I know, this is a desk, not a kitchen island. At least it WAS a desk before I changed it up. I built a new island/craft station for my kitchen about 18 months ago. I decided to paint it a couple of weeks ago. Why does it take me so long to finally get around to doing stuff?
This how the island has looked for the last year and a half. (well, as far as the color goes at least) The cubby hole holds a lot of projects in waiting.
I didn’t want to empty all the drawers and haul it outside to spray it with my CommandMax, so I used the next best thing…a big ole Purdy paintbrush.
If you don’t own a couple of these, you really need to pick some up. In my opinion, Purdy is the BEST paint brush there is. (nope, I get nothing for saying that-they probably don’t even know I use their brushes)
I didn’t want to clean out the project--this was a quickie makeover. I used a foam brush to paint the toward the edges that I left gray (for now).
A Purdy is a great brush, but the bristles of any brush will dust the inside edge. A foam brush works great for this.
I stacked the drawers on top of the island to paint them. You can see the type of stuff I keep in my drawers.
I painted two coats of Behr Premium Plus Ultra on my black kitchen island.
Yep, the picture makes it look small—but I think black really does slim. 
My island looks smaller.
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Have you ever asked for someone else’s opinion, and then did what you wanted? I asked my friends on Facebook about the color. I wanted black, and there was EVERY color suggested except black! I thank you all for your input. I always wanted it black, but I originally went with gray, and never took the time to change it—till now!
I really, really do love it! Will it stay black? I dunno….we’ll see!
Curious about how I changed up that little bitty desk into an island/craft station? Check out these posts: DIY Kitchen Island, DIY Kitchen Island Top, and DIY Kitchen Island Completed.
I changed up the kitchen island AGAIN! I love it even more now!
gail
Gail Wilson is the author and mastermind behind My Repurposed Life. She is obsessed with finding potential in unexpected places and believes that with a little hard work and imagination, any old thing can be made useful again, including herself!
Gail reinvented herself during a midlife crisis and has found purpose again. She hopes you will find new ideas for old things and pick up a few tools along the way.
Mary Bussio
Gail, I love your projects! Very inspirational. And esp cost-effective. One comment on the desk into a kitchen island. I feel like the legs are kind of funky. I'm thinking only the wheels should show. Could you consider to add a row of trim board around the bottom and show us how to do it please.
Gail Wilson
Mary,
I actually made this in November of 2010, so after 10 years, I'm not about to change it. 😉
You could use a wider board in place of the narrow bottom trim I used. If you're okay with the island being counter height, you probably wouldn't need to add legs. However, I wanted mine higher so I could do crafts and such on it. It has been used for soooo many craft projects over the years, and being high is a real back saver.
I've painted it again, as seen in the last image in this post.
Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to leave a comment Mary!
gail
Caroline @ The Feminist Housewife
It looks amazing! I love the black, and what a brilliant idea to transform a desk.
✿ⒹⒺⒺ✿@ A Lapin Life
Hi Gail,
Your desk turned island is fantastic. What kind of wood is on top?
Dee
Debilou ~ Mississippi Mama
I remember when you did this,, black would've been my first choice,, It looks completely different. Love it.
Debilou ~ Mississippi Mama
I remember when you did this,, black would've been my first choice,, It looks completely different. Love it.
Toqua's Crafts
I'm glad you went with what YOU wanted! You already knew what would be best before you asked for all those other opinions!
🙂
Stephanie
Wait, I thought I said black...well at least that was my first thought 🙂 I love it. It really does tie in with the counter tops. Now you can do the squares on the floor black and white JK
Julie @ followyourheartwoodworking
I think it looks great black. It fits in with your countertops and looks classic.
Sharon @ Elizabeth & Co.
It looks awesome in black! You knew what you were doing all along!
Cassie @ Primitive & Proper
it looks so good! the color gives it much more weight to the room.
Jamie
Gail, I love how your island turned out! You always make the most creative things. The Fleur de lis paper with the tape (inside the counter), made me laugh. I used your tutorial for a table that I did. 🙂 P.S. I love that slider door in your kitchen as well!!
Trudy Holtz
very nice. the black really does pop with your countertops. And I just read your post on how you made the top. Fantastic. Good stain color there too.
~Trudy
Corn in my Coffee-Pot
Oooo! I'm in the process of painting an old wash stand black, and will eventually paint my lower cabinets black too. I Love it!
If I had facebook... I'd have said, BLACK!
I love what you did with your desk and I love that butcher block.
have a great week, Pat
substitutionqueen
Great job, I like it fine.
Suzanne
Gorgeous! I love it! When I get around to redoing my kitchen will you come and visit for us for a couple of months? ;o) You do such amazing work.
Sandi @ The Primitive Skate
I Love it Gail! Black is Beautiful.
Have a wonderful day!!
sandraallen260@centurytel.net
Wendy
I think it looks wonderful! Great idea 🙂
Tammy
What a great transformation! Love the Black!
Proper Prim
Hahaha, I was going to suggest black but that is just a given for me, so I went with the flow instead.
I am loving it black... duh! go figure.
It really brings out your countertops now.
Very GOOD choice Gail.
Hope you have a great day... it is going to be a scorcher here today... hope you aren't baking there.
Hugs,
Deb
Korrie Bastian
Looks great, Gail! Hope you love it 😉
Terri
Love, love, love!! This is the perfect piece to finish off your kitchen! I think the black looks great...but then I love everything painted black!!
Awesome job, as always~
Anne
I love the top! Did you use cabinet grade lumber for that? It's awesome!!
Full Circle Creations
And here I thought black really wasn't you color....it looks great!
Holly
Sue
It really jump as you now, love the black! Are you planning to use more of that paint in you kitchen to change "stuff"?
Happy Monday,
Sue
Rose @ Confessions of a Curbshopaholic
I think it looks great with your counter tops. Nice job!
Shirley
I liked it when it was gray..but I'm loving it now that its black! Matches your kitchen too. Very creative use of that desk.