Work Island: From Vexing to Versatile

This gobbled space in my garage for two years.

It was advertised on Facebook Marketplace as an entertainment center. When I picked it up, I realized it was actually a freestanding island. Despite knowing the color I wanted, I was overwhelmed by the size of the piece every time I tried to start work. It was time to tackle the mammoth in the room.

Step One: Sanding the Top

The top of the island was a faux butcher block design. Look what lovely natural wood was hiding under all that orangey finish! It was going to look great with my paint.

Step Two: Sanding the Frame

As I was scuff-sanding, I discovered the sides and doors were a poor quality particle board. Sigh. I could plod forward but the results wouldn’t be want I wanted. So I reconsidered the piece. Did it need the flimsy doors? Nope.

Then I went a step further and removed the particle board sides, too. Opening up the design also opened up the possibilities for use: kitchen island, hobby cart, workbench, laundry center, entry table? So many options now.

Step Three: Repairs & Patching

Using DAP® Plastic Wood filler, I concealed the grooves where the particle board had been installed. But I also needed to disguise where the hinges for the doors had been.

Using E6000® adhesive, I glued a piece of wood in the hinge slot and blended the area with wood filler. In addition, I glued one of the drawer fronts back in place from where it had separated from its drawer.

Step Four: Priming & Painting

Once I discarded the parts I didn’t need, I primed the piece with Zinsser BIN® shellac-based primer. I left the top natural and protected it with four coats of Minwax® Polycrylic.

Then I painted the frame and shelves with two coats of Farmhouse® Paint “Sage Shadow.” I followed that up with a couple of coats of Polycrylic on the frame. I also lined the drawers and selected sleek new satin nickel handles…but I’m still waiting for them to arrive.