So long as you don't mind the grout lines, check out Daltile's Timber Glen series.

Personally, I'd be afraid it'd end up looking something like Pergo, though.

As for your 24x24 porcelain, you're sure you'd have that space.... even with a 3 inch wide bullnose out front? Or were you planning to trim the countertop with wood?

Even if you ARE going to end the tile right at the edge (instead of capping the edge with tile), could you do me a favor, and measure your EXACT distance, from the wall to the edge of your countertop?The reason I'm asking is I might have a cure, as shown in the pics below.

Ooooh, Bill posted while I was dawdling over composing. Yum! What an amazing tile counter -- what tile is that Bill?

It might be a good counter, but the ones I've seen are REALLY expensive!

What about actual butcherblock? Ikea has some that absurdly inexpensive. ANd you could upgrade to granite when the budget allows (unless you end up loving it like many do).

A real wood butcher block top would look a LOT better. It's not only the grout lines, although that's a biggie. It would just look, well, "college dorm apartment", without the inexpensiveness of it. You can be creative on a budget, but sometimes thinking outside the box needs to stay outside the box if you want a certain look. If you're doing the tiling, it might end up being as expensive as a nice Boos butcher block. (A lot more than Ikea) If you have to pay to have it tiled, granite slab would be cheaper. You could even do a simple stained plywood top with real wood edging for a fraction of the tile and have a nice looking counter until your budget recovered to get the one you really want.

Yes, Bill, please tell us what that tile is! Do you have pictures of that kit chen finished? I'd like to see more of it. Thanks!

That's as finished a pic as I have. The homeowner did all the rest. As for the tile, He also supplied that from a showroom down in Mass. somewhere, so all I can tell you is that it was 23 3/4"x23 3/4". Being that he was putting on a wood molding for an edge trim, I didn't have to extend out past the edge of the countertop, and it left about a 1/2" gap in the back, which we took care of by doing a small backsplash, and building it out just a hair that came flush to the underside of the bay window shelf tile.

This is why I said that I might have a way that she could use the tile she WANTED to use in the first place.

storklady,
They do make countertop depth tiles 26" deep x 18" wide. Here's a link with lots of selection. You still have a grout line every 18 inches, but you avoid the small piece at the back. And FWIW, I just can't see the wood grain porcelain on a coutertop myself...

Here is a link that might be useful: one 26x18 tile source

I'll be the dissenting voice. I think it could look really cool. My friends have a country house with a (real) plank counter, and it is beautiful. (It is in NO way "college dorm.")

My only concern would be the texture of the tile. You'd want to find something pretty smooth. You could also edge with a Schluter counter edge.

I agree, though, that the cheapest way to go (unless you or someone you know can tile well) is butcher block from Ikea. A lot of people are staining this now, as well.

I’m getting ready to do the same thing! I’ll have wood open shelves stained an espresso. Cabinets are blue. Backsplash white/gray. I had planned to use a 2” cobalt blue tile, but I didn’t buy enough and it got discontinued! Can’t find it anywhere! Thinking of matching the shelves with wood-look porcelain tile.

I have lived with tile counters and I wouldn't wish them on my worst enemy. Remodeled and got rid of them as soon as possible.

I love my Kitchen, I didn't tile because of money, I tiled because I wanted to be creative! Do you, no one owns ART! ......................................

Yes, even bold enough to do my awesome shower! Timeless, no one else can have this look. I love being different, like my face, there is only one.