Thursday, January 27, 2011

Rotate it, Rebuild it and a Roomy Kitchen is Created!

We had a lovely island, but it was too crowded in our kitchen!  The island was pushed into the kitchen too far for my taste.  I'm guessing it's because the prior owners wanted a big table in this area too.  We have a dining room, so didn't need another big table in here.   If the refrigerator door or dishwasher door was open, there was no way anyone was getting by them!  I've been told that a good distance between counters is 39".  Well, the before distance was about 28"--unacceptable! 

Over the holidays when our son was home from college, he and my husband picked up the island and rotated it 90 degrees.  OMG, it was so much better already!  I finally had room to walk around it in the kitchen!  So even though we were just 'trying it out' and my husband had every intention of rotating it back to where it was until he could build a new one, I was having none of that!  Yes, when I had to get in the drawers, they were on the opposite side of the dishwasher, but that extra room was heavenly and it was only for a couple of weeks.  Here is a picture of the old island turned the new way.


A couple of weeks ago my husband built a new base.  We decided to try our best to re-use the granite top as granite tops can get expen$ive!  Luckily it all worked out!  He also re-used a lot of the beadboard and the feet.  We now have gained an extra drawer and a pull out for the recycle bin.  We also have an area for stools.  By rotating it, we gained 14" on each side of the island!





We also added some new pendant lights, so now it's a great place to read my morning paper.
We were very lucky that the floors were finished under everything, so we didn't have to worry about refinishing them again.

Thanks for visiting!

Pam



I am linking to :

 Debbiedoo's Newbie Party

Susan's Metamorphosis Monday Party

My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

Pink Postcard's Transformations and Treasures Party

Posted by at
Labels: ,

65 comments:

  1. ~ B.January 27, 2011 at 8:27 AM

    How lucky you got to reuse the granite! It looks beautiful! Your husband did a great job!

    ReplyDelete
  2. HeatherF1January 27, 2011 at 8:48 AM

    Beautiful!! He does such a nice job! Does this mean you have to do more cooking? ; )

    ReplyDelete
  3. Jane @ Jane's Junk and TreasuresJanuary 27, 2011 at 12:35 PM

    WOW!
    This turned out great!!

    Welcome to blog land!
    I just became a follower!
    Would love it if you would like to follow me!

    ReplyDelete
  4. AnonymousJanuary 27, 2011 at 1:27 PM

    Looks FABULOUS Pam! I love it! Now invite me over for a glass of wine, so I can sit at your island in person! ;) j/k

    ReplyDelete
  5. UnknownJanuary 28, 2011 at 5:24 AM

    It's beautiful, great job!!!

    ReplyDelete
  6. ClaudiaJanuary 29, 2011 at 9:06 PM

    Hello,

    It looks great. Love the way your husband added the legs to the island. It looks beautiful that way. Thank you for leaving a comment. I added your blog to my inspirational blog roll.
    Take care.
    Claudia

    ReplyDelete
  7. Kim @ Savvy Southern StyleJanuary 30, 2011 at 9:07 AM

    Wow, what a transformation. I love the legs added to it. Great job. Thanks so much for coming by. Would love for you to share any makeovers at my weekly party.

    ReplyDelete
  8. lcJanuary 30, 2011 at 1:24 PM

    Pam, it looks great. Joel is a great handy man as well, but he's never home with time enough to "finish" the projects he starts. Our house has come along way, but does need lots more work. Can't wait to see more of your home improvements. You should put the ones of your landscaping project on here.

    ReplyDelete
  9. DebbiedoosJanuary 30, 2011 at 6:17 PM

    Hi Pam...this is fantastic! I see your other link did not go through...I will fix that for you. Enjoy the party, and thank you !!~

    ReplyDelete
  10. ARuddJanuary 30, 2011 at 6:26 PM

    Luv it! I have the same frustration with my island. I have got to see if I can move it.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Terry @ La Bella VieJanuary 30, 2011 at 6:26 PM

    OMG!!! This is so wonderful to see! My husband and I are in the midst of the same kind of tranformation in our kitchen and like you, we'll be doing it all ourselves so this is just delightful to see!
    Thank you so much for sharing!,
    Terry

    ReplyDelete
  12. LoriJanuary 30, 2011 at 6:40 PM

    It looks wonderful. Great job!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Grace @ Sense and SimplicityJanuary 30, 2011 at 6:50 PM

    Great idea. You are so lucky the floor was finished under it all. Now your kitchen looks bigger and with a better use of space.

    ReplyDelete
  14. KammyJanuary 30, 2011 at 7:01 PM

    Such a great idea, love your island. The chairs
    are super for sit down meal !
    Hugs,
    Kammy

    ReplyDelete
  15. ChrisJanuary 30, 2011 at 7:09 PM

    This looks awesome!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Carmen @ Life with Sprinkles on TopJanuary 30, 2011 at 7:15 PM

    Looks great! You have a beautiful kitchen. :) I am stopping by from Debbie's.

    ReplyDelete
  17. UnknownJanuary 30, 2011 at 7:20 PM

    Hi Pam nice to meet you, thanks for coming over love your kitchen, I soon will be re-doing mine.long hard work...
    Pattie

    ReplyDelete
  18. Infatuated with Homes and GardensJanuary 30, 2011 at 7:22 PM

    Hi Pam ,I would love an island just like yours!I popped over from Debbies Newbies partay ,I am your newest follower!
    ~Sharon~

    ReplyDelete
  19. Cindy @ Dwellings-The Heart of Your HomeJanuary 30, 2011 at 7:35 PM

    Oh, I wish I had an island...hopefully soon! Great job!!!
    Cindy

    ReplyDelete
  20. UnknownJanuary 30, 2011 at 8:04 PM

    It is so lovely! Lots of room.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Here On Crow CreekJanuary 30, 2011 at 8:05 PM

    Looks great! I love those chunky legs on the island! I bet you are glad to have the extra room:)

    ReplyDelete
  22. The Polka Dot ClosetJanuary 30, 2011 at 8:07 PM

    What a great fix to rotate it, I love the new island! I am visiting from Debbiedoos, I am your newest follower and wishing you tons of luck!

    Carol

    ReplyDelete
  23. Angela McInnisJanuary 30, 2011 at 8:25 PM

    Beautiful! What a change! Thanks for the visit...I'll be your newest follower in just a minute!Can't wait to browse!
    Angela

    http://amcinnisartworks.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  24. Honey at 2805January 30, 2011 at 8:27 PM

    Rotating the island was a smart idea and the redo really is smart looking. So nice to reuse the granite.

    Welcome of blogland and I am your newest follower!

    ReplyDelete
  25. TonyaJanuary 30, 2011 at 8:28 PM

    Beautiful!! Love all of your posts so far. I always need inspiration when it comes to home re-dos so I'm following now, too! You'll go far quickly in blog land! :)

    ReplyDelete
  26. CathyJanuary 30, 2011 at 8:29 PM

    Looks great, I am jealous. My island has my cooktop in it. I am a new follower and am also visiting from Debbiedoos.

    ReplyDelete
  27. JanetJanuary 30, 2011 at 8:52 PM

    I just love the way your island turned out, especially love those bin pulls! Following back!
    Blessings,
    Janet

    ReplyDelete
  28. Allyson PecilunasJanuary 30, 2011 at 8:56 PM

    This looks fabulous!! I love your island its gorgeous!! Awesome job. I am a new follower of yours found you from Debbies linky party. I am a newbie too come check me out if you get a chance.

    noplacelikehomeally.blogspot.com

    ~Allyson~

    ReplyDelete
  29. Something Nice and PrettyJanuary 30, 2011 at 9:09 PM

    Love your kitchen and also the island is gorgeous! I'm a newbie too and your newest follower, stop by when you can!

    Rondell

    ReplyDelete
  30. SJ @ Homemaker On A DimeJanuary 30, 2011 at 9:19 PM

    Hi, Pam! I covet your kitchen. IT looks elegant and classy. Thanks for stopping by my blog.

    ReplyDelete
  31. A Vintage VineJanuary 30, 2011 at 9:52 PM

    Hey fellow newbie! Great blog...isn't this fun visiting each other and getting know each other!

    ReplyDelete
  32. PamelaJanuary 30, 2011 at 9:58 PM

    Pam loving your island redo!

    ReplyDelete
  33. Betsy B. (Southern Eclectic)January 30, 2011 at 10:22 PM

    What a great idea! It makes your kitchen look bigger with all that extra space. I am sure you are loving it! Great job!

    ReplyDelete
  34. DeniseJanuary 30, 2011 at 10:38 PM

    Pam, your blog is very interesting. One would think you had been doing it for years. I am also new to Blog World.
    The new island (and it's rotation) is terrific.

    ReplyDelete
  35. Nicole @ Wohler's WorldJanuary 30, 2011 at 11:44 PM

    Your new island is beautiful! I love to move things around to see if they fit better! Visiting from Debbiedoos

    ReplyDelete
  36. LoriJanuary 31, 2011 at 5:11 AM

    What a difference just to turn something. We flipped our dining/living rooms... love the difference.

    ReplyDelete
  37. Ricki TreleavenJanuary 31, 2011 at 6:36 AM

    Your island looks great, and it makes much more sense moving it ninety degrees. VERY NICE result! I am linking over from Debbie's blog party. Thanks for stopping by my blog and commenting! I appreciate it so much! I am a new follower.

    ReplyDelete
  38. AnonymousJanuary 31, 2011 at 7:04 AM

    Hi Pam! It's so nice to meet you and wow! I love your pretty kitchen. The turn around made such a difference! I love the redo of your island too. It's great. How wonderful to have such a handy hubby!
    Thanks for popping by.
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

    ReplyDelete
  39. NancyJanuary 31, 2011 at 7:10 AM

    Perfect! That is one of the best stories...everything was fine underneath and you could reuse the granite. Love it!

    ReplyDelete
  40. AtticmagJanuary 31, 2011 at 7:17 AM

    That's so ingenious and it looks great, too. Kitchen improvements are dear to my heart. Hope you'll stop by too, and see our fabrics. Jane

    ReplyDelete
  41. Custom ComfortsJanuary 31, 2011 at 7:26 AM

    Love the new island. Actually loved the old one too. My kitchen is too small for an island, so I covet anyones island :) My ex-husband was very handy like your husband. He was a carpenter and could make anything, which came in so handy when you needed something custom made. It really spoils you, but I have learned to do a lot of my own carpentry since I've been divorced for 21 years. I'm surprisingly good at it, but not even close to how good he was. So nice to meet you and you have a very lovely kitchen with beautiful floors. Welcome to blogland - it's a wonderful place.
    Cindy

    ReplyDelete
  42. An Oasis in the DesertJanuary 31, 2011 at 7:54 AM

    Great project. I, too, have a portable island that is a bit too large for my kitchen. I have tried it in every possible position and found that it works best for our space being turned at an angle. I love that it's portable. Your who redo on your island turned out beautifully. I'm a new follower because I love DIY projects.

    ReplyDelete
  43. Susan FreemanJanuary 31, 2011 at 9:22 AM

    Hi Pam! I like the island much better they way you have repositioned it. You did a great job on the additions you made ~ looks great! I am your newest follower. Stop by and visit me sometime.

    Love,
    Susan and Bentley
    xxoo

    ReplyDelete
  44. Suzanne@thriftstoredecorjunkyJanuary 31, 2011 at 10:30 AM

    Wow, Girl, what a difference! You are not afraid of trying out different things, are you?
    The new island looks amazing!

    I am having a giveaway, so stop by sometime this week if you can. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  45. RachelJanuary 31, 2011 at 10:56 AM

    Wow that is a beautiful piece. I would keep a handy man like that too. My hubby is just learning but he is a keeper too. Hope you have a great day.

    ReplyDelete
  46. the cape on the cornerJanuary 31, 2011 at 11:08 AM

    what a great way to have an eat in kitchen without taking up your space! i love the changes you made to the island...great job!!

    ReplyDelete
  47. TheresaJanuary 31, 2011 at 11:17 AM

    I love your kitchen! it is so beautiful and the island turned out great! Good job, you and your husband! :)

    Theresa

    ReplyDelete
  48. LanaJanuary 31, 2011 at 12:02 PM

    Ahhh....brilliant to rotate it to function better!

    Hugs/on my way to Italy,
    Lana

    ReplyDelete
  49. AnonymousJanuary 31, 2011 at 12:05 PM

    OMGoodness that looks awesome!..love your kitchen...the new bar is incredible.
    I am new follower too.Visiting from DebbieDoos.
    ~Jo
    LazyonLoblolly-hope you can drop by.

    ReplyDelete
  50. UnknownJanuary 31, 2011 at 4:09 PM

    WOW! What a great idea! Glad it all worked out! It looks beautiful and roomie!
    http://pampereddaughterthriftywife.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  51. K&B by the SeaJanuary 31, 2011 at 5:21 PM

    Great idea to rotate the island, and to "renovate" the island to add the new drawers and legs. It looks great! And I'm sure you're enjoying the extra space that you have in your kitchen now :-)

    ReplyDelete
  52. genaJanuary 31, 2011 at 5:26 PM

    What an awesome idea !!!! I found you through BNOTP and you can bet I'll be back to peruse the old posts and get ideas !!!


    Thanks for sharing,
    gena

    ReplyDelete
  53. Tammy@Beatrice BanksFebruary 1, 2011 at 7:00 AM

    This is fabulous! The new layout makes so much more sense. Your kitchen is gorgeous.
    Finding you via Debbie's Newbie party. I'm your newest follower and would be delighted to have you follow me back!
    Have a great day!
    Tammy

    ReplyDelete
  54. Dearest HomeFebruary 1, 2011 at 4:09 PM

    Absolutely beautiful! What a great idea! Where did you get your fabulous hardware for the island??

    ReplyDelete
  55. Natasha in OzFebruary 1, 2011 at 10:34 PM

    Wow, what a simple yet totally stunning idea and transformation! Well done, I love it too!

    Best wishes,
    Natasha.

    ReplyDelete
  56. Debilou ~ Mississippi MamaFebruary 2, 2011 at 11:16 AM

    looks great, love that island and noticeably more space.

    ReplyDelete
  57. Noble VintageMarch 6, 2011 at 11:08 PM

    wow, that is really amazing what rotating the island does for the space in there!! Ours needs to be tweaked as well, but it's built in and kind of a U shape- I don't think any amount of brawn will help us rotate it! ;) It's going to have to be redone, but later.
    Thanks for sharing this at Transformations and Treasures!

    ReplyDelete
  58. Jennifer InteriorsMarch 9, 2011 at 10:15 AM

    Holy Cow!! Thank you for the wonderful idea! I too have an lovely island that is huge and I love it but it's placement is so not my taste. It is turns my kitchen into more of a galley style...which is not what I want. I am going to look into getting my island turned. this is such a great idea!!! Thanks a ton! PS I look forward to following your blog. :)

    ReplyDelete
  59. BrandiJune 14, 2011 at 9:02 PM

    You have a beautiful kitchen. Your husband did a great job!

    ReplyDelete
  60. SherryAugust 26, 2011 at 1:43 PM

    I just came across your blog. You have a beautiful kitchen and the island looks perfect. Great job!
    http://decoratingwcents.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  61. Dee ⚜️⚜️⚜️⚜️⚜️January 2, 2012 at 4:02 PM

    Hi Pam,

    I love how your island turned out. All the changes really did make a huge difference!!! WOW!

    I want an island in my kitchen in the worst way. lol

    Dee

    ReplyDelete
  62. AnonymousJanuary 31, 2012 at 7:37 AM

    Good move! Your island is gorgeous!! So glad you were able to reuse some of the parts of the old island. Enjoy our new space!

    Sharon
    mrshinesclass.wordpress.com

    ReplyDelete
  63. Lisa @ Shine Your LightJanuary 31, 2012 at 9:16 AM

    What a great idea! And I love the new base with the space for the stools - what a nice spot for a cup of coffee and blog reading!

    ReplyDelete
  64. Andrea @ Decorating CentsJanuary 31, 2012 at 8:38 PM

    You have a beautiful kitchen!

    ReplyDelete
  65. JennyFebruary 3, 2012 at 7:42 PM

    Pam, this is brilliant! And how lucky for you to have such a handy husband! I love the island - the size, the finishes, everything! Just wish mine was as big!

    Thanks for linking up to my first Room Evolution party! Looking forward to seeing more!

    ReplyDelete

Thanks so much for leaving a comment.

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)