UncategorizedKitchen Series Day 4: Island and Bar Stools March 14, 2013 Now on to the part of this series I’m most excited about…the fun stuff! The best advice that we’ve received (and that we’re putting into practice) when it comes to considering resale potential is to go classic with the big stuff and infuse your style into the small stuff. I know our decision to do open shelving throws a bit of a kink in that concept, but it’s a kink we’re okay with. We’re really having fun with the details of the kitchen, ones that can be easily changed. With this big white box we’ve created, I knew I wanted a furniture type island that stood out rather than a traditional built-in type that matched the cabinets and counter tops. I love the furniture as island idea because it stands out from the rest of the kitchen. But from a resale perspective, it’s awesome because you can just move it out and bring something else in if you want to. I considered colored islands. {via} I love, love, love this one. {via} I do love these pictures and how a color pops off of a white kitchen. But after we decided not to use butcher block counter tops, I was missing wood in the room. These images gave me some inspiration… {via} {via} Oh I loved it. It immediately made me think of this desk that Chris made me a couple of Chrismasses ago. I’ve always loved this rustic wood desk up against the white walls in our old sunroom. Hmmm…how would it look up against an all-white kitchen? Yes! We’re going to use these same beams from the desk to build an island something like those in the pictures above. It’ll be big…probably about seven feet long! So excited about all that extra workspace and this big chunky centerpiece for the kitchen. I think we’re going to do all wood instead of topping it with our counter top, as it is in the images I shared. A wood plank top will look good, I think. Though I love the pictures above, I really like the idea of all wood against all white. Now onto something else fun…BAR STOOLS! We didn’t have an island or bar stools in the last house and I really wanted them here. Is it weird that we don’t even have kids yet, but I always want bar stools where little kids can sit in the morning and eat cereal? I’m a planner, for sure. I always liked these iron and wood beauties…very rustic and very my style. Oh, I still love those. They’re on sale right now at World Market if you’re interested. But when we decided on the wood island, that was a bit too much to me. Remember, I’m looking for contrast in the design of this house. I love images like this of a rustic farm table with modern chairs. {via} And then I thought, I could do that with my island! I wanted something white and modern to really pop off the rustic wood. I told y’all I was going a bit modern, right? Well, I’d say these stools are a major stretch into that style for me. I think we’ll be going with these from IKEA. At $70 each, that’s not too bad for bar stools. Ooh, it amazes me how much I love these. I saw this kitchen not long after I decided on this combo and it really solidified my decision. {via} Marrying the old and new, wood with white, chunky island with sleek chairs. Contrast! *** Now, tomorrow, we’re really stepping into fun stuff. I’m talking lighting, rugs, and decor. I know right now, everything is still very neutral, but I’m bringing in pops of color tomorrow!