There are various patterns available for Butcher Blocks manufactured by Grothouse. The most popular pattern choice is Checkerboard. Checkerboard Butcher Blocks are a fun and appealing way to incorporate more than one wood specie into any kitchen design style.
Checkerboard Butcher Blocks by Grothouse
Designing Checkerboard Butcher Blocks
The Checkerboard Pattern is only available for wood surfaces crafted in End Grain Construction, also known as Butcher Blocks. End Grain Construction is the premium construction style for direct food preparation. Below is a diagram of End Grain Butcher Block Construction. Butcher Blocks have a minimum thickness of 2 1/2 inches.
Diagram of End Grain Butcher Block Construction
Checkerboard Butcher Blocks are designed for many different uses. The three best qualities about Checkerboard Butcher Blocks are that 1) they can always be used as a food preparation surface, 2) they can be crafted into anything, any shape or size, such as kitchen island tops, kitchen island ends, table tops – the options are limitless! and 3) you are not limited to only choosing one wood specie!
Checkerboard Butcher Blocks used for Kitchen Island Countertops
Interior Environments designed the Modern Kitchen photographed below. They went with a Maple and Wenge Checkerboard Butcher Block for the entire kitchen island top. This large kitchen island countertop measures ten feet long.This Checkerboard Butcher Block includes an Overmount Sink and provides a large surface for this client to prepare meals for the family.
Maple and Wenge Checkerboard Butcher Block Kitchen Island Top
M E S Mitchell Interiors, LLC designed the Traditional Kitchen photographed below. The American Cherry and Walnut Checkerboard Butcher Block has been featured in magazines and books all over the United States. The Butcher Block includes a Medium Roman Ogee Edge Profile on the top horizontal edges, adding a Traditional flare.
American Cherry and Walnut Checkerboard Butcher Block Kitchen Island Top
Jenny’s Design Build designed the Butcher Block in the photograph below. Instead of designing the Checkerboard Pattern to be the entire countertop, they designed the Checkerboard to be a border around the Butcher Block. The center of the countertop is crafted of Beech. The Checkerboard Border includes Beech, Wenge, and Walnut. This design requires exact precision to line up the pieces. The Checkerboard Border of the Butcher Block compliments the Checkerboard lighting and other Checkerboard pieces throughout the kitchen.
Beech, Wenge, and Walnut Checkerboard Border on Kitchen Island Butcher Block Top
Checkerboard Butcher Blocks used for Kitchen Island Ends
Checkerboard Butcher Blocks can also be designed for use as Kitchen Island Ends. Blue Bell Kitchens designed the Eclectic kitchen in the following photograph.They incorporated a Cherry and Maple Checkerboard Butcher Block as the Kitchen Island End. This award winning kitchen design boasts ample work space combined with an antique feel.
Cherry and Maple Checkerboard Butcher Block Kitchen Island End
In Detail Interiors designed the Modern Kitchen shown below. This modern kitchen design is crisp, warm and clean. The kitchen island is flanked by a Cherry and Walnut Checkerboard Butcher Block that is lowered for comfort while chopping. The Walnut in the Butcher Block compliments the chocolate colored cabinetry.
Cherry and Walnut Checkerboard Butcher Block Kitchen Island End
Checkerboard Butcher Blocks used for Tables
Checkerboard Butcher Blocks are also designed to be used as Tables. Chris Benner designed the Maple and Walnut Checkerboard Butcher Block Table photographed below. The table provides a warm and inviting space to enjoy meals.
Maple and Walnut Checkerboard Butcher Block Table
The Checkerboard Butcher Block Table design shown in the photograph below was a challenge; we call it “square peg, round hole”. It was complicated to create a square checkerboard center with a round border, especially considering the 9″ thickness required. This butcherblock table top was placed on a metal base. An eye catching and unique design for a butcher block.
“Square Peg, Round Hole” Checkerboard Butcher Block Table Design
Other designs and uses for Checkerboard Butcher Blocks
As mentioned previously, Checkerboard Butcher Blocks are not limited to any type of design. Beatty Lumber, Inc. designed the fun Butcher Block shown below. The Checkerboard Pattern was placed in the center of the Butcher Block as a Chess Board. The Butcher Block consists of Walnut, Wenge, and Maple.
Walnut, Wenge, and Maple Checkerboard Butcher Block Chess Board
Grothouse Original Oil™ Finish for Checkerboard Butcher Blocks
Grothouse Original Oil Finish for Butcher Blocks
Checkerboard Butcher Blocks are always finished with Grothouse Original Oil™. End Grain Butcher Blocks cannot be finished with Durata® or have a stain application. The Grothouse Original Oil™ Finish is completely food-safe and requires ongoing maintenance; frequency depending on how often the Butcher Block is used. Oil should be applied when the block appears dry. After applying the oil, the block will appear darker. Please note that it will lighten back to the color you are used to. All Grothouse Butcher Blocks can be re-sanded to get rid of any scratches, dings, or dents. After re-sanding, apply some Grothouse Original Oil™ and the Butcher Block will look as good as new!
Grothouse Original Oil™ can be purchased on the Grothouse Online Store or at your local Grothouse Kitchen Dealer. For instructions on how to use the Grothouse Original Oil™, click here.
More Checkerboard Butcher Blocks can be viewed in the Countertop Image Library.
