Closet Island Progress (Plus, I Found Baskets!)
This closet island project is becoming a never-ending project inside another never-ending project. I swear to you that I worked all day yesterday on the island, and while I did make some good progress, I didn’t get nearly as much done as I thought I would. I was hoping to get paint on at least a part of the island yesterday, but that didn’t happen.
Let me back up a bit. A couple of days ago, I shared my design for each of the drawer/door sections. That design looks like this, where I trimmed out each section as a whole rather than trimming out each drawer front and cabinet door individually…
So yesterday, I had to finish up with adding the iron-on veneer edge banding on some of the drawer fronts and the two doors. Adding the edge banding to the edges that had the 1/4-inch trim was pretty straightforward, but adding the edge banding to the edges that didn’t have the 1/4-inch trim was a little trickier. Here’s what it looked like after I ironed it on, and you can see that it required a bit more careful trimming than the simple straight cuts required on the edges that had the 1/4-inch trim. Note that this drawer front is sitting on top of a scrap piece of 1/2-inch plywood that I used as my work surface.
After the edge banding was ironed on, I stood it up on the edge to trim off that excess piece sticking out on the side. I used a very sharp, new blade in my utility knife to do all of the trimming.
Once that was cut off, I laid it back down and trimmed off the excess from the front edge. Here’s what it looked like after it was trimmed. You can see that the excess is gone, but it’s still not very pretty.
I show you that to make a point that sanding wood veneer edge banding is a critical step in making it look nice. Do not skip this step! Sanding the edge banding to make it blend in with the plywood is what gives it that finished, solid wood look. I used 100-grit sandpaper for this, and sanded it all by hand. This is not something you’d want to use a sander for because you can easily remove too much veneer, or sand too much off of the corner with a sander. Sanding by hand gives you much more control. Here’s what it looked like once it was sanded.
Once I got them all sanded, I was ready for primer. I used my new favorite primer — Zinsser Bin Shellac-Based Primer. I should have taken the picture before I poured it and made a mess, but I forgot. 😀
I love this primer, and it’s now the only one I’ll use when I’m painting raw, unfinished wood. It’s the same primer I used on the wood floor in the studio before I painted it, and that floor has held up amazingly well, even with a hyper 100-pound dog who loves to play in there — the same dog who won’t let me touch his feet to cut his claws.
It’s also the same primer I used on the porch ceiling that used to look like this…
And then two years ago, I primed it with the shellac-based primer and repainted it, and as of this morning, two years later, there’s still not a single knot bleeding through. (There is, however, some trim that needs to be cleaned. 😀 )
Anyway, like I said, it’s now the only primer I’ll use on raw, unfinished wood that I want to paint. The one problem with the shellac-based primer is that I don’t like putting it into my paint sprayer because it required chemicals to clean. So I apply it with a brush and/or a roller. For my closet island drawer fronts and doors, I used these 4-inch rollers for smooth surfaces.
I generally use the 6-inch rollers if I can, but since these drawer fronts are kind of small, I went with the 4-inch rollers instead.
I got all of them primed, and then they all needed to be sanded before they can be painted. The primer dries very quickly (within an hour), and then I sanded them by hand using 220-grit sandpaper for a super smooth finish. Here’s one of the sections primed, sanded, and ready for paint.
I want to stress that primer doesn’t have to look pretty to be effective. I never do more than one coat of primer. There’s absolutely no need for the primer to be solid white. As long as every area is covered, and it feels smooth once it’s sanded with the 220-grit sandpaper, the primer will do its job and the paint (as long as you’re using a good quality paint) will cover beautifully.
Anyway, that’s as far as I got yesterday, but at least I’m ready to load up my sprayer with actual paint today and get these drawer fronts and doors painted!! FINALLY!!!! I still need to prime the actual island, but I’m not going to paint the inside, so that will go pretty quickly. I just need to prime the ends, the little bit of trim above and below where the doors and drawers will go, and then the feet. The inside will stay the plywood color, and it’ll just get a clear coat. At least that’s the plan for now. I reserve the right to change my mind. 😀
In other news, I got baskets!! I didn’t find these myself. Someone found them and left a comment on my last post about needing to find baskets (or make something) for these shelves. But once I saw these, I knew I had to snatch them up immediately. They’re perfect!
The bummer is that I ordered ten, and I only got nine. And I got these nine in three different shipments over the course of two weeks.
I did get a tenth item, but they sent me this instead. In a separate shipment. All by itself. Yeah, I don’t think this will work. 🤣
So I need to get that straightened out and get my tenth basket, but I think these will work perfectly!
Before I saw these baskets, I had planned on building my own boxes, and I purchased these label holders for them.
I’m still going to use them, but they get a little bit lost on their own once they’re against the baskets.
So I’m going to cut a little piece of 1/4-inch wood to use as a backplate for the label holders. I’ll paint them dark blue to match the dark blue trim on the baskets.
That’s the progress, y’all! I have so much hope that I’ll finish the island this weekend, but I’m really trying not to get my hopes too high because…well…I thought it was going to be done two weeks ago, and I’m still working on it. But now that I’m actually at the paint stage with the doors and drawer fronts, I really don’t see any reason that I can’t get it done this weekend. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, I really do expect to have a finished island to show you on Monday. I know. You’ve heard that before. But this time, I think it really might happen. 😁
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Addicted 2 Decorating is where I share my DIY and decorating journey as I remodel and decorate the 1948 fixer upper that my husband, Matt, and I bought in 2013. Matt has M.S. and is unable to do physical work, so I do the majority of the work on the house by myself. You can learn more about me here.
Great baskets! You are coming along nicely..and you know the pressure is just what you put on yourself..We see progress !
I know. I’m my own worst critic. But for my own mental health and peace of mind, I need to be done with this. I start to feel discouraged when things drag on for too long, and I’m well beyond that point with this island. 😒
“I reserve the right to change my mind” should be you tag line! Lol. Things are coming along beautifully. It may seem long now but is a blip of time in the long run. You will be enjoying this beautiful room everyday for years to come.
Sheila F.
Link for baskets, please!
Yes! I need that link too. ADORABLE.
Yes! I need that link too. ADORABLE.
They only have the small ones left. 😒 And I’m still one short.
Here’s the link: https://www.kohls.com/product/prd-7366414/product.jsp
I hope you find what you need. They are SO nice…I never saw them before…they are ALL out of stock right now. I love that they have the lid. I’ll keep watching too.
How will you be painting the island cabinet? Roll or spray?
Yes, link, please! So darling!
Brush. 😀
Those baskets are just so perfect. I’m a sucker for scallops anyway but to find them with blue trim! Seem tailor-made for you.
I offer my unsolicited perspective regarding a pervasive theme you have expressed as you have neared the finish line in past projects: Your strategic mind projects you forward. A strength of yours, for sure, because your creative imagination creates possibilities and solutions all the time. Use it for that as you work on the concluding details to finish this lovely space. I know you will accomplish your goal, as always, and then move on to the next project. So please try see this project to the end with happy patience. ‘I’m so ready to be done with this,’ is a waste of energy.
You will soon be ready to fill those waiting drawers and shelves with all your wearables. The snail will be still and the bus will be parked. Each waiting for the outings you will give them. Cooper will have lots to enjoy. The vision of that ‘moving’ day ( I mean that both literally and figuratively) can be the motivation to stay positive now and imagine soon standing in the doorway and surveying what you have made with your two hands.
Your life will be simpler, for sure, and you also can think back on all you learned and generously shared with us who champion your expertise, transparency, and skill. Who knows what ongoing influence you are having on so many who may tackle tasks they might not have thought of undertaking. Some, like me, have expressed that with gratitude.
I will patiently wait for the big reveal day. Will you invite Matt to join our visual party? Hugs to you both.
I wanna tease her about all that time she “wasted” catching up on laundry!
But I love doing laundry so I cannot. 😆 🤣 😂 😹 😆
I can’t wait to see how you attach the ply and labels to your baskets. I’m hoping to attach shaker pegs to a heavy duty rattan strip at the bottom of a mirror. I thought about layering a ply strip behind the rattan.
Perfect baskets! I know you didn’t design it on purpose this way, but it’s very satisfying to me how the basket width is the same width as the cutout of the trim on the top of the shelf. Like they’ll all line up with that top trim, and that is so satisfying to my brain.
Yay for progress – it matters not how slight it may be! I adore those baskets! The scalloped edge trim, it makes my heart happy!! Please share the link that was shared with you!
Your level of attention to detail is inspiring!
Have a great, productive weekend!
(I read and enjoy every post, even those about odds & ends, though I only comment if I have something to say.)
They only have the small ones left. 🙁 And I’m still short one basket.
Here’s the link to the small ones: https://www.kohls.com/product/prd-7366414/product.jsp
Don’t let yourself get down on this project. You’ve had quite a few detours, hold-ups, left turns, right turns and whatnot in this whole project. Having a plan and sticking to it has really never worked for you! You are a “creator,” and that type of person finds it hard to stick with plans. Things always pop into your head that cause you to go left instead of right. And that’s okay, because it usually works out for you! It doesn’t help that you have so many voices giving you things to ponder! Maybe you sharing every day is not such a good idea? I think WE are a big part of you taking so long! Every post gives you food for thought, so there you go, off in another good direction someone came up with! So blame us, not yourself! Now, stop reading comments and go back to work – we are DYING to get to the finish line as much as you are! :-))
It’s coming along,Kristi! I laugh to myself, as you are at THAT point in this project, 🤣. And I, personally, am familiar with this trudging process. As ith every other time, it will all get finish. As you were holding up the label holder on the basket…I thought how would it work if you attached it to the shelf instead? Might be simpler and quicker and work just as well since the label can be switched be out. Just a thought.
I love that primer, it’s been in my stable for a long time, and I do two coats, don’t ask me why. I think it has to do with the OCD or CDO in my case. But you are right, one coat and you’re good to go. Love the baskets, and I only thought that screwups with the ordering system happened to me, sorry that you have to go through that. Enjoy the weekend, we are finally coming out of our heatwave, YAY only in the 90’s today.
Cheers to you and Matt!
You do amazing work! I love this closet so much!
Two things: one, I’m glad to finally understand why I sometimes cannot see veneer v. wood. I know what to look for but dor the life of me sometimes it seems undetectable. Thank you! Beautiful work and your explanations are so clear.
Second, PINK is what I wait to see after the dresser is finished!
😆 🤣 😂
I love the new baskets, they’re perfect! Would you mind sharing where they’re from?
They only have the small ones left😒 https://www.kohls.com/product/prd-7366414/product.jsp
Oh, those baskets are to die for!!! Love them and the blue trim, how fitting for the closet. You are on a roll, but remember to take care of yourself, too. You and Matt have a beautiful, blessed weekend
Is there any chance a Kohls would have the baskets in‐store? Could you call your nearest one to see? I just love those too as I am a fan of blues.
I would paint the label holders navy to match the scallops. They would pop.
Cooper doesn’t look very interested in what’s going on in the closet!
Love the baskets. Could you put the label on the shelving under the basket and then just be sure to put the right basket in the right place? Your idea will probably look better.
You will wake up one of these days, and by-golly you will be finished!! We will be glad because we are ready to move on to the bedroom.
Have you done the trial run on getting Matt out of the house? You really need to do that. I can’t help but think an outside door in your bedroom will not be a good idea. Someone could break in through that door. I just don’t believe you need a door as you could take Matt out through the bathroom back door. But until you do a trial, you really don’t know. But I have to remind myself that it is your and Matt’s home, not mine.
Love the baskets! Painting always takes 10x longer than you think it will.
Kristi, I hate that you have 9 and need 10. I’m wondering if they will sent the 10th as they seem to be sold out in all sizes in most stores. I found one near my son (It think) in Chicago. It was large…I think that is what you got. My area is sold out, every size, as is near my family all over the country. If I could find it I would go get it for you…let us all know, and maybe we can find it at a local store…it seems like it is going to be a challenge. Let me know if you want us to look locally for you.
I’d love it if someone found one and can send it to me! I do still need one in the large size, and there aren’t any around here or within 50 miles of me, and they’re not available for shipping.
Absolutely love those baskets!!! A perfect choice!
I love the baskets. They are just perfect. I hope you get the tenth one!