Kitchen Island On Casters

I built this for a repeat customer who became a dear friend of the family.

She wanted an additional work area in her kitchen but more importantly she wanted to be able to use it as buffet for entertaining as well. Other criteria included make it white but not plain; it had to have “class”; the top had to be durable but not plactic laminate; and she wanted to be able to move it without needing help (she was in her early 80’s).

The photos pretty much tell everything but here are a few items not illustrated: the drawers have under mount self closing slides that open from only one side, the shelves are accessible with double doors on both sides of the island, the shelves are adjustable, and the whole cabinet is mounted in three inch ball bearing casters. I brought the apron to within one quarter inch of the floor to hide the casters and make it appear stationary. Granite was used for the top to add weight so it could be used without rolling out from under her as she used it.

I’m partial to raised panels and fluting so I had to include those features. The carved maple corbels were probably not necessary to support the top but I thought they would add that “touch of class” she was wanting.

Constructed of birch veneer plywood for the box, poplar for raised panels, framework, and trim. Coated with sprayed with vinyl sealer, surfacer, vinyl sealer and top coated with a water white acrylic (non-yellowing lacquer).

-- Tom Landon, Lakeland, Fl. When you're through learning, you're through.