| All things come to him who goes after them. | | | | |
| | | | Purchase a ready-made island if you can find |
| The information you just read was pulled from | | | | one that will fit your kitchen's dimensions. |
| many different resources. You should continue | | | | You'll want enough clearance all the way |
| searching for information until you believe | | | | around (generally a minimum of 30') so |
| you have a firm grasp of the subject. I do | | | | appliances open easily and people can walk |
| want to thank you for visiting and good luck. | | | | around freely. Absent any ready-made options, |
| | | | if you're handy (or know someone who is), |
| Want to decorate your kitchen but don't have | | | | create your own island using stock cabinets |
| a lot of money? | | | | (such as a pair of wall cabinets attached |
| | | | back to back) from a home center. It's fine |
| With a little persistence and time, you can | | | | to go with a different finish from what's on |
| find decorative items at yard sales for | | | | your other cabinets, too. Paint the lower |
| pennies! Of course, it will take a bit more | | | | part of the island a contrasting color and |
| work then just walking into your local Home | | | | top with laminate, butcher block, or even |
| Interiors store, but you will spend far less | | | | luxe-look granite. |
| and end up with some unique items that will | | | | |
| add interest to your home. | | | | As for color ' that's the fun part! Take your |
| | | | pick and go conservative with soft gold, sage |
| Beauty is only skin deep, ugly goes to the | | | | green, or pale blue, or get crazy and paint |
| bone. | | | | the walls barn red, terra cotta orange, or |
| | | | kiwi green. Look for scrubbable paint in a |
| You can find items at yard sales that make | | | | satin or semi-gloss finish. |
| over go with any kitchen decor. If your | | | | |
| kitchen is country style, look for old | | | | Fast Fix: |
| baskets and chunky old pottery bowls and | | | | |
| pitchers. Put them above the cabinets for a | | | | Get rid of those boring white walls! |
| decorative display or use them on the | | | | |
| counters to store fruits or everyday items. | | | | The good news about this project is that |
| Look for old wooden boxes or silverware trays | | | | paint is inexpensive and the walls in a |
| that you can use as decorative items - this | | | | kitchen are generally confined to smaller |
| old wood adds warmth and character to your | | | | areas above, between, and next to the |
| kitchen. | | | | cabinets. The bad news: you'll have to mask |
| | | | off cabinets and countertops with blue tape |
| Yard sale finds are perfect for decorating a | | | | and sheets of plastic so drips and painting |
| retro style kitchen. You can still find many | | | | mistakes won't be an concern. |
| kitchen items from the 1970's and 60's in | | | | |
| good condition. Some of these are true | | | | If you prefer a modern or contemporary |
| collectibles but many are just fun and | | | | kitchen, you can find many almost new and |
| decorative. I always look for old bread | | | | gently used items to suit your tastes at |
| boxes, canister sets, salt and pepper | | | | every yard sale. Try hitting the sales in the |
| shakers, napkin holders, wall clocks and | | | | upscale section of town and you might find |
| other bric a brac for my retro kitchen. | | | | some very expensive items for much less than |
| | | | you would pay at the retail store. You may |
| If your kitchen is more of a 1940's look, you | | | | have to look around a bit to find exactly |
| might have a harder time finding vintage | | | | what you want, but your resolve can pay off |
| items of the era, but you can come up with | | | | big time! |
| some good finds if you scour the yard sales | | | | |
| and dig into those old boxes. Kitchens | | | | Sometimes you can find items at yard sales |
| decorated in this era, beg for vintage linens | | | | that have antique or collectible value. If |
| to be used as tablecloths and displayed | | | | you find that you lean towards collecting a |
| hanging from the stove and cupboard handles. | | | | certain kind of item like old pottery or |
| These old linens are stamped with colorful | | | | vintage linens, it might be worth your while |
| designs and add cheer to any kitchen. Some of | | | | to invest in some reference books on the |
| the state map tablecloths are quite | | | | subject. That way you will be able to |
| collectible and can be very expensive in | | | | recognize a good piece when you see it. Who |
| antique shops, so if you find one of those in | | | | knows, your yard sale treasure could turn out |
| your travels, you have a real gem on your | | | | to be a real winner! |
| hands! | | | | |
| | | | This could be the start of something big |
| If your kitchen is the 60's, 70's or 80's | | | | |
| style you might want to consider a few easy, | | | | What you are about to read is the culmination |
| inexpensive fast improvements. | | | | of information from many different places and |
| | | | resources. I hope you enjoy it. |
| Fast Fix: | | | | |