The Salvaged Find That Adds Instant Vintage Charm To A Kitchen Island

As unfitted kitchens come back in style, you might be eyeing your overly-modern kitchen island with a twinge of disappointment. If you opted for a sleek island over the now-trendy rustic wood table, don't fret. There are still ways to make your kitchen look timeless by adding an antique touch. Salvaged corbels can turn your island from a plain, modern piece to an intricate work of art. They're an old-school design feature that will add a vintage touch your kitchen.

Although corbels were traditionally structural pieces intended to uphold shelves or balconies, they are often purely decorative today. Made from everything from wood to plaster, they come in a wide range of both stately and ornate designs. You can often find vintage corbels on Etsy or Facebook Marketplace. Keep in mind that the top of your salvaged corbels should be just shorter than the portion of the countertop that juts out from the body of the island. They should be placed underneath the countertop on each side of the island, to create the illusion of support.

More and more homeowners and renters are researching how to marry their love of classic architecture with a new build home, and corbels can instantly help transform a contemporary space. In addition to adding vintage corbels beneath your island overhang, consider upgrading the body of your kitchen island with wainscoting. When paired with salvaged corbels, the combination creates the appearance of a well-crafted piece of furniture. Don't feel pressured to keep the surface completely clear, either. As minimalist kitchens move aside in favor of more collected, lived-in spaces, consider decorating your island with vintage ceramic pieces, fruit bowls, vases, or natural woven textiles like placemats.

If you love the look of corbels, don't stop at the island. Repeating the detail elsewhere in your kitchen can create a more cohesive design, whether you install them beneath glass-front cabinets or use them to support open shelving. To tie the entire room together, consider adding crown molding throughout the space. Even as a beginner, you can use the simplest method for installing cabinet crown molding. You can also install baseboards around your kitchen island that echo the shape and style of your corbels. These are all small touches, but they add up to create a unified, classic atmosphere.