Painting a kitchen island gray is such an easy way to change the look of your kitchen.
I couldn't wait to give the kitchen island a bit of a makeover. It's not earth-shattering or even life-changing but I think it's a definite improvement and I'm loving it.
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I have always loved green but it just didn't go with the my decor.
Lots of changes here since you saw it last. For one there's decor, but we also have a new faucet and a new stainless stove and dishwasher.
This was a super easy project to do but it took some time, as do most painting projects. I removed the towel bar and gave it a good cleaning before I painted it. There was no sanding involved, I kept this easy, so just 2 coats of paint and I was done. I thought about distressing it but I like it the way it is right now.
I love this paint color! It's from Benjamin Moore, Wrought Iron, Regal Select, Pearl finish, and it's a rich, deep gray. I used this same color on my front and back doors in our Illinois house (check out the front door here and the back door redo here).
I used leftover paint so this project didn't cost me anything, except time and a sore back from sitting so low to the floor. But hey...you know what they say..."beauty is pain" (or something like that). 😉
Cleaning the butcher block countertop
After I painted the island I gave the butcher block countertop a good clean ing with salt and lemon.
I just poured some table salt on the butcher block and squeezed a couple of lemons on the salt. Next, I rubbed the lemon and salt over the surface of the butcher block. Then I left it to dry.
Once dry, I wiped it down, cleaning all of the salt off.
Now it looks all shiny and new.
All that was left to do was to add a couple of bar stools and a couple of cutting boards, both from HomeGoods. I'll probably change the decor on top daily, unless my tools are cluttering it up. Yeah, it's become a catchall but I do try to keep it clear.
Now we can cross painting the kitchen island off the list and, as you can see, the kitchen and dining areas are coming together. Still no big projects done, except for the gas line for the stove, but it's looking like a home...our home.
I've also completed a little redo in the hallway. You can check it out here...
Small Hallway Redo for Under $50
Nancie says
Love your kitchen island makeover, Kristi! The paint color is awesome! Thanks for the tip on how to clean a butcher block. Does that same technique work on cutting boards? Had to chuckle about "beauty is pain"! When I was little, my mom always said "Beauty Hurts", when she brushed my long hair! Have a great week!
Kristi says
Thanks Nancie, I love the change!
The salt and lemon did a great job on the butcher block and it will absolutely work on cutting boards, that's how we clean ours.
Thanks so much for visiting, Nancie, and I hope you have an awesome week!
Rose says
It looks so fresh and new. I had a gas stove when I bought my house . It was setup for an electric stove. So I had to hire the gas company to install a gas line to it. The gas line they had to hook into wasn't up to code. Getting it changed a stove hook up cost me $400 16 years ago. Ii could have bought a new stove!! Guess what?!! The stove was too big to fit. I had to have the cupboard moved 1/2 inch.
Kristi says
Thank you!
Oh my goodness Rose, you had to go through a lot to get your stove. We did all of the work ourselves, so it saved us a lot of money. We had some trouble putting it into the space, because the counters were too high, but with a couple of adjustments, and some ingenuity, we worked it all out.
Hope you have a wonderful week!
Debbie H says
The Island turned out great. Amazing how a little paint can change the look and style of a room. Before the kitchen looked early American, now it looks more modern. Love that paint color. Have a great week.
P.S. Europe!! How exciting!
Kristi says
Thanks Debbie, I'm really happy with the change. I thought it might be too dark but I think that it's just right (for now anyway). 😉
We are really excited about our trip, a dream trip for sure. Hope you have a great week!
Kim says
Absolutely gorgeous, I love the color and the elegant, rich feel it adds to your kitchen. I also spotted a fabulous light fixture hanging over your dining table. Um...wow!
Kristi says
Awwww, thanks so much, Kim! I love the color too and my new light fixture. It surely beats the one that was there, hands down. Plus it was literally hanging on by a thread so it was a good thing that we changed it for the new one. I told my husband that if I hadn't bought the new light, the old one would have fallen or caused a fire (the wiring was really bad). 😉
Jessica [Havok] says
That green is a great color, but based on all your previous house decorations, it doesn't really match, no. This grey does, though, and it's fantastic! Very deep and dark, but without being, well, *dark* xD
I've got the itch to paint...except we wanna do the whole house. For some reason, someone at some point, decided interior walls in the whole house needed to be a dark beige color? I dunno who this person is or why they did it, but I know they are a tad "off" because they also painted the popcorn ceiling the same color. Is a bit dreary, and I want it brighter before Winter hits and it becomes dark inside *and* out! xD
Kristi says
Thanks Jessica! I love the change. 🙂
I hear you about the strange colors people paint their rooms. Our last house had orange and pea green walls in almost every room. Not soft, hint of orange but bright pumpkin orange. I'm not sure what people are thinking but to each his own, right?
Susan Scimeca says
always enjoy your clean, uncluttered style with its neutral colors. Refreshing to my eyes and cluttered filled mind. What type of rug do you have under your kitchen table? I am looking for a replacement for my old beige braided rug for my kitchen. I love it because it takes a lot of wear easily and cleans up nicely.
Kristi says
Thanks so much for your sweet comment, Susan. The rug under the kitchen table is from Overstock https://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Hand-woven-Braided-Natural-Jute-Rug-6-Round/2166883/product.html?refccid=ZM3FE3KDEJHZE4SPZQHPUPOTXE&searchidx=7. We've had it for 5 years and it's held up well. I just had to sew a small seam that came undone, but it was an easy fix. Hope that helps.
Kim says
Love the makeover and have fun in Europe! I'm jealous!!
Kristi says
Thanks so much, Kim. I haven't been to Europe in almost 20 years so I'm very excited. 🙂
Vel says
I like the new color you chose and it goes well with your stools! Have a fun and safe trip!
Kristi says
Thank you, Vel. I'm really happy with the change.
Melanie says
Love this color! Great job.
Kristi says
Thanks Melanie, I appreciate it! 🙂
mary coakley says
Really liked your island makeover,the hall is great too.Am I right in thinking the island was left by previous owners?
Kristi says
Awww, thanks Mary! Things are finally starting to come together. You are correct, the previous owners did leave the island (after a lot of negotiation, believe it or not).
Marijean Jenson says
What a big improvement ! Love the gray.
Kristi says
Thanks so much, Maryjean, I love the gray too.
Brenda, Florida says
Wow! What a difference and coat of paint makes. The island looks great. The kitchen is coming together nicely. Have a great time in Europe.
Kristi says
It is amazing what a coat of paint can do, right? Thanks Brenda, I'm thrilled with the way the island turned out. 🙂
kristin salazar says
I really love that gray color, so pretty! It looks wonderful and I love your kitchen!
XO
Kristi says
Thanks so much, Kristin. We still have a lot of work to do in the kitchen but it's slowly coming together.
easypeasylifematters says
Love this, it's so cute and shabby chic! 🙂
Kristi says
Thanks so much! I'm thrilled with the new look! 🙂
Charlene Asay says
I love the new color choice. I hope to see you link up with us at Family Joy Blog Link Up Party.
Kristi says
Thanks so much Charlene!
[email protected] AnchoredinSweets says
I love the blue.
Looks great.
My husband made a kitchen island and I'm staining it.
Kristi says
Thanks Meena. I'm sure your island will look gorgeous.
Christene Holder says
I love this color! it totally changed the look of the room. I think this is mt new favorite accent color. AMAZING!
>> Christene
Keys to Inspiration
Maria says
I love what you did with the island,Kristi. I'm a fan of gray, especially in interiors and it's great you were able to incorporate it to your gorgeous kitchen! Thank you for sharing this transformation with us on #shinebloghop!
Amanda Bell says
Looks Great! I have been wanting a kitchen island for a long time. This is encouraging me to look more into it. Thanks for posting.
Kristi says
Thanks so much, Amanda. This is the first time I've had a kitchen island and I love it. 🙂
Nicole says
I thought the green was really cute - but the new gray paint color looks AMAZING with your kitchen! #HomeMattersParty
Kristi says
Thanks so much, Nicole. I'm really loving the new color. 🙂
BonBon says
Beautiful makeover. Love the new color. Also wanted to let you know that you are one of my featured favorites this week. I hope you will stop by and check it out.
Kristi says
Wow! Thanks so much featuring my kitchen island makeover.
Debrashoppeno5 says
I like the dark gray on the island. It grounds it and keeps it lighter than black would be.
Kristi says
Thanks so much! I'm really thrilled with the way it turned out.
Meg says
Hi ,
Where did you get your island? WHat are the dimension?
Kristi says
Hi Meg! The kitchen island actually came with the house. From looking at it, I think it was made for this space and built in place.