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amykath

Has Anyone Had an island 14 ft or longer and used only one slab?

amykath
11 years ago

We are planning our new home build. In the kitchen I wanted to use marble and the island would be 4 ft by 14 ft. Does anyone know if that is possible from one slab or will I need to have a seam?

I have attached my inspiration kitchen. I am not in love with everything about it, but do love the layout.

Thanks in advance!
Amy

Comments (21)

  • PRO
    Salmon Falls Cabinetry
    11 years ago

    You will not get a slab that long. The largest I have seen is absolute black topping out around 150"

    I had a customer that insisted one day that his friend had such a slab in his kitchen. I spent the whole day calling international companies. It simply is not available.

    I do however, have a suggestion for you. I have seen the absolute best in counters and I know it is possible to have someone come in and polish out a seam so well that you would not even know that there was one there. Most fabricators do not offer this, you need to find one that does, or ask them if they know of a professional that can do this for you.

  • amykath
    Original Author
    11 years ago

    Thanks Kent! I appreciate the response!

    Amy

  • beekeeperswife
    11 years ago

    Beagles' kitchen island is bookmatched, it looks incredible.

  • ginny20
    11 years ago

    Even if there were slabs that long, in many houses there would be no way to maneuver a piece that big all the way into the kitchen.

  • firstmmo
    11 years ago

    I think it's always important to make sure you know the quality of the work done by your fabricator. I LOVE beekeeper's bookmathed slabs but I am not sure that all companies have that level of expertise as evidenced by the many posts that say "ack, my seams look terrible".

    I have two slabs for my 11.5 foot island and have made sure that I communicated to my fabricator that I hav very high expectations for this install. One thing to make sure is that you have consecutive slabs if you are going to try the bookmatching, or even the blending. I think that's an imperative.

    Good luck!

  • beekeeperswife
    11 years ago

    Oh, just to be clear, that is not my island. It's Beagles' kitchen. Not trying to speak for her, but she has said that they chose a special fabricator for the island--one who did excellent work like this.

  • ginny20
    11 years ago

    My seams are bookmatched. Not only do you need consecutive slabs, but they have to be polished or resined (mine is granite, not marble) or whatever in mirror image. Maybe with marble, they can just hone the other side. My fabricator had me participate in the layout, so I could see exactly how the seams would be. I highly recommend asking if you can attend the laying-out. That way, no surprises.

    And firsthouse is right - you need to see examples of the fabricator's seams, so that's not a surprise either. My fabricator had a tool that smoothed the rough edge before they installed, so the seam didn't have those little chips they can get.

  • amykath
    Original Author
    11 years ago

    Thank you all for the responses! Beagles seam is completely invisible. I am so glad I asked so now I know that I need to be particular and what to look for and ask for.

    Amy

  • GreenDesigns
    11 years ago

    Also double check your design with this forum., A 14' island that is only 4' wide is disproportionate. You may want to make it deeper front to back, and not as wide. Also, an island that large needs really good tight work zone with water located all on one side of it, because it will be in the way every time you need something from across the kitchen.

  • ILoveRed
    11 years ago

    How is "book matching" achieved?

    And does anyone have a guess what the floors are in the OPs inspiration picture?

  • amykath
    Original Author
    11 years ago

    Red, my guess is they are New England White Pine. Just a guess but they do look just like other photos I have seen of this floor.

  • ginny20
    11 years ago

    Bookmatching happens when two slabs are cut in sequence, so the pattern is identical, then they are opened up like the facing pages of a book, and those are the surfaces that are finished, the surfaces that were originally together. So you get a mirror image of the pattern on each slab. Then you just lay out the two pieces of the template such that where the seam will be, the pattern matches up, vein for vein. It doesn't have to be an edge, but each piece of the template has to be placed in the corresponding location on the two slabs. I'm not explaining this very well. Do you sew? It's like matching stripes when you lay out a pattern. You can get chevron patterns when the veins are going diagonally up on one piece and down on the other, and they meet in a "V" formation.

  • PrimoVenzo
    3 years ago

    How did your project turn out? Please share photos. I am in the midst of installing a 14ft island myself. Thanks!

  • Shareen Barrett
    2 years ago

    Me too! Did you do one yet!?

  • PRO
    Joseph Corlett, LLC
    2 years ago

    "Beagles seam is completely invisible."


    It is no such thing. It is highly inconspicuous. Anytime you cut through particulates or movement, you're making a visual.


    I'm not nitpicking, however, it is incredibly important that people are not made to expect that which is not possible.

  • amykath
    Original Author
    2 years ago

    Wow! It has been a long time! We had two pieces on our island. They met in the middle of the island at the sink. Here are some photos.

    gw · More Info


    gw · More Info


    gw · More Info


    I have since moved or would take a close up of the seam. I never noticed it and it never bothered me at all. You could barely notice it unless you were really looking.

  • ILoveRed
    2 years ago

    Aktillery..I like your kitchen even better than your inspiration picture!

  • juttanohra2
    2 years ago

    Your island size ended up being 4x14? It looks beautiful. Did you find it to be practical?

  • amykath
    Original Author
    2 years ago

    Jutt, Yes super practical. I loved it. I used the entire thing for one reason or another. Even all of those chairs were used. If you have a large space, go for it!

  • Laurie Hennessey
    5 months ago

    Do you know if those pendants are still available? Doing at 14 ft island!!!