Island HOPPING

The traditional fitted kitchen island now faces competition from more flexible, modern alternatives

- FEATURE JENNY OLDAKER

With a popularity that’s long been as solid as its structure, the built-in island has had a good run as a kitchen staple, having provided a fashionable focal point in our homes for decades. But it seems the island’s hefty, immovable charm is beginning to wane, as a growing number of homeowners seek out units that are more informal and easier on the space. Lisa Coppin, chief creative officer at The Cotswold Company, agrees that there is change afoot: “The fitted island has become a key consideration for many when designing a new kitchen but, more often than not, it can quickly become a design flaw, being too large and cumbersome for the space and restricting flow.”