Before and After: A Dated Desk Is Transformed into a Functional Kitchen Island
Kitchen renovations are a pricy endeavor, especially when you factor in custom cabinetry. But clever DIYs can go a long way in reducing costs—and this DIY from Christina LeClaire of Gutsy Homemaker is about as clever as they come.
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Christina saw this desk on Facebook Marketplace and envisioned something far greater for it. “I knew that I wanted a kitchen island to replace my dining room table,” Christina says. “I found a solid wood desk with the perfect dimensions and just knew that it would make the perfect base for a kitchen island.”
If you’re doubtful, Christina says she has friends who were, too. But a few adjustments made this desk totally unrecognizable.
Christina started by removing the desktop, then connected the two sides with a solid base at the bottom of the island that she trimmed with molding for a built-in look.
Christina kept the same old drawers, but used wood trim and new pulls to give them apothecary style. Then, she added a new wood top—which she extended long enough to fit two stools underneath—that’s propped up with turned legs.
A light green paint on the base of the island recalls Depression-era glass, which complements the vintage cottage-y vibes of the apothecary drawers.
Christina was able to DIY this whole project in just three weeks as part of a furniture flip challenge.
“I love everything about the after!” she says. “Everyone around me thought I was crazy when I told them I was going to turn a desk into an apothecary-style kitchen island because they couldn’t see it, but now they love it, too!”
Inspired? Submit your own project here.