We found the right pair of used base cabinets for the kitchen island, and we need to set them up.

The fronts of the cabinets look nice with their oak finish. The sides and back, however, are made of not quite as appealing particle board. To convert the cabinets into an island, the side and back would require some paneling. We have just the right salvaged material for this kind of job.

I am talking about old growth lumber which we saved and de-nailed during the deconstruction process.

I learned at seminars and The ReBuilding Exchange that old growth lumber is very popular with furniture makers. We thought we would give it a try too and ripped some of the shorter old growth studs into thin strips on the table saw– but only after I double checked again that all nails and screws were removed.

The thickness of the strips was ½ inch and 1 inch. I mounted them in an alternating paneling fashion to the back and side of the cabinet.

Before I got to the paneling, I had to set up the cabinets, attach them to each other and extend an electrical conduit to the end of the island for a light switch and outlet.
Although the ripped old growth itself looks very nice, I have to admit that I was (and somewhat still am) a little on the fence about the overall appearance of the paneling. The resemblance to an old, tacky, musky and 1960s style cabin bothers me a little – just a little…