sorry..it didn't post the first time..here it is..

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I like the rustic look it has. Have you considered scraping the peelings off of it, and then putting on a protective matte coating?

It would depend on your overall decor style of course.

dilly dally

I love your idea as I do like that look..but it will not go with my kitchen... I do want to break up all the cherry, so I figured I can paint it...???
Thanks!!

Lovely, reeree. I think it would work. My one concern would be to make sure it is structurally sound. If it has to bear the weight of that microwave, it might require added bracing. I agree with dilly dally that it would also be wonderful scraped and sealed. Corbels would be a lovely addition, maybe even some that hang down a bit in the back, adding even more of a decorative architectural feel. I linked to a pic of what I mean by a longer corbel, though I'm not sure it's the right size.

Even as is, I'd jump on it.

Here is a link that might be useful: Corbel

sdionnemoore
great point! I never thought about it may need bracing for a microwave.. I will have to ask them... Love the corbels, thanks for the link. They would look good being longer for sure. I do think it would look fantastic scraped and sealed..but my kitchen has dark cherry cabinets, granite and wood floors.. I am not sure if the scraped and sealed look would fit in.. maybe it's time I started thinking out side the box :)
Thanks again, great suggestions!
Ree

Remember that that paint will dfinitely have lead in it - be *very* careful scraping it and take all specific precautions.

That said, I completely love it--it's *right* up my alley :)

fly.. geez,,I didn't think of that either...you would think I would of having an old house..maybe I will have them sand it down.. I really fell in love with this piece. I do not like the one we have at all..does nothing for the room.. Most of them are too big for my space.. this one is perfect..51 x 21, 36 inch height..I also found a neat "pully light fixture"

take a peek

Here is a link that might be useful: light fixture

I think it'll look lovely once it's stripped (let THEM do it and deal with the inevitable lead paint) and repainted. Don't try to just scrape off the loose bits and seal over the rest, I know from firsthand really maddening experience that even a lot of sealant (or in my house's case, yet more paint) will not hold down paint that does not have excellent adhesion to begin with. I would also dispense with the existing top, which looks cobbled-together and WAY too lightweight for the burly cabinet, in favor of a good solid hunk of butcher block to make it more useful/efficient as a food-prep space as well as have better visual weight. It would be less expensive than a stone top - even a John Boos (high quality) rock-maple butcher-block top would be about $250 for a 60x25x1.5", which you could cut down to fit. IMO there's already plenty enough going on visually with the panels and the heavy mouldings, especially where you want to go two-tone with that (not what I would do, but it's your kitchen) don't go cluttering it up with corbels and other gewgaws. More is not better!

LOVE the light fixture. If you were to get something like that to go over this island that's even more reason to observe the "KISS rule" with the island.

yes, a new top is needed for sure. I was thinking of a wood counter top stained cherry to tie in with the cabinets. The two tone was something I just tossed around. It will be either EK sage or an off white with a glaze.

here is a picture of one finished for some one

Hey, ree! Are you still in your old house or did you move?
Love the pully light by the way.

Laurie

The piece is fabulous!

I don't care for the iron corbels, I think they are too insubstantial for it.

I know you'd like to paint it, but I love the look of old paint.

Any chance of seeing your kitchen -- or the other side of the piece?

Hi Laurie!!
How are you?? Long time! Yes, we are still in our house. The market dropped and it wasn't a great time to sell.. I will always want to move..someday we will :)
I love the light fixture also..they also have different ones that are nice also..I emailed for a price, never heard back from them..?? Whats going on with your house?? did you ever do your kitchen??

MClark
I do not like the iron corbels either.. I do like the old paint look also, but I can't see it working in here. We have an old house and I would like a 'vintage' style kitchen, but it's not what we have :( We are adding very wide crown molding , mill work and a 5 panel door to bring some of the 'old' into the room. This picture is from last year, when we were working on it. I am re-painting..EK Edgewood green. ..the other picture is the back of the center island..they leave it open and install shelves...they customize it to the way you want it...

ree, I think it's a beautiful piece but I wouldn't want it with the chipped paint. I'd want it more finished. That's just my taste. Did you ask them to turn it over to check the underside to make sure there is no rot, etc.?

brutuses

They are located in NJ, we are in NY.. We are taking a ride to see them. They told me they had a few of them and build them on site. I will go over it with a fine tooth comb and make sure it does not have rot and it is solid. I will have them sand it down. I will paint it my self..I would really like to get a mahogany top and paint the base green or off white..I think when it's finished, it will be a beautiful piece and the style will fit into my kitchen. (finished) I would really love to put a built in microwave in it.( love the drawer style) I did tell that to the girl and she said they will build what ever I need. I really like the piece, my fingers are crossed it will be a nice sturdy piece (they told me they were) will see. What color and top can you see it finished in to go with the dark cherry??
Thanks!

ree, I think one of those color selections would be beautiful and what's not beautiful with mahogany, right?

Ree, love it! DH now has a project to work on for me, I have one of those exact doors in my storage building ;)

As far as color, what about a soft buttery yellow or an antiqued black with some cherry color distressing?

Ree, I think it's utterly charming and you'll love it. If you're thinking about corbels, I've seen lots of them on ebay for all sorts of prices.

Here is a link that might be useful: corbels on eBay (scroll through pages)

I think it would look gorgeous stripped down, sanded and painted.
If they will strip it for you even better. Then you just have to sand, prime and paint it.
Joann

ree - No, I never did get around to redoing the kitchen and now I'm moving. I'm sure my new house will need some work though.

Laurie

thanks everyone..great ideas here as always! I will have them strip and sand it, as johnmari pointed out about the lead paint and it does look like a huge job.

thanks for the link oceanna. after it's finished I will see if it needs extra pizzazz :)

groomingal ..there ya go! lol! Those are my favorite doors! I am buying 6 of them and changing mine out..what will be pretty neat is, one will be in the kitchen, so it will tie in to the center island. antiqued black with some cherry color distressing would look gorgeous!! Thanks!

brutuses , every time I have seen mahogany counter tops in pictures I always thought they were beautiful! That was the first thing that came in to mind when I saw this piece.. I never priced it out..hope it's not more than the piece it's self..??

Thanks cliff & joann..my fingers are crossed it will be as nice as it is in my head :)

Laurie..wow! After all that pain and suffering painting your living room.. are you staying in the area? moving far? I am shocked! Did you find a new home yet?? The best of luck!! Details!!! I have been away from here too long!

Ree

I just saw this product featured on another thread and thought I'd bring it to your attention. I don't know if it's something you might want to consider for your new-old island.

Here is a link that might be useful: link

brutuses

wow..how neat is that? Thanks so much, I will look into it for sure! ( I also like the quick and easy part) :)
Ree

Love it.

How about lightly sanding it and then wax it lightly.
How about finding a top that has an old feel to it. I think a new top would kill the look. Maybe a new top with an old feel, and something thicker then what is on top now.

Ree - Yes, I'm staying in the area, but I have to wait until my divorce is final before I know what I can afford. Before you say you're sorry to hear about the divorce, trust me it's a good thing :)

Laurie

it is a beautiful old piece a great item to save..and your ideas sound gorgeous