For the sink you could get one of those sinks that go front to back...um...shoot what's the term? Counter depth? I think Pharaoh has one. The counter ends at the sink.

For the island? You need some really big clamps. :) Shouldn't be hard though.

Here's what I'm talking about--still don't know what it's called, but it would basically replace a seam. You could probably hire an extremely talented carpenter for the price of the sink though. :)

Here is a link that might be useful: Julien sink that goes all the way back.

Fori, I LOVED the sink! It would have saved me $150 of countertop but that would have gotten eaten up real quick with the price of the sink :( I'm amazed though all the wonderful items out there that I have never ever come across until I started reading GW threads.

Aloha:

We used 2 Ikea counters on our island for an interim solution. Our cabinet guy mentioned that he used glue and biscuits to seam them together. He said it didn't take him too long. It has been a couple of years and we have had no problems. HTH

I don't think you want to put a seam in the middle of the sink. Sinks are extremely heavy when they fill with water.

QS -that's what my DH was thinking he'd do. Do you have any picks of how it turned out?

Beverly, I understand what you mean by the weight but the sink is typically where a seam is done even on thin formica/partical board. This would be 1 1/2" thick so I can't imagine a problem with that. Have you heard of problems?

Is it an undermount or drop in sink?

We are hoping to do an undermount.

Was all butcherblock always in your plans? Or did you just see it and like it? Because, NO - not with an undermount sink! In fact, I wouldn't use butcherblock around an undermount sink even without seams. Apron-front, maybe. You can get a smaller (doesn't go all the way back) stainless undermount sink for ~$400.

The edges that overlap the sink will get too wet and HOW will you be able to re-seal them? You can't.

For your island - must it be all one level? This is the exact reason I am planning on two levels - so I can use ONE 2x8 piece of butcherblock as a bartop and not need to seam it. I'm using soapstone or concrete for the other counters, but I may temporarily use butcherblock if I run out of money by then ;) I'm planning it so that my main apron-front sink on the island will have a small piece of counter behind it (for faucet holes) with two seams - one on each side connecting to the 25"x36" slabs on either side of the sink. Much cheaper no matter what material I go with (as opposed to a 7.5' long slab with a sink cut-out).

Aloha--I know how yup feel about getting distracted because there is so much to look at and so many, many decisions to be made.

I think your island seam would be fine and probably not too noticeable once the room is all done and accessorized. I find a one level island much more functional than two levels. I can't comment on the seam by your sink, but I think you're fine with a sink in wood. Lots of members here have done a sink in wood tops without any problem.

Hopefully Pirula will comment on the seams in her counters. They were DIY. And beautiful!

You might try looking for a modular sink, one where the sink unit replaces a section of counter, so the counter just comes up to it on each side, there is no cut out. They don't seem very common here in the states, but the are out there. The link for the murano collection is actually part of a diy granite system, but it seems that it would work for wood as well and the price seems quite reasonable; a couple of hundred dollars. I've not seen it in person, so I don't know about the quality. Some of the major sink players make them as well, more money I'm sure. Blanco makes the Platinum module drop in series; Wave Plus Module and Supreme Module. Kindred makes the KCWD6016R-9 Double Bowl Countertop Kitchen Sink With Drainboard. Elkay makes a D6629-4 Gourmet Lustertone Self-Rim Double Bowl-Double Drainboard Kitchen Sink. I'm sure there are others, but these are the ones I found when looking a while ago.

I haven't figured out how to add multiple links so I will just include the link for the blanco in the text:
http://www.midvalleyplumbing.com/images/Blanco/blanco_module_supreme_l-splash.jpg

Another option I've seen, and I can't locate the photo, is to make your own sink module by using a small section of counter out of another material, say marble, corian, whatever, and set the sink into that, then bring the wood up to the edge of that other material. I know it sounds odd, but the picture I saw made it look look rather nice. If I can find the pic I will post....

Good luck.

Here is a link that might be useful: murano modular sink

Sounds like looking into various sinks, might be an answer but I'm not convinced yet I need to. I really wanted to get one large single sink which would limit my choices. Many threads said that as long as I kept the counters treated, that there wasn't going to be a problem.

That said, I'd still like to see what the seams look like up close. I'm hoping that someone who has wood counters & seams sees my post.

Butcherblock and undermount sinks are not impossible. Seaming at the sink is actually very common for many countertop materials and should also not be a deal killer.

Here is a blog where they did just that. Granted it doesn't talk about the aftermath, but you could probably contact them.
Undermount sink in Butcherblock Counter at seam

If you want to see a photo of the Julian sink in action look at the post "before and after the modern pics" which is right here on page 1 posted by coastal_modern.

Blfenton, I saw coastal modern's kichen pictures and I haven't been able to get it out of my mind. I wanted this remodel to be more about function then aestetics but after seeing those pics, I think we're just going to go full throttle.

When fori gave the link to the Jullian sinks that were $2000+, I just couldn't justify it. But after looking further, I saw several that were within my price range. I figure I can save anywhere from $150 - $600 depending on the countertop I choose by using a sink that goes from the front to the back while also getting a sink I LOVE!!!

I'm anxious to start but it's finding out more information on GW that keeps me changing things out. I think it's not going to get any better then another idea comes along.