My Closet Island Base – It’s Put Together, But Does It Need Something More?
Yesterday, I got the closet island base all put together and finished…I think. But maybe not. I need you to tell me if this is finished or not. I got the second coat of paint on the ends and the six feet. I cleared off the top and gave it a final sanding and a fresh coat of white (Behr Polar Bear) paint. I got all of the drawer fronts installed. And I got all of the drawer and door pulls on.
I still didn’t finish the top because after doing that final coat of fresh white paint yesterday, I loved how clean and bright it looked, and I wasn’t sure if I wanted to marble the top or not. Several people have reminded me lately that I’m the only one putting pressure on myself to get this finished ASAP, so I decided to cut myself some slack, sleep on it, and look at it with fresh eyes this morning and decide if I want to marble the top or leave it solid white. Spoiler alert: I think the solid white top is a bit too stark for the room, so I will be marbling it.
But as I was putting all of the drawer fronts and doors on yesterday, I couldn’t help but think that they may need a bit…more. While I love the design that I used on the trim, the design kind of gets lost because the blue paint color that I used is so dark. So those pretty details are a little hard to see. I don’t really mind that on the end so much. I think it’s fine that the end of the island isn’t demanding too much attention.
But on the sides, I think I’d like the trim design to stand out just a bit more. And the only thing that makes sense to make that happen is to add a gold accent.
But I can’t decide if that would be too much. Maybe it’s okay if the trim is really subtle.
I didn’t actually get the doors attached yet. Because I made them with 1/2-inch plywood, I can’t use the standard European-style hinges that require a large circle of wood, about 1/2-inch deep, to be drilled out of the door for each hole. I need surface-mount hinges for this. I had purchased some at Home Depot, but they seemed really heavy and clunky, so I’ve ordered some different ones from Amazon. They won’t be here until tomorrow.
And I also decided to stick with the long pulls for the doors. I went back and forth with pulls or knobs, but since I used knobs on the doors in my studio, I decided to do something different in here. I also tried out the horizontal positioning of the door pulls that a couple of people suggested, but since the pulls are so long, they looked a bit crowded once they were moved over enough to clear the trim. So I went with the vertical positioning.
But anyway, back to the trim. What say you? Should I just leave it all solid blue and let the trim be very subtle like it is now?
Or do you think I should add a little gold accent around the trim to highlight it? As of this moment, I’m leaning towards adding a gold accent. But I also don’t what to overdo it. I know that not everything has to be a feature, but this island is literally in the center of the room. So it’s already a feature just by its position in the room and its sheer size. (My mom is right. Pictures don’t do this thing justice as far as its size. It’s huge.)
And if I do add a gold accent around the trim on the doors and drawers, what about the ends? The trim on the ends is completely different, which I did on purpose, so I kind of think that it just needs to stay solid blue, right?
But whether or not I do a gold accent on the drawers and doors, the top has been sanded and now has its final coat of paint.
And do you know what that means? It’s means I’m finally done with all of the sanding in the room!!!! I can get all of the dust cleaned up, the tools put away, and the paint cans out of the room. And once that’s done, I can finally bring my stuff in!!! I feel like it has taken an eternity to get to this point, but I’m finally here, y’all!!
While I’m trying to decide about the island base, I’m going to marble the top today, and then start the cleanup, maybe in the opposite order. That means that I should have an actual fully functioning walk-in closet within the next few days. Oh, how amazing that day will be!!
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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.
I vote to leave the island as is. I like that the navy island and the wallpaper pop, adding too many embellishments makes it look tacky. IMO.
My first reaction was to add some gold accents because I know that you love that extra touch however I think you should leave it as is. I think when you get all of your pretty purses and accessories in that the gold accent might be distracting. That is something you can always add later if you want or just want a little change.
I second this. Get all your things in. Live with for a week or so then decide
Why don’t you live with it a while as is. You can always add the gold accents later if you decide to.
I feel the island is a room feature and adding the gold will be too busy. Right now the wallpaper is the main feature and they will compete with each other.
I used to work in set design for a theater and it’s easy to major on the minors when it’s still empty. I suggest putting everything away in the closet before you make this decision. You’ll know better then if the island needs to be accented.
I see what you mean about it needing something, but I think I’d wait until you get your clothes and handbags in there. That might change your mind.
Maybe you can do a gold accent only in the raised part of the trim… and let the flat part blue?
That’s what I was thinking too. Only have the “depth” of the trim gold, nothing on the actual door, drawer or front of the trim. It would highlight the trim without being too in-your-face I think…
Love the island and the navy color is gorgeous. I’m confused where you would put the gold accent paint. Would you paint the 1/4” side of the trim to highlight the shape. I agree the details get a little lost probably because of the dark color. If it were lighter you would see a shadow on the fronts. Can’t wait to see the top marbled.
I vote to leave it for now. You can always add gold later if you feel strongly about it. Add your stuff and see how you feel. Enjoy your closet!
I think it’s soooo lovely as is! The color is stunning and the details look so sophisticated in the rich dark blue. Maybe live with it for a bit, especially seeing it against all of the closet items once they’re loaded in. How exciting that you’re that much closer to the finish line!
Have you thought about covering the top with wall paper then glass for protection.
I’d leave it for now and finish the top. Once you have your things in the room and the light fixture above is done and you have any accessories that you want added to the island, you may decide to add it later. If you had a gold tray on the island, maybe the trim would look nice highlighted. Maybe it won’t need to be highlighted when everything is in the room. You have done an AMAZING job on this closet. It’s just beautiful.
I suggest to leave as is. The subtle elegance is nice, plus, I honestly think it already grabs some attention from the wall paper which you said you wanted to be the highlight and focus, and if you do any more with it, I’d worry that the wallpaper just disappears even more.
PS VERY glad you chose the dark blue, not the pink!
I rooted for PINK and I agree with you! Gorgeous, this.
I say leave it as is, with the marbled top. Then in the future, when the top is done and all your clothes, bags, shoes, etc are in, you can see if you still want to add the gold trim. (My own opinion…like it as is with marbled top)
I like them as they are but if you decide to add more gold a curved corner plate to accent the existing detail might look nice. These aren’t quite right as they are 3D but closest I could find to the shape I was envisioning. https://heritagecomponents.com/products/quebec-solid-brass-table-corner?shpxid=04b17c97-fbcd-4c22-9b21-f7f177ef3afc
Ooh thats a nice quality looking detail.
That’s exactly what i was thinking … ties in with the beautiful frames
Kristy did some time back … can easily be gold leafed as well.
Kristy it’s all so gorgeous!! Looks very sophisticated as is – would also
look amazing with a touch of gold (i LOVE LOVE gold) whatever you
choose – rest assured, you’ve nailed it already.
agree with others, get your stuff in there then play some more if you
want to – that island will always have something on it anyway … 🙂
washing being processed or pretty tray of perfume or Felicity resting!!
The blue will play so nicely with the grasscloth wallpaper – it’s going to
be so amazing.
I think you should leave the island as is, at least for the time being. After you marble the top and get everything else in the closet, it may be that your eye isn’t drawn right to the island any more. You can always come back and add the gold to it later. The whole closet is looking awesome! Congratulations on almost being finished.
I would leave the island just the way it is.
Highlight the features by wiping on slightly lightened the base color, wipe on n wipe off. I’ve done that with cool features of furniture,
Bring all of your stuff in and then decide! I’m leaning towards yes to the gold but maybe live with it a little bit first as is
Gild all the things! Honestly, I would do a pinstripe mimicking both edges of the edge detail within the detailed edge. If you want to gold it. I can’t wait to see it filled up with colorful bags and shoes!
I agree. 🙂 Wherever one can add sparkle, I say, “Add it!” 🙂 However, this closet is gorgeous either way!
My two cents … Leave the island as is for now and save the gold leafing for some day down the road when you’re itching for a low key project to add some sparkle to your life. Right now? You’ve got bigger fish to fry 😊
Congrats!!! Everything looks amazing!
My thoughts as well.
Move along, come back to it if you think it still needs it. I think it’s perfect, it’s not the star here. Once all the construction materials are cleaned up and clothes put into place you may be happy you waited.
I would like a little bit of gold accent on the trim but, I think you should sleep on it a bit more. 😎. Live with it for awhile longer. You can always add the accent later if you really think it is needed. Get your island top finished, clean the room, added all your stuff and pretty things and move on. If you decide to add the accent you can do that when you get bogged down on something in the bedroom remodel.
Leave it be!
Please leave the chest completely dark blue. It looks very rich and does not need anything added to it. No gold no nothing. Stop. Don’t over think it. This is not your studio. It is your closet. Leave it alone. Once the top is dry, put a lovely glass dish on top and that will completely finish it.
If you gold trim that, you will be gold trimming the shelves and the wood around the washer and dryer……anything to put off finishing your bedroom. Stop.
I agree with the other commenters. It might be a nice place to rest your eyes once everything else comes in. I did like the idea of you adding a gold rail and scarves to the ends that some had mentioned but I wear a lot of scarves. You’ll know in a few weeks if you want to add to it.
I think that if you will be adding gold along the countertop edge (which you didn’t say you would) that would be enough combined with the gold pulls. But I also agree that you can’t see the trim very well without being accented, so I would add the gold, but not on the countertop, unless there is a tad bit of gold veining in the marbling! Does that sound wishy-washy or what?!! I’ll leave it up to you! And an aside for you to consider – you may want to add some kind of tray under where you will be placing your detergents, etc. in case of spills, drips, or leakages. Even a half sheet pan will do! Ask me how I know!!!
I totally agree with a pan or something so that you aren’t setting detergents, etc on the wood. Even with the wood being sealed, if detergent can eat the paint off the top of a dryer, wood sealer doesn’t stand a chance! I learned the hard way too!
Absolutely beautiful! I love gold trim. What if you used a thin gold paint pen to outline the trim just along the edge. That would bring attention to the lovely trim, but not be over powering
Leave it as is.
If you are at the point of bringing in all your clothes and accessories, it would be helpful to re-evaluate finishing touches when you see the overall look when it’s busier with more color and texture. So exciting to be this close!
Yes to gold trim! This is a piece of furniture. It would look lovely with gold trim. It would make perfect sense with a marbled top.
Sheila F.
I so agree. It needs the gold as “jewelry” on it.
I concur with everyone else. I can see the beauty of highlighting the trim. I mean, who doesn’t love a little gold! 🙃, but once your fun purses, clothes and the marble top are in/done..it might be enough. The chandelier has to go up, too.
Beautiful work!
Another idea – I love your dark purple buffet in the sitting room. All one dark lovely color. What would the island look like all one color? To me, the white seems to be “in your face” and takes away from that gorgeous wallpaper. (And your soon to be displayed purse collection!) Whatever you choose will be fabulous.
I agree! I find the white top distracting and would go dark here, too. Then the colour drenched room doesn’t have to compete with another feature that is a different colour 😉 And the wallpaper will pop even more when the island is all dark blue. Amazing colour btw, really love it (and would also not use gold for the accents bc competition with everything else in the room)
I think if wait until you put all the things in the space to see if it needs more! Your clothes and accessories will bring a lot of visual elements and it might be nice to have a more subtle base.
Another idea is to see if you can find some gold washi tape that’s similar to what you were thinking and try it out! It would be super easy to r move if you hate it 🙂
I think a thin line of gold on the inner rim of the trim on the sides and draw and door fronts would look great. The fact that the trim is different on the sides and draw than on the front wouldn’t matter, it would be tied together with the gold trim.
It could use a gold towel bar on the end. You can hang colourful scarves to add interest, monochromatic towels to dull it down, or just leave the gold bar empty for a gold accent.
Yes on the gold accents! It’s looking so beautiful. Im waiting for whatever will go on top and I hope its a pink or coral tray 😉
I think the cabinets look fine. But I think some gold rub and buff would be gorgeous!
How about gold caps (or paint) just on the base of the feet? It’d be subtle but would show from all sides.
I like the idea of adding the gold accents. I was thinking that maybe adding some pretty gold towel bars at each end would be pretty. Or maybe even some corbels. Whatever you decide, it’s going to be beautiful!
Gold leaf…gold leaf…gold leaf. Sorry, that wasn’t subtle, but either are you. 🙂
Agree!!
Go for gold.
The problem that we all have, is that we are peering at small pictures, and we are not seeing the real thing in all it’s wonder.
This is your personal much wanted room, so go for it!!
Gold all the way.
Yes…this!
I like it like it is. I still like the dark blue cabinets around the washer and dryer better. It seemed to blend in with the wallpaper, especially since you have the entire room and ceiling the light blue.
I vote to leave the island as is. You don’t have all of your closet items in yet that will be drawing attention all over.
Hmm-my thoughts for what it’s worth. Yes marble the top the white is too stark. I’ve always felt the dark blue is too dark but that’s me, live with it for awhile and I hope that you do NOT decide to add gold to it, for many reasons (it’s my least favorite part of your work room/studio) you’ve done that already, and once you fill the room with your clothes it will be a whole lot of visual chaos. CoCo said always remove 1 piece of jewelry when you think you’re finished, but as your Mom says-it’s your house…both wise women.
Put gold on the edges of the trim — only the tiny side perpendicular to the drawer or door face. Maybe you can do it with a gold paint pen after taping.
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/all-in-the-details-segreto-finishes–153333562303140360/
is very close to what I mean.
Yes, this is what I was thinking too…very subtle. Lovely accent…loved someone’s idea of gold foot caps too. Just a little accent.
I think its a texture/scale/warmth thing, you already know these changes do add up, if you do shift it. Give it time to settle on an option. It’s such a big item to be stark and crisp while you have a lot of detail in the room. I’m curious if you could try some gold or a shiny pigment powder in the marbling if you have it, and think it can work, to mimic mica. The shine would connect/tie-in with the metal accents on the white surface some, and maybe soften it.
For me, the fact that you can’t do gold on all the sides tells me something right there. Just don’t. It’s so pretty now and the pulls look beautiful! Complete that top, move in, and enjoy the other finishing touches that you’re planning to do.
I would leave the island as is.
When I see the island, my brain says, “Nice island.” The my eyes go to all the other features of the closet. I’d rather look at them than the island. An island is an island. It stores things. 🙂
Like I said, I’d rather look at all the other cool things / features in the closet, and it will look even more cool once you get all your stuff in it.
Hi Kristi! I think you do such beautiful work. I always enjoy following along. I think the navy closet island is perfectly wonderful. It doesn’t need a gold accent. Don’t forget you will need to fill the closet with your clothing, accessories and shoes – this will add a lot of “noise”. Keep the island simple and classic. Good luck!
The island is looking fantastic. I vote no gold. You can sleep on it for now and can always add it later if you decide you want it to pop more. Once you get all your clothing and accessories in the room you may change your mind about needing it.
Do you have a full length mirror in the closet?
The trim? You can’t go wrong either way. I LOVE the navy blue island! Perfect choice.
Just leave it – the island will look different when all your other things are in the closet.
I think the gold sounds lovely, but it also might be nice to leave the island as-is. Can you wait until after all the clothes and handbags are in to see how it all looks and then add the gold after if it needs a little pop?
I’m on team fine gold accent, but also agree that you shouldn’t rush it.
Regarding the ends, a small, colorful (but not too busy) painting framed in gold would be exciting. Just because it’s a piece of furniture doesn’t mean it can’t display art. It’s just a tiny wall to me. lol
Hi Kristi, I love the closet and all of your projects as I have been an avid reader for 10 years??? anyway, as a certified OCD clean freak I always cringe when I see so much mess and clutter on your newly painted surfaces, etc. and it hit me that perhaps you could use a rolling cart for your supplies, leftover paint, wallpaper rolls, pieces of wood, etc. and that way you could easily keep the rooms you are working on clean and neat/tidy while having all of your things near you and with it on rollers, it would be easy to move from room to room…. just a thought 🙂
I’m sure you will have some things on the top of the island, so plain sounds fine…the end does look a little stark to me…maybe a gold edge around the trim piece, and the same on the doors/drawers like you said…just narrow to highlight…nothing too much so it just accents without looking too crazy. LOVE this whole project, and I’m sure all of us are jealous of such a great set up you made! No matter what you decide, now would be a good time to clean up/out, so you can start enjoying this closet…so cool!
Kristy, Try the gold. Don’t worry, as always its just paint.
I think you should leave it alone, especially with the marblized top (but I know you’re going to put gold trim on it).
Gold trim please. Just a wee bit.
Live with it for a while, then see how you feel. If in a week or two or three you still think it needs something – then I say go for it!
I’m usually a “less is more” person, but I do think gold trim would look nice and be a nice callout to your studio cabinetry. As it is, the dark blue sucks up a lot of light and really obscures the interesting detail work on the doors. I’d try it, and then if you don’t like it, you can always go back to full blue.
Subtle is better – too much can make it look tacky.
Gold trim… you KNOW you wanna!!
Do you have any wallpaper left? Could you put some on the ends?
YES, Go for the GOLD! Only you. Matt and your mom will most likely be the only ones to ever see it. It’s just paint, right? 😁 To me the end is too stark, dark when passing by the room. Jmho
I really love the gold accent on your studio cabinets, so I say go for it on the edges of the trim pieces 😍
I vote for leave the cabinet as is. It looks great! You’ve done a beautiful design job and a beautiful build! Question, because I’m going to paint some cabinets soon: You said you’d be sticking with Sherwin Williams Emerald in a satin for all future cabinets, but you did the island in a Behr paint. Did you change your mind?
I also wondered why you used Behr paint.
Go with Sherwin Williams! I’m regretting my choice to use Behr. I did it because I bought paint on Saturday afternoon, and Sherwin Williams was already closed. So I just went with Behr. It still has that ever-so-slight tackiness to it, and every time I touch it, my skin leaves whitish smudges on it. I’m so frustrated. After living with it for a few days now, I’m certain that I’ll now have to clear coat it. I should have planned better and bought the paint ahead of time, or been patient and waited until Monday to buy the paint. I’ll never make that mistake again, especially when painting with a super dark color.
I’m in the “live with it” for a bit. See how it feels filled with your lovely things. While it is a large piece it seems to me collectively all your clothes & accessories represents an even “larger piece”. It might feel grounding to have a significant piece counterbalancing, sort of subduing, all of that energy. IMHO I would want to see how all of the elements interplay….. the wallpaper, the wardrobe, the island. To me there is some kind of balance you’re trying to strike so that when you walk in there to function, dress it lifts your soul to joy but doesn’t cross into overwhelm from too much going on. Where that is for you to decide.
Frankly I’ve been surprised how much that has evolved for me as I’ve aged, seasoned in my living space.
I love the island as it is, but I would add a pretty stool or chair there—how many times have I wanted to sit in my closet to organize drawers or shelves! A pretty stool/chair would be functional and attractive!
Ohhh, I like that idea. I was thinking some cute little hooks on the end would help break up the blue field and had a nice little accent. But a cute little chair on the end of the cabinet facing the entrance would do the same, and not steal the show
Ohhh, I like that idea. I was thinking some cute hooks on the end would help break up the blue field and had a nice little accent. But a cute little chair on the end of the cabinet facing the entrance would do the same, and not steal the show.
I’m so excited I’m doing a little victory dance number (in my head)!
My vote is gild the lily on the drawers and leave the ends, as they are. That being said, once the top is marbled, the direction may become eminently clearer to you. I know its been said by many before and that’s because it’s true: your final decision will be awesome and flawless.
♡Love love love the cooper photobombs♡
This is the coolest closet ever♡♡♡.
Better than a magazine!
I’d suggest putting the picture in ChatGPT and tell it to make the changes you’re thinking about
I think gold accent around the inside edge of the “frame” on the doors and drawer fronts. That is it. The ends don’t need it and may look overdone.
You have done a beautiful job and I love the pulls. So glad you didn’t use knobs.
I’m excited on your behalf that you can start moving your wardrobe into the closet! How glorious!
A subtle gold trim, as you put on your studio cabinets, would finish the island base nicely. As it is, it resembles a little black dress without any accessories.
I second everyone else’s idea of leaving the gold trim off for now. Put all your stuff in and live with it a bit and then you will KNOW what to do! You can always, always add that gold trim, lol! Looking fantastic!
I love everything you have done in your condo and in this home, but girl you gotta learn when to fold ‘em! The island is perfect the way it is! You have outdone yourself. I agree with everyone, if you give yourself a week and still can move on you can add the gold. Just remember, you have that big, beautiful master just waiting for your touch💜
I love it as is, but I think a little gold accent on the trim would be really nice. I’d love to see it on the 1/4″ inside edge of the trim to show off the detail on the drawers/doors. Whatever you decide will be wonderful I’m sure 🙂
I think adding gold accent is is gilding the lily. The top will be marbled and that will be the focal point.
I think it looks good right now. The end cap is a little plain. How about a gold towel bar on the end to brighten it up. You could have pretty scarves on it?
I like the island the way it is, just the blue. I can see the design with the solid color.
Can you share pictures of your walk in closet after cleanup but before you add all your items.
Your closet is beautiful and I enjoy following along and learning from you.
I am in the camp of the “wait and see” folks. This space cannot be compared with the studio. There are far more open spaces to be filled with patterns, glitz, and shapes than you have in there behind closed doors. Visible stuff complicates the look and feel of order because there are so many disparate shapes and sizes, which the mind has to process. Your mind. It won’t be a room full of empty shelves; it will be a room with lots and lots sitting on those shelves.
Once the duds and doodads are living there won’t you know if you need/want to add more trim detail?
The white top seems stark to me. Maybe your marbelizing will solve that. I don’t think it will remain an uncovered expanse. Closets become ‘workrooms’ once the photo shoot is over. Just like the studio is when you are working. That’s real life.
When I saw that spot at the end of the island, all I could imagine there was a stool or chair. Functional, for sure, to move around and to be potentially jazzy by design. That spot screams for a really cute piece to sit on. Thrifted? because that’s where the unusual finds are, and redone with paint and a tad of gold would be my game.
Whatever you decide will be fun to see.
Unpopular opinion here. I’d paint the top of the island dark blue like the rest of it so it looks more like a dresser or piece of furniture and doesn’t distract from the wallpaper. All I see when I look at the room now is the white top. Too me it really sticks out and doesn’t blend with the rest of the room. The rest of the room is gorgeous by the way. Love the blue and the wallpaper!
I would get the top marbled first and then decide. It’s really personal choice – no right answer.
Once you get the top marbled and everything you have in I think you’ll have enough bling and color explosion going on. Not everything needs to be gold leafed.
I like the idea of gold pin striping. The island is so large that it acts as a huge color block and the scale of it as a single solid color is a little off. All other solid colors like your shelves have shadows to vary and break up the color into much smaller little sections.
I’d like to see your gold trim tape on the inside edge of the trim assuming you can get it or something similar in a 1/4″ width.
I’m sure I’m in a minority all my own here… I love blue and I love gold. And I love them together and I think the island looks fabulous!! I liked the ideas suggested of a gold bar or hooks on the end, a gold tray on top, a chair or bench and also a fine detail in the trim. I think any or none of those would be nice, but not completely necessary. I think the white top is too stark and when I see the island, I feel like it needs to be some sort of wood to tie in with the shades and to bring in another natural element. Again, just my minority opinion. But, it won’t be so white after it’s marbled so I’m really looking forward to seeing you work your magic!!
If the ends of the island had the same detail you used around the edge of the drawers and doors I think that a fine line of gold on the inside edges would be pretty. I don’t think I’d like the gold paint which would draw attention to the difference between the detail on ends and sides. I think the pulls look great! I think the marbled top may be enough without adding gold paint.
I do think this is so beautiful but as soon as you said it needed something more,before I even read the details, I literally said to myself… “I am so surprised she’s is not adding a gold trim around the frame like she did in her Workshop…” but then I remembered, you’ll be tweaking that center light and maybe she doesn’t want to detract from that? Anyway…sorry I’m no help, but just wanted to throw it out there.