How do I fix my ugly kitchen island?

You can replace the veneer but know you'd have to do the whole side in order for it to look right. You can try sanding the whole thing lightly as veneer is incredibly thin, then restain and reseal.

Hi Barb. We have a kitchen table with a veneer top and instead of removing it, we sanded it ever so lightly and then re-stained it. The veneer was thin, but we were able to sand it lightly without damaging it or going through it.

Could you apply a rather tall "baseboard" to the island?

Thought about that, but our other baseboards are ghec2 inch variety. I decided it would look strange. 🤣

Yes a 6” baseboard and if you can’t find one, then buy 1x6 and put a round-over edge on it with a sander or better yet, borrow a router & put an ogee edge on it.

Put beadboard around the island and new trim. Make it stand out. Or put board and batten placement.

Hi Barb,

You could paint it or Clad it or cover it with something like Contact or add a beading frame at the top point of the stain and use a black or grey etc. upstand on it with paint or tiles etc. Good luck!

Since it was a leak, your homeowners insurance should cover the repair or replacement.