Kitchen Islands are the meeting place for big families. They’ve become a replacement for the formal dining rooms of yesteryear, and they serve as command central for most families outside of entertaining. Being the focal point of a kitchen, the island is often one of the more decorative elements. Reclaimed wood is a great choice for its warmth and beauty. Here are some photos and descriptions to help guide you through materials we offer and some notes about finish selection:
Warm and Inviting: Wood is warm, not just to the eye, but to the touch. When people are resting their arms against the island, it doesn’t feel cold like a stone product, composite, or metal. It has a very inviting texture. In addition, the natural wood grain is a great contrast to solid color cabinets. The organic feel of the wood grain makes it feel more cozy.
Breadboard Ends: Capping the island top with breadboard ends gives it more strength and rigidity. It keeps wood from bowing or warping due to the perpendicular grain orientation. This is a great solution if the ends of a top need to extend beyond a supporting structure for barstool dining, etc. Having this feature also has its own visual appeal.
Live Edge Slabs and High Contrast Grain: There are some beautiful wood grains and colors to be had when you choose unique woods. This multiple spalted hackberry slab top is a great example of how drastic and dramatic the grain and color of wood can be. It certainly makes the space. The live edges and faux distressed edges add the feel of nature.
About the Author
Thomas Porter
Owner
Thomas is an Arizona native, artist, and man of many talents. He founded Porter Barn Wood in 2010 and Porter Iron Works in 2012. He has since become an industry leader in reclaimed materials in Arizona and has worked with builders across the country to provide custom unique furnishings and materials in both commercial and residential applications. Thomas and his wife Emy have two children and live in Phoenix, AZ.