My obsession with finding the perfect storage solutions for my office studio remodel has been leading me to new resources. (Well, new to me.) My latest discovery: McMaster-Carr, who market all kinds of products to engineering types, and whose online catalog claims to feature 490,000 different products. Yes: 490,000 items. The first thing I want to spotlight from this incredible compendium: Butcher block countertops — in both maple and oak — that are offered in an expansive range of sizes — and at what, to me, seem like terrific prices. In addition, the maple butcher block comes in two thickness — a standard 1-3/4″ but also, a hunkier chunkier 2-1/4″. You can also get several edging styles. Based on one website I found (C&H) these seem to be made by John Boos, the famous maker of butcher block.
I discovered McMaster-Carr while visiting a friend’s house last week. She was using the 2-1/4 maple butcher block as a long run of countertop in her office studio: It looked fantastic.
Of course, this material also can be used in a kitchen. I am a big proponent of using a variety of surfaces in your kitchen — especially the larger that it is. To be sure, this butcher block is going to be fussier to care for than laminate. But, if you keep the surface oiled and clean up spills quickly — and learn to love patina — it would look great in most retro kitchens.
Maybe a bit to the left of your stove? That’s where I put mine.
Maybe use it for a bit of space where you keep family memos and such?
For the top of a small island?
I just would not set a sink into it — keep persistent water away.
The only place I know of to get this sort of countertop for less money is Ikea — they have a 96″L x 24″D x 1.5″thick birch countertop for $139. To compare, the similar sized (but 1.75″ thick) maple counter from McMaster-Carr is $293. I found one more place, C&H, that has some of the same butcher block (it appears) *currently* on sale — a few sizes may be less expensive, although not all, and not all sizes are available compared to McMaster-Carr.
Does anyone know of a better source for butcher block at a better price?
If so, I’d sure like to hear.
Links:
- Butcher block countertop from McMaster-Carr.
- Price shop some of the same butcher block at C&H.