John boos kitchen carts and islands, with butcher block tops and food service grade stainless steel from the famous Cucina Americana collection, starting at $520 for the basic designs or professional style islands starting at just over $1,200; from Cucina Classico simple and practical to Cucina Grandioso with shelves, cabinets and stainless steel pot racks and hooks – that’s what Your Kitchen Bar Stool presents this week. If you need a kitchen island, a rolling cart or extra stainless steel countertop space before you can choose matching stools, then we have suggestions for some of the worlds top designs. We show you what’s hot and where to buy what you need to convert your kitchen into a modern, area – practical for the chef, inviting for guests, and comfortable for everyone in the family, no matter if it consists of one, two or twenty-two.
If you already have your dream stainless steel kitchen cabinets and appliances, and all you need is a little extra counter space or a cart to match the sleek modern look of your kitchen, then you may only need something like the John Boos Cucina Culinarte, which has a maple wood butcher’s block (that can be removed) and two stainless steel shelves. You can also add a set of sturdy commercial grade locking casters so the cart can roll. This small practical unit is affordable at just over $500, and offers enough extra space for whatever you’re chopping or dicing or slicing for a diner menu. It also works as a service trolley for wine, appetizers or desserts. Since it’s only 35 inches high, it may slide under an a counter when not in use, or can be a side table or buffet to a kitchen table.
Similar is size and design is the Cucina Rosato Butcher Block Cart, also by John Boos, and costs just over $600. The features that are different on each cart in this basic price range may appear subtle, and they are, but in a kitchen environment, only the chef can tell you that some very small things make all the difference. For example a handy towel to wipe the rim of bowls or the edges of serving platters and plates may be an essential item, and if the chef doesn’t have one tucked into his apron strings on his waist, he/she may appreciate the little towel rack that’s part of most of the kitchen utility carts by John Boos. And if having enough space to finely chop onions or parsley or slice mushrooms or dice olives without having to move things about on a cramped counter is important, then we highly recommend the butcher block kitchen cart models that are unique because the wood block can be used for cooking, then removed and set aside, and the cart can be used as a serving tray.
There are two great designs to consider, one is more affordable than the other: first, the Cucina D’Amico butcher block island cart, which retails for just under $1,000, and second, the Cucina Elegante butcher block stainless steel kitchen cart/island design that retails for about $740. The Cucina Elegante design has a 1.75 inch thick chopping block that’s solid maple and easy to clean because it’s finished with a coating of Varnique. Immediately below the block is a handy drawer, also maple, for easy access to utensils. Then there 2 stainless steel shelves, with the central one being reversible, which means that when you flip it over, it becomes a tray and can be used to store vegetables, fruit or even bottles of wine. The construction of the cart includes stainless steel legs that have locking casters so that when you don’t want it to roll it won’t. Moving back to the top of the cart, you can see that there are two drop leaves (which are optional) that allow for more chopping space or can be used to serve or even as a table at which to sit for quick lunches….a simple kitchen table for two.
Oddly enough the more expensive Cucina D’Amico model has fewer features and less shelves, however, this design serves a totally different purpose. It is specific for serious chopping because it has a 5” thick block that’s made from Northern Hard Rock Maple and is specifically designed to not wear out your knives. For cooks and chefs who value their perfectly sharpened knives, this butcher block will absorb blade impact. It’s also unique in that the block is constructed so as to not allow nicks …to minimize bacteria in the wood. It’s also treated with beeswax and can be kept smooth and moisture free if treated from time to time with the special Mystery Oil or the Board Cream, also made by John Boos. Everything else is stainless steel like all the other models we recommend.
The BBSS Cucina Classico stainless kitchen cart is very simple, very sleek, just a space to work. However the GRA Cucina Grandioso is a space to work, design, create and maybe even play. With pot racks and utensil hooks above the stainless steel counter, and drawers below and shelves under that, everything is within easy reach…whisks, ladles, tongs, strainers, large spoons, spatulas and turnovers; even mixing bowls, pots, pans and ingredients are all handy….with a little place for your olive oil and garnishes…
For professional chefs and serious cooks, there’s the CU Cucina Marcella, which is in fact the strongest stainless steel design made by John Boos. This professional food service grade, tray/trolley/workspace/island/table and kitchen storage cart all in one is made with 300 series 18/8 stainless steel and comes complete with a 16 gauge steel top, nylon roller bearing glides for the cabinet doors and the sturdiest of all cabinet bases available.
Keep in mind that many of the kitchen island cart designs are also ideal kitchen tables where the cook or helpers can grab a quick bite between courses, or where an early morning coffee can be sipped in a quiet space before the dinner rush….just pull up a bar stool and relax.
And while we’re on the subject of stools to pull up to your kitchen cart island, why not pick up a couple of the matching ones from the John Boos collection….chrome to match the stainless steel and wood to accent the butcher block….have a look how sleek and clean these counter stools are. And…they’re not expensive….just over $100. There’s also a funky table that goes great with the stools….it has no cutting board or racks…but it’s very chic for working space, called the SS-C Cucina Moderno with a bullnose top that’s stainless steel and a black painted base to match the black in the stools. It costs under $600. Yes, it’s also considered an island, but it’s not a cart.
We understand that the elegant and durable quality of the John Boos collections may be ideal, yet they may also be unaffordable for those on a tight budget who just want handy kitchen trolleys or a simpler stainless steel top kitchen cart that is otherwise made of wood. For a design that’s practical and a price that’s affordable, we suggest going with the home styles kitchen carts and islands like the Manhattan, which is just under $260 and comes complete with the following features: towel rack, natural wood legs, shelves and two drawers, hardware finished in brushed steel. Locking casters, and the heavy gauge top in solid stainless steel. By the way, one of the shelves can be used as a wine rack, and since the cart is portable, it’s a great serving trolley for wine and cheese. The Homestyles Manhattan island-cart can be purchased online at ekitchenislands. Just in case you’re interested in other designs, such as black or white kitchen cart models that are even more affordable, check out the complete line of Homestyles products also available through Kitchen Source.
Decorating Advice
Now that you have an idea of what’s available and how much these items cost, you might ready to take a look at chrome swivel bar stools, or wooden models that accent or contrast the modern look of steel. There are also some really funky folding chair designs in aluminum that look great in stainless steel environments. Also if you need some decorating ideas on how to pull everything together into a theme that’s your very own, browse some of our related topics, like: Chrome and All That Jazz Theme For Kitchen Stools or Ultra Modern Funky Theme or even Zen Tranquility Theme, which goes well with steely kitchen designs.
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