Market Counter Kitchen Island Makeover

Every now and then junkers are lucky enough to come across one very special piece. I mean SPECIAL  ....like "you are just certain that the little ray of light shining on it is straight from junker's heaven" kind of special. I found one of those pieces last year. It was a late 1800's to early 1900's  market counter from a general store/pharmacy in northern Missouri. It was missing the counter top but did have the original tilt out divided bin that was lined with tin and all of the original hardware! Not to mention the perfectly chippy white paint. SWOON! I came across this little gem (Ok, hubs and son would argue that this piece was NOT little) at an auction and knew there was no way I was leaving with out it. After I won the bid (as if there was a question I may not?), we dug it out of the barn, loaded it up and headed home. I couldn't stop smiling! I knew it was destined to be given new life and become the main focal point in someone's home.....and that made me so happy!

Here is the raw counter for sale at Restoration Emporium (sorry about the soda can oops!)

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For my sweet friend and client, C, it was going to be an island in her big beautiful farm house kitchen. She had been looking for years for something just like it. She wanted hubs to make a few adjustments and build a custom hard wood counter top for it. 

Back View - back home turning the lap siding around to reveal the chippy side

We are fortunate to have a mill near our home that offers many types of locally harvested hard wood trees that are cut to a TRUE inch in thickness. After digging through the racks of lumber and inhaling the amazing scent of fresh cut lumber, I selected hickory wood to be used as the top. It is one of my favorites for it's random light/dark grain patterns and being one of the most durable woods you can buy locally. Then, through a fellow Restoration Emporium vendor, I snagged a pair of perfectly chippy white antique corbels to use on the bar side of the counter top. SCORE! 

 Fast forward several months later and we finally finished and delivered it in time for C to host her families Christmas gathering. We all agreed that it was meant to be in this very kitchen. It just completed it.

 I have to say, I am in love with C's kitchen and may be guilty coveting it a weeeee bit.


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This is exactly how I envisioned it. Photos of the install...

Here is her gorgeous kitchen all prettied up for Christmas...