Joanna Hansen
When I find and purchase old furniture, I don’t always get a clear picture of what it really looks like until I pick it up. The truth is… this cabinet was a bit of a disappointment when I picked it up and even left it in the back of my truck, where it got rained on all night long.
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The top and sides were made out of butcher block and super heavy. The Demo First things first… to start with, I removed the cabinet doors, hardware, wooden plugs, and the backing. At least that’s what I’m going for—time to start rebuilding this cabinet into the rolling kitchen island that I have always wanted.
Surfprep Sanding System With all this lovely butcher block wood, I knew I couldn’t just paint over it. So, I grabbed my Surfprep Sander with 80 grit paper and started stripping back the old varnish. The first thing you’ll need to do is turn the furniture upside down and check for any structural issues.
I have to share this with you… I told my hubby that the rolling kitchen island would have an industrial farmhouse vibe when I’m done with it. He immediately started laughing and told me to quit making up design styles. It was the best option to match the butcher block’s raw wood, and I liked the boxy feel of it.
Finishing The Butcher Block On The Rolling Kitchen Island To condition the butcher block top, I added a coat of Hemp Seed Oil with a chip brush and wiped it back with a soft cotton cloth. So, after 24 hours of dry time, I went back with a Pickling Gel Stain and the Walnut Gel Stain (oil-based, so I know it will be okay to use) and wiped it on the wood in the direction of the wood grain.
Hemp Seed Oil No Pain Gel Stain Applicator Pad I cut three sheets of 1/4 inch plywood and created a faux shiplap backing with a small piece of trim to finish it off.
But with the wheels, it’s easy to maneuver when I need a little extra room to move around. I’ll fill it up with desserts, plates, silverware, and napkins and roll it right to the dinner table.
Because the back is basically flat, I added a steel kitchen organizer from IKEA with hooks.
