Kitchen Worktop Advice - Wood
Discussion
Sorry, this is quite dull but I've seen a similar thread about granite worktops before and was wondering what the opinion of this design is with the PH collective.
We're having a gloss white kitchen with slate floor. We've been searching for a worktop for ages. We can't find a nice laminate (too cheap?) and quartz, the preferred option, is silly money; £2,300 on a worktop?!. I think not.
So that leaves natural wood, specifically walnut. It comes in at about half the price of quartz which is much more reasonable. What do you guys think of a) the walnut as worktop and b) the combination of white gloss, walnut worktop and slate floor?
Thanks for your help!
We're having a gloss white kitchen with slate floor. We've been searching for a worktop for ages. We can't find a nice laminate (too cheap?) and quartz, the preferred option, is silly money; £2,300 on a worktop?!. I think not.
So that leaves natural wood, specifically walnut. It comes in at about half the price of quartz which is much more reasonable. What do you guys think of a) the walnut as worktop and b) the combination of white gloss, walnut worktop and slate floor?
Thanks for your help!
If you have dark slate, I think that will look fine, but you'll have to temper the colour of the walls.
I've seen a few wooden worktops, they look fine, but in a few months they seem to get a bit of chipping/scratches etc.. but I think if you look after them and use a chopping board etc.. then why not.
I've seen a few wooden worktops, they look fine, but in a few months they seem to get a bit of chipping/scratches etc.. but I think if you look after them and use a chopping board etc.. then why not.
mickken said:
Mutt said:
Sorry, this is quite dull but I've seen a similar thread about granite worktops before and was wondering what the opinion of this design is with the PH collective.
We're having a gloss white kitchen with slate floor. We've been searching for a worktop for ages. We can't find a nice laminate (too cheap?) and quartz, the preferred option, is silly money; £2,300 on a worktop?!. I think not.
So that leaves natural wood, specifically walnut. It comes in at about half the price of quartz which is much more reasonable. What do you guys think of a) the walnut as worktop and b) the combination of white gloss, walnut worktop and slate floor?
Thanks for your help!
If you're cutting up cute little vermin....the blood might stain We're having a gloss white kitchen with slate floor. We've been searching for a worktop for ages. We can't find a nice laminate (too cheap?) and quartz, the preferred option, is silly money; £2,300 on a worktop?!. I think not.
So that leaves natural wood, specifically walnut. It comes in at about half the price of quartz which is much more reasonable. What do you guys think of a) the walnut as worktop and b) the combination of white gloss, walnut worktop and slate floor?
Thanks for your help!
Jasandjules said:
If you have dark slate, I think that will look fine, but you'll have to temper the colour of the walls.
I've seen a few wooden worktops, they look fine, but in a few months they seem to get a bit of chipping/scratches etc.. but I think if you look after them and use a chopping board etc.. then why not.
Yep, dark slate. Sorry I forgot you can get light slate.I've seen a few wooden worktops, they look fine, but in a few months they seem to get a bit of chipping/scratches etc.. but I think if you look after them and use a chopping board etc.. then why not.
I was in a similar situation - could'nt justify stone but didnt want a laminate, also needed quite an intricate design (there is a thin bit & stone might have cracked)
Because budget was tight I opted for wild beech blocks, but something quite thick - 40mm I think, had a real nice shanfer on the edges.
Keep it in good condition with danish oil and it looks lovely!
Takes a fair old knocking too, 4 years on and its not moved or warped at all, even round the Belfast sink.
Oh and I have a black stone Karndean floor with a thin beech detail strip and white units also with a beech detail, all goes together really well - not too individual so the next buyer won't have to strip it out and start again.
HTH
ALSO: if you are having it custom made - ask the chippy to save you any offcuts - use those as your chopping board, and thing to put kettle ect on.
Because budget was tight I opted for wild beech blocks, but something quite thick - 40mm I think, had a real nice shanfer on the edges.
Keep it in good condition with danish oil and it looks lovely!
Takes a fair old knocking too, 4 years on and its not moved or warped at all, even round the Belfast sink.Oh and I have a black stone Karndean floor with a thin beech detail strip and white units also with a beech detail, all goes together really well - not too individual so the next buyer won't have to strip it out and start again.
HTH
ALSO: if you are having it custom made - ask the chippy to save you any offcuts - use those as your chopping board, and thing to put kettle ect on.
Edited by 69elan+2 on Tuesday 10th June 15:09
I have a solid oak wood work top and in the past two years since it's been fitted it hasen't aged a bit. Looks very nice but is a bit of hassle to keep it looking pristine. Any spills need to be cleaned up sharpish and oiling it on a regular basis can be tedious but apart from that I love it.
Edited to add I have white units and oak flooring and it makes for a very attractive combination. I think your choice of dark wood on white would look great too. Also as said above, I don't use the worktop for chopping but rather have a dedicated chopping board to keep the worktop looking as new.
Edited to add I have white units and oak flooring and it makes for a very attractive combination. I think your choice of dark wood on white would look great too. Also as said above, I don't use the worktop for chopping but rather have a dedicated chopping board to keep the worktop looking as new.
Edited by Baffled Spoon on Tuesday 10th June 15:06
69elan+2 said:
I was in a similar situation - could'nt justify stone but didnt want a laminate, also needed quite an intricate design (there is a thin bit & stone might have cracked)
Because budget was tight I opted for wild beech blocks, but something quite thick - 40mm I think, had a real nice shanfer on the edges.
Keep it in good condition with danish oil and it looks lovely! Takes a fair old knocking too, 4 years on and its not moved or warped at all, even round the Belfast sink.
Oh and I have a black stone Karndean floor with a thin beech detail strip and white units also with a beech detail, all goes together really well - not too individual so the next buyer won't have to strip it out and start again.
HTH
ALSO: if you are having it custom made - ask the chippy to save you any offcuts - use those as your chopping board, and thing to put kettle ect on.
Great advice there. I also went for 40mm beech this time last year. Carpenter fitted it all and shamferred the edges.Because budget was tight I opted for wild beech blocks, but something quite thick - 40mm I think, had a real nice shanfer on the edges.
Keep it in good condition with danish oil and it looks lovely!
Takes a fair old knocking too, 4 years on and its not moved or warped at all, even round the Belfast sink.Oh and I have a black stone Karndean floor with a thin beech detail strip and white units also with a beech detail, all goes together really well - not too individual so the next buyer won't have to strip it out and start again.
HTH
ALSO: if you are having it custom made - ask the chippy to save you any offcuts - use those as your chopping board, and thing to put kettle ect on.
Edited by 69elan+2 on Tuesday 10th June 15:09
It looks brilliant, and well worth the extra over laminate.
You do need to oil it quite regularly (about every 3 months) to keep it waterproof and treated. The water beads up very nicely afterwards and is easy to clean.
Also as Elan said, keep offcuts as chopping boards/pan rests etc.
ETA: The wood generally comes in 3 metre sections, at around £2-300 per section I seem to remember.
Edited by evenflow on Tuesday 10th June 16:07
I've just fitted two 40mm cherry worktops from www.withknobson.co.uk. I chose cherry because it looks warmer than walnut, which can have a cold greenish tint to it IMHO. I also have gloss white units.
Service was excellent, price was fair and the wood was so well finished that it needed just a little sanding before fitting. I then gave it three thin coats of Polyx Oil which is like synthetic oil/wax.
When people go in, the first thing they notice is the worktops and say how good they look. So yes, wood defo gets a thumbs up from me
Service was excellent, price was fair and the wood was so well finished that it needed just a little sanding before fitting. I then gave it three thin coats of Polyx Oil which is like synthetic oil/wax.
When people go in, the first thing they notice is the worktops and say how good they look. So yes, wood defo gets a thumbs up from me
Edited by Simpo Two on Tuesday 10th June 17:57
evenflow said:
69elan+2 said:
I was in a similar situation - could'nt justify stone but didnt want a laminate, also needed quite an intricate design (there is a thin bit & stone might have cracked)
Because budget was tight I opted for wild beech blocks, but something quite thick - 40mm I think, had a real nice shanfer on the edges.
Keep it in good condition with danish oil and it looks lovely! Takes a fair old knocking too, 4 years on and its not moved or warped at all, even round the Belfast sink.
Oh and I have a black stone Karndean floor with a thin beech detail strip and white units also with a beech detail, all goes together really well - not too individual so the next buyer won't have to strip it out and start again.
HTH
ALSO: if you are having it custom made - ask the chippy to save you any offcuts - use those as your chopping board, and thing to put kettle ect on.
Great advice there. I also went for 40mm beech this time last year. Carpenter fitted it all and shamferred the edges.Because budget was tight I opted for wild beech blocks, but something quite thick - 40mm I think, had a real nice shanfer on the edges.
Keep it in good condition with danish oil and it looks lovely!
Takes a fair old knocking too, 4 years on and its not moved or warped at all, even round the Belfast sink.Oh and I have a black stone Karndean floor with a thin beech detail strip and white units also with a beech detail, all goes together really well - not too individual so the next buyer won't have to strip it out and start again.
HTH
ALSO: if you are having it custom made - ask the chippy to save you any offcuts - use those as your chopping board, and thing to put kettle ect on.
Edited by 69elan+2 on Tuesday 10th June 15:09
It looks brilliant, and well worth the extra over laminate.
You do need to oil it quite regularly (about every 3 months) to keep it waterproof and treated. The water beads up very nicely afterwards and is easy to clean.
Also as Elan said, keep offcuts as chopping boards/pan rests etc.
ETA: The wood generally comes in 3 metre sections, at around £2-300 per section I seem to remember.
Edited by evenflow on Tuesday 10th June 16:07
Cutting up the offcuts to make chopping boards is hard work. I had to go out and buy a circular saw specifically for the job.
Mutt said:
Isn't beech very light? We've got beams, so I think the worktop should be dark wood. I assume oiling doesn't make it go much darker?
Yes - but the wild beech has allot more colour and pattern in it + the danish oil does make it a little darker.I know what your saying about wanting dark wood to match the beams - but I'd only do that if its a very light room otherwise you might find it all a bit oppressive, especially at night when your relying on your room lighting from above and probably behind you (unless you have lighting directly above your worktop areas)
Best thing to do is ask for a sample of the guys you pick to make the worktop - slap some oil on it and see how it looks in the kitchen before you commit.
ETA: Just spotted Simpo's pics
Thats fantastic! those pics are better than most of the kitchen brochures I've seen.Also - I was on a shoe-string budget which is also why Beech was a great option - I'm guessing Cherry would be a bit more, but that looks lovely, I'm sure it would look great if you used that in a room with dark beams above.
Edited by 69elan+2 on Tuesday 10th June 18:06
Mutt said:
Sorry, this is quite dull but I've seen a similar thread about granite worktops before and was wondering what the opinion of this design is with the PH collective.
We're having a gloss white kitchen with slate floor. We've been searching for a worktop for ages. We can't find a nice laminate (too cheap?) and quartz, the preferred option, is silly money; £2,300 on a worktop?!. I think not.
So that leaves natural wood, specifically walnut. It comes in at about half the price of quartz which is much more reasonable. What do you guys think of a) the walnut as worktop and b) the combination of white gloss, walnut worktop and slate floor?
Thanks for your help!
I'm about to put High Gloss white units into my new kitchen in my apartment in Leeds. The one thing in a kitchen to spend money on is the work top and appliances. The High Gloss unitsd can be got from Ikea, MFI etc etc and they are good quality. If you ever come to sell your home, the quality of the kitchen will be defined 90 on the worktops and then 10% appliances. Honestly, spend the money in the right area.We're having a gloss white kitchen with slate floor. We've been searching for a worktop for ages. We can't find a nice laminate (too cheap?) and quartz, the preferred option, is silly money; £2,300 on a worktop?!. I think not.
So that leaves natural wood, specifically walnut. It comes in at about half the price of quartz which is much more reasonable. What do you guys think of a) the walnut as worktop and b) the combination of white gloss, walnut worktop and slate floor?
Thanks for your help!
Best place to get a kitchen from in London (start at £20k) is Nicholas Anthony. His views below. You might like the bit on Dark Wood.
The interiors trends for 2007: by Tony Nicholas, managing director of Nicholas Anthony.
Colour
Homeowners are becoming more inclined to experiment with colour. As a result, we will see colour becoming more prominent in the kitchen - not the subtle hues we’ve been used to but strong, dynamic colours like purple and burgundy which make a bold design statement. For those who still remain hesitant about this development, a compromise can be reached: around one third of the kitchen can take a vibrant colour without it becoming too overpowering. This works well particularly in the larger kitchen but even a smaller space can carry off the use of vibrant colours if it is carefully designed, incorporating colour into splashbacks or shelving for instance.
Dark wood
The trend for practical modern kitchens will continue but the stark minimalist style will be replaced by a greater degree of warmth, which will lead to an increase in dark, sumptuous wood such as rich walnut. Also becoming popular is emphasising the beauty of the grain to create a central focus to a contemporary or traditional kitchen. We’ll also see an increased interest in veneers which can be cut at different angles to create unusual grain structures or patterns, or to emphasise or eliminate specific features of natural solid wood such as rings or knots.
Materials and textures
Overall, the trend in kitchen design is all about mixing materials and textures. In the purple Classic Line kitchen, the luxuriant combination of rich purple cupboard doors look stunning when combined with a jet black composite stone worksurface and aluminium handles. In the Nut Tobacco kitchen, the rich contemporary walnut finish is complimented with a stunning blend of Polar White glass, stainless steel and white Cesarstone.
Tony Nicholas, MD, commented: “Be brave and bold when it comes to colour – don’t be daunted. Steer away from the impersonal minimalist look, and opt for warm, cosy kitchens where you can feel at home. With many styles on offer, choosing a new kitchen can be overwhelming but a good designer will steer you through the many decisions to be made, providing you with a kitchen that you’ll love for many years to come.”
Nicholas Anthony is a kitchen and bathroom specialist with showrooms in Ascot, Colchester, Knightsbridge and London W1. The company’s expert service includes complete design and installation of your kitchen and bathroom with advice on the best solution for your home and lifestyle. Nicholas Anthony kitchens retail from £15,000.
For more details on Nicholas Anthony, visit nicholas-anthony.co.uk.
The interiors trends for 2007: by Tony Nicholas, managing director of Nicholas Anthony.
Colour
Homeowners are becoming more inclined to experiment with colour. As a result, we will see colour becoming more prominent in the kitchen - not the subtle hues we’ve been used to but strong, dynamic colours like purple and burgundy which make a bold design statement. For those who still remain hesitant about this development, a compromise can be reached: around one third of the kitchen can take a vibrant colour without it becoming too overpowering. This works well particularly in the larger kitchen but even a smaller space can carry off the use of vibrant colours if it is carefully designed, incorporating colour into splashbacks or shelving for instance.
Dark wood
The trend for practical modern kitchens will continue but the stark minimalist style will be replaced by a greater degree of warmth, which will lead to an increase in dark, sumptuous wood such as rich walnut. Also becoming popular is emphasising the beauty of the grain to create a central focus to a contemporary or traditional kitchen. We’ll also see an increased interest in veneers which can be cut at different angles to create unusual grain structures or patterns, or to emphasise or eliminate specific features of natural solid wood such as rings or knots.
Materials and textures
Overall, the trend in kitchen design is all about mixing materials and textures. In the purple Classic Line kitchen, the luxuriant combination of rich purple cupboard doors look stunning when combined with a jet black composite stone worksurface and aluminium handles. In the Nut Tobacco kitchen, the rich contemporary walnut finish is complimented with a stunning blend of Polar White glass, stainless steel and white Cesarstone.
Tony Nicholas, MD, commented: “Be brave and bold when it comes to colour – don’t be daunted. Steer away from the impersonal minimalist look, and opt for warm, cosy kitchens where you can feel at home. With many styles on offer, choosing a new kitchen can be overwhelming but a good designer will steer you through the many decisions to be made, providing you with a kitchen that you’ll love for many years to come.”
Nicholas Anthony is a kitchen and bathroom specialist with showrooms in Ascot, Colchester, Knightsbridge and London W1. The company’s expert service includes complete design and installation of your kitchen and bathroom with advice on the best solution for your home and lifestyle. Nicholas Anthony kitchens retail from £15,000.
For more details on Nicholas Anthony, visit nicholas-anthony.co.uk.
Thanks all, some great advice in there.
Simpo Two - that worktop is beautiful, although I think it's too light for our purpose.
To give you a bit of an idea of what the kitchen is currently like, here's an old pic from when we bought the flat. This is all the previous occupant's stuff and decor. Nice and cottage-like, if you like that sort of thing...
Behind the enormous fridge-freezer you can see the beam at the top, plus the arched windows (it's a converted church). The only thing that's changed, aside from appliances and furniture, is the wall that the shelf is resting against on the left of the picture has been moved back a foot. So, any further thoughts? It's pretty light in the evening due to the sun coming around (it's north facing).
Simpo Two - that worktop is beautiful, although I think it's too light for our purpose.
To give you a bit of an idea of what the kitchen is currently like, here's an old pic from when we bought the flat. This is all the previous occupant's stuff and decor. Nice and cottage-like, if you like that sort of thing...
Behind the enormous fridge-freezer you can see the beam at the top, plus the arched windows (it's a converted church). The only thing that's changed, aside from appliances and furniture, is the wall that the shelf is resting against on the left of the picture has been moved back a foot. So, any further thoughts? It's pretty light in the evening due to the sun coming around (it's north facing).
Darkish timbers (walnut and zebrano are personal faves of mine). They look great with white gloss slab cabinetry.
Slate floor should go really well with that too. Don't know where you are based but these guys do some lovely natural stone at sensible money www.stonell.com
I've heard these guys are good for wood www.woodentops.co.uk
I really wanted glass when we re-did our kitchen (cabinets are birdseye maple) but the cost was shall we say not really justifiable to me (5k - £8k dependent on thickness). It does look amazing however. John Lewis in Cheadle had a display kitchen a while back with white cabinets and shocking pink glass which although not my cup of tea looked spectacular.
Not really a fan of quartz myself, prefer natural materials (we went for star galaxy granite in the end).
Slate floor should go really well with that too. Don't know where you are based but these guys do some lovely natural stone at sensible money www.stonell.com
I've heard these guys are good for wood www.woodentops.co.uk
I really wanted glass when we re-did our kitchen (cabinets are birdseye maple) but the cost was shall we say not really justifiable to me (5k - £8k dependent on thickness). It does look amazing however. John Lewis in Cheadle had a display kitchen a while back with white cabinets and shocking pink glass which although not my cup of tea looked spectacular.
Not really a fan of quartz myself, prefer natural materials (we went for star galaxy granite in the end).
Mutt said:
Thanks all, some great advice in there.
Simpo Two - that worktop is beautiful, although I think it's too light for our purpose.
To give you a bit of an idea of what the kitchen is currently like, here's an old pic from when we bought the flat. This is all the previous occupant's stuff and decor. Nice and cottage-like, if you like that sort of thing...
Behind the enormous fridge-freezer you can see the beam at the top, plus the arched windows (it's a converted church). The only thing that's changed, aside from appliances and furniture, is the wall that the shelf is resting against on the left of the picture has been moved back a foot. So, any further thoughts? It's pretty light in the evening due to the sun coming around (it's north facing).
Chris - i see your based in London. It will be well worth your time to go to Wigmore street in Town. Thats where all the Kitchen showrooms are, mostly top end. It costs nothing to visit them all and see all the combinations of colours together right in front of you to make up your mind. Its what i have just done. I went to about 8.Simpo Two - that worktop is beautiful, although I think it's too light for our purpose.
To give you a bit of an idea of what the kitchen is currently like, here's an old pic from when we bought the flat. This is all the previous occupant's stuff and decor. Nice and cottage-like, if you like that sort of thing...
Behind the enormous fridge-freezer you can see the beam at the top, plus the arched windows (it's a converted church). The only thing that's changed, aside from appliances and furniture, is the wall that the shelf is resting against on the left of the picture has been moved back a foot. So, any further thoughts? It's pretty light in the evening due to the sun coming around (it's north facing).
Also if you want to be really cheeky, you can visit these top end show rooms, take the dimensions of your kitchen and the will free of charge design you a kitchen and be able to give you a good accurate print out of what you kitchen will look like. Also you then have had a top end designer , design your kitchen and you can take the design elsewhere and say 'i want thast one'
have you thought about oroco?
solid wood, can be stained to whatever shade you want, is very very hard wearing and looks fantastic
i had a kitchen hand made about 7 years ago. white faced maple cabinets with oroco work tops and upstands
the top is so hard wearing that you can take a boiling pan of hot roast potatos out of the over and put them straight on the top without any problems
how the hell that works i have no idea
solid wood, can be stained to whatever shade you want, is very very hard wearing and looks fantastic
i had a kitchen hand made about 7 years ago. white faced maple cabinets with oroco work tops and upstands
the top is so hard wearing that you can take a boiling pan of hot roast potatos out of the over and put them straight on the top without any problems
how the hell that works i have no idea
Wetwipe said:
the top is so hard wearing that you can take a boiling pan of hot roast potatos out of the over and put them straight on the top without any problems
can I have a go? Iroko is a good call - it takes impact damage very well and goes a lovely dark colour after a few years but it's bloody expensive
a certain interior designer I know rather well has had a new kitchen installed - solid walnut counters, two pack lacquered finished units in white, a black stained floor, dark mushroom mosaic splash backs and off white walls
it looks the nuts
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