Replies

1. 
   Cecile | Jan 01, 2006 07:38pm | #1

   Kitchen islands are a thing of the past for me (additionally they are fixed permanently to the floor) -- instead, find yourself a wooden kitchen table with a couple of drawers (or have them added). You can also extend the table legs to bring it to counter height, if that is what you need. Twenty years ago, I chose that option. I acquired an old, English pine table with stretchers at an antique restorer's shop. They added a flat piece of wood stained to match the old color the size of the table (to go atop the stretchers). Great for storing baskets of onions, garlic, potatoes, etc., wooden chopping boards, or you could display all your great looking pots and pans for easy reach. Also added were two drawers just under the table top for cutlery, etc. It has worked so well for my family that we are taking it with us to our newly restored 1890's cottage when we move in a couple of months.

2. 
   lizabeth | Jan 02, 2006 01:20am | #2

   Hi,

   kitchen benches are right for some places and not others. My new space has the dining/kitchen table in it and i also wanted an island bench for all the prepartion and paper glut that used to live on the kitchen table when that was central. I found my sources in the English magazines. Country Homes and Interiors is one good one that i am lucky enough to have years of stashed away. There are a few good kitchen companies that do great benches...Chalon is one that comes to mind Mark Wilkinson and John Lewis are also great and they have websites. It would be worth grabbing one edition and seeing if you like the style. Terence Conran's kitchen book is also great on a variety of benches and maybe your library has it.

   Mine has a central cupboard that is flush with only one side...faces the dining table for storage of all the crockery cutlery etc. one short side has two shelves for recipe booK the other has an open space for two stools for me to do the fiddly recipe things and for visitors too, the last also a long side has a helf designed for my bigger bowls and electrical stuff.

3. 
   abundanze | Jan 02, 2006 06:47pm | #3

   I would love more thoughts on kitchen island vrs movable table. 

    I am renovating and planned a galley kitchen with island without plumbing.  So the idea of movable vrs permanent island is a good one.  Advise welcommed.

1. 
   Cecile | Jan 03, 2006 12:54am | #4

   I would go with the movable table. If you are entertaining, this can free up space or help keep your guests where you want them. When my husband and/or children are working with me, I can move the table just a few inches giving us all enough space to move around without constantly bumping into each other.Have fun!

2. 
   Aberwacky | Jan 03, 2006 08:48pm | #5

   If there's no plumbing, go with a moveable table.  I've had both, and it really depends on your kitchen, but the table (or even an island) that's not fixed to the floor gives you more options.

   In my new house, I have a large kitchen and fixed island with a large prep sink, which I love.  In my current house, I have a free-standing table that's counter height, which I also love.

   No matter which you choose, make sure it has extra-deep toe-kick space so you can get nice and close to the work surface.  One of the best feature of my new island--I wish I'd thought to have all the cabinets made that way!

   Leigh

     

   I am a domestic goddess!  I deserve three ovens (and two dishwashers)! I am a domestic goddess!  I deserve three ovens (and two dishwashers)! I am a domestic goddess!  I deserve three ovens (and two dishwashers). . .