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, and it revealed that her island 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." Restored pieces like this invite more charm and personality to your space. They have a story behind them, which is not only a conversation-starter, but creates a one-of-a-kind feel that's hard to replicate with a prefabricated island. 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.

If you want to copy Gaines' idea and transform an antique table into an island, you'll first need to make some upgrades to make it functional for food prep and gathering. For example, to refurbish the item, Gaines painted the baptismal a crisp white, which helped it blend with the rest of her kitchen design. She then added a sleek white and gray marble countertop to the ensemble, complete with an overhang so she can arrange a trio of vintage bar stools underneath. This turned it into an actual island rather than just a table. If you wish to find your own baptismal table, you may have to visit auctions or local antique markets. You can also expand your search to other antique table options, such as a long Victorian farmhouse table, old shop counters, bakery tables, or butcher's tables.

When sourcing something unique like a baptismal 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. You also want to make sure it can hold the weight of a countertop, especially if you plan to fit it with a heavy stone like marble or granite. If you plan to use the original wood top, be sure to test it for lead or arsenic if it's painted or stained. 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.