The Unexpected Item Joanna Gaines Chose To Replace Her Kitchen Island

We all know her — the star of kitchen interior design, the focal point around which our entire scheme revolves, the center of attention for our culinary space — the central island. The kitchen island is so integral in our setups that it's often the first feature to decide on when designing a kitchen. She's the focal point, the moment, and the statement piece. While there are several prebuilt traditional options, HGTV designer Joanna Gaines has proven that sometimes the most unexpected item can be the most show-stopping. In a post on Magnolia, Gaines shared a snapshot tour of her farmhouse-style home. In the kitchen sat a humble yet impactful central island with simple yet elegant arched millwork details. However, it was no ordinary center island. Gaines shared that the piece used to belong in an old church but was eventually moved and restored.

She said, "This came out of an old parochial school, but it was originally used as a baptismal." The central island was likely a communion or altar table at a church, but was eventually relocated to a parochial school and then to Gaines' personal kitchen. Restored pieces like this invite more charm and personality to your space. Not to mention, the kitchen island could impact your home's resale value, especially if it was sourced locally, as it can add historic charm.

Eclectic pieces like the communion table repurposed by Joanna Gaines create more intrigue and introduce a story into your space. To refurbish the item, it was painted a crisp white, and Gaines added a sleek white and gray marble countertop to the ensemble. To add a playful touch in the kitchen, Gaines added a splash of color to the new central island by pairing the white finish with antique barstools featuring red tops. If you wish to find your own communion table, you may have to visit auctions or local antique markets. Or, you can source a new one online for a steeper price.

When sourcing something unique like a communion table, you'll want to consider the item's condition. It's important for the center island to be sturdy enough to endure cooking or mild force when preparing meals, so cracked wood or other structural inhibitors should be restored. Additionally, while these structures are unique, they don't always offer the same amenities as a traditional island. You may have to forgo outlet installations, an island sink, or added storage, depending on the piece. While other alternatives, like the once-dated kitchen table that's making a hot comeback in homes or an apothecary cabinet, are also ways to introduce historic charm, they can come with many of the same downsides.