Consider butcher block for unique countertops

The kitchen at Crystal Sewell's house recently underwent an overhaul, which included the installation of a new custom cut countertop. Indianapolis countertop installers from Edens Painting and Remodeling LLC walked her through the entire process.

"We didn't really know what we wanted, just the 'feel' we wanted when you walk in the house," she says, noting the service provider spent hours showing them samples of materials and finding the right ones.

One material to think about when choosing new countertops is butcher block. Butcher block countertops are a versatile home design trend that can lend warmth to your modern kitchen or an authentic feel to a vintage farmhouse.

Butcher block countertops offer several advantages:

• Kitchen mishaps including scorch marks, burns and scratches can be sanded away and the wood reoiled.
• The wood ages well, and it is more forgiving than granite or tile.
• The beauty of your butcher block countertop is easily preserved with gentle green cleaning methods – olive oil, vinegar and water solution or natural soap.

If you are unsure about committing to a complete butcher block makeover, consider starting out with a single section or a kitchen island. Whether you’re adding a small addition or refurbishing the entire kitchen, there is a wide variety of hardwoods to choose from.

Some popular choices include:

• Walnut: Loved worldwide for its classic beauty, walnut is often used as an accent with lighter woods.
• Red oak: This versatile wood stains well and is used in everything from railroad ties to cabinetry.
• Black walnut: This is a dark wood often used in fine furniture and musical instruments.
• Black cherry: Once called the “poor man's mahogany,” black cherry is considered luxurious in its own right. It’s often selected for reproductions of colonial antique furniture.
• Teak: Loved by ship builders, teak is durable and stable as well as fungi and termite-resistant.
• Ash: Often chosen for major-league baseball bats because of its shock-proof strength, ash will hold up to your active family.
• Lyptus: This eucalyptus hybrid is an environmental success story and has been touted as a Brazilian rainforest ‘wonder crop.’
• Tigerwood: Moisture-resistant and boldly striped, South American Tigerwood has a funky tropical feel which will age over time with a lovely dark patina.

If you're considering installing new countertops in your home but aren't sure what material to choose, a professional countertop installer can help. Gayle Roberts sought the help of Artisan Granite Countertops when transforming her kitchen.

The experts "took extra time and effort to show us what was available, what differences to look for...and to help us make choices," she says about the Dallas countertop installers. "Quality job. No exaggeration - this is the type of company you dream about."

Looking for your dream team? Angie's List can help your dream become a reality. Join today to see which countertop installers in your area come highly recommended by members in your neighborhood.