Wow, that's a huge improvement. Great job!!

Outstanding job! Congratulations on your hard work paying off. I just got butcher block counters, so it's nice to see an example of how they can be reborn years down the road. If you decide to paint your cabs, I see darkish blue. Just sayin'.

WOW! That's hard to believe that's the same counter, BEAUTIFUL!

Wow do they look great!

If they were mine, I wouldn't worry too much about the black lines. It's an older butcher block and to me that's patina.

If you really don't like it, bleach it. Use a sponge. You'll have to reoil, but so what, right? At least that's not a toughie.

How are you sealing the edge of the sink so water doesn't get under there again? Recaulking?

CEFreeman: the black lines don't bother me as much in person, but when I took (and posted) the pictures, they seemed to jump out more. Also, in person the counters glow more (in a good way!) and that was hard to capture in a photo.

As far as the sink, I need to replace the one that is there, so I'm hoping to find one a bit wider to cover some of the worst damage (especially at the left edge of the old sink) and then we will make sure to seal it well! I can't remember what my contractor said he'd use to seal it, but he has mentioned several times that it will need to be sealed.

Wow, who would have thought you could bring those counters back to life? They look lovely.

I'm with mermanmike on the navy blue paint for your cabs. BM Hale Navy. (Apologies for the unsolicited advice.) Your Mexican tile is so beautiful! The blue would really set off the tile, esp now that your counters have their mellow yellow back.

wow! what a transformation.

Wow! What a transformation!! I agree with Christine, the black lines are just patina and I think they really add character to the counter.

that looks like maple - it will last another 100 years or so. I'll bet the cabinet doors can be restored too. So many people on GardenWeb work hard to get an old look, you have the real thing!

Thanks for the kind words! Also for being supporters of the black lines/patina :) We are really trying to rehab rather than replace (reduce/reuse/recycle!) in this kitchen, and I am embracing the well-loved look.

detroit_burb: I think it is maple, and I agree that it certainly will outlive me! We are definitely keeping the cabinets, but will likely paint, as their color clashes with the counters (the cabs are sort of peachy/rose which just looks odd with the counters).

mermanmike and shanghaimom: Good idea! Others have suggested a bright blue (in person, the blue in the tile is pretty bright), but I like navy better, at least on the island. That Hale Navy is gorgeous!!! (I think I'll do the perimeter cabinets in a lighter cream/off-white color.) I have also considered lighter blue-gray or greenish gray for the cabs. My contractor wants me to look into colored stain (like a navy stain) so the grain will show through, but I think -- and others have pointed out -- that there is already a LOT of texture in this kitchen, so losing the wood grain might not be a bad thing.

What a great transformation!

Good job. I like the black lines, and I love your tile. If you can't find a sink with a bigger lip, you may be able to just find a bigger sink and cut a bigger hole, eliminating the stained area.

I suspect the butcher block of today is not near the quality of what you have in your counters of 1970 so I think it is such a good thing you were able to "reclaim" them. I think I remember reading that wood continues to "grow" (in a way) even after it has been cut and formed into furniture, hence another reason to "reclaim" rather than discard. There's a "soul" in that wood which is obvious to me when I look at your pics. Congrats!

Amazing! Also wonder if your cabinets could undergo a similar transformation. If the wood is in good shape, could you just "revitalize" them rather than paint?

looks great!!

That really looks fantastic! Nice to see a "reuse" project to inspire us all.

Looking forward to seeing those navy cabinets.