Hey guys! We’ve been plugging away at our kitchen and dining room renovation and I’m so excited to share the progress with you all! Our most recent project is that we finished our DIY Butcher block countertops!

Initially our kitchen had an angled island that barely seated three. By straightening out the existing cabinets we were able to create seating for four! Here’s what we started with!

I LOVE the look of quartz, but it was out of our budget. I was able to get two slabs of 25″ x 8′ long pine butcher block for $300. The trouble was that we needed to join the two pieces together to create our 36″ island. Here’s how we did it:

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1. First we ripped one of the slabs down to 11″ wide using our table saw.
2. Next we screwed a board onto the side of the slab to use as a jig for the dowel pins. We screwed four holes in the board and butcher block. Then we moved the board to the other slab so that the holes would line up.
3. Next we joined the two boards together using dowel pins and wood glue. Then we attached four metal straight brackets from underneath. We covered the seam with two coats of wood filler.
4. We cut the joined slabs to the proper length with our circular saw. We made sure to use painter’s tape underneath the saw so that it would not chip.
5. Next we positioned the sink template and again used painter’s tape where we’d be cutting.
6. We used a 3/4″ paddle bit to screw the holes in the corners of the sink in order to get perfectly rounded corners.
7. Next we used a circular saw for the straight edge cuts.
8. Finally I used a palm sander to sand the sink opening, and to create a rounded edge on the end that we had cut.
9. Lastly I used Minwax “special walnut” stain to stain the slab. I sealed it with four coats of Minwax Polycrilic.

Before placing the countertop on the island I secured the undermount sink by using brackets on the cabinet from underneath. I also installed “L” brackets on the dishwasher cabinet to mount the countertop to. We used a bead of clear silicone along the top of the sink. We attached the countertop by screwing it in from below, and then added another bead of silicone where the countertop met the sink.

Once the countertop was on, I used a 1 3/8″ paddle bit to screw holes for the faucet and disposal button.

I’m so happy with how it turned out! I love the way it warms up the whole kitchen. I also love how it looks with our black leather counter stools. Maybe you noticed I also added a new rug! It’s my first vintage rug and I’m so happy with how it looks.

If you’ve been following along you know that I’m making over my kitchen and dining room as part of the One Room Challenge. In week one I shared how we raised up our dining room. In week two I shared my mood board. In week three I shared how we altered and painted our cabinets. Now here we are in week four with only two weeks until the reveal!

I’ve still got SO much to do but I’m super excited about how this room is coming together. Thanks a ton for following along!

**Update** To see how the entire reveal turned out head to this post! Here’s a little spoiler picture for you!