In Fine Homebuilding’s Fall/Winter 2015 Kitchen and Bath issue, Brooks Custom’s maple butcher block countertops are featured prominently. The centerfold for the article “Countertop Chemistry” shows a maple kitchen island countertop that we made for Rafe Churchill for a farmhouse in Connecticut.

The yellow cabinetry in this farmhouse kitchen is a lovely compliment to the maple butcher block island top and matching the floor. This brightness is used to wonderful contrast against the black decor accents, window trim, and perimeter stone countertops. The result of this combination is a bright and warm kitchen that conveys the farmhouse aesthetic of the rest of the home.

Being such a light wood, maple is a great choice to convey this bright and cozy look. To add to the traditional farmhouse look, the maple butcher block has a sealed and oiled finish. This finish gives the top a natural wood feel, and matte finish. Maintaining this look takes a bit of maintenance; the top needs to be re-oiled every so often to prevent the wood from drying out and cracking. With proper maintenance, the countertop will last for decades.

Butcher block works great in this kitchen, but it’s important to note that it’s not the only material available, even for a farmhouse kitchen. The warm and inviting aesthetic can be achieved by using other wood products such as wide plank walnut or end grain chopping blocks. Zinc countertops offer a great alternative for a unique look that still conveys the country charm of wood.

See below for a helpful overview of the different countertop materials available, as profiled in the Fine Homebuilding article.

Thanks again to Fine Homebuilding Magazine for featuring so many of our great products! To learn more, please visit us at brookscustom.com, or contact us with any questions.