Kitchen Island - Part 2

Well, a couple of weeks have passed since Mr. Panache and I decided to give our Kitchen Island a mini-makeover. During this time I've researched products and design styles and have put together our budget for completing this project. Basically, the island is going to get wrapped in bead board, painted black and slightly distressed. As I've visited kitchen design centers, flipped through catalogs and surfed websites for inspiration, a plethora of fabulous ideas have surfaced. I am falling in love with the idea of adding black crown molding and light rail to my maple cabinets to bring some unity to the overall design. The pictures that follow are some that I am using to draw inspiration. Adore this kitchen! I love, love, love the blue glazed cabinets mixed with the honeyed wood stain of the other cabinets.
Wow! This designer was bold! Three different finishes - oak, vanilla bean glaze and charcoal gray paint! But is looks fabulous and inviting. I could definiately cook here!

This photo features only one finish but what attracts me to this kitchen is the details used to elevate these cabinets from functional to fine furniture.

Here a classic trio of color is used to add panache to a yellow, blue and white kitchen. This sunny kitchen could wake me to breakfast everyday!

Now this is my dream! Not just one island but two! I love how the pair has been glazed with a dark indigo stain.

This all white kitchen gets a turbo boost of energy by a cobolt blue island. To me there's just something exciting about a room when you mix finishes, colors and pattern. This is where true design comes alive for me. To artfully combine a collection of thoughtfully paired elements keeps the eye moving and interested. Never bored!

I was in my local Lowes Home Improvement store last week and found this black island. I couldn't believe it! covered in bead board, painted black and slightly distressed. Sounds like just the inspiration I was looking for. Now I'm considering having Mr. Panache add another cabinet at the end of my island to create more storage for my growing addiction to dishes.

The paint is a soft, eggshell finish with a slight distressing around the edges and raised panels. This inspiration piece features brushed nickle hardware which is what I currently have and will reuse.

You can see the beadboard on the end of this side and the furniture details such as the base board and the wooden spindle that looks like a finely turned leg of a console table.

This island featured three levels. I like that. It adds interest and movement.

Here you can see all three levels.

I don't plan to add a lower level to my island like pictured here but I would like to add decorative brackets under the portion of my counter that is used as a breakfast bar.

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It's important when making home improvements to invest in areas that will get you the biggest return when you are ready to sell. Homeowners sometimes make the mistake of spending on trends that will soon date their home. I wanted to make sure that my Kitchen Island project, as small as it is, was going to add to the value of my home and not take away. I was really excited to discover that kitchen updates produce the biggest return on investment!

Here are the Top 10 Budget Friendly Kitchen Updates:

1. Make over your kitchen with paint. You can paint the walls, paint the cabinets and some have even ventured to paint the counters and floors!

2. Reface your cabinet doors. Don't have the budget for new cabinets? Change the doors only. Refacing is super affordable compared to new cabinets.

3. Update countertops. I know the rage is granite but if it's not in your budget there are still alternatives that can resemble granite or give you a richer finish at a much more reasonable cost.

4. Replace cabinet hardware. When I moved in to my home the cabinets had round, brass knobs. They weren't my style and so I replaced them with brushed nickle cup pulls and egg-shaped knobs. I was amazed at this simple transformation. The brass knobs made my cabinets look cheap and out of style. The brushed nickle instantly raised the value by giving the cabinets a new, modern vibe.

5. Replace cabinets with open shelves.

6. Add new window treatments. You can make these yourself even if you don't know how to sew. Check out the Nester's Window Mistreatments for loads of inspiration.

7. Kitchen flooring - this one simple change can give your entire a kitchen and home a new vitality.

8. Creative backsplash. There are so many options for backsplashes. Tile, pressed tin, stone - the list goes on.

9. Unconventional Kitchen Island - this one's for me! Make your island (if you are lucky enough to have one) the focal point of your room.

10. Last but by no means least, get organized. Sometimes all our kitchens need is to be decluttered so we can appreciate the beautiful finishes that we may already have hiding beneath the stuff of life. It's amazing how we fall in love with things we haven't seen for a while!

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I hope to have my island re-made in a few more weeks. Stay tuned for the reaveal. Until I see you again,

Happy Decorating!

~Alisa