I had edge grain rock maple BB in my last kitchen & I chose it again for my new kitchen, the main reason being the functionality of cutting on it. I use cutting boards for meat, but basically, I think they're a PITA & one more thing to clean. I oil my counters 1-2 times a year & I don't find that they look overly scarred or beat up; a serrated knife will chew up BB & I avoid those. I suspect that dark species of wood like walnut would tend to look faded & dry more than a light wood, but I'm guessing. IMO old cutting boards look particularily bad because of water damage caused by submerging or soaking them or putting them in the DW - all things that shouldn't be a problem with a counter top that's reasonably cared for. Of course, if you want a countertop that looks like fine furniture with an unblemished finish & exquisite grain, cutting on it would not be the way to go.

it's the regular black walnut. There are three knots on my top actually. I wish I had thought to take a far away shot when I had Jen's camera last night! Next time I will back up and take a full top shot for you guys. I can't believe no one else is in awe though. I never Ever thought rubbing alcohol would take of permanent marker from waterloxed wood. (someone on here said "Waterloxed - new verb!" and I am totally stealing that) : )

Hi Colleen! I would love to see pictures as you go through your master bath remodel! I'll eventually be remodeling my main bathroom and the 1/2 bath in the master. In the main bath I'm taking out the tub/shower surround and replacing with a "petite" claw foot tub, no shower. New toilet, new vanity/sink, and a small baker's rack for extra storage. Putting in a medicine cabinet/mirror, frosting the window so I don't need a window treatment, and a new towel rack. Also new flooring, paint, fan, light. I'm not sure what I'm doing in the 1/2 bath, except I know I'm stealing a little room from the bedroom to put in a walk-in shower. SO...I'd love to see your progress and hear about the whole experience! Do you have colors and flooring, etc. picked out yet? Haha! Cathy--so true about the garden tub. :-)

Timber plank doors are nothing new, nor is making them work really difficult to understand, it is just a lot of work. If you look at the oldest timber plank doors they would strap two or three pieces of steel to the door and use rivets to keep the door from cupping and to limit the movement. Today, if you are using a species with a lot of wood movement, then you typically drill it and use all thread plus epoxy to stop wood movement. Teak and Mahogany solid plank doors are not uncommon and make fine doors. White Oak is also fairly common but is going to require some know-how. If this is what you really want, then yes... it can be done. However, this is not a DIY friendly project. If you want to do this for the pride of crafting your own timber door then I would plan on making three or four doors to get one right even if you research it extensively before you start. If you are doing it to save money, you are better off getting a second job as it will take far less time. I don't see wood look vinyl plank working either. ETA: If you just want the look then take a couple of sheets of marine grade plywood, cut the 2x2's into strips (1/8" to 1/4" thick) and glue them to the plywood. Use a full 2x2 on each side.