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At The Picket Fence with Vanessa Hunt

Where Ideas for your Home Meet Inspiration for your Heart

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October 5, 2011

Kitchen Island Makeover Tutorial

Kitchen Island Makeover as seen in BHG from At The Picket Fence
Update:

Here is my completed kitchen remodeled as featured in Better Homes and Gardens! My island is still holding up great and I love it!

Heather of At The Picket Fence Better Homes and Gardens Feature

photo courtesy of BHG

As just a little recap. I am in the middle of a major DIY Kitchen Remodel.  It has been a multi-step process over several months and it is….almost….done…. The most recent project that I competed just this past weekend was the transformation of my kitchen island.  Here is a little before and after.

(mouse over for before and after)

Kitchen island before and after

Now if you are anything like me you’re thinking. “Yep. love it. Now the tutorial please.” See, I knew I wanted an island like this, but I couldn’t find an all encompassing tutorial anywhere.  So by combining various “how to posts” from some fabulous bloggers like Sarah from Thrifty Décor Chick, having my friend Kristin at My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia stand on her head (okay not really but almost to get the shots I needed) to photograph her beautiful island (which inspired mine) and a lot of trial and error. I successfully pulled off this island transformation and I am going to show you how you can makeover yours as well.

STEPS IN PROCESS:

(Step 1)Painting cabinets, adding beadboard, trim and hardware.
(Step 2)Staining and adding butcher block top to island.
(Step 3) Adding furniture leg addition, and baseboards to island{Click on this link for printable list of supplies and tools needed}

Step One: Painting and Adding Beadboard

The first step in my island makeover was wrapping the island in beadboard and painting the island front and cabinet doors.

 Kitchen Remodel3

This was the easiest part of the makeover but definitely the most time consuming. Sarah at Thrifty Décor Chick gives a great tutorial on adding beadboard to an island.  She used the individual pieces of beadboard, we used the primed panels.  They are slightly more cost effective and since we were using the panels in other parts of the kitchen we wanted the beadboard to match.  Pros of panels: cheap, only need to make a few large cuts and install in one piece. Cons of panels: hard to transport home, unyielding (you will need someone to help you cut them), a pain to cut out outlet holes. So you decide what works best for your job.
1.  First I removed the corner trim piece on each outer corner of the island, using a crowbar.  Then, measured off the dimensions of the front and side of the island. Using a band saw we cut them to size.2.  We marked off the measurements for the outlet. Our jigsaw worked great for this.  Make sure to start your pilot hole for the jigsaw by first drilling a hole in one corner.

kitchen island-23_edited-1

kitchen island-24_edited-1

3. Using Liquid Nails paneling glue, we attached the beadboard panels to the island.  To make sure the beadboard was extra secure we used paneling nails in each corner, making sure to recess them with a nail setter.

4. Once the panels were attached we noticed small gaps in the corners where the paneling meets up (or didn’t quite in our case). To fix this we glued small wooden  dowels in the outside corners.  When painted this mimics a “bead” in the beadboard.

5.  After your beadboard is attached to three sides, it’s time to prime and paint the exposed part of your island and the cabinet doors.  I chose to clean, sand, clean, prime, sand, prime and paint twice all of my cabinets.  It was a huge job but worth the effort for durability.  I used an oil based primer and paint. You will not need to prime your beadboard since it comes primed.  After your paint has completely cured you can add or change out your hardware if desired.  I also chose to run beadboard wallpaper on the “kick…” of my island and add my faux cabinet feet to the front (as you can see in the finished photograph). You could also just paint the kick …to match your cabinets.

Step Two: Staining and Adding a Butcher Block Island Top

Step two in this project was adding stained butcher block to the island.  One feature of my “old” island I hated was the wide counter top and how much space it took up.  Between the overhand and the bar-stools it left mere inches between someone sitting in the stool and my refrigerator.  This made food preparation difficult when people were over and wanted to sit and chat while I cooked.  My dream had always been to put them at the “end” of the island out of the kitchen work space.  We achieved this by narrowing and lengthening the counter.

island-1
1.  First we were extremely lucky to find a piece of butcher block at our Ikea and even more luck that it was a piece of Lagan which is the cheaper version.  I wasn’t sure if the thinner piece would look funny or vastly difference from the height of my other counters, but it doesn’t look any different and it saved quite a bit of money!
2.  Once we got our butcher block home, we removed the original counter.

kitchen island-28_edited-1

and placed the butcher block piece on the island to get a feel for the length we wanted.

kitchen island-26_edited-1

We even practiced sitting at it and walking around it to see how far out we were comfortable with it coming into the eating area.  When we had determined a length we liked we placed a chalk line to get a precise cut, and cut off the access wood using a circular saw with a new blade.  The blade was approximately $10 and worth the purchase to get a nice clean cut.

kitchen island-25_edited-1

The we placed the piece back on the island to make sure it was exactly the length we wanted.

kitchen island-29_edited-1
All of these steps are important to avoid mistakes and having to “redo” your work.

3.  After lightly sanding the cut edge and the tops and side to remove the light factory finish, I applied a wood conditioner to the top, sides and several inches underneath.  This is an important step before staining your wood, for a nice uniform finish.

kitchen island-30_edited-1
kitchen island-31_edited-1

4.  Now it was time to stain the butcher block. Again I turned to the internet for help.   Erin from Stillwater Story has a fabulous tutorial on how she stained her Ikea counters and she got her information from Vanessa from This and That who also has a great tutorial.  I’ll be honest I don’t have much to add to their fabulous posts.  I decided on the Minwax Dark Walnut because I wanted a dark wood but not red undertones like you see with cherry finishes.  I applied two coats of stain to top, sides and about 6 inches in on the underside.  Here is the butcher block after one coat

kitchen island-34_edited-1

kitchen island-33_edited-1

You can see how uneven the coloring is still with just one coat.  I wanted a darker finish and everything I had read stated that the Waterlox lightens the stain about a shade.  Waterlox is a permanent food grade varnish that you can apply to your counters.

It is a little time consuming and pricey but you will never have to prepare your butcher block again.  Sounds like my kind of product!  Because of the lightening effect of the Waterlox I applied a second coat of stain.

kitchen island-36_edited-1
kitchen island-37_edited-1
After a light sanding between coats,  here is the final finish minus the Waterlox.

In the spirit of honesty I’ll admit I haven’t applied the Waterlox yet. I have had so many projects to finish that for now the butcher block is just sitting on the island and we are not using it for food preparation (unsealed stained surfaces are not food grade) but I will be applying it soon, and will share that step with you when I am finished.  The tutorials I have listed above include this important step so please refer to them if you are completing this project anytime in the near future.

I am seriously so in love with my butcher block, we’ve even wondered now if we should have installed it everywhere in the kitchen but I also like what we chose for the perimeter cabinets as well.  I’ll be sharing those with you soon!

 island-top

Step Three: Adding furniture legs and baseboard trim to island

From the beginning inception of my kitchen remodel plans I knew I wanted legs for my island.  I was in love with the look and it fit with my idea of a sophisticated farmhouse look.

island-10
1. First goal, find legs for the island.  Warning you cannot find these in your big box stores and I my budget and time frame did not allow for me to special order them.  Time to get creative.  Enter…newel posts.  You know those poles that are at the end of your staircase.  Here are the ones I purchased from Lowe’s.

newel post<

There were $26 each and of course would need modified.  Using the electric miter saw I rented from Home Depot, I cut the round ball and decorative trim off of the top part of the post and then measured and cut off the excess from the bottom of the post.  These posts are 48” and I needed a 36” post.  Measure your posts according to the height of your island.  (Speaking of renting a miter saw, it was so fun to see the face of the tool rental guy when he learned the miter saw was for me and that I was remodeling my kitchen on my own.  Love dropping that on the sales people at Lowe’s and Home Depot, they are never sure quite what to say.) heh.

2.  For the apron of my leg addition to the island I purchased a simple square piece of 3” primed MDF.  Using the miter saw I cut to size one of the side pieces of the island.  Be sure to measure and measure again. I came back in the house often while cutting my pieces to dry fit them and make sure I had my measurements correct.  One I was satisfied with the first side piece I attached it to the leg using Heavy Duty Liquid Nails

kitchen island-20_edited-1

and then screwed in one of the triangle corner brackets.  I highly recommend starting a small pilot hole with an appropriate sized drill bit for each screw.  This will help you avoid splitting the wood.

kitchen island-21_edited-1

I clamped the apron piece in place so it would stay straight and flush with the front of the leg, while the glue dried.

 kitchen island-22_edited-1
3.  After the glue has dried I attached the side piece of the apron to my island using an 3” L bracket.

kitchen island-01_edited-1

Here is what the corner bracket looks like, this will be screwed into the counter top once building the legs and apron are complete.

kitchen island-03_edited-1
And this is what you phone will look like after cutting all of this woods.  The perils of belonging to a DIY Blogger.

kitchen island-19_edited-1

4.  We repeated the same steps for the other side of the island.

kitchen island-05_edited-1

5. Once you’ve established the exact location of each leg and side piece of the apron and they are secure to the island, measure you center apron piece and cut to fit.

kitchen island-04_edited-1

kitchen island-06_edited-1
Using a thin layer of glue and 2 additional 3 inch L brackets at the bottom of the center apron piece attach the center piece to the legs. Make sure that the apron front is level with the front of the legs. Here is what this section looks like when completed without the island top.

kitchen island collage

7. Once your glue is completely dry and your leg addition feels secure, you can caulk, prime and paint your legs and the apron. Island legs might need a light sanding before painting because they are unfinished wood. Remember, caulk is not sandable but wood filler or putty is.  If you have a fairly large gap you might want to fill it with wood putty or filler and then sand it smooth, otherwise paintable white caulk will work great!

(As a final step you can add a nice wide trim to your island.  I love how Kristin had the wide trim so that she could have her cabinet feet on the front, but it didn’t look funny with her furniture legs when you looked at the island from the side.)

8.  To achieve this look, choose a wide baseboard (I chose a 3” wide primed baseboard) make sure you measure you island well so that you purchase a long enough piece of baseboard.

9.  One one end you will cut a straight cut.  To do this place your miter saw at 0 degrees.

kitchen island-14_edited-1
10. For your outside corners cut your baseboard at a 45 degree angle. To know if it’s cut right you want to be cutting away the back of the baseboard (where the front or primed side is longer than the back side of the mitered edge (hope that made sense!) After cutting your pieces and dry fitting them to make sure your cuts fit together well, apply at least one coat of your paint. Remember if you end up with a slight gap between your mitered edges, it’s okay. That’s why they invented caulk.
11. Once you’ve cut your baseboard to size, attach with glue and a few paneling nails if necessary ( I did not end up needing them.) And you’re done!

island-7<

Whew! So that’s about it.  I want to state for the record I am truly a DIYer.  I have learned a lot of this through trial and error.  I was able to achieve all of the remodeling of this island by myself except for Bama Boy cutting some of the paneling for me (I’m still a little scared of the circular saw..lol). I would not want a carpenter going over it with a magnifying glass, but I am pleased with how it turned out! I can’t guarantee you’ll get the exact same results that I did but I can tell you that if you decide you want to remodel your island following my instructions I think you’ll be pleased with the results. I know I am!

Kitchen island before and after
If you have any questions I didn’t answer please feel free to ask in the comments section.  I will try and answer them on here as well, so others can see the response.  Also, feel free to email me through our contact page.  And thank you again for all of your sweet comments on my island reveal. I can’t wait to share the whole kitchen with you, it truly is an amazing transformation!

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54 Comments Filed Under: Beadboard, Decorating, Good Ideas, Kitchen Remodel, Tutorials

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Comments

  1. housedressingblog.blogspot.com says

    October 4, 2011 at 9:31 PM

    You have no idea how impressed I am that you did this! I love every aspect of it, especially the bead board and that extension part with the purty legs… mind if I whistle?

    Reply
  2. Kristin @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia says

    October 4, 2011 at 9:52 PM

    So I think my husband just found his future wife, oh wait…we are both married. He just read through your entire post and thinks you are amazing!!!!!
    Love it!
    XO
    Kristin

    Reply
  3. Kim @ Cheap Chic Home says

    October 4, 2011 at 10:00 PM

    Wow, great job, Heather. I am impressed with your work, your island is beautiful. If I were you, I’d think up reasons to just walk past it and admire it!

    Reply
  4. Kelly says

    October 4, 2011 at 10:12 PM

    I love your new island. It looks like a lot of work went into making it look that good. It paid off!

    Reply
  5. Debbiedoo's blogging and blabbing says

    October 4, 2011 at 10:18 PM

    Awesome, simply amazing transformation. I love the dark stain too, looks sharp with the white.

    Reply
  6. https://findingsecrettreasures.blogspot.com says

    October 5, 2011 at 1:11 AM

    Beautiful! and you did all yourself!! Wish I had an island to remake, I’d do it just like yours!

    Reply
  7. Debbie says

    October 5, 2011 at 1:51 AM

    I don’t even have the words… Speechless, I say, I’m speechless.

    Do you KNOW how rare that is?

    Reply
  8. Shelia says

    October 5, 2011 at 1:51 AM

    Oh, honey! This is beautiful and you are absolutely the smartest and most creative one! I love it! Your wooden top on your island looks just wonderful! I love the contrast to your other countertops! Love the white and I’m not jealous at all! Well, maybe a whole lot! 🙂
    It truly looks awesome.
    be a sweetie,
    Shelia 😉

    Reply
  9. Jordan@the2seasons says

    October 5, 2011 at 1:55 AM

    Wow this looks amazing. I love everything about it just love it!

    Reply
  10. Buttercup Bliss says

    October 5, 2011 at 2:06 AM

    You did an amazing job!!! Your kitchen looks fabulous! And how awesome that you are able to do this all yourself – really cool!!

    Reply
  11. NanaDiana says

    October 5, 2011 at 3:11 AM

    Heather, darlin’- You are just a girl after my own heart! You did SUCH a good job! I just love it..and you did a great tutorial here too- (I read every word);>) xo Diana

    Reply
  12. Pam - diy Design Fanatic says

    October 5, 2011 at 3:22 AM

    Excellent job and explanation! Congratulations on a job well done!

    Reply
  13. WindyCityKnits says

    October 5, 2011 at 4:01 AM

    Wow, this is amazing! I have been looking for ideas on how to update my 80’s era island and I love the beadboard and butcher block top! Great job!

    Reply
  14. 3krazychics says

    October 5, 2011 at 5:02 AM

    All I can say is…..gorgeous!!!!!

    Reply
  15. Beth says

    October 5, 2011 at 1:23 AM

    Your island is gorgeous, and this is such a fabulous tutorial! I understood all of it! I too have a husband who hates DIY. It’s always me doing the projects around here! Love your blog!

    Reply
  16. ℳartina @ Northern Nesting says

    October 5, 2011 at 11:58 AM

    Fantastic tutorial Heather! Your new kitchen island looks AMAZING, I LOVE IT! Loving that butcher block countertop too. Martina

    Reply
  17. Robin says

    October 5, 2011 at 12:43 PM

    Your new island is truly amazing. Thanks so much for sharing how you did it. I learned so much.

    Reply
  18. Carole @ Blue Chateau Interiors says

    October 5, 2011 at 12:52 PM

    Absolutely fabulous transformation!

    Thanks for the detailed tutorial. We are moving to a hundred-year-old farmhouse next month and I have plans to build an island for the kitchen using an old butcher block I’ve had forever. Will definitely follow your tutorial (and am pinning it so I don’t forget).

    Reply
  19. Anonymous says

    October 5, 2011 at 1:49 PM

    My island is just like yours. A great example of how I’d like to extend mine. Now my husband can do his magic. Thanks.

    Reply
  20. Judy says

    October 5, 2011 at 2:36 PM

    I was impressed when you first showed the island…now that I know exactly what it took for you to achieve greatness I am even more impressed. Everything about it is perfect. So gorgeous.

    Reply
  21. Traci says

    October 5, 2011 at 3:04 PM

    So pretty! I just love the color of the countertop. Y’all did such a great job!

    Reply
  22. Kassie says

    October 5, 2011 at 5:48 PM

    You did an awesome job! Looks great! I wanted legs on my “bar” in our new kitchen and with the custom cabinets, it was going to cost $2500.00! So we left the legs off and my husband did it himself. Also added the beadboard. I haven’t done a post yet with it complete but it looks SO good and we spent around $100.00! Just glad my hubby is handy. I don’t think I’d have had the patience to figure out how to do it. 🙂

    Reply
  23. Amy says

    October 5, 2011 at 5:55 PM

    I have to say it again. GORGEOUS! It looks completely custom. The tutorial is SOOOO helpful, and who knew they had butcher block counters at IKEA? (I didn’t!). You deserve all the praise, and enjoy your new island!
    Amy

    Reply
  24. Erin {Lavender and Lemon Drops} says

    October 5, 2011 at 7:12 PM

    Congrats on the Lettered Cottage mention… that rocks and so does your island! I’m totally jealous right now! I NEED an island in my kitchen soooo bad!

    Reply
  25. SavannahGranny says

    October 6, 2011 at 4:50 AM

    So awesome, I would love to add beadboard to my island. Great job. Hugs, Ginger

    Reply
  26. Leslie says

    October 6, 2011 at 2:49 PM

    This is a fantastic tutorial. I love the new look of the island. I’m pinning it for my future reference. Thanks so much.

    Reply
  27. Liz says

    October 7, 2011 at 1:41 AM

    Great Job!

    ~Liz

    Reply
  28. Megan says

    October 11, 2011 at 2:20 AM

    Looks great! Way to make a builder grade island look totally custom and fantastic. I am going to pin this so if my future island needs updating I will know exactly what to do.

    Reply
  29. Stephanie says

    October 19, 2011 at 6:02 PM

    I am truly speechless. Your kitchen and island look absolutely amazing. I have been waiting patiently to paint my kitchen cabinets but am too afraid to start. Beautiful job!
    Stephanie at Full of Great Ideas

    Reply
  30. Heaven's Walk says

    January 30, 2012 at 12:08 AM

    I loved this the first time I saw it, and I’m still loving it, Heather! You should be so proud of yourself for doing most of this yourself! Hats off to you, girlie!! 🙂

    xoxo laurie

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      January 30, 2012 at 1:20 AM

      Thanks Laurie! You are so sweet. I’m still loving it too. 🙂

      Heather

      Reply
  31. novaandjet says

    February 19, 2012 at 1:11 AM

    I’m just getting started on my island. Put the first coat of sealer on my Ikea butcher top and was searching the internet on how to apply feet to the cupboard. And POW I ran into your site. Thanks so much for the tutorial. I too wanted feet and legs on the extension piece. The plan is also to do beadboard surround… all of these projects I’ve never attempted but I’m a DIYer at heart and a first time home buyer 😉
    My big question is regarding the size of my island. Not sure if it’s too big. I had it taped off and have plenty of space (40″+) between the island and the stove/ fridge. I have the large IKEA top and there is 12″ extending from one end and the side. The side overhang was planned for barstools but the 12″ over the end is questionable. I can add an attached shelf unit or cut the top. Any ideas or advice for this new homeowner?

    Reply
  32. Kristi says

    June 4, 2012 at 2:57 AM

    HEATHER!!!! I finally did it!! I did my own island TOTALLY inspired by this post. I just posted about it and linked back to you {hope that’s okay}. I can’t thank you enough for your amazing tutorial. It gave us the courage to tackle this. I literally had your post up on my phone in Lowe’s showing the guy helping me the photos of all of your brackets. {BTW, Lowe’s doesn’t carry triangle brackets…how silly. We did find them at the Home Depot!}. Thank you sooooo much, girl!!

    Would love for you to stop by and see what you inspired: https://www.ishouldbemoppingthefloor.com/2012/06/kitchen-island-transformation.html

    {HUGS},
    kristi

    Reply
  33. Rose :: Fine Craft Guild . com says

    June 11, 2012 at 8:17 PM

    Gorgeous! Such an inspiration.

    Reply
  34. Jackie says

    June 20, 2012 at 2:08 PM

    Now those are legs, I can stand on. Thanks for the Tip!

    Reply
  35. Linda @ it all started with paint says

    July 6, 2012 at 5:48 PM

    That is one awesome makeover! I’m in awe …

    🙂

    Linda

    Reply
  36. PAD says

    October 13, 2012 at 9:35 PM

    I saw the “I did it” in the BHG magazine and it was my kitchen island transformed. I have the island picture & your blog in my 2013 Kitchen update to do notebook.
    Got to say I showed my Hubby, and he said “hire someone”. UGH! If you can do it, I can do it. Thank you for my island dream being a reality. I’m inspired. Lady Power!!!
    >> PAD

    Reply
  37. Randi~Dukes and Duchesses says

    October 22, 2012 at 5:51 PM

    I would LOVE to do that to our kitchen island … just pinned it. Beautiful job!

    Reply
  38. Krista says

    December 27, 2012 at 6:06 AM

    I love love love ur island!!! I have a quick question I want to make this but I don’t have an existing island in place what kind of cabinet do I need to buy to make this and how long is ur island??? Appreciate the help!!!

    Reply
  39. Beth says

    January 18, 2013 at 10:17 PM

    Thank you so much for this tutorial! I have been envisioning this for my kitchen island except I am extending my countertop off the back of the island to have room for 4 stools. Luckily, ikea also makes a perfectly sized 39 x 73 butcher block! I knew it could look great but I knew the “devil was in the details” so to speak and I have never used anything more powerful than an electric drill or a jigsaw. I decided to go the “plank” route on the beadboard and I almost have that finished, just need more wood! Thank you for rounding out the idea I had in my head and I will have to email you some pics when I finish. I hope mine turns out as wonderful as yours!

    Reply
  40. Emilia says

    April 27, 2013 at 6:37 PM

    Fantastic makeover!!! I love your new kitchen- bright, airy, AMAZING:)

    Reply
  41. Jocie@OPC The Better Half says

    August 14, 2013 at 11:09 AM

    LOVE THIS, Heather!! Thanks so much for linking up with OPC and Unskinny Boppy to support Habitat4Humanity. Sharing on FB and featuring you tomorrow on the blog. 🙂

    Reply
  42. Michelle says

    October 26, 2013 at 8:26 AM

    Heather, fabuolous tutorial. We are beginning our kitchen transformation and i have a quick question. Any thoughts on how to attach the legs to a granite countertop?

    Reply
  43. mary says

    May 26, 2015 at 8:44 PM

    Love it! How did you attach the newel posts to the floor?

    Reply
  44. Holly @ Creatively Living says

    April 14, 2016 at 5:46 AM

    Hi, Your project turned out so pretty! Did you do your entire kitchen in butcher block or just the island? This is exactly the tutorial I was looking for- I’m planning on doing something similar and hadn’t come across anyone staining their butcher block. Beautiful, nice work and thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  45. Stephanie says

    October 27, 2016 at 3:29 PM

    Hi! What a fabulous tutorial!! I love how your island turned out!! Great job!! I wanted to ask, what color of white did you use? It’s so creamy. I love it!

    Thanks!!

    Reply
  46. Bonnie says

    February 20, 2017 at 2:39 PM

    Those changes make such a difference on your kitchen island. My wood countertops came from IKEA and I love them.

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Behind-The-Scenes of My ‘I Did It’ Feature in BHG! | My365 Lifestyle Magazine says:
    November 20, 2012 at 7:18 PM

    […] on how I modified my kitchen island, and remodeled my kitchen on a budget and on my own, visit my Kitchen Island Tutorial!   Thank you to Better Homes and Gardens for letting me share my “I Did It” Story and I […]

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  2. Make Your Own “Frugal” Kitchen Cabinet Feet says:
    May 6, 2013 at 4:01 PM

    […] DIY Windowseat Installing Beadboard  Painting an existing chandelier DIY Oak Island Transformation Easy and Cheap DIY Window Cornices Installing an Ikea Farmhouse Sink in Existing Cabinet DIY Island Transformation and Butcher Block Staining Tutorial […]

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  3. 5 Projects to Whiten & Brighten, NOT YOUR TEETH, Your Kitchen :) A Moment To Thank Heaven For Home Depot! And Lowes! And The Handy Men in our Life! | Real Estate In Orange County California Weblog says:
    June 13, 2013 at 9:00 AM

    […] kitchen island topped with butcher block and fancied up with turned legs. She has a great tutorial on how to build your own island. I’ll give you a preview: Newel posts will be […]

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  4. 5 Projects to Whiten and Brighten Your Kitchen - Comey & Shepherd Realtors says:
    June 17, 2013 at 8:55 AM

    […] beadboard kitchen island topped with butcher block and fancied up with turned legs. She has a great tutorial on how to build your own island. I’ll give you a preview: Newel posts will be […]

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  5. Before and After Contest Winner! says:
    August 12, 2013 at 9:38 PM

    […] Kitchen Island Makeover from At The Picket Fence. I have just three words to say about this awesome transformation:  Better Homes and Gardens. Ok, that was four words.  And impressive as heck Great job on this one, Heather!  One of my favorite projects of all time! […]

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  6. Kitchen Island Makeover - Inspiration DIY says:
    November 3, 2013 at 6:26 PM

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We had two back to back days of sunshine (the most We had two back to back days of sunshine (the most we’ve had in a LONG time) and now we are back to pouring rain. This has officially confirmed what I’ve know to be true for awhile now.

I’m a MUCH better version of myself when the sun is shining! 🤪 So I’ll just be over here today plotting and planning how my husband and I can be snowbirds someday when the kids are out of the house.

If you could spend your winters (and apparently most of spring too!) in any part of the country, where would it be?
Happy weekend sweet friends!! We’ve had a LOT of Happy weekend sweet friends!! We’ve had a LOT of rain lately (which is saying something when you live in Oregon) and I’ll admit that it’s affecting my moods a bit. I feel like I’m dragging and struggling to find the energy to get stuff done. So don’t mind me if I’m over here looking at photos of my garden in the summertime and finding that it keeps me hopeful about those days to come. They will come, right?! 🤪. 

What are your favorite plants that you look forward to seeing in the summer?
We’re going to be giving our laundry room a make We’re going to be giving our laundry room a makeover soon. It’s LONG overdue! In fact, the folks from the counter company were just here taking measurements. While we have made some simple, inexpensive updates over the years, it still has many of the original elements from when the house was built in 1992.

Two of our bathrooms are also in need of major makeovers. And we’ve saved up enough money over the years to tackle those projects. But, for the most part, we made the decision to use the bulk of that money in another way. While we knew that it was financially wise to invest in our house, we also knew that the greatest investment we could make was in our children. 

I’ll admit, there are times where I see other people doing massive overhauls of their entire home in a matter of months and I feel a prick of envy. But, we decided that if our choice was between waiting a bit longer to enjoy a renovated bathroom or going on adventures as a family, we would choose adventures every time. And we don’t regret that decision for a single second. It’s not that we haven’t tackled home projects (we’ve done a lot!). It’s just that it’s been a slow and steady process. 

Most recently, we let our son pick where we would travel for spring break since this is his senior year of high school and we are trying to make up for lost time. With so much of life ‘paused’ for two years, we have appreciated these moments more than ever. And, since he’ll be heading to college in the fall, we are very aware of how important it is to spend this time together while we still have a modicum of control over everyone’s schedules.

We have many years left to remodel our home but only so much time left to make memories with our children.

And, while I’m always happy to look around my home and see rooms that are updated and more reflecting of our style, it doesn’t compare to the joy I feel when I look around my home and see the people I love the most who have been shaped by the many adventures we’ve experienced together.
Happy Saturday!! After endless days of rain (and h Happy Saturday!! After endless days of rain (and hail and snow) we are finally getting some sunshine and warmer temperatures. I’ll be honest, it’s really affected my spirits having one gloomy day after the next. So this is a much needed reprieve. Our cherry trees are showing off outside my kitchen window and we plan to get outside and make the most of these days while we have them.

What’s the weather like where you are?
“The devil, darkness, and death may swagger and “The devil, darkness, and death may swagger and boast, the pangs of life will sting for a while longer, but don’t worry; the forces of evil are breathing their last. Not to worry…HE’S RISEN!” (Charles R. Swindoll).

Happy Easter! He is risen indeed!
Who has believed our message? And to whom has the Who has believed our message? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?

For he grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of parched ground; he has no stately form or majesty that we should look upon him, nor appearance that we should be attracted to him.

He was despised and forsaken of men, a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and like one from whom men hide their face, he was despised, and we did not esteem him. Surely our griefs he himself bore, and our sorrows he carried; yet we ourselves esteemed him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. 

But he was pierced through for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the chastening for our well-being fell upon him, and by his scourging we are healed.

All of us like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; but the Lord has caused the iniquity of us all to fall on him. (Isaiah 53)
I try to always remember to put a water bottle in I try to always remember to put a water bottle in my car before I go to pick up my daughter from school. She didn't ask me to do this, but a few months ago I began to notice that she was often thirsty when she would get in the car. Her water bottle filled up at the beginning of the day was empty by the time school got out and she would ask if she could have some water from my hydroflask. So I make sure to have one waiting for her. It's just a simple thing, really. But, I want her to know that I'm paying attention, that I see her.

Isn't it amazing how small gestures can make us feel less invisible? Knowing that someone is thinking of us and takes the time to meet a need that we might not have even realized we had? These little acts can have big impacts. What is something that someone has done for you recently that made you feel valued and seen?

What have you done for someone else to remind them that you are paying attention to their needs?

“No one is useless in this world who lightens the burdens of another.”
― Charles Dickens
“The next day the large crowd that had come to t “The next day the large crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying out, ‘Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!’ – John 12:9-19
#palmsunday
When the Lord blesses you with a glimpse of the pa When the Lord blesses you with a glimpse of the payoff of your investment in your children, it is truly one of the greatest gifts. We had that experience twice this week with our 18 year old son and were overwhelmed by this opportunity we had to watch as he handled two very different situations (one personal and one professional) with grace, maturity, integrity and courage. Those of you mamas of little ones, don't ever minimize the job you are doing in raising this next generation. 

Every story read at bedtime
Every correction made to strengthen character
Every outdoor exploration
Every nose wiped
Every bandaid applied
Every time you say no when the world says yes
Every night of helping with homework
Every difficult conversation
Every prayer uttered

The final pieces of the puzzle of his childhood are falling into place and the picture revealed is one that is more wonderful than we could have imagined. And we know that it is only by God's grace on us as we sought His wisdom and guidance that we have come to this point. We have been FAR from perfect parents, but one of my most sincere prayers for the past 18 years was that the Lord would stand in the gaps that were surely to be revealed by our imperfections. And He has answered those prayers again and again. He's taken my humble petitions and most sincere intentions and knocked our socks off with the young man we are so privileged to call our son. And we can’t wait to watch as his future unfolds!
Happy Saturday!! I haven’t posted all week (exce Happy Saturday!! I haven’t posted all week (except for in stories) because I was soaking up the sunshine and time with my family in San Antonio for spring break. One of our favorite activities was a bike tour of the missions and I found myself obsessed with all of the beautiful architecture, especially the doors. What is it about doors that is so fascinating? Is it knowing that these were so lovingly hand carved? Is it thinking about how many people have crossed through them? Whatever it is, I couldn’t get enough of them and had to stop and admire each one. 

I hope you are having a wonderful kickoff to spring too dear friends! 🌸
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