The Kitchen Island Gets A New Look

As I said in yesterday's post, I am soooooo excited to be painting the kitchen island. When work was originally done in this room, I elected to leave the island stained. It would provide a nice contrast to all the light cabinetry and keep the space from becoming too white. Besides, if I changed my mind it could always be painted later...and later has now arrived.


Before work began I had to make sure a few "before" photos were taken. The pendant kit fixtures have been installed with the new shades attached. Looking good, and they will be even better once covered in fabric.


Not to get distracted, but can we take a moment to talk about the backsplash? I am still thrilled this tile was selected to replaced the original backsplash. The simple subway tiles have a contemporary beveled edge, which create the most beautiful shadowing when light falls across them. Interested? Check out the Metro Lanka subway tile in Alabaster here. (They must be fabulous, Sarah Richardson recently used them in her Sarah's House series, the Farmhouse!)


Then the work began. The new pendant shades were removed to be covered with Robert Allen's Cat Cradle fabric in Amber.



The holes on the knotty alder were filled in. Here I got help! One of the talented painters who worked on my kitchen the first time around came back to work on the island...thank goodness.


Edges on the door profiles were filled with caulk to eliminate deeper recessed areas, which would be hard to cover evenly with paint.


After the wood fill and caulk dries the surfaces will be sanded.


The countertop and floor surrounding the island are covered with paper...let's not ruin the work that has already been done in these areas!


The sample door shows the new color the island is to be painted, SW Gray Area. Here's hoping the right color was picked! (And if you don't like the color, I'm blaming it on your monitor...)


I'm using Sherwin Williams ProMar oil based paint. This is the same product which was used on the other cabinetry. It has held up wonderfully over the last year and a half, so why try something new!


The interior of the island gets lined with paper. The primer and paint will be sprayed on to achieve a smooth finish, and the paper will protecting these areas during that process.


Prior to painting, plastic sheeting was hung around the island, creating a protective barrier. Sprayed paint seems to travel through the air endlessly, and this barrier will contain the paint while causing the least amount of disruption as work proceeds. The fridge and pantry can still be accessed!



A clever little entrance! If things move forward on schedule, I should have images of the island covered with primer tomorrow and then the painting will begin.