Mama Doctor Jones

Desk Repurposed To Kitchen Island

Since we moved into this house in July of 2009 I have really wanted a kitchen island, but the ones I found were either ridiculously expensive, too small for our space, or really ugly tablesonwheels type contraptions. I knew I wanted something big-ish, because we have a relatively large area to fill, and I knew I didn’t want the regular cabinet-look that so many islands have. 

I had a little time off after the holidays and when I ran across these two blogs featuring a couple ladies who had made their own islands – My Repurposed Life & My Cottage Charm – I was inspired to embark on a DIY Kitchen Island Project (despite my complete lack of home improvement tools and/or knowledge). 

It basically begged for my love.

My skeptical wonderful husband thought I had lost my mind when I called him from Goodwill and told him I had just bought this desk and would he come pick it up for me. He begrudgingly agreed in attempts not to stifle my creativity (I have to admit, I was pretty sure I had gone insane as well….did I mention we don’t even own an electric drill at this point??….yah….can you see how this might not turn out so fabulously?). 

I made a trip to Lowe’s and got the items I needed to start my project, while I was there I decided to buy myself a random orbital sander and the hubby decided to buy an electric drill, this ended up being a necessity (uh, duh?!).

I took all the drawers out and assessed the paint situation, which appeared to be a whole-fricken-lot of thick, brown paint slopped onto a coat of white and a coat of primer. This called for more serious measures than my random orbital sander.







This stuff smelled RANK and it looked very similar to a substance I had to gather in saran wrap and do cell counts on in the allergy clinic I used to work at (yes, I made people blow their disgusting snot into a piece of plastic wrap and put it under microscopes to assess – I actually think it’s pretty cool, stop judging me).

This is where, he later told me, my husband walked in the           garage and decided the desk would either stay like this           in the garage forever or end up looking horrid in our kitchen.

This would be the back of the desk.

Hooks from Hobby Lobby (1/2 Price!) to hold rolling pin.

There will be an oak towel rack here, but I want to paint it to match the island and I haven’t gotten around to it. Use your imaginations.