My island is finished and the craft room is now ready for countertops! In designing each aspect to this room, I’ve tried to think about every possible “craft room usage” scenario and anticipate where I might want or need access to a power outlet. I originally dismissed the thought that I could, at some point, wish I had an outlet on the end of the island. There is an outlet on the wall right there, I could reach. But why not just create an option where access to power is easy and convenient?
Craft Room Island Progress
I knew I wanted a wide, shallow cabinet for the end of the island so I designed it with space for outlets and ran the wire through the half wall I built to support the cabinets. I probably didn’t need the half wall, I could have just secured the island cabinets to the floor with blocks and then secured the end cabinet to those and run the Romex under the cabinets, but decided on the half wall. 6 in one hand, half dozen in the other kind of decision. The half wall option made my brain happier.
Then I built cabinets for under the island. These won’t be easy to get to, I’ll have to get under the countertop but there’s enough space to have them so I’m putting them in there.
I was going to build 4 identical cabinets but I cut all my cabinet bottoms 1 1/2″ too wide because I looked at the outer cabinet dimension on my drawing instead of the width of the shelf. It turned out to be a happy mistake because I decided to make one wider cabinet for the center so I could store wide things, like rolls of wrapping paper.
The cabinet bottoms are 7″ off the floor because I want a foot rest so I’m not always kicking my cabinet doors/drawers which is what I do at the kitchen island. Trying to anticipate everything I can…
I don’t have any 8″ wide poplar for the bottom rail of this faceframe and I’m totally snowed in today so I’m going to either wait on that piece or use something untraditional — like plywood. 
I want to get going on my countertop in here but I’m hung up on what to do. I have 3 or 4 ideas that take me in different visual directions but I’ve got to make a decision and move forward because I can’t build the upper cabinets until the countertop is in place. What to do, what to do… I think just a few more days and this space is going to start looking like a room.
Interested in building custom cabinets? Get my eBook Cabinet Building 101.
Angela says
I love your work and inspiration you give! Always feel like I could build anything after reading your posts, since the man in my house has yet to get all our Christmas lights down, so it’s all up to me! Lol
Wanted you to know I tried to link in via pinterest and got a warning message saying your site was blocked for inappropriate content? ???? Weird but wanted you to know
Sandra says
Glad to contribute to your empowerment! If you want it done — do it! 🙂
Krista says
I think you should spend the summer at my place in Canada. Bring your daughter.
I have so many draft sketches of what I’d like to do throughout my place but I’m nowhere near talented or knowledgeable to do it myself. SO jealous of your skills- and what an incredible thing to pass onto your daughter!
Sandra says
If only Madison had any interest in having it passed on to her. LOL She has many talents, skills and interested but we don’t share that many of the same ones. It’s rare for her to work with me but we have a good time when it happens.
Lori says
Oh my goodness, you are booking it on this project! I didn’t think you’d be this far along – but maybe I’m just comparing my pace / distractability with yours. 😉
Again, I’m so jealous of the space you have available to create this dream room!
Sandra says
It does feel like this room is coming together fast. I think it’s because it’s a large space so I have plenty of room to work. Unlike the pantry where I was knee to elbow trying to get my drill or nail gun in place… It’s fun and exciting to make it happen!
Jody says
I am interested to know what your plans are for the shelving on the half wall?
LD says
Looking good!! Just noticed. Flooring? I guess you will install after cabinets instead of before.
Sandra says
Since I’m installing Pergo, floating laminate, I have to install the permanent cabinetry first as it can’t be installed on top of the flooring. I’ll have to leave the trim for last to hide the necessary gap between the walls, cabinets and floors.
Stephanie says
What computer program do you use to design your projects?
Mjean says
Love following your progress on this. I know it will be beautiful!
Jonathan Howe says
Great work & progress you’ve got going here! Maybe I could actually do some wall framing one day – or at least the non-load-bearing kind 😉
Regarding the outlets on the half wall – did you consider running the wire there through a metal conduit just in case you ever screw anything else to that area & accidentally hit a wire?