Here she is, topless and without her drawers. (You didn't know this is one of THOSE blogs, did you?!)
It wasn't long after this that she was in the garage, prepped and ready for surgery. We added a 1x6, turned on its side and cut to fit, to build up the base to counter-top height.
Plywood and a sheet of Hardie Backer Board formed the top and sides. Here's Joey, aka Mr. Wonderful, checking to make sure the top is centered over the base.
Once the top was attached, we were ready to move inside and install the tile (Step One). After letting the adhesive cure for 24 hours, we applied a pre-mixed grout from Home Depot (Step Two).
The 1x6 was painted to match (sorry, no pics!) and when the paint had cured we installed the copper railing around the top of the island. Confession: I love working with copper. I love the patina it takes on as it ages. We've used copper pipe in the kitchen to make pot racks, towel holders, a utensil/herb drying rack, and even a small quilt rack for the breakfast room.
To attach the pipe assembly to the island, Joey used end caps and drilled a hole through them. Have your assistant, in this case - me, wrap the cap in paper towel and hold it with a pair of vice grips. Put the cap on a piece of wood and slowly drill a hole in the center of the cap. Use a sheet of newspaper to catch the copper shavings.
Joey screwed the caps to the island, flat side against the wood. Then it was simply a matter of cutting the pipe to length. attaching the "T" connectors and elbows, and adding 2" pieces of pipe to fit into the caps. It sounds much more complicated than it is - really! It's kinda like Lincoln Logs/Legos/Erector Sets for grown-ups.
Here's a close-up of the pipe detail - you can see how it all connects. Easy peasy!
As if that weren't enough copper (can you ever have too much of a good thing?), Joey added seven pieces to the bottom to replace the wooden slats. We cut them to length and capped each end, and attached them to the side rails with copper strapping and stainless steel screws.
There you have it - my little red island, complete with high heels and jewelry.
Tomorrow, we’re paying a visit to our local Habitat for Humanity ReStore, in search of an interior French door. Keep your fingers crossed!
Don't forget to enter our give-away for a $25 Home Depot Gift Card!
Linking up with:
Frugal Friday at The Shabby Nest
One Creative Weekend #2 at One Creative Mommy
July Craft Challenge at Dragonflies@Dawn
Joy2Journey - The Sunday Stop
Whimsy Wednesday at The NY Melrose Family
Wow! Truly impressive! I wish I could look at an old beat up piece of furniture and envision what it could be.
ReplyDeleteAdventures of a Homeschool Mom
Lovely lovely lovely! Love the red!
ReplyDeleteGreetings from Australia♥
~Pernilla
Stunning and inspirational! Great job!
ReplyDeleteGreat job! The copper pipe is my favorite part. It goes so well with the tile!
ReplyDeleteI love the copper pipe going all the way round, great idea!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the visit and I decided to return the favor and i am so glad I did! This looks amazing! I used the tile and grout system on my bureau turned vanity in our bath and it is the best and so easy. The copper shelf is a SHAZAM!
ReplyDeleteWell DOne!
Kim@reposhture.blogspot.com
Very nice little island!
ReplyDeleteI'm a new follower from the blog hop, i hope you'll stop by dragonflies-at-dawn.blogspot.com and follow back.
P.S. We are doing a July challenge for kitchen items - you can read the post here http://dragonflies-at-dawn.blogspot.com/2012/06/dawn-and-beckys-big-craft-challenge.html Thought you might want to enter your island.
Wow! Great job! I'm hosting a linky party "One Creative Weekend" at OneCreativeMommy.com. I'd love for you to visit and link up this idea and/or anything else you'd like to share.
ReplyDeleteI wish I had room for one of those! I just found out today that I need to cook gluten-free for my six-year-old. A separate place like this would be perfect for her stuff. I’m so glad you linked this up at One Creative Weekend! I love it!
ReplyDeleteShe's beautiful! You did an excellent job!
ReplyDeleteThat turned out great! You, my friend, are extremely talented! Stopping by from the blog hop and am now your newest follower:) Hope you can come check out Crazy Mama Drama !
ReplyDeletehttp://crazy-mama-drama.blogspot.com/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Crazy-Mama-Drama/259491484156846
Very nice! I love the red and the copper! :) I love DIY projects and this is a fun one you get to enjoy every time your in your kitchen!
ReplyDeleteThe whole thing turned out so fun and useful! I love the pipe going around it and underneath in place of the wood slats. Genius! It makes such a great display for all those adorable towels! I found you through One Creative Mommy. Hope you'll stop for a visit at Quirky Vistas!
ReplyDeleteLiz
Oh Em Gee!!!! LOVE LOVE LOVE this island! Everything about it screams fantastic!
ReplyDeleteLove your island. Isn't it fun to fix something up yourself? It's great your hubs will do things like that. I bought a plain island at Lowe's one time that was open all around but I wanted it closed in and with shelves inside. so my hubs put bead board around, painted it, added some nice moulding and shelves inside so it would hold more kitchen stuff. I paid $50 (floor model) for that thing and sold it for $150. Wish I'd kept it now but how many times do we wish on things like that which we think we won't have use for?
ReplyDeleteLove your island, the red and the pipes,the gorgeous tile. Good job.I'm going to be a new subscriber to your great blog as soon as I send this comment
WOW - you are incredibly talented - i'm jealous!
ReplyDeleteI love it! So darn creative and so glad that your shared it with us at The Sunday Stop! Was the copper expensive?
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Bj
Lisa and Joey,
ReplyDeleteYou were featured on The "Sunday Stop"! Come by and grab a button :) I also pinned it to Pinterest.
Hugs,
Bj @ Joy2Journey
Today, (Tuesday) July 31st, You will want to stop by my Blog and pick up your award!
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Bj
Wow! Great job. Love the color too!
ReplyDelete