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Bespoke Shop Counter Conversion

Vintage habedashery counter reimagined.
A substantial vintage counter reworked with bespoke Sapele details and reclaimed materials to create a unique kitchen island.

Originally a vintage haberdashery shop counter, this substantial piece was completely reworked to create a freestanding kitchen island while retaining the character and proportions of the original.

The existing counter required considerable work to prepare it for its new purpose. We strengthened the construction throughout before designing and making a new set of solid Sapele legs, giving the piece a more refined stance while raising it to a practical working height.

For the lower section, we made a pair of new lift-up panelled doors, designed to sit comfortably alongside the original construction and provide useful concealed storage. The existing bank of open compartments above was retained — an important part of the counter’s original identity and a feature that translated particularly well into open kitchen storage.

A new solid Sapele top was made using timber reclaimed from an old college table top. Rather than introducing new material unnecessarily, this gave another redundant piece of furniture a new purpose while providing the counter with a substantial and durable work surface.

Once the alterations were complete, the entire piece was carefully sanded and refinished, bringing together the original timber and our new additions while retaining the warmth and character that only comes with age and use.

The result is a unique kitchen island that combines the history and practicality of the original shop fitting with a series of carefully considered new elements — adapting an existing piece of furniture for an entirely different life.

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