Island Drawer Fronts & Doors Are Built (Plus, My Artwork Lighting Choice)
I spent my whole day yesterday trying to get the island doors and drawer fronts finished so that I could get them all attached by the time I went to bed last night, but I didn’t quite make it. Let me just say that all of the details — ironing on and trimming all of the veneer edge banding, getting everything sanded (which all has to be done by hand), took way longer than I had anticipated. So by the time I went to bed last night, I had everything cut, all of the trim attached, and about 2/3 of the edge banding ironed on, trimmed, and sanded.
But at least now, I can show you why I chose to trim out the doors and drawer fronts that way I did. I had initially planned to trim out each drawer and door separately. This was the trim I had planned to use…
But the more I thought about it, the more I wanted to come up with a plan that would look more uniform from one section to another. Trimming out each individual drawer and door front separately would bring more attention to the fact that out of the four sections, I have three different configurations.
On this side, the two sections are the same, with each section having three drawers each.
But then on the other side, I had two more configurations, with one section having four drawers and another section having two cabinet doors.
So I wanted a design that would make all four sections look more unified, regardless of the number of drawers, and regardless of whether it had drawers or doors. With that in mind, I decided to trim out each section as one whole section. And you’ll notice that I also added a little corner detail to tie it in with the cabinets around the perimeter of the closet. Here’s what the sections with three drawers look like. This section is completely finished (edge banding and sanding) and ready to be primed…
And again, on this side, the two sections will be identical. But this second section still needs some sanding before it’s ready to be primed…
And then for the other side of the island, this is what the cabinet doors look like. They still need edge banding and sanding…
And then this is the final section with the four drawers. Two of these drawer fronts still need edge banding, and three of them still need to be sanded before I can prime them…
But you can see that all four sections will have the same overall dimensions and one unifying design on each section.
And then these are the pulls I decided to go with…
I decided to return the original ones I had purchased because they had those little finials on each end that can catch on clothing as you walk past them, and in a tight space like a closet, that can get old really quickly. And I decided that using two pulls per drawer would also be a hassle. So I opted for one long, sleek, finial-less pull for each drawer instead.
I got these pulls on Amazon (affiliate link), and they come in seven different lengths. If they look familiar to you, it’s because these are the same pulls I used on my studio cabinets.
I haven’t decided yet if I’m going to use these on the doors or if I’m going to use the round knobs on the doors like I did in the studio.
In other news, I finally made my decision on the lighting to go above the artwork that will go in the washer and dryer sections. I went with these gold 16.5″ picture lights (affiliate link).
I didn’t want anything battery operated because I don’t want to have to recharge lights regularly. And while these are intended for hardwiring, the reason I bought these particular lights is because they have these little holes on the metal backplate that allow them to easily be wired so that they can plug in.
They also have a remote that has different light settings on them, so these will work out perfectly. They’re a little more yellow than I prefer my golds to me, but it’s fine. I can live with that. 🙂 Now I just have to get frames for those canvases, and I can get those areas finished up pretty quickly.
ETA: Our HVAC did get fixed yesterday, so all is well. 🙂 We only had to go Sunday night and Monday morning without it. It was fixed and cooling at 12:30, but it took a very long time to cool down the house after being off that many hours, so I kept the plastic up between the breakfast room and the kitchen for quite a while so keep the cool air from the studio in the breakfast room. It actually worked out really well, and Matt never struggled at all. I was finally able to take the plastic down completely by bedtime when the two sides of the house finally reached the same temperature.
More About My Walk-In Closet/Laundry Room
see all walk-in
closet diy projects
read all walk-in
closet blog posts
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.
I really like how you added the corner motif from the shelving to the drawer and cabinet fronts. It’s a little extra work for a big payoff. Still dying to see what color you paint the island.
What a clever idea to make a more uniform, balanced island! Can’t wait to see it!
It’s looking really nice! Love all your choices. You have such an eye for detall, just brings everything together. So glad the hvac was fixed with no hiccups.
Hi Kristi: I really like your art work lighting. I think the horizontal light bar will frame it well!
Its coming along. I really like the decorative corner pieces, gives it a unique look. Drawer pulls are perfect and picture lights will look good also.
Happy you and Matt have your a/c fixed.
I was a little concerned for Matt when I read your a/c was out, but since I know he is your #1 priority, I knew he was in great hands. So glad everything is back to normal. I can’t imagine how you deal with Texas heat. I’m in NC and it’s been 96+ with high humidity for the last week, and I’m not adjusting well. Your closet is coming along beautifully and I know it will be glorious when complete. You have a great eye for detail that many decorators just don’t possess. I am so excited to see this masterpiece completed, as I am sure you are. Double kudos!
We’re feeling for you guys right now! Our temps aren’t even that high yet :/ We start adjusting to the heat in March and stop adjusting to it in late October, so it’s something we live with and it doesn’t affect us the way it affects you guys. <3
Oh, you clever girl you. I love it. I will be doing the same in ours, it’s perfect. Subtle, and yet elegant. We were sorry to hear about the A/C situation, but we are glad that everything worked out and Matt is good to go. We’re experiencing the triple digit heat here this week and I pray all the time that the A/C doesn’t poop out. They are brand new units, so I still keep my fingers crossed.
Cheers to you and Matt!
The drawer fronts are beautiful and I love the corner detail. In regard to the hardware for the cabinet, I’ve seen people put the hardware horizontal as if it’s a large drawer. That would give you continuity. Not sure if it would “feel” right opening it that way though.
That makes a lot of sense! I was wondering what bugged me about the doors being different. This would make them more complimentary to the drawers!
Definitely prefer the long bar handles on the doors instead of small round pulls👍. I think that will help with your symmetry and continuity quest.
What a good choice for the pulls. I am glad you picked up on the finials before installing the original ones.
Ahhhh – now it makes sense! I saw the drawer front you’d finished the other day and was wondering why the one edge of it had no trim. Love this idea! And yes, finials and knobs can be particularly annoying. They always manage to snag a purse strap or a belt or a pocket.
I’m the same. I caught a brand new blouse on a cabinet pull and ripped it. Luckily I sew and was able to fix it and you couldn’t tell.
You will laugh. I totally approve what you picked out……..like it was up to me! Love the trim on the drawers and doors; love the pulls on the drawers and doors, love, love the lamps over the washer and dryer. Seems like you are back to the Krisi we know and love.
You need to celebrate when you actually finish the closet with clothes all moved and everything. Maybe not wait for the ceiling light, but everything else.
Have a great rest of the week.
Good news about the HVAC! Glad it got fixed right away! Did they say what had happened to it? Also, good choice on the lights. I had thought of those battery operated ones, but as you said, didn’t like the charging aspect. That being said, I bought a hand held fan that works on battery and charger, and I find the charge lasts for quite a few months, since I only briefly turn the fan on for maybe 2 minutes at a time. I’m very surprised it holds the charge so long! I’ve had it about 3-4 years and never replaced the batteries either. So looking forward to all being done! I KNOW you are too!
It was actually the drain line that had gotten clogged, causing the whole system to shut itself down rather than keep running and overflowing. That’s good because that would have caused drywall damage on the ceiling, and I was so thankful that it wasn’t a part that had to be replaced, because that could have caused delays. And because it only required clearing the drain, which is included in our quarterly cleaning and maintenance/priority service program that we pay for monthly, I didn’t even have to pay separately for the service! 🙂
I live in florida and every 6 weeks or so we have to use a funnel and pour in white vinegar to keep it from clogging up. That’s how a lot of Floridians handle unclogging issues
Ask you a/c company about it.
Must be something in the air. I had to have the AC guy out yesterday & it was the same thing. It is a safety issue that if the line clogs it shuts off the unit if the float in the drain pan reaches a certain level. I’m glad of that, I had and old unit malfunction and it leaked from the attic and got my living room ceiling wet. Luckily all it did was stain the ceiling and I was able to put Kilz on it and paint over it. Glad you were able to get it fixed quickly without it impacting Matt too much.
Awesome!
The light fixtures will be perfect over your artwork. I like the decorative pieces on the drawers and doors. I like the look of all pulls. I would move the ones on the doors down an inch or so.
Loookeeeeng goood, Shah!
So relieved to know the AC is fixed and Matt is okay. You have such a eye, I love the finishes on the drawers and doors. I never would have thought of that, which is why I so enjoy following you. There are times I don’t really understand where you are headed but when you get there a lightbulb goes off and I am thinking “that’s perfect”. I really appreciate all the time you take making sure things are done correctly. So many people would just take a sander to the edges and call it good. All your hand sanding and attention to detail takes the things you build from amateur DYI to a beautiful one of a kind picture of furniture. Looking forward to seeing the paint color.
How did you cut the decorative corners? Love the look!
I did them the same way I did the ones on the perimeter closet cabinets. You can see the details here: https://www.addicted2decorating.com/adding-flourish-and-pretty-molding-to-my-closet-cabinets.html
The drain line! Welcome to my world! Found out after a clog & HVAC stopped, that there was a place where I needed to pour bleach down a tube every month. It would dissolve any organic matter like leaves. I guess your service has been doing something similar for your unit.
Your configuration on the drawer fronts is beautiful! You have such an eye for high end on a beer budget! Lol
I can’t wait to see the finished closet!
Don’t forget about Rub n Buff to tone down the yellow of the lights!
Sheila F.
Great design for the center unit. I like the lights and as to the frames you currently have for the art work, can you modify the current frames. I’m not saying you need to, but I think it would be a very good DIY. I would love to see what you come up with, as your vision is always interesting.
It must be the taxing HOT weather…our A/C was off twice…in Florida, and the second time, it was DONE! New system necessary. Then I found out I sure wasn’t the only one…my cousins in FL, our friends in NH, you, and lots of others. Yikes. These guys have a tough job…Florida attics are AWFUL in the summer-not a job I could ever do. Sitting here right now waiting for the temps to go down…looking forward to a better nights sleep. You are so correct with those cabinet pulls…I didn’t realize, but our cabinet guy told us. Ours are a lot like yours. Won’t be long now…I bet you are excited to move in to that wonderful closet…I can’t wait to see it done!
What paint do you recommend for cabinets and drawers?
We are having trouble with our kitchen cabinets showing wear and tear.
Sherwin Wiliams Emerald is the best cabinet paint I’ve ever used.