[Found items of mine: hand-carved bowl]
I love wood. I love its warmth and smoothness, its variations in color and grain, its functionality. I love its surprising beauty in various forms. And so, as I mentioned in my last post, the beautiful wood butcher block on my newly-acquired (via Craigslist) kitchen island got my mental gears turning.
Hmmm, I thought. “I’ve been wanting to put up shelves beneath the kitchen window. What if I make them out of butcher block, just for the fun of it?” So I asked my hubby, who regularly drives past IKEA, to pick up a Lagan countertop for me. Simple enough.
But my online search to learn about Lagan countertops opened up a Pandora’s box of ideas. What if instead of just making shelves, we changed out the whole countertop with this great butcher block?
Thus begins the “SOMETHING BORROWED” section of this series — a handful of favorite kitchen pics I found online with their butcher block countertops. It didn’t take long to learn that I love the wood/white cabinet combination. (Click on a photo to link to the website where it originated.)
[Photo: Canadian House and Home]
Above: Rustic table, open cabinet fronts, farm sink — all made so welcoming by the lovely countertop.
Above: I appreciate the simplicity of this small, cheery space.
Above: I think the darker wood is gorgeous, although I don’t know that I’d do it in my own kitchen. This countertop also has my absolute favorite finish on the wood — she used Waterlox over a stain.
[Photo: Better Homes and Gardens]
Above: I especially like the island painted in a contrasting color. I don’t like the blackboards and the ruffles are too sweet for me, but the TULIPS redeem those small faults.
Above: This is from a great blog about renovating a Vancouver apartment. Fun and interesting!
[Photo: Architectural Digest Online]
Above: I just want to stand at this window and finish arranging those flowers from the garden. Wait! I can do this at my OWN house! Soon on my own butcher block counter!
[Photo: Buckboard Hill Interiors]
Above: This kitchen beckons, “Come away for the weekend!”
[Photo: via Pinterest via google.com; unable to locate original]
Above: I like the use of one main color to balance out the white. (If anyone knows the origin of this photo, please let me know.)
[Photo: The Old Painted Cottage]
Above: Every time I see this, I want to whip up some cinnamon rolls and call the family down for breakfast.
Turns out I sent my hubby back to IKEA for two more Lagan countertops (an incredible deal at $59 for 8′). I figured I could come back to the shelves-under-the-window idea. But now I had my sights on bigger things…
And don’t forget those giant farm style sinks! Someday I want one giant sink. Whoever invented the divided sink was crazy. I have big pots and pans and need one big sink to wash them in.
Your kitchen sounds like its going to be beautiful.
Does Erik know how dangerous this could get?
What are you talking about ?!?