ALL, just thinking/typing "out loud"! =)

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  6. I love it! Pretty Color and I love that you filled in the toe kick area. Looks Great! I was just feeling guilt over wanting to repaint my island and kitchen walls (after 4 mos.) but this makes me feel better, It's ok to switch it all up every once in a while :)

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  7. Looks great! It's so fresh and airy. I like it a bunch! Enjoy =)

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  8. What a fun color -- love it with the great stools/fabric. This is my favorite, too! :)

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  9. What a fab color! Great look with the trim and the color just brightens up the whole space perfectly. I'm digging on the hardware too - I can't resist a good cup pull. ;-)

    So when are you going to paint the rest of the kitchen cabinets? Kidding. Kind of... Only because I know you're thinking about it! No hurry. I'll be reading. :-)

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  10. The new beadboard/board and batten combo looks great, but what I'm most excited about is that paint color! I've been looking for a good blue/gray for my bedroom, and I'm liking the way that looks, at least through my monitor! I'll have to check it out!

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  11. You are so super talented! My goal is to learn how to: 1)use simple power tools and 2)have enough guts to take my ideas and turn them into reality! You are an inspiration! I LOVE the color of the island and am a huge fan of the beadboard. Beautiful!

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  12. It looks beautiful!! Great job! And I love the color.

    -Erin Spain
    DIY On the Cheap

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  13. Love it Sarah! The color is fun and fresh and goes perfectly with your cute cafe curtains!

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  14. Just gorgeous! I wouldn't have thought anything needed to be improved with the previous look until seeing the after - the transformation is amazing! It looks so bright and fresh, and the trim is beautiful :)

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  15. Really nice - I love the difference so much!

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  16. Love it! That's exactly what we did when we built our island! Needed to cover the unfinished backs of the cabinets and did a combo of both.

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  17. Your island looks beautiful!!! Great job Sarah!!!

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  18. Well, that is just looking fresh and a half. I love how the color matched the hydrangeas perfectly. You planned that, right?

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  19. I love it! I'm all about lightening up on my house. When we moved in, our bathroom was very dark, heavy curtains, dark paint, etc. We just painted our bathroom a really pretty bluish grey and it's amazing how much lighter it is! Great job, Sarah!

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  20. SW paint is MY FAV EVER!!! Last year I splurged and bought some to paint my kitchen (well, splurge for me - it was 40% off!) I should have needed 1.5 gallons - it took less than ONE to do two full coats plus some touch ups. I LOVE that stuff!

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  21. Looks great! Where did you get your island chairs from by the way?

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  22. It looks great. I was thinking about painting our island blue but chickened out and just did brown like the rest of the cabinets. Maybe I'll re-think my decision.

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  23. Oh it looks so much prettier now! Love the new look!

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  24. Sister, I had to go off Reader and come to your site to congratulate you and tell you how brilliant it looks - really fabulous. Agree about the corbels. Such nice work - thanks for sharing.

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  25. Wowww, this looks amazing! I am in awe with all the lighter colors that you have added to your house recently.. I think that the cabinets would look nice a brighter, lighter color as well.. Just a suggestion

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  26. LOVE the island transformation!! And I was reading others' comments...DON'T you dare paint your kitchen cabinets!! They're gorgeous!! Aren't they cherry? Don't fall into the "trend" of white cabinets that everyone in blogland seems to be doing. It's WAY overdone.

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  27. Wow, it really brigtened up your kitchen, I love the look of your wood cabinets and the newly done island! The paint color is fab!

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  28. This is some serious awesomeness!! I'm literally taking a break right now from hanging bead board in a bathroom and now I'm wondering if I might attempt this in there...hmmm..wondering if it would work. :-) I think your island looks gorgeous and I love the color and definitely love the stools against it! It is all bright and fresh and super cheerful. Well done!
    Vanessa

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  29. GORGEOUS!! I love the new color!! It definitely helped to brighten up the space!! Love the new hardware too!

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  30. I *LOVE* your island... much better than when it was black. I wish I had the wood cabinets you have in your kitchen! Mine were painted white before we moved in. (I'm not even certain they're wood! Ha!) My husband is not into changing ANYTHING (ugh)... but I really do not like the whitest of white cabinets and ceramic tile floors. (YUCK) Can we just trade kitchens?? :)
    (Just teasing)

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  31. You are an inspiration! I have always loved when an island is different from the rest of the kitchen, so nice job... it all looks great! I have a long way to go to be a DIYer like you. However, I am proud that I recently changed the caulking around my kitchen sink. Soon, I hope to be be taking on more ambitious projects. Thanks a bunch!

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  32. Wow, I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the transormation (and I really liked the beadboard when you did it). It is such a fresh look. I'm a SW fan too. My house is painted in it and it is solely what my painter uses. Gotta love that stuff!

    Laurie

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  33. I love the combo of the beadboard and board and batten. The paint color is perfect too. Great job!

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  34. How 'bout that new beautiful gray on the walls? Wow, it would brighten it up do much! Vicki

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  35. Sarah, I love it! What a gorgeous color and you did a great job!

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  36. the change had made a big difference, so beautiful, i like it so much.
    http://christcrucifixion.blogspot.com/

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  37. I love the transformation....it scares me to think of changing up the kitchen island but you made it look so easy

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  38. Oh my GOODNESS, it looks amazing!!!! Jubilee is an awesome color- the exterior of our house is that color! Love your DIY posts:) Great job as always!

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  39. It looks awesome! I love the new color against your wood floors too! You always make wood work look so easy!

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  40. Totally loving the lighter color on the island! Yes, that SW Duration paint is a dream! I love the new look of board and batten but I think it would have looked just as fabulous if you'd just painted the old "design".
    The new lighter color is the ticket
    :-) Excellent work!

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  41. Hey Girl!!!
    Love you, and have been a fan for a while now, although I've never commented. But through your blog you've inspired me to re-do my whole kitchen, by myself (sorry, no blog). I love this fun, bright change to your kitchen island. I'm like you and never splurged on the "expensive" paint, I might have to try it out now. Valspar from Lowes is my go-to. So... question(s): did you need to sand down your cabinet doors, or just painted over the black? Because I'm wondering if all the coats of paint make them fit/shut not as well? I mean, they look fab and professionally done! Next question: Did you paint your quarter-round before putting it on, or actually get that crisp paint line with tape? My tape lines always bleed through, or I leave them on through my 3 coats, and by time I take it off, it brings the paint with it :(
    Dang! Too much rambling! Sorry. But love the transformation!
    -mariedalling-at-yahoo-dot-com-

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  42. I love painted islands! This paint just looks creamy and dreamy! I would be tempted to shell out the money for this as well. Such a pretty transformation! Love, Me

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  43. i love it but i would put the corbels on. i don't have an island but a jet out that i would love to have corbels on. to me it look unfinish with out the corbels. oh i love the color looks good. ang

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  44. Wowee...I love it! That lovely soft color just brightens the whole area up. Great job, Sarah!

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  45. SW Duration paint is soooo much like butter! I LOVE IT! I love how changing the color brightened the room up. I've been staring at my black island and keep thinking I should change it too... but hubs will freak! Maybe just the walls then... ;)
    Look great Sarah!
    ~KIM @ Sand & Sisal

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  46. Brilliant color choice!! I'm obsessed!!! Totally inspires me to do something fun and colored!

    Happy Tuesday! Love the hydrangeas,too. It's amazing what fresh flowers can do!!

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  47. Hi...I was wondering if you could suggest some sort of wax or way to protect painted cabinets. My daughter is redoing her 1970s kitchen on the cheap, and we are painting her wooden cabinets a white color. Should we use something to protect the paint.......and if so, what? Thanks! Mary

    my email is geminigirl61@hotmail.com if you could email me back. Thanks so very much

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  48. It looks great Sarah. I did like the black as well, classy, but the change is lovely.

    I recently discovered Sherwin Williams too, & I know what you are talking about. I always went with a brand at Home Depot before. SW doesn't drip off the brush/rollers like those others! Ahhhh.
    Chrissy

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  49. I love white cabinets (mine are white), but yours are gorgeous. I would not paint them. If you want lighter and brighter, I would do other things first-- your tan wall color is pretty, but dark and makes the room feel rich, but not airy. Go with a very light grey perhaps. You could paint your dining table white-- that made a HUGE difference in my kitchen. It felt like we gained square feet, just by going to a white table.

    I would definitely see what else you can change (if you are looking for change) before you paint your cabs! If everything else is über light and airy, your cabs will provide the warmth that only wood can.

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  50. Yes, lighter is always better. Very Nice! Keep up the great projects.

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  51. You said the paint went on like butter.

    I really think you meant to say
    "Like buttuh"

    Lol.

    Love the color.

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  52. love!!!!!!! the color is such a nice, subtle tone and WOW does it brighten up the room! looks TERRIFIC!!! =)

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  53. Love the new color! It looks absolutely fabulous!

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  56. Love what you did with the toe kick. I've got the "before" toe kick and would love to have it finished out. Makes it look more grounded and substantial. I've got an island update up my sleeve soon too.:) Maybe you could have an island update linky party:).

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  57. I love the change! I would like to see each change to the island all in one post! Pleeease :)

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  58. Looks great! I also have dark cabinets and I have been looking for inspiration photos of dark cabinets with a light colored island. Everywhere you look there are only inspiration photos of white cabinets with a dark island.

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  59. Awesome! Sarah, it looks terrific!!!

    I'm with you on the paint. For years I just used the least expensive paint I could find. Not anymore. I'm a total convert to using good paint. Yes, it may cost a few dollars more in the first place, but the labor savings is significant. And time is money, right? Sherwin Williams Duration is now my favorite paint.

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  60. It looks FANTASTIC!!!!!! Love the color and the new hardware! I have been a Sherwin Williams faithful user for years now, and yes, it does cover SO much better!

    Great update to your whole room!
    LOVE. LOVE. LOVE!!!!!

    xo-Lisa

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  61. It turned out A-mazing! I have to admit I live for SW paints. I tried all kinds and its my fave! My local store recently gave me a 1/2 gal of the pro classic to try on furniture. They said it is a self leveling paint that won't show brush marks! How awesome is that!? Is that the type you used? Well either way.....love, love, love. Great job.

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  62. I love the color, I'm a fan of any blue-grey, my whole house is done in them, lights and darks.

    Jessica
    stayathomeista.com

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  63. Love it! I painted an ugly dresser a similar color and put it in the kitchen to hold our pile of shoes. I heart painting.

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  64. love that color of blue!

    I am a very thrifty person, and I ALWAYS buy good paint. We use Benjamin Moore (used to use Kyanize before they were bought out). It is totally worth the price for the savings in time and wear.

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  65. It looks fabulous!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And I loved your island before, but you really made it even more incredible with your "simple" changes.

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  66. Beautiful photos!
    Greetings from Poland ✿ܓ
    Magdalena

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  67. I have to admit, you are not afraid to get down and dirty! GREAT work on your kitchen re-do!

    I've been reading your blog for the last day and have fallen completely in love with your writing style and most of all your gumption to renovate. I shall not be bored in days to come, as I'll have plenty to read about (and hopefully try out in my own home).

    -Catherine
    www.meowshesaid.com

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  68. I love it! The contrast with the entire space allows it to stand out as well as compliment...it's definitely the showcase in the kitchen. Great work!!

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  69. I love it!! That color looks so good in there, it's a great contrast! Good work

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  70. Holy guacamole. I am so going to do something with my kitchen island. Mine's a lot smaller, but the principle would work the same! Oh yeah me.

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  71. Beautiful job, Sarah! Such an inspiration. We have plans to build our kitchen island (we're temporarily using two teacher's desks pushed together) but it's so intimidating. I need to look at it in smaller projects and not the huge overwhelming picture. I love the transformation of yours over time! And the current color and trim is beautiful!

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  72. Fantastic! Transforms the whole room, and the stools really work with it. Do you miss the toe kicks now that they're filled in? -Do you end up kicking the bottom when using the island from the working side?

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  73. Love the deeper blue color in your very first picture. You had me at hello. In a house of gray, that blue tinted gray would be a great switch from the chili red we have downstairs. Don't even ask (smile).

    Lovely island remake. Love that you don't fear trying something else when the whim hits.

    Bernadette
    www.b3hd.blogspot.com

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  74. You know, Sarah, I've seen a lot of board-n-batten DIYs in the last year or so, but I don't think I've seen one with the beadboard in the middle (maybe I don't get out much??), but I REALLY like it! It's a fun little twist on a classic.

    P.S. The color is beautiful too.

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  75. I love it! Such a great color!! Really brightens your kitchen, makes it look fun and sunny to be in. :)

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  76. Can i just say what an amazing transformation you made? If I owned a home i think i would be doing renovations like this! I love the color, barstool upgrade! It still looks amazing even though the rest of the kitchen looks as the old island did. Keep up the good work!

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  77. I spent my morning at work combing through all the great DIY's on your blog, but was thunderstruck with inspiration when I saw this. I recently Pinned a board and batten tutorial for pantry doors (the hideous, brown, bi-fold kind that reside in my kitchen), but I don't think it would have occurred to me to do the same to my island to tie it together. Thank you so much! I can't wait to get started!

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  78. I love your island! The whole kitchen actually.

    I was wondering about the chairs though. Are they ikea stools? They look sort of like the ones I was looking at at ikea. The idea ones don't have a cushion though so I've been debating about buying them and then making a cushion.

    Would love to know if that is what you have done.

    Thanks,
    Starla
    Kash1437 (at) aol (dot) com

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  79. I can see this is an older post, but I was browsing online looking for help with my kitchen island redo project. I love the beadboard and the trim ideas with the mdf. It looks much more finished that way. Also, you have given me a great idea with the butcher block top. I was looking for a more country chic design style than granite, and I think that fits perfect. Love your blog!

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If you have a specific question I will do my best to answer you back here!

You can find our paint colors and links to items at the "Our Home" tab at the top of my site.

THANKS so much for reading!