Small weekend project! We added a second counter top to match our kitchen island and put up hanging shelves with black pipes.

Cost

~$140 from Home Depot minus the wood, which was left over from our islands.

Materials

All in a "black iron" finish, also available at Home Depot / Lowe's:

• 1/2" flanges--the round pieces that go into the wall
• 90 degree elbows
• 2.5" nipples--the short pieces between the flanges and elbows
• 12" nipples--the long pieces between the flanges and elbows
• 50lb drywall anchors
• Minwax wipe-on poly
• Wood: Hammarp solid beech countertop from Ikea. You can also get plain whiteboard at Home Depot.

Design

We tried to hit studs, but it's sturdy with drywall anchors, and we don't plan on putting anything too heavy on the shelves.

Chilis, anyone? We're on the hunt for Trinidad Scorpions, if anyone has a connection. And the BEST chilis we've found are Piquins from Penzey's in Menlo Park, CA--smokey with some kick!

Island

For more on the countertop, see my Distressed Wood Kitchen Island article. The front of the island is covered with curtain panels from Ikea (Vidga track system, FÖNSTERVIVA panel).

At the last moment, we added a spice rack on the side!