Your inspiration picture is much nicer -- it's warmer, has more depth.

I'd talk to your installer, and I wouldn't believe that "it'll lighten over time" thing.

The top he supplied maybe walnut. The photo you supplied is NOT walnut but a wood specie that once oiled leans to a golden color. His wood leans to a pinkish tone.

Also what's with the too large overhang? If you want an overhang I'd limit it to about 12". It's all you need.

This is closer to what you have posted. ACACIA WOOD

https://www.flooranddecor.com/wood-butcher-block-countertops/acacia-butcher-block-island-6ft.-101316925.html

He is convinced the photo is walnut and moved forward with that. No discussion with me. His walnut top looks very purple/pinkish. On the overhang, my husband is 6'5" and they were trying to accomodate his height for barstools and foot room. Agree it is excessive. Yes, that Acadia wood seems very close to the photo!

Now it is a battle with him to eat the cost. I hate this. We live in a small town and are so limited in resources. We haven't had many to choose from and that leads to issues like this. The counter supplier was there as well and tried to defend himself. At the end of the day, why wouldn't you provide samples and have the discussion about wood tone before fabrication? It's our first time and ignorance got me here.

Because MEN.

Also a good portion of the male populace is COLOR BLIND, so never discuss colors with them.

Home Depot will ship ACACIA Butcher Block and I'm sure if you do all the research you'll find other companies that will also ship to your door.

https://hardwood-lumber.com/acacia-edge-grain-butcher-block-countertop/?srsltid=AfmBOorFaI0CUXKaf5FdVLxwZHAGVg32v9rGmIsJeKaio_T6YXM6_wKO

and the EGO! The GASLIGHTING! Okay, I digress. thank you for the link. It sounds like I'm not crazy afterall and for that...I appreciate y'all SO much!

I've seen walnut at the lumbar yard, and it sometimes can be a litte purpleish, but it's usually a deep color with just a bit of purple undertone, the wood hasn't shifted much yet. The color of walnut can change drastically over time -- it gets lighter.

Here's a link that shows color shifts of different wood: https://scherrs.com/doors/classic-doors/wood/color-shift-of-wood/

But, I've never actually seen walnut that is that strongly pink/purple like what you have. Maybe it exists IDK, I've just not seen it. Regardless, I would not be happy, either -- that strong of a tone isn't going to go away and can't really be hidden easily, if at all, without painting it. Even if you stain a dark color, which you probably don't want, that undertone will still be there. I'd fight him over it, but if you end up having to eat the cost it may be worth it if you hate it that much (personally, I would).

ETA: Here's some information on walnut from the wood database: https://www.wood-database.com/black-walnut/

You can search other types of walnut, I pulled up black walnut, here's what it says:

"Heartwood can range from a lighter pale brown to a dark chocolate brown with darker brown streaks. Color can sometimes have a grey, purple, or reddish cast. Sapwood is pale yellow-gray to nearly white. Figured grain patterns such as curl, crotch, and burl are also seen."

People on the kitchen forums have purchased wood counters from this supplier before ...

https://www.johnboos.com/collections/kitchen-countertops

This company also seems to offer wood counters from different suppliers and custom.

https://butcherblockco.com/

You might be able to get samples from these companies.

Do you have the source for the inspiration pic? The island you referenced does not look like walnut or acacia wood, it looks like reclaimed barn wood. Walnut is a much nicer wood than acacia and reclaimed wood can vary greatly so be cautious if you choose to replace.

Has your counter been sealed with anything yet, it appears to be unfinished. Once sealed it should not look as pink/purple and with time it will lighten.

What is the overall look that you have in mind for the kitchen? What will the floors be? The island in the inspiration pic is very rustic compared to your cabinetry. It may be a happy accident that your guy used walnut instead of adding in a rustic element that does not fit.

I don't have the source unfortunately. The top that was provided is more purple in person. Especially purple and grey. I don't beieve it can reach the tone I am looking for. It's a 1925 craftsman and we are using the original hardwood floors. The kitchen didn't have hardwood so they are going to extend the wood to blend into the kitchen. I do feel a slighly rustic top will flow with the rest of the house in a transitional way when all the elements are in place. The goal is to use something that looks like it has some warmth and also looks like it almost has the look of a light patina, not overly rutic, just somewhat.

The actual island top and the inspo photo are different. I like your inspo photo better.

The installed top is functional. I don’t think your contractor will eat the cost but good luck trying. Do you have a written contract with the specs?

Disappointing but consider moving forward with another contractor if you are going to replace it at your cost. I think every non-pro has experienced at least once the end product not matching what we thought we were getting. I know I have. From that I learned to source the material myself or hire a designer or to specify in the contractor’s contract the materials and require that I approve them before install.

Untreated walnut is purple/gray but once treated is a warm brown and once aged becomes a lighter warm brown, if in a lot of light it can even lighten to a blonde tone. If you do change the counters consider quarter sawn or rift sawn white oak, it would be in keeping with style and age of the house.

Question - has the walnut been sealed/finished? It looks like it's unfinished (it's easier if it's unfinished - however, it can be sanded down back to bare wood).

Walnut that has grown near a water source in mineral rich soil can turn purple - especially if the wood has been dried in certain ways. The reason for the purple tint is due to the lower sapwood + the high mineral content.

If the slab is placed in sunlight it should brown really fast - UNLESS the slab has been finished. If there is UV protection in the finish, the browning will be much slower.

You shouldn't use UV lamps inside in order to change the color because they can do undesirable things to the wood and finishes. If you have to use lamps, do it in short increments and let the wood rest between.

Here are walnut floors that were partially covered (left side) - the non-covered side (right side) changed dramatically after around six months (and this was indoors).

The right side looks closer to the color that's in your inspiration photo.

You could also have the wood toned or stained. This walnut mantel had a purple tint to it - Rubio monocoat was used in order to change the color for the homeowner (she wanted a rich dark color - used chocolate for the first coat + some charcoal for the second one).

It really is awful, so purple. Not all walnut is like that.

If you really hate it have it removed and eat the cost yourself. How much was it, as compared to the cost of the entire kitchen? If you ask him to redo it, you're asking for more problems. He clearly doesn't get it.

Then do some research on getting the look you really want, which from your photo looks very nice. Make sure that whatever wood you're using, have the fabricator give you a sample of what it is going to look like, after installation and whatever stain/finish he is going to use. Then and only then give him the go-ahead. Make the sample part of the order/contract. This should insure that you will get what you want.

Good luck and keep us posted on your progress.

Don't panic, Call in a furniture refinisher. Even if the counter is finished with a sealer, it likely can be sanded and restained to get closer to what you are seeking.

Thanks to all of you for your information and support. I have an appointment with a cabinet maker and will do battle with the builder on the existing top. Wish me luck. It's so great to have this forum as a resource and appreciate all the comments. I don't feel so alone!

IDK... Calling in refinishers to try to "fix it" sound like a case of good money chasing bad. Especially when the color shift hasn't fully occurred yet. I question if they ever be able to get rid of the undertone or whether it will only be able to be minimized since you're saying the color is even more purple IRL. You really might be better off just eating the cost if the contractor won't make it right and get what you want and what you know will look good from the get-go, it might be cheaper in the long run, and you'll probably certainly be happier with the result.

Oh no, I meant I'm starting from scratch with the new guy, using the guidance I've gotten here to create a new one. At the end of the day, it is probably the last home we will ever have and we have to be happy with this for the long haul. :)

"Oh no, I meant I'm starting from scratch with the new guy, using the guidance I've gotten here to create a new one."

Ah, got it! Thanks for clarifying. Good decision in the long run.

That's so crazy, he mentioned that on the phone when I made the appointment with him. I had emailed him the photo earlier. We will definitely talk about it. Thanks!

Wow, that's beautiful, lala!

Keep in mind, if you want the wood to have "light patina", seemingly implying a slightly less perfect finish with an aged appearance, then using new wood of any variety will not necessarily give you what you are envisioning. Your inspiration picture has a very thick rustic wood of unknown variety, it may help to find other examples of what you like to get a clearer idea to work with. With the style of your island, the thickness of the inspo pic counter does not work which impacts the look. Even the color of the inspo pics island can make a difference in how the wood top looks vs. how it will on your white base.

la_la girl -- that is a beautiful countertop!

Gorgeous! Thanks for the Etsy seller info too!

The original top is an aged walnut color. That supplied top would look the same if you took it out in the sun to bleach, then beat it up with some chains, and sprayed a bit of water on it so it would warp a bit. I'm going to say that he didn't' realize that the distressed aspect was what appealed to you more than the color. Luckily, distressing is easily done. As is the sun bleaching.

A stock slab of walnut will never look like your inspo pic. And I don't think your inspo pic is acacia either. In fact, with all the AI photos out there today, it's hard to tell.

Here's another etsy person that makes custom distressed butcherblock tops.

But be careful....a thicker top is heavier in both weight and appearance. Too much overhang will look bad. Consider a thinner top like you have, but find someone who specializes in distressed finishing. This is not a job for any ol' carpenter.

ps. Consider island legs if you want to go thicker....you need a better island foundation to support a thick top.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/858137866/oak-butcher-block-countertop-or-tabletop?gpla=1&gao=1&&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=shopping_us_ps-a-home_and_living&utm_custom1=k_Cj0KCQjwo_PRBhDNARIsAEcVALVPqL7TzzyFVR1K08U4SouNyNxZcXvF7mbdhDbL5HyI9VaRe3PDfrsaAniFEALw_wcB_k&utm_content=go_21506855513_167985819319_716809514320_pla-303628061699_c__858137866_101380383&utm_custom2=21506855513&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21506855513&gbraid=0AAAAADtcfRIFWLJwdCRmgmmS--Eip34wZ&gclid=Cj0KCQjwo_PRBhDNARIsAEcVALVPqL7TzzyFVR1K08U4SouNyNxZcXvF7mbdhDbL5HyI9VaRe3PDfrsaAniFEALw_wcB

Brandon (OP) -- where are you located? I know a guy in SE Michigan who does custom distressed work from reclaimed wood, he made some stuff for me. His work is outstanding. PM me if you want his contact info.

Thank you Porkchp but out in Northern California. Appreciate it though!

The original inspiration looks like plain 2x4 lumber that someone joined badly, and then sanded it over. It has gaps, warps, knots, and no sharp edges. The stain was obviously sprayed, not wiped, over a thin coat of shellac. And it still blotched. Just not as badly as it would without the shellac, and if someone tried a wiping stain.

Another etsy seller to consider is Strong Oaks Woodshop. I have 2 tables made by them from reclaimed oak. The kitchen table has a lot more variation in the wood which is amplified in this pic compared to seeing it irl. It does highlight the need to be very specific in how you request the finished product when using aged wood.