We have a really small kitchen, as most were/are in a 1928 home. My sweet wife wanted a kitchen Island, but we just didn’t have the room. I put on my thunkin’ cap and figured out that a butcher block in the center of the room would give us some additional counter space and prep area. A plan for a custom gift started forming in my narrow monkey brain. I got super stoked about it, designed it up, and went wood shopping.

‘My local hardwood dealer did not have the grade of maple that I wanted at a price that I was willing to pay, but that was a blessing in disguise. While still thinking and grumbling about just paying the steep price for the wood a week later, I found a company that sold semi-custom cutting board countertops and free standing blocks. Their second to the smallest one was exactly the dimension (24” X 18”) that I had planned to build for my wife and their cost, delivered to my dock at work, was about the same as just my material would be. That settled it. I bought the block and waited the 4 weeks for delivery.

I don’t feel one bit bad that I did not build the whole thing. I surprised my wife with it and she asked that I paint the legs red to match the kitchen walls. I bought a can of pre-mixed Holiday Red General Finish Milk Paint from Woodcraft (I REALLY like using Milk Paint!) and put two coats on the legs. After the paint fully cured, I put two coats of satin marine spar varnish on. The top was finished with 4 coats of tung oil, drying 24 hours in-between coats, and I will redcoat every couple of months.

The island looks GREAT in our kitchen and has given us both more space when making dinner. My wife is very happy with the addition and that is worth more than gold. The links the block company and my supplies are below:

Bailey Block: https://www.butcherblock.com/product/…

Holiday Red Milk Paint: https://www.woodcraft.com/products/ge…

Spar Varnish: https://www.amazon.com/MCCLOSKEY-6505…

Watco Tung Oil: