Expert: Jamie Yocono - 11/10/2008

Question
Is there a way to attach a glass top to a buffet to convert it into an island that
won't mar/ruin the buffet top?  I don't want to screw down through the top
because this would only be a temporary conversion.  I need an overhang of
12-13" to accommodate my legs. The buffet's top is 20" x 64".  The edges
are straight and slightly rounded over. There is a 2" overhang on both sides
and a 1 1/4"  overhang in front. The top is flush with the back of the buffet.

It seems to make more sense functionally to have the glass overhang the
back of the piece, so that it's easier to  access the drawers and cabinet. But
the back of the buffet is just unfinished birch plywood. I'm willing to stain
and finish it, but I don't know how to get a good match with the cherry frame.

I really appreciate your input!

Answer
Hi Barbara,

I think it's possible to convert the buffet to a kitchen island, but you may have to be a little flexible about your project.  First, let's talk about the back that is unfinished. Birch plywood is notorious for staining with very splotchy results, but on the other hand, you're not going to see it very clearly, especially when it's converted back into buffet mode.  You could probably just pick out a color of Minwax stain to more or less match the piece. I'm pretty sure Mixwax has a color chart on their website, so it might be rather easy to figure out the color you need at home.

But honestly, the stain might not take too well on the wood, unless you prep it a little bit by sanding it, to ensure that there is no grime or residue that will interfere with the staining process.  Another suggestion might be to paint it a flat black or something that will just disappear. (You're right, I would overhang the top to the back side, so you have full access to the drawers on the front.) And my last suggestion - since it's going to be somewhat hidden by the overhang, what about painting it flat black, then hanging something like pegboard (you can paint that, too) on the back, so you could use it as a pot (or utensil) rack?

If you have kids at home, I saw an island recently that had a chalkboard mounted low on it, so that the kids in the house could sketch on it. There are a lot of ways you can make the back look more attractive than just unfinished birch plywood.

Now - about the glass top. With a 12" overhang, your glass top is going to be roughly 32" wide. I don't know if you've priced glass lately, but a top that size could be pretty expensive. And honestly, I am not sure about how you would adhere it to the base. Any good glass shop will be able to suggest something, I'm imagining some sort of clip that would mount from below the existing wood top, and clip onto the glass.

You're going to need a fairly thick piece of glass so that it won't break as a work top so I just Googled "glass table tops" and found a few prices for similar items. I think you're looking at least a few hundred dollars, maybe a lot more.  

So I have a couple of suggestions.  If you can do with less of an overhang, you might be able to buy a piece of granite from someone's overstock. Most countertops are 25" deep, so  if you can find a place that has something like a 6' piece of countertop, you might get it fairly cheap. I know here in Las Vegas, I was working on a kitchen where the owner had purchased several pieces of granite, all 10 feet long, for $150 a piece. It was leftover from some big job and the marble company just wanted to get rid of it. And whenever I walk into Lowes, there's always a display of granite countertops on sale out front.

If granite won't work, what about making a simple countertop to slip over the top of the buffet? It would be relatively simple, and if you're capable, I can give you some information about making it yourself. Depending on what's in your kitchen now, you could apply a plastic laminate that would match or compliment your current countertops.

Also, I recently worked in a kitchen where the owner had a custom fabricated stainless steel countertop made for one area of her kitchen. It was entirely gorgeous, looked like one of those gorgeous commercial kitchens you see in magazines. So a restaurant supply place might be able to steer you to a stainless steel fabricator.

But back to the glass - I have to say - I just don't recommend it in a kitchen.  It's somewhat fragile, and that scares me in a kitchen setting.  That said, if you're still leaning that way, contact a good glass supplier and hit them up with all these questions.  They will definitely know how to mount the glass, or tell you if it can be done.

Good luck, I'm not sure I helped that much, but I possibly gave you some suggestions. Write back if you need more help.

Jamie Yocono
Wood It Is! Custom Cabinetry
Las Vegas, NV
www.wooditis.com