I think this would be fine as long as it does look nice (and not just look like an intentional filler) and as long as it doesn't interfere with good function. I'd really want to think about if it would inhibit or get in the way in any working situation...Like will it be inconvenient to have a material change where you want to work and maybe slide things around.

I just watched the video. What a nice, big kitchen, and great windows! The granite is indeed "Beeauty-ful." ;-) But I'm not sure the butcher block stretches in the corner won't look a bit odd. I'm afraid of it looking like they ran short on the stone or something, but being between the sink and stove, it might successfully look like a planned prep area. I think when someone walks in the kitchen, they'll look for a reason that it's like that.

I am just not forming a very concrete answer. I think that when you ask, my response is that it's not a good idea, but, also, if you didn't ask and just showed it to me finished, maybe I wouldn't give it much of a second thought. --I am finding that to be true in many things when it comes to building. If we move into a house, we just accept and get used to something, as-is. When we build or do something new, we over-analyze things we'll never think about again once it's in. I hope someone chimes in with better help!

I totally agree, rhome! I dont think it will look great when i try to imagine it, but if I just saw it without being asked "will this work?" I may not give it a lot of thought, even though I'd wonder about it.

How will you use the butcher block? Will you cut on it? If so, then corner seems an awkard place for it. I could see one end of the L in a different material, but to break up the granite with something else in the middle strikes me as odd.

It is also so true about accepting things "as is" vs designing it all on your own. I think that if someone just PUT handles on my cabinets right now, and said "this is how they come" I'd say "hm, ok!" .......but with all of the CHOICES out there, I'm suffering from analysis paralysis!

Well... I had posted an answer here earlier, but was rushed and must have forgotten to submit it. :(

Anyway... my suggestion was to consider varying the height of the counter instead (or maybe as well?). For instance, you could raise your dishwasher up and in turn have a raised counter space above it. This is actually quite popular as it makes the dishwasher more accessible and also gives a taller person a space with a higher work area.

It seems you have plenty of counter length to allow for such a variation without chopping up the workspace too much. You could perhaps do a raised bank of drawers on the other stretch or something.

A quick google search produced these examples...

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I had a run of butcher block in my original kitchen that I didn't want to lose, so I had it planed and sanded. It's installed adjacent to my soapstone, and I think it works well.

Thanks for the responses. Rhome, I agree with you and I have trouble imagining what it would look like when done. It might look good, but it might also like it doesn't fit. The way it's laid out, the big upper corner cabinet with the 2 smaller cabinets attached becomes one of the focal points of the kitchen. One challenge that they face is that the 2 smaller cabinets are different sizes, which is not always apparent, depending on where you stand in the kitchen. Because the kitchen is big, your eye tricks you into thinking that the cabinets are the same size.

Creekylis, I like the idea of having different counter heights, probably because I am tall and it hurts my back to lean over and work at the shorter surfaces. Not sure that they will go for that idea since all the base cabinets are in already and my friend was complaining about the cost of everything while I was there.

The small piece of granite doesn't show the extent of the movement that the slabs have. I should have taken a picture while we were at the granite yard. It's beautiful and has a lot of movement. The slabs on hold are "book-matched", if that means anything to anyone. Does anyone have pictures of long stretches of granite with movement that has seams that would be willing to share a picture of the way the seams look? BTW, vjrnts, thanks for the pix of your butcher block. I've had a hard time finding pictures that focus on the granite-wood transition areas.

Any other ideas (aside from wood) that they could consider to break up the runs of granite? The granite yard is scheduled to template next week. I've forwarded this link to my friend hoping he will forward it to his SO, but not sure that she will get it (they only have dial-up and are not big computer users). I'll print it all out and overnight it to her if I have to. Thanks again for your thoughts. Dan