I think you will get writing impressions in the wood. I have places where I opened a jar that had little nobs on the bot ton, and it let nubby rings.

My counter is finished with Osmo Polyx, and doesn't have any oily residue.

I have a walnut top on my island, and my children do homework on it...HOWEVER...mine has an oil finish & I wouldn't do oil again, especially for homework. When the island has been freshly oiled (and even not) if paper stays on it for any length of time it absorbs oil. I would do Waterlox. Other than the oil absorption thing, it is a great surface for homework. I haven't noticed any indentions or marks on the wood. HTH!

Nini and Springroz,

Thanks for your quick replies! I was just out at the granite place today and it really has come down to the walnut vs. white macaubas quartzite. I have to make sure that my kids can do their homework. Also, my DH would also kill me if I picked form over function. :) So it seems that the Waterlox is the best choice if I do go with the wood.

Are there any more opinions/experiences out there? :)

This post was edited by mom2sulu on Sun, Feb 1, 15 at 7:06

My island walnut is finished with Osmo Polyx. Not oily at all, but a more natural look than amber-inducing Waterlox.

1. Only one of my kids is homework aged. If he's frustrated during homework and slams his pencil, it sometimes leaves small dents. Most of the time I encourage him to grab a placemat out of a nearby drawer.

2. For the occasional accidental row meat juice spill, I use Osmo Wash and Care. It's formulated for wood. Otherwise I just use damp rag, etc to clean. Make sure you're choosing a product approved for use with the finish you choose.

I have many small dents, dings, and scratches all over my counter. I consider it now to be patina. It's wood for goodness sake! I've had it lightly sanded about three times in just over three years, which takes out the smaller flaws. Still remaining is my first dent ring caused by a nubbly beer bottle bottom at my Dad's memorial service gathering. No idea who did it, but even after those sandings, I still see the half moon shape from the little dents smiling at me across the island when I prep.

I open jars, bottles, cans, etc on my large walnut cutting board, which lives next to my prep sink, to avoid adding any extra patina. :) Congrats on a lovely counter choice. I know you'll enjoy yours as much as I do mine.

Some small dents and scratches in mine:

Honestly, I think wood is a much nicer surface for doing paperwork than granite/quartzite...they are just so HARD and cold. If I had to write on those surfaces I'd be inclined to put a magazine under my paper. I really haven't found my walnut to be "fussy" at all...I have marble on my perimeter so I have experience with fussy, lol! I really don't think you will regret walnut if you choose it. Are you planning on a sink on your island? Is it your main prep surface, or mostly for entertaining, dining, or homework? Those things will help determine which finish you choose. Breezy's finish sounds like a good middle ground...I hadn't heard of it and just went with the mineral oil finish our fabricator recommended. It looks great...but I still think I might have preferred Waterlox. I like the slightly dressier sheen it gives the wood than what I have. Mine looks a tad rustic.

I think it's great that your kids do homework at the island. Wood has been the traditional desk surface for eons. Library, study hall. I think the great looks of the wood and the warmth of your kids using it as a work surface might excuse the dings that come with active families.

When the kids have moved on to their own lives you will cherish every ding and pencil mark :)
Perfection is over rated.

Nini- My island will be my workhorse. Homework center(I actually homeschool), main prep area , and main kitchen sink as well. It is a good size- 9x4.5. I will have to check out the differences between the Waterlox and the Osmo polyx that Breezygirl has. Btw, I think I have seen both of your kitchens before and they are gorgeous!

Breezy, I could not even see the dents you were talking about. :)

Linelle & Cearbhaill, you both made excellent points! Yes, you are right--the time will quickly pass so I need to enjoy the patina they create.

Right now these are the elements I have floating out there. White perimeter cabinets, dark charcoal gray island, medium hickory floors, leaning toward the absolute black honed on the perimeter, and the island top will be either the walnut or the white quartzite. If I can figure out how to post a pic, I can show you my pieces with the quarzite.

Thanks so much for the help and advice. I am really getting a bit stressed with coordinating all the elements. You all and this site are a Godsend. :)

{{gwi:2135393}}

Hooray, my first posted picture! Lol

With a dark charcoal island, the White Macabaus would be my choice. That's a lovely slab of Quartzite & the contrast between the charcoal & white would be stunning.

Thanks, Romy! I do have a debate going on between the walnut and this beautiful slab. My hubby is wanting to go with the quartzite. He feels it is more maintenance free.

Well, from a looks standpoint, if you are doing white perimeter cabs, AB perimeter counters, grey island....I'd probably go with the quartzite. But, and I am just throwing this out there, as I originally was going to have 2 different counters and 2 different finishes for island & perimeter cabs...my ID gently told me that it would be a bit disjointed to have that many different surfaces. She encouraged me to pick one counter surface or one cab surface, but not both. Now, she is just one designer, and I know many people do 4 different surfaces, but her advice made sense to me, especially if you are going with a "showstopper" top on your island. My walnut is a very prominent design element and I am glad it has it's space to shine. It is commented on by every single person who visits my house.

Again, please tell your Dh that there really isn't any more maintenance w/ the walnut vs. the quartzite. I assume quartzite has to be sealed periodically like granite? That would be similar to oiling the island (although if you do Waterlox you might not even have that small task.)

Nini,

Yeah, I have been thinking I might have too much going on as well. And I agree that some have pulled it off too. I just don't want to be the one who doesn't. This is what I have already committed to: hickory floors, white perimeter cabs, two bubble glass large pendants, and a dark charcoal island. I just have to figure out the rest which would be the cabinet tops. So you have the walnut top on the island--what do u have on your perimeter? I am assuming all your cabinets are white?

I think I am going to peruse Houzz and kitchens here on garden web and figure out which look I want. I really like both looks but I am having a difficult time seeing them in my new house.

Hi - 1 thing I do not see mentioned is staining from ink pens & markers & such - how is a white quartzite gonna hold up to that?

Think a wood surface may be more forgiving of things like that....

My island & perimeter cabs are both white. My perimeter counters are marble. I was very influenced by Christopher Peacock when designing the kitchen for our new house...and my ID showed me that most (not all) of his kitchens showed the same finish for perimeter cabs and island. It really made me think about how much I wanted going on in my kitchen.

Anyway, with the elements you are committed to...I would go with that quartzite for the island (and I would use it on the perimeter, too, myself) for a "form" decision. I just can't picture the walnut on a grey island with hickory floors and an AB perimeter. It would seem a bit dark to me. But, I still think the walnut is the better choice for your children's workspace...so walnut wins on function. This is all just my opinion, and I am certainly not a professional! I did spend a lot of time w/professionals, lol...but I am not one. Just wanted to give you some food for thought. Do google "Christopher Peacock" images....lots of islands to look at!

Nini,

Wow! Christopher Peacock is one talented man...beautiful kitchens!

I spent about an hour looking through pictures and you are right--I have a lot of elements going on. I think the hickory flooring adds a whole extra twist as well because it has such variation. My final analysis:

Plan A----If I go with the walnut island top, I need to keep all my cabinets(perimeter & island) white. (Although I gave my cabinet maker the charcoal sample, he has yet to begin painting.) Then I can have the AB honed or a neutral white on the perimeter. I saw quite a few pics of those combinations and I don't think I could go wrong there, but what do you think? BTW, my initial reason for the darker island was we were concerned with the scuff marks from feet and such. Have you had any issues with your white islands, ladies?

Plan B-- To keep the charcoal island, I will need to use the white quartzite for all countertops.

Plan C-- Finally, if I keep all cabinets/island white, I could put AB on the island and again a white neutral for the perimeter top. This seemed to be a pretty universal, pretty and easy look.

So basically, in all scenarios, I dropped an extra element. Although I still haven't committed or made a serious choice, I think I am finally on the right path. Before I was just taking things that I liked and that also seemed to match and was just combining them together. However, I couldn't find many kitchens that had all my exact features on Houzz. I guess that should have been a clue to me. Lol

Thanks again. If you have any more sage advice, please pass it my way. :)

If you aren't planning on having the honed Absolute Black enhanced and sealed, you may want to rethink the honed AB. It's notorious for showing fingerprints and such; enhancing and sealing seems to help with that based on GWers' feedback. Test a sample to see how it works (or doesn't) for you. If it's a concern, consider another black or near black granite or choose a leathered finish for the AB instead.

Have you considered the quartzite for the perimeter and walnut for the island? I think that would look lovely, very similar to Breezy's marble & walnut combination.

I think mixing multiple finishes in a kitchen works just fine. I've seen plenty of kitchens that have 2 different cab finishes with 2 different counters and I thought they were beautiful. But I'm biased because that's what I'm doing in my kitchen. ;-) My DH and I love color. We also have a mix of heirloom and new pieces. Our kitchen will fit right in with what we already have going on in our home. Our choices got a thumbs up from our KD so professional advice can vary. My layperson's advice is to look to your home, your art, your clothing and do what suits your home and your tastes.

Here's a kitchen with finishes very close to what you're considering and I think it's beautiful!

[{{gwi:2135394}}[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/plymouth-meeting-transitional-kitchen-philadelphia-phvw-vp~2477543)

[Traditional Kitchen[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2107) by Arrington Cabinets & Cabinetry Timeless Kitchen Cabinetry

Here are more images for inspiration:

[{{gwi:2135395}}[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/kitchen-renovation-traditional-kitchen-atlanta-phvw-vp~2856597)

[Traditional Kitchen[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2107) by Johns Creek General Contractors Dream Weaver Building & Remodeling

[{{gwi:2135396}}[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/naperville-residence-kitchen-mudroom-powder-room-transitional-kitchen-chicago-phvw-vp~2840002)

[Transitional Kitchen[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/transitional-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2112) by Lincolnwood Architects & Building Designers Gina Bon, Airoom Architects & Builders LLC

[

[Traditional Kitchen[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2107) by Scottsdale Design-Build Firms Calvis Wyant Luxury Homes

[{{gwi:2135397}}[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-kitchen-traditional-kitchen-tampa-phvw-vp~1131188)

[Traditional Kitchen[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2107) by Lutz Architects & Building Designers The Fechtel Company

[

[Traditional Kitchen[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2107) by Lake Oswego Interior Designers & Decorators Jenny Baines, Jennifer Baines Interiors

Here's mine. Black walnut island and marble perimeter tops. The island is hard working and in addition to prep and cleanup, it's our work center with laptops, iPads, paperwork, diaper changing and bath time for my newborn grandson daily. We eat most meals there too. Mine is finished with Waterlox original. There are scratches and it will require maintenance, but I'm extremely happy with it. I disinfect the island with a combination of vinegar and dawn, then rinse.

Lisa ad Bbtrix,

Well, darn it, you both are making this much harder! Beautiful kitchens with lots of elements that work! So it can be done. I just wish I could see it all finished--just don't want to be disappointed with all the time and $$ that goes into it all.

Also, Lisa, I have read many threads on AB black honed and I thought the final word was that it was not to be sealed? You can do a color enhancer but sealing was not recommended.

Almost all (except the first) of Lisa's pics that have a darker island with a wood top have white perimeter counters. The ones with dark perimeter counters (except the first) have a white top on the island.
Trying to make it easier for you.

bbtrix, your island is beyond gorgeous. And I love that diapers get changed there and you haven't been shut down by the health department. Makes me feel much better about cats on the counter. :)

I would consider whether your kitchen is open to other rooms in your decision. Is this a new build, major remodel? You'll want these elements to blend.

I must say that my island happened by accident. It was originally marble. That's a long story on another thread. Several problems came up during my remodel starting with the floor. My large sample did not have the light and dark variations, so I was quite dismayed when it was delivered. I could not take looking for another product and waiting for delivery and acclimation so I decided to keep it. It made finding countertops difficult. In my case, walnut was a low cost choice to pull in the colors in my wood floor and my brown/black island cabinets. It ends up that the floor gets the most attention, until their eyes move to the island.

I think you are wise to think this out now. I would choose the White Macabaus on all surfaces if you go with the charcoal. If you decide on the walnut, I would do a rustic finish so the dents and scratches blend. We grew up up with many fine wood pieces in my parents home, all of which had the surfaces ruined by a household of kids. We did homework on our large dining table, but it had protector pads.

You might do a shout out to those that have a Waterlox Satin finish to see how the finish is holding up, especially for scratches. A furniture finish like mine will require lots of maintenance to deal with scratches. I plan to experiment with the recent scratches that happened when family was visiting last week. My nephew dragged a serving platter to get it closer to his plate. The finish does seem to level out over time. I had deep scratches from bathing my puppy last summer that are hardly noticeable now. Another thing to note is that Waterlox has a long cure time.

Here's another...

Goodness, you all are so kind and patient with me. :)

Some extra facts: this is a new build.

Kitchen is u-shaped, 20x12, no windows but is totally open to great room, dining area and a four season room. The great room has white built-ins and a fireplace with a black marble surround. Floors are a medium color hickory wide plank throughout house. Kitchen cabinets will go to ceiling (9ft) and will have a wide hearth wood hood over the stove. Island is centered in front, has a 36" kraus farmhouse sink, and is 9 x 4.

At this point, I am leaning towards ditching the gray island. It is just making me too nervous to pull everything off. I don't have the time to shop for the "perfect" white macaubus(the one I posted earlier is actually more gray than I really want).

So this is where I am:

All white cabinets, black walnut wood top for island, AB honed for perimeter(I would actually LOVE marble here instead but DH has definitely said no on that.)

I am assuming that I can now do a "wow" backsplash because the rest is more sedate. I have searched Houzz quite a bit but still can't find many of this combo. It seems like most have put marble or a more tan granite around the perimeter. If you know of any photos, please send them my way.

Btw, Bbtrix, your top is gorgeous and I cringed for you regarding that scratch. I think I will definitely lean more toward the more rustic oiled look. Thanks for the advice! :)

Here's how mine looks most afternoons. I'm not worried about the scratches, they're fixable. I want the island to be utilitarian. It's easy on the back working at counter level and no worries, Linelle, we're careful with the didy's!
{{gwi:2135398}}

Your vision for your home sounds wonderful. It is difficult finding your combo on Houzz, but here's a few.
{{gwi:2135399}}

{{gwi:2135400}}

{{gwi:2135401}}

{{gwi:2135402}}

I like the look of the last one. It's soapstone on the perimeter, but gets the idea across.

Yes, I really like the look of the last pic as well. That is what I am picturing in my head, but I will not have coffered ceilings nor windows. However, my hearth hood should be pretty cool looking.

Your island is just what mine will be-without the cute baby though. :) It is where I will spend 8-10 hours of my day. I guess that is why I am so OCD about getting it right.

Thanks, bbtrix! That's the look I'm going for. :)

Yes, the cabinets on each side of the hood will have glass and the cute little glass box cabinets above them as well. (Sorry, I don't know what to call those.)

I was also thinking that I will probably try to get some black ladder back bar stools for the island. I think that will help pop the island so that there is just a bunch of white going on in there.