One of the ways you can add detail to an otherwise builder-grade kitchen is by installing custom kitchen island trim. Since this is our somewhat-forever-home (at least for the next 10 years or so) I budgeted for specific items that I really really wanted and chose to save money on other things that weren’t super important to me. But thankfully since Craig is such an awesome carpenter, we’re usually able to get a similar custom look diy-style!  So instead of ordering fancy end panels for the island from the cabinet place (that cost beaucoup $$) I had him build our own custom panels. ** this post may contain affiliate links. see my full disclosure here.

The island is 120″ long with the sink centered in the middle. The cabinets were 24″ deep and of course this isn’t deep enough for an island. So we decided on a finished depth of 40″ for the island. I would have gone even deeper but we needed ample walkway space between the fireplace and island. So here’s what the island looked like prior to Craig adding the kitchen island trim:

pendant lights | similar capiz chandelier

to still have a usable sink during the renovation, Craig put the old countertop back on and hooked up an old stainless sink we had from one of our apartment buildings. Looks pretty redneck, but at least we didn’t have to do dishes in the bathtub! 🙂

Kitchen Island Trim

We searched through tons of inspiration pics on Pinterest and Instagram and settled on an x style design for the end panels. I wanted the ends of the island to be beefy and substantial. We added similar x style detail to the ends of the island at Mouse House, but created the panels for this new kitchen to be the full 40″ wide to support the island countertop without the use of corbels. 

He extended the island depth by building a small wall with 2×4’s and wrapping it in 1/4″ maple plywood. He then used smaller, thin poplar boards from Lowes to create the x design.

this is the SKU for these thin poplar boards in case you want to track them down (from Lowes)

He attached the x board pieces to the plywood with a pin nailer using 23 gauge size nails (and he used his 18 gauge nailer on the corner pieces)  He’s got so many tools – at least he’s putting them to good use with all these projects!

Here’s his makeshift dining room / work shop 🙂 See similar miter saw on Amazon (he uses this thing ALL the time!)

Then for the back of the island, we just decided to attach the thin poplar boards every 24″ to give a little detail (he attached them over the maple plywood.) I will have 3 barstools at the island so the back won’t be very noticeable.
We decided to add 4.25″ baseboards (similar to these) to the island to give it a finished look. Then fill holes with putty, sand, caulk, and paint (custom color matched to the stock Chai Latte gray/taupe cabinets from Medallion/Menards)

I love how the kitchen island trim turned out! Sneak peek – there’s our new counter top! They were delivered last week and I AM IN LOVE! Thank the Lord, because I was not able to see a full slab prior to ordering but they truly look GORGEOUS. Full post to come on countertops, so stay tuned!

You may have also noticed, our new kitchen pendants. I have been in love with the Darlana pendant lights from Visual Comfort for years and I finally took the plunge and bought them for the kitchen. I think the gold color adds some much needed warmth to the space. I ordered the small size from One Kings Lane when they were having a 20% off sale and they arrived in one week!

For over our dining table, I was finally able to use this gorgeous capiz chandelier that I bought from Pottery Barn about 8 years ago. We had originally planned on building a giant farmhouse on 10 acres until God told Us No. So this was one of the light fixtures I had purchased in the hopes of putting it in the new build and it had been sitting in our attic ever since. So glad I finally found a home for it!

I love it…but that thing was a PAIN to unwrap. There were about 100 strands of shells and each were INDIVIDUALLY wrapped. Took me about an hour to finally free all those shells. But it was worth it. I love how it looks and it’s large enough to make a statement, but still coordinates really well with the Darlana lanterns.

Unfortunately, Pottery Barn no longer sells this particular chandelier but I’ve found some similar versions: this one is only $233 and this one is a bit more modern but SO gorgeous! And here’s an even cheaper version with teardrop shaped shells, so pretty!

The kitchen is starting to look like a real kitchen finally – this week, we’re trying to design the stove hood but I can’t decide what kind of wood to use… I want something light and a little rustic. Do you have any ideas? Share with me in the comments!

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