Why is your island so long? Just b/c you want to make a "statement"? Are you trying to make up for a lack of storage caused by other choices? Are you trying to have seating for six at the island?

Talk to the people that will fabricate the countertops for options. As I see it though your option is to reduce the island size or forget about the no seam idea. I personally think a stripe down the middle would look odd. Framing it with a color might be possible (talk to the fabricator), but I'm wondering about how the outside border and the inside piece would be supported properly.

I happen to be getting new countertops over the next couple of months. We just started the project this week. I saw the seams my fabricator/installer does. I didn't even notice it until it was pointed out to me. The fabricator also placed one piece upside down so one could see how "invisible" the seam is. This was quartz of some type.

It's way oversized to begin with. Reduce the size to fit within a single slab.

If you go with bookmatched set up the layout approval with your fabricator. This is important because you'll have at 4' much more width than you need. And inspect and approve the seaming before the slab leaves his shop. Set that up with him ahead of time. No surprises the day of install.

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Thank you all very much! I especially appreciate the photos. I'll be meeting with the fabricator on Thursday, so it really helps to have your advice ahead of time.

My "aircraft carrier" island is proportional to the kitchen and the house. Our first thought was to reduce the size, but it looked rather silly compared to the rest of the room. It could actually be three feet longer and still look good! We don't need the storage or the seating capacity, but we have learned over the years that no matter how well the flow of the house is designed, the kitchen remains the gathering place. Rather than fighting that tendency, we're going to embrace it. We can socialize and serve in the kitchen. I'll be able to say, "The buffet line is ready on the aircraft carrier in the kitchen!"

At the moment, we've decided to "pull up" the cabinets on either end of the island. We were already planning on decorative posts and shelves, So, we'll have a couple feet on either end with the cabinet wood "counter" that is flush with the hard surface (quartz or granite) that can be "dropped in" without a seam. In theory, the cabinetmaker and the counter fabricator say this should work. I'll keep you posted!

Thanks again.

I'm trying to imagine "well-designed flow" in a kitchen that has a 13-foot island. Having to walk around that thing seems the opposite of flow. I'd love to see the floor plans!

I have an almost 12' quartzite island with a 30" prep sink. I was worried about the seam but put it through the sink and it is barely visible. Your fabricator is key. So glad that I kept it this length. First thing everyone says is that they love the island. Quite honestly, in the space it doesn't even seem that big. Ours is only 39" wide so we can stand on one side and wipe the whole thing down without having to walk around it and two people can work across from one another very easily. I was also worried about it looking like a runway but the size looks appropriate for our space. It is three feet longer than our old island and I love having the extra length.

also a full waterfall edge on 01 side, 13` bookmatched plus the waterfall; super

Built our home in 06 and I have a 14 x4 island..... I’ve never regretted a day with it! I do have a seam at the end by the stove (across from stove) and it is practically invisible. Also at that end I have my cutting board prep area. Even when asked people have a hard time finding the seam. I do like the bookends look too however!! And yes everyone calls it the continent too......lol

A good fabricator can do a nice seam. The bookmark is absolutely a major statement and needs an excellent fabricator and probably some extra bucks. You could do an interesting insert in between the 2 pieces of some beautiful wood or even a thicker piece or add a butcher block to one end...

Good luck with whatever you do and be sure to post pictures!

It's been more than a year, but the "island" is finally finished! We lovingly call it the "continent." It's perfect for us. Cabinets are beech with a cinnamon glaze. Crown molding is a combination of beech and walnut. Ends of the continent are walnut. Granite is "spectras." 14 feet long by 4 feet wide.

Love it!

Very nice!

Love it!!!

Thanks for the update - that is a gorgeous stone.