Agh, my decision fatigue is really bad right now. (for those of you just beginning renos, make as many decisions as possible early because your brain turns to mush toward the end) Any woodworkers here to weigh in on species? As far as design goes, I'm leaning toward the hevea, but the TT ash looks stunning. (see below)

I will be putting our laundry room cabinets in soon and need a countertop for the base cabs and utility sink. Although I have been careful with spending, as usual the budget has ballooned some. I was fine with getting stock cabs and manufactured pedestals for the W/D i the laundry room, and I am ok with getting the countertop "off the rack" so to speak. I really don't think I can afford stone now, even remnants. The utility sink is dual mount, so we will just choose the drop-in option and I thought butcher block would be a nice way to bring in some wood tone and texture into that space, so I started shopping. IKEA uses crap veneer stuff, but I like some of their options. I decided to check HD and Lowes just for good measure and I am so excited about HD's new line of SOLID wood BB! It's even better priced because I only need a 48" slab (IKEA doesn't offer that). Laundry/utility area cabs are basic white shaker, the sink is stainless, walls are white, floors are dark grey bluestone-look porcelain.

So, my choices are thermally treated ash or this lovely hevea (rubberwood) chevron. I adore herringbone & chevron, but that was vetoed for the flooring. The hevea is also closer in color the the white oak I have in the rest of the main level. I think the photo is of the raw slab prior to sealing, while the ash pic is after sealing.

On the other hand, the ash is heat treated and is more resistant to moisture, etc. - though both slabs would be sealed, of course. The color is a deep smoky reddish amber color, which looks gorgeous, just like nothing I have in the house presently.

Thanks all!