Antique Kitchen Islands

Bring an antique piece firmly into the 21st century by giving it a second life as an efficient and stylish kitchen island.
French Country-Style Eat-in Kitchen with Glazed Cabinetry

French Country-Style Eat-in Kitchen with Glazed Cabinetry

Old-world charm is exuded throughout with glazed white cabinets, a diagonal hardwood floor, with ornate chandelier over a large kitchen island and extended dining area.

Adding substance and character to the kitchen can be as simple as transforming an antique table, dresser or work table into a bona fide kitchen island.

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Whether it's a piece that's been sitting in the garage for years or a recent antiques-market find, retrofitting an antique piece into a hard-working kitchen island can actually be a cost-efficient way to increase countertop, storage and display space.

One of the easiest—and most attractive—ways to bring an antique kitchen island firmly into the 21st century is to top the piece with a sleek surface, such as a marble, granite or stainless steel countertop. Because of their age, antique pieces may not exactly measure up to standard counter height (and for many, that's part of its charm). An easy fix, though, is to add casters or feet to the bottom, or consider increasing the thickness of the countertop.

A well-worn look is part of the antique kitchen island's charm, so embrace its imperfections. Drawers difficult to open? Install accessories like towel bars on the side to increase its functionality, or add a weathered-looking shelf to the bottom of a table for additional storage space.


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