The Right Choice

Admittedly, we have made some bad calls on some of our projects.  Painting a bedroom midnight blue, staining hardwood floors black when we own a white cat, and purchasing a project house that didn't have a front or back door wider than 32 inches (meaning that we had to give away several pieces of furniture that couldn't fit) are just a few of our bad decisions.  However, this weekend we started on the kitchen tile backsplash and while the flat stack stone was a little different choice, we are thrilled with the end product.  So far we have only completed one wall - but the other wall should be done this week!

Starting to Come Together

As of this past week/weekend, the kitchen has started to finally come together.  Our appliances arrived and Trent was able to install the butcher block.  He still has a little sanding to do and several layers of oil need to be added - but it's really close. 

Still left (for the kitchen):  tile backsplash and new lighting.

I Had My Doubts

When Trent decided that he wanted to make the butcher block countertop, I had my doubts.  It's very specific and because of the style there is no margin for error.  None.  But as you can see, he pulled it off.  The counter still needs a protective coat of oil (probably several coats of oil) and a little more sanding, but it's basically done.  Trent will install it this weekend - with the help of some muscle (volunteers???).  Since there is nothing to reference the size in the pics, the sink cutout is 3 feet wide.  It's a big ole' chunk of wood.

 

Putting it Together

Trent has spent most of his evening time working on our butcher block counter.  It's getting very close and he may even start installing it this weekend (maybe).  Earlier this week, Trent found a local shop that had a sander large enough to handle the three big pieces.   He met the owner there (after work hours) and spent several hours smoothing it out. 
He first put all the pieces together to make sure it was going to turn out.

 

Then (after taking them back apart) he cut the hole for the sink.  So far, we are extremely pleased with how it's turning out!

 

50%

Our countertops in the kitchen are 50% complete!  The granite was installed recently and (fingers crossed) Trent is hoping to have the butcher block island completed this next weekend.

We are putting up a tile backsplash (a really cool one, in my opinion) that should complete the look of the granite.

Once we get done with the counter stuff, we'll be able to move on to new lighting and then (finally!) appliances.  We are currently having a small "discussion" in our home about what appliances we are going to purchase.  Doesn't every couple talk through the finer points of exactly how many cubic feet you need in a refrigerator?!

Butcher Block - In the Making

Trent is in the process of hand making our butcher block countertop (for the center island).  Truthfully, I've looked at many butcher block counters and thought I knew exactly how they were put together.  I was so wrong.  It's much more involved and complex than I ever imagined.  Add to this complicated process the fact that our island is so big that we couldn't even special order a butcher block counter pre-made...they were going to have to make/assemble it on site.  (This would have been helpful info to have prior to ordering the cabinet that makes up the center island.)
Thankfully, Trent has a plan and it seems to be going exactly as he had hoped.  The short description is that he's taken several pieces of maple, cut them to 2" strips and is gluing them all together (in 3 sections).  He will then glue the 3 big pieces together to make the final product.  And since I only took a semester of shop class in 7th grade, I'm not helping on this particular project.