I have told the story many times of how much I fell in love
with our kitchen the first time I saw it.
with our kitchen the first time I saw it.
So you likely already know that it wasn’t the lovely old brown marbled look linoleum that stretched across the original hardwoods that caught my eye.
Or the dark, orange stained knotty pine walls that felt a tad bit like a dreary dungeon-
and it definitely wasn’t the ceiling fan with faux wood blades
and the beer bottle dangling from the pull.
and it definitely wasn’t the ceiling fan with faux wood blades
and the beer bottle dangling from the pull.
Those were all elements in this kitchen when I first saw it and I looked past each of them
and saw the potential.
Those vintage cupboards that were original were my favorite thing.
They were painted white and stretched to the ceiling and made that one wall in the kitchen feel like it was a wall with amazingness just waiting to be worked around.
And work around them we did.
We kept those original cupboards as we tinkered with the layout and changes- and they are my favorite thing in the kitchen even now.
Though… a recent change in the island might be giving them a run for their money.
We have renovated our kitchen as budget allowed- bit by bit.
We kept some things the same (the cupboards) and built new from scratch as we needed to
and we added vintage $20 chandeliers along with a dream range.
And when it came to the island that chunky blocky island we had before
just didn’t feel like it fit the space after some of those renovations and changes and it became harder to work around and so… the search for the perfect piece began.
just didn’t feel like it fit the space after some of those renovations and changes and it became harder to work around and so… the search for the perfect piece began.
I knew I wanted something with a vintage charm.
With that gorgeous warm, distressed wood patina
and something that was antique or felt antique.
I searched the usual vintage spots like craigslist and thrift stores and even eBay
and wasn’t finding anything that had the right proportions or the right look- it needed to be long enough and not too wide.
and wasn’t finding anything that had the right proportions or the right look- it needed to be long enough and not too wide.
And then I remembered something that I had already fallen in love with
that had the perfect color, the perfect style, the perfect finish…
and that extra long size I was looking for.
It is the perfect amount of beauty and function-
and you might recognize it.
It is the same design as the the small version that I used for our bathroom vanity.
The Avignon Drapery table is much much larger than the smaller console in the bathroom-
but just only about 29″ wide-
which makes it perfect for our kitchen which is a long and more narrow space than a lot of todays kitchen and a traditional chunky island just doesn’t feel like it fits right.
My goal was something vintage or vintage looking- and the details fit the bill.
While I found several antique/vintage console or farm style tables with shelves underneath and little drawers for storage- I found that the ones that checked the boxes we needed to be checked-
were all priced fairly high.
And knowing that reproductions can be just as gorgeous- and much less expensive than the original-
I went with this gorgeous piece.
I love those carved details, the vintage style finish and the shelf along the bottom for stacking breadboards, copper and linens.
I added a slab of marble to the top to give it that wonderful French pastry type table look and function and that chunk of marble was perfect- even though it is a bit imperfect itself.
It has a story.
And since this post is already onto the second cup of coffee long-
I will share more about customizing this table and that story and a little bit about the process of choosing the perfect size/look/style island for your kitchen
in a separate post.
You can find all the details about the Avignon Drapery table here
and if you like the style but the size isn’t right- the smaller console table might be perfect for you.
(And this is not sponsored-just sharing the details.)
And you can see more of my kitchen in my book- French Country Cottage
So what do you think?
I am so in love with how it has turned out.
A Whole Lotta Magic says
What's not to love, Courtney? It's gorgeous!
Anonymous says
It is absolutely gorgeous! You definitely have an eye for details. Love it!
elizabeth s says
Perfectly Charming!
Unknown says
I agree with Sue. What’s not to love? And I can see where only 20” wide would be ideal in a narrow kitchen. Good thinking! Love your cabinets and dying to know what you use the diamond shaped built in cabinet for. Is it deep enough for wine bottles?
One Shabby Old House says
Your kitchen posts have always cause me to dream of changes in my old kitchen. Hopefully this will be the year!
Unknown says
I really loved it all Courtney. You put it all together so good just like you always do. I have a question for you , when you did those sinks on top of that piece you used for your vanity , to have the pipes under It did it do away with the drawers that it has? I mean it looks like they will not open. I really love that look! I would love to have one in my bathroom, I could only have a smaller one. In my Log Cabin my husband made the drawers with a board half way across, that way I still had my drawers. I used an Antique dresser for the vanity!
Christinemitch81 says
Beautiful! Beautiful! As all your decor choices are :).
Pinky says
It is GORGEOUS!!!! I just love it!!!
Amy says
Love this!!! It's gorgeous and looks exactly like something one would find in France. Thank you so much for sharing! We are starting a kitchen reno soon in our 1940's Bedford stone and this would be perfect ????
Amy says
Love this!!! It's gorgeous and looks exactly like something one would find in France. Thank you so much for sharing! We are starting a kitchen reno soon in our 1940's Bedford stone and this would be perfect ????
Amy says
Love this!!! It's gorgeous and looks exactly like something one would find in France. Thank you so much for sharing! We are starting a kitchen reno soon in our 1940's Bedford stone and this would be perfect ????
Amy says
Love this!!! It's gorgeous and looks exactly like something one would find in France. Thank you so much for sharing! We are starting a kitchen reno soon in our 1940's Bedford stone and this would be perfect ????
DeAnna says
Oh our minds think a lot alike I tell ya! I've had my eye on this table for a while too! It's gorgeous Courtney and I love it! I just think the pretty details of the legs and corbels work perfectly with the lacanche. There are other drapery tables out there, but there's just something about this one that makes my heart sing.
Alison says
It is stunning! that sums it up love it!
Unknown says
Omg!!! This was love at first sight. I was actually just looking for examples of a farmhouse table island with drawers, bottom shelf and hanging chandelier. Thanks so much for sharing was this can look like in reality. Absolutely stunning.
Unknown says
Omg!!! This was love at first sight. I was actually researching farmhouse table islands with a drawe, bottom shelf and chandelier a couple days ago. Thanks for sharing what this could look like in reality. Absolutely stunning.
Norma says
Beautiful and charming
Anonymous says
Absolutely beautiful and perfect!!!!
Marisa Franca @ Allourway says
I agree! I love how it turned out and the marble on top is just the touch. You certainly have the vision for adding the right things.
Sandra at Maison De Jardin says
Lovely and dripping with charm.
nanni 2 4 says
I couldn't wait to see this post today! I have been looking for a island for our kitchen; and this looks like it fits the bill! I don't have a lot of room to work with as well. It is a beauty for sure!
Pamela says
Courtney I loved your kitchen so much before and couldn't imagine loving another kitchen more but goodness you knocked this out of the park lady! It is simply stunning.
Barbara Windle says
A perfectly beautiful island. I am glad you added the marble top. It just finishes it off.
Shirley@Housepitality Designs says
That piece could not be more perfect!!!!….and imperfection is also good too!! Love that line!
Running on empty says
Lovely island!
Unknown says
Bellísimas cocinas,adorables,saludos.
Unknown says
What a amazing look with a vintage and french feel, love everything about it! Thanks for sharing!
Unknown says
What a amazing look both vintage and french, love it! Thanks for sharing with us.
Lurlie says
What a lovely photo! I love the new island and your entire kitchen!
Yvette says
Beautiful kitchen!! I love your island!! ♥️
Yvette says
Beautiful kitchen!! I love your island!! ♥️
Lynn says
Fabulous, I want it all. LOL!
Amy says
Your kitchen is beautIful. It has that perfect combination of light, aIry And cozy, efficient and romantic. I love the old world charm and who DOESN’T love marble?! 💕
Ivory says
I want this look in Our home. Fabulous!!!!
Peggy says
thanks for your inspiration. I am renovating a home built in 1920 in KY and am going French country in style.
may I ask, what tile is it you used on your backsplash and shower surround?
Christine says
Charming. would you share any information you know about your footed fruit bowl?