I use a two-drawer file cabinet topped with a plywood round, draped with a to-the-floor cloth. Make plywood round as big as space available. If file cabinet not tall enough set it on brick blocks. Add lamp, books, pictures, etc. Wala, it's done and paperwork in file cabinet is accessible by flipping up "table" cloth.

Thanks for the responses! I was actually thinking about a Formica finish called "Black Walnut Timber," but I'm just not sure if it would make the area look smaller than it is. I haven't considered wood because I always thought it was more expensive. But maybe I should look into it. I'm not sure about the butcher block because there are very warm (kind of golden) colors in the room with the floor and the paint... But in any case, thanks for the great suggestions!

I guess I don't like it because once the counter is in (it's going to be black) I'll see this tall, maple pantry and midway down the left side of it will be this black corner wrapped around it. I'm afraid it will just stick out like a sore thumb. I'm just looking for other solutions. I guess I'm a bit upset because the cabinet guy ordered the wrong cabinet in the first place and it's hard to "settle" again for something I didn't want, especially when I ordered the cabinet shallower just to avoid this problem. BTW, not real worried about the filing cabinet slides as I doubt I'll be storing any paper in here since it's not a true filing cabinet as it should have been. I'm just looking for other options/solutions. One person suggested switching the desk and filing cabinet so that the desk "ends" against the pantry. That may work but that will require the cabinet guy to put on a finished end panel on the right side of the file cabinet, instead of the left where it is now...but it may be one option.

No assembly instructions.