Butcher block kitchen islands
Cherry butcher block kitchen island on casters
This kitchen island is rather unique in many ways. It is on casters which allows it to be moved to a convenient location whenever the need arises. The base, legs, and bottom are made of black cherry. The lower shelf is actually a grate. This keeps it from filling up with dirt and debris. Smaller bits of food and dirt fall through to the floor. Since the island moves easily on its casters it is not a problem to sweep underneath it. This grate is almost two inches thick so it is plenty sturdy; I have seen small children getting underneath there and playing.
The lighter side of the top surface is what is usually marketed as "butcher block" but it is actually a very poor carving surface. Once you carve a couple of times on it, cutting through whatever finish is there, you have ruined it.
Butcher block?
Traditionally, heavy butcher block was made with the end grain pointing up! Remember that wood is actually many wood fibers running the length of the tree and the board. If you cut one of these fibers it shows. By cutting where the end grain points up you leave almost no marks since you aren't cutting fibers.
The checkered butcher block on the left surface is made in this fashion. The woods used in this instance are hard maple and black walnut, but almost any woods may be used. The base is made of black cherry and the legs are a very unusual 6 inches thick.
Problem.
Problem: my clients realized that they often preferred to eat informally in their kitchen, yet lacked the counter space to comfortably do so.
They deemed the kitchen too small for a mobile work-island, and also felt that such an island would not offer a comfortable place to sit. I do not have any "before" pictures, but this piece is actually a built-in attached permanently to the side of the stove. The sliding door opens on the side away from the built-in.
Solution
This hard maple/black walnut butcher block top with a drop-leaf and maple legs, enhanced the decor of the country-style kitchen and maple cabinets while providing an informal eating area. The drop leaf folds down, of course, when not in use.
The stools can be stored underneath the butcher block when not being used.
This built-in would be between $800-$1100.
Problem.
The butcher block top is almost three inches in thickness and made to be used. It is 'correctly' constructed with the grain of the wood running vertically, not horizontally throughout the top. With the wood fibers pointing up they are protected from daily cutting and pounding.
