Our modestly sized condo loft conversion (at just over 600 square feet) has given us a number of good challenges to work through in our brief stint as home owners. At approximately 10 feet long and a stove deep, our kitchen is barely usable in terms of enthusiastic-home-cook-dream-kitchen appeal. With only minimal space allotted in the floor plan for dining and entertaining, and a large collection of pots and pans that needed a home, we needed an island. This particular unit didn't come with one and the builders wanted a small fortune to install a matching one. I thought it was best to find another “after the fact option.” See the Top 5, top 6 actually, that didn’t quite make it below.
Restoration Hardware Salvaged Wood Kitchen Island 96"L x 40"W x 36"H, $2695
Not at all dual purpose, but unbelievably beautiful. I could only dream about making fresh baked bread and seating my seven to nine or so friends down to eat here afterward. Made from century old salvaged doors from Britain, it fits in with the eco-friendly theme, and has an area for storage. Likely, very heavy and impossible to just “move out of the way.” This didn’t make the cut because of the size, the price and the fact that it is not really that practical for loft living.
Garage Storage (from thekitchn blog via apartment therapy) dimensions, price unknown
This is someone else’s find, but I love the idea. Technically, a tool storage unit, conceptually a kitchen island. Unfortunately I could not find a suitable Canadian counterpart at any of our big box stores so I have to keep this borrowed photo/idea on the list as is. This one didn’t make the cut because I couldn’t find an attractive tool storage unit that would fit.
CB2 Sidecar High Dining Table 47.25"Wx23.5"Dx42.5"H $399 USD
This one from CB2 definitely made the list for its high gloss finish and multi-functionality. Bonus points for storage, although not big enough for pots and pans. And although it has seating, the space-saving design really only accommodates two. This one didn’t make the cut for size and the limited storage.
John Boos & Co Stainless Steel Kitchen Island Work Table with Sliding Doors 72Lin x 24W in Height: 36" $2170 USD, $2610 USD with castors and internal shelf. Available in different sizes/widths.
This one was a close favorite. Stainless steel, with castors and shelving inside for lots of storage. Unfortunately this one was rejected because it does not really suit seating. With nowhere to tuck their knees your dinner guests won’t want to linger over dessert.
Ernestomeda production, designed by Pietro Arosio
Clearly, this island is more in the never-going-to-happen category than the shortlist. Always having appreciated anything that looks like a castoff from the set of the Jetsons, I practically squealed when I came across this one. It has sleek lines, is Italian made, flexible, multi-functional, made with environmentally friendly materials and is incredibly practical. This island is not just for food prep and seating; it contains both a sink and stove top. Either way, this didn’t make the shortlist because although I could not find a price-point online, I am certain it is not in the budget. Sigh.
John Boos & Co Walnut Cucina D'Amico, $1399.95
I’m not usually a fan of these kitchen carts, but with a solid chunk of Black Maple and high quality materials, I was easily converted. This one really just was not large enough for my purposes, and does not provide seating. Compiling this list I noticed that two of my selections from separate sites shared the same manufacturer. So here it is, the last John Boos & Co. product to round out the list.
To see what we DID end up with, see this post...
By Jennifer Myers, one of our lovely web designers
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