DIY Network

Upscale Kitchen Island: Installing the Cabinets and Beadboard From "Weekend Remodeling" episode WKR-213

	In this week's episode of Weekend Remodeling, host Fuad Reveiz builds an upscale kitchen island ...
	that features counter-to-ceiling columns.
	This particular kitchen was a perfect candidate for an island because of the ample open space.

This week host Fuad Reveiz will show you how to design and build a beautiful kitchen island that will look great and add functionality to your kitchen that's sure to make your next dinner party a breeze to prepare. Our host begins the project by measuring for the island location and installing the base cabinets and beadboard.

This is an intermediate level project and rated 3 on a "difficulty" scale from 1 to 5, with 5 being the most difficult.

Materials and Tools:

base cabinets
particleboard
laminate
contact adhesive
1 x 6 wood
beadboard
base molding
crown molding
corner molding
screws
latex paint
router
table saw
miter saw
circular saw
level
palm sander
several clamps
disposable paint brushes
brad nailer
trim nailer
framing nailer
belt sander
laminate roller

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	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C
	Figure D
	Figure E
	Figure F

Note: It's always a great idea to have a plan and design before you start a project like this one. You can use your home computer to check out some of the new software on the market. Some of these programs can create a 3D, scale image of your kitchen

1. Remove all tables and chairs from the kitchen and measure from cabinet to cabinet to find the center of the room. Mark that spot on the floor.

2. Bring in the first cabinet and measure and mark the center, and then match that mark with the one on the floor (figure A).

3. Set the remaining cabinets in place, checking the measurements as you go.

   Note: When measuring for a center island in a kitchen, be sure to leave enough room to be able to open all appliance doors, cabinet doors, etc.

4. As part of the preparation work, cut some 2 x 4 blocks of wood to fit under the cabinets as anchor blocks. Move the cabinets aside and screw the blocks to the floor (figure B). These will keep the cabinets exactly where you want them.

5. Set the cabinets back in place over the blocks.

   Note: The cabinets are where they need to be, but they are just loose cabinets until you tie them all together and make them into one single unit that will hold weight. You also need to make sure they are level.

6. Go ahead and remove the drawers so you'll have access to the face frames. Before clamping them together, they have to be flush. The quick clamps (figure C) are great because they only require one hand to tighten them.

7. Once the frames are clamped together pre-drill the inside of the frame with a countersink bit. Then use some wood screws and a cordless drill to screw the frames together. Work from the top of the frame to the bottom.

8. Move to the next cabinet and repeat the process, and continue until all the face frames are tied together.

9. Next the cabinets have to be attached at the back, but this is the easy part because they're already attached at the top. Insert scrap pieces of wood as spacers (figure D) between the cabinets. Make sure they're flush to the top and back, and then screw them together. You may want to use a clamp here just to hold the spacers in place while you drill.

10. Now it's time to level the island unit, and you do this by utilizing shims if need be. Insert where needed. Score the shims with a utility knife and snap them off flush with the edge of the cabinet (figure E).

11. Now you can anchor the bottom of the cabinets with wood screws to the 2 x 4 blocks that were installed earlier.

12. Measure the back of the cabinets for the beadboard. Using a circular saw cut from the back so the finished side won't be chipped. Apply a strong bond construction adhesive to the back of the cabinets and push the beadboard into place, making sure it gets good contact over the entire surface (figure F).

In the next segment our host will custom build a great looking countertop for the kitchen island.

Next: Building the Countertop