Our Kitchen Island

Ok, so I was hoping to be doing a post about my wonderful new rug that I ordered back in January from Ballard designs, but sadly, they keep pushing the delivery date back every time...arg!  So instead, I wanted to talk about the island in our kitchen, since I have gotten a couple of e-mails with questions regarding it.

I was lucky to have found it at a neighborhood garage sale, for $100.  It had casters on it, so we literally rolled it a few blocks to our house.  One of the casters was very loose, so I ended up removing them all, and just left it as is.  Our kitchen does have an island (sort of) but I found that it was too far, and I was constantly having to move a little more than I wanted to in order to place things on it.  This little island fits right in the middle of the kitchen, and works perfect for when I remove things from the oven, microwave, or dishwasher, to put right on.  Plus, I absolutely love the look and warmth of the butcher block, and, it provides extra storage too.  

A little crack in one corner...no biggie!

The distance from the island to the counters are 24 in, 21in, 18in, and the longest being 48 in.  The recommended distance is 36-48 inches, so as you can tell, mine fits nice and tight in 3 areas, but it's not a big deal, I rather have the extra counter space and storage, and deal with the tight space than not have it at all, plus, I'm still able to open both the oven and dishwasher all the way, without any issues.  I have debated weather I should paint it, but I love how it blends with the floors, and it's a contrasting color to our cabinets.  I know that there will come a point, when we do decide to sell our house, and I may have to leave our little island behind, but I can find consolation in the fact that there are many others out there that can work just as fine, here are just some that I was able to find in my search:

Forhoja via Ikea 

Bekvam via Ikea

Flytta via Ikea

Stenstorp via Ikea

And my all time favorite:

Groland via Ikea

Just imagine, painting the legs and adding some baskets on the lower shelf...if I did have to leave behind my island, this is the one I would replace it with.  If you look up Groland kitchen island on google, you will find many images that owners have posted online, many have been painted, and some even used in bathrooms to hold up sinks.  I also found some more pricier ones on PB:

Via Pottery Barn

Via Pottery Barn

These two are just gorgeous, but a bit pricey at the same time, still, something to consider if you are looking for a kitchen island (and have the budget for it).  I am currently loving Ikea, and their fabulous prices, I have even considered getting the Forhoja model, painting it a nice robin's egg blue, and using it as a potting bench out in the back. The options are endless, and it just get's my ideas rolling ;)  

So, how about any of you out there, did you buy your kitchen island?  Or where you one of the lucky ones who's kitchen came with an actual island?  Does any body think I'm crazy to use an island as a potting bench?  

Have a great week!

Kristel

Linking To: Skip to my Lou, DIY Showoff, Between naps on the Porch, The Winthrop Chronicles, My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia, Savvy Southern Style, Gingersnap Crafts, No Minimalist Here, We are That Family, From my front porch to yours, House of Hepworths, The Shabby Creek Cottage, Funky Junk Interiors, Thrifty Decor Chic,