So far I have stained the top (3 feet x 7 feet) and put one coat of Waterlox on it, and it has been SUPER easy. I had the top put in our great room (we made two wooden horses for it to sit on) flipped over with the bottom up so I could do some sample finishes on the bottom. My original plan was to finish it with mineral oil so I could use it for chopping. When I put a sample of the mieral oil on it I didn't like it :( It was pretty but just not the look I wanted. It had dark brown, golden brown and blonde stripes and had a slightly orange tint. Some might love the striped look but I wanted it to be less "busy" and an overall darker brown color. I decided to stain it and tried out several stains (on the bottom). I picked a color called "Moorish Teak". I let the stain dry for 24 hours and yesterday applied the first coat of Waterlox. I will try to post some pictures today! So far it looks absolutely beautiful!!!!!! :)

I think the pictures show that two islands would work better. Really :), I was thinking maybe not until I saw the pictures. I wouldn't be overly concerned about where the 36" oven ends up. Two islands or one island will cover it up anyway. The one thing I would probably not do with it is place it on the entertainment side of the prep island. It would be a bit awkward to run around the island to check it... You could think of the entertainment island as more of a bar with seating. If there isn't some reason why a sink there would be outrageously expensive, I'd do the sink and perhaps a snack size micro. If that thing next to the ref is an icemaker, I'd move it to the bar. (I can't make out if its an icemaker or trash compactor.)

Try these: http://www.livinginstylenewyork.com/servlet/the-14341/Latina-49-Inch-Curved/Detail add a cushion for this one: http://www.ivgstores.com/IVG2/Y/ProductID-257180-.htm http://www.mercantila.com/p/modus-bossa-counter-height-banquette-dining-chair?utm_medium=Shopbots&utm_term=www.mercantila.com&utm_campaign=modus-bossa-counter-height-banquette-dining-chair&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=226350&utm_source=Channel_Intelligence_Google http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=banquette++seating&hl=en&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&biw=1280&bih=609&um=1&ie=UTF-8&cid=18061587168538161547&ei=QU0fTcW0G8aqlAe4g6TgCw&sa=X&oi=product_catalog_result&ct=result&resnum=4&ved=0CFEQ8wIwAzg8# http://www.laflat.com/bench-elite-rounded-p-4695.html?zenid=ueq8su8holfgokn04guul5fa70 I think it may be a good idea to see about having one made if none of those work. I was able to find a ton of fire pit type benches, but not as many indoor styles as I expected. You can try barsandbooths.com because they have a nook set that has too much back. Maybe they can make it backless. Good luck!

Hi Shanin, I’ve just discovered your post and in a similar situation, so just wondering how you got on with recycling/repurposing your quartz worktops?! I’m of the mindset ‘if there’s a will, there’s a way!’ (compromise/creativity might be required!) so fingers crossed it is somehow possible! :)