What can I do with this weird tiered countertop?
June 28, 2021 1:08 PM Subscribe
My granite kitchen work surface is fine. Nothing amazing. But fine. Above it sits a very strange painted wooden countertop that overhangs one side to act as a bar-height dining surface (follow the green arrow in this image). The wooden tier is awful--we both hate it.
That wooden counter has several problems:
1. It's painted with what seems to be our dining room wall paint, which means that anything even mildly alcoholic pulls pigment off the surface,
2. It looks like it's joined together from off-cuts of wood from elsewhere,
3. It's sturdy enough, but it just looks like an afterthought,
4. It picks up stains and scuffs like crazy,
5. It is starting to peel in places.
What can we do with that surface? I'm open to just about all options--everything from painting to cladding to replacing it. Even better if I can do the work myself.
But keep in mind: I only want to replace that higher, second tier--not the main granite.
That wooden counter has several problems:
1. It's painted with what seems to be our dining room wall paint, which means that anything even mildly alcoholic pulls pigment off the surface,
2. It looks like it's joined together from off-cuts of wood from elsewhere,
3. It's sturdy enough, but it just looks like an afterthought,
4. It picks up stains and scuffs like crazy,
5. It is starting to peel in places.
What can we do with that surface? I'm open to just about all options--everything from painting to cladding to replacing it. Even better if I can do the work myself.
But keep in mind: I only want to replace that higher, second tier--not the main granite.
What about tiling it? Or at least tiling the main top surface?
posted by jquinby at 1:15 PM on June 28, 2021 [1 favorite]
posted by jquinby at 1:15 PM on June 28, 2021 [1 favorite]
I would totally replace it, that looks like a mess.
If it were me and I wanted to DIY (i.e. not using matching or coordinating granite), I'd get preglued butcherblock work surface from a big box store (e.g.) and use the existing piece as a template to cut it into roughly the same shape. I would finish with Rubio Monocoat, but that needs a little bit of upkeep. Custom-cut glass or poured epoxy resin top would be more of a one-time thing.
posted by supercres at 1:25 PM on June 28, 2021 [8 favorites]
If it were me and I wanted to DIY (i.e. not using matching or coordinating granite), I'd get preglued butcherblock work surface from a big box store (e.g.) and use the existing piece as a template to cut it into roughly the same shape. I would finish with Rubio Monocoat, but that needs a little bit of upkeep. Custom-cut glass or poured epoxy resin top would be more of a one-time thing.
posted by supercres at 1:25 PM on June 28, 2021 [8 favorites]
Yeah, replacing it with matching granite is really the best solution. But there are a lot of ifs there.
What are the chances that wall that cuts off by the electrical outlet used to continue on where the wood countertop is, closing off the kitchen? That's the only explanation I can think of that doesn't involve either not being able to match the granite or not being able to afford the matching granite. (The little corner of carpeting also makes me think that - I find it unlikely that anyone would cut multiple pieces of tile to accommodate a little carpet rather than the other way around.) If there were a wall there that someone took down to open up the kitchen, you could always re-erect that wall. I'm not saying that would look good, but it wouldn't look much worse than having a countertop made out of random plywood, and it would be fairly cheap and easy to do yourself. Or if you'd like to keep some of the open feeling, you could do a glass wall instead.
Alternatively, what's on the other side of the counter, aside from the barstools? Could you just leave it as a half-wall?
If you're hoping to keep it as a counter surface, something that contrasts with the granite would be a better option. At least it wouldn't look like someone tried and failed to match the granite. Something like butcher block.
posted by kevinbelt at 1:27 PM on June 28, 2021
What are the chances that wall that cuts off by the electrical outlet used to continue on where the wood countertop is, closing off the kitchen? That's the only explanation I can think of that doesn't involve either not being able to match the granite or not being able to afford the matching granite. (The little corner of carpeting also makes me think that - I find it unlikely that anyone would cut multiple pieces of tile to accommodate a little carpet rather than the other way around.) If there were a wall there that someone took down to open up the kitchen, you could always re-erect that wall. I'm not saying that would look good, but it wouldn't look much worse than having a countertop made out of random plywood, and it would be fairly cheap and easy to do yourself. Or if you'd like to keep some of the open feeling, you could do a glass wall instead.
Alternatively, what's on the other side of the counter, aside from the barstools? Could you just leave it as a half-wall?
If you're hoping to keep it as a counter surface, something that contrasts with the granite would be a better option. At least it wouldn't look like someone tried and failed to match the granite. Something like butcher block.
posted by kevinbelt at 1:27 PM on June 28, 2021
Oh whoa - It took me a WHILE to realize that top wasn't also granite.
I would try to find a piece of white quartz to replace it.
Or, another fun solution would be to go for a butcher block type surface. (On preview, exactly what supercres recommended), +1!
Or, another fun solution would be to do a fun countertop with Pennies and epoxy, or Beer Bottle Caps and Epoxy. They don't look amazing, but they'd still be more fun than the wood.
If it were me, I'd just leave it and be vaguely annoyed about it for a long time, and maybe use a table runner to cover up the ugly.
posted by bbqturtle at 1:27 PM on June 28, 2021
I would try to find a piece of white quartz to replace it.
Or, another fun solution would be to go for a butcher block type surface. (On preview, exactly what supercres recommended), +1!
Or, another fun solution would be to do a fun countertop with Pennies and epoxy, or Beer Bottle Caps and Epoxy. They don't look amazing, but they'd still be more fun than the wood.
If it were me, I'd just leave it and be vaguely annoyed about it for a long time, and maybe use a table runner to cover up the ugly.
posted by bbqturtle at 1:27 PM on June 28, 2021
I’d think a lot about how much I wanted that shape at all - that height, that corner - before investing in the hassle to make it more durable. Until then a runner seems good.
posted by clew at 1:30 PM on June 28, 2021 [5 favorites]
posted by clew at 1:30 PM on June 28, 2021 [5 favorites]
I would just take it out, honestly. You don't mention that you even use that bar/dining surface, and if it's just wood it should be easy to take down-- just dump the meal'R'bar-er already.
posted by The otter lady at 1:31 PM on June 28, 2021 [8 favorites]
posted by The otter lady at 1:31 PM on June 28, 2021 [8 favorites]
I had a similar kitchen once! I used a piece of well-varnished wood there, where you could at least put something on it without pulling up paint, so the butcher block idea.
The problems as I know them are two: first, material. Whatever you use needs to have presentable sides, which either means a custom piece of granite or quartz with honed sides, or better-finished wood. Tile would just expose the sides of the tile.
The other problem is function. It's just not wide enough of a surface to actually act as a bar or any kind of work surface. You could (using new/custom granite) extend it to overhang the seats, and then it might work better. So I vote for extending it.
posted by Dashy at 1:35 PM on June 28, 2021 [1 favorite]
The problems as I know them are two: first, material. Whatever you use needs to have presentable sides, which either means a custom piece of granite or quartz with honed sides, or better-finished wood. Tile would just expose the sides of the tile.
The other problem is function. It's just not wide enough of a surface to actually act as a bar or any kind of work surface. You could (using new/custom granite) extend it to overhang the seats, and then it might work better. So I vote for extending it.
posted by Dashy at 1:35 PM on June 28, 2021 [1 favorite]
My first choice would be to replace it with matching quartz composite. My second choice would be to replace it with wood that had been flooded with polyurethane, although that might not fit the look in your kitchen.
posted by adamrice at 1:36 PM on June 28, 2021
posted by adamrice at 1:36 PM on June 28, 2021
What about plastic laminate in a bold color, like the green of your chair? It would give the space a cute fifties style accent without overpowering it. You don't want a laminate that mimics other materials, like stone or wood, you have to own the artificial nature of the material. It is relatively cheap, so you don't have to treat it like a precious object. I would probably get a skilled professional to make it and fit it. It's only a few hours work but they should be able to make it look very nice and intentional, maybe with a round corner instead of that weird cut-off corner.
posted by mumimor at 1:48 PM on June 28, 2021 [4 favorites]
posted by mumimor at 1:48 PM on June 28, 2021 [4 favorites]
I wish I could see the other side! If it's reasonable, I also vote to just remove it. I hate those things.
posted by nosila at 1:57 PM on June 28, 2021 [3 favorites]
posted by nosila at 1:57 PM on June 28, 2021 [3 favorites]
Are you sure the counter is actually granite? It looks like quartz. If you take a good picture of it (like a straight down shot, with a quarter in the picture for size reference) and make the rounds of some nearby countertop places, you can probably match whatever it is.
Failing that, as suggested, go for a contrasting color but also quartz (or granite if that's really what it is) in a white-ish or gray-ish pattern.
But I will also add that in my experience, nobody ever sits at those things, whether you have barstools there or not. Or rarely. So if there is some way to just remove it and deal with the resulting unfinished edge, that's another option.
posted by beagle at 2:14 PM on June 28, 2021
Failing that, as suggested, go for a contrasting color but also quartz (or granite if that's really what it is) in a white-ish or gray-ish pattern.
But I will also add that in my experience, nobody ever sits at those things, whether you have barstools there or not. Or rarely. So if there is some way to just remove it and deal with the resulting unfinished edge, that's another option.
posted by beagle at 2:14 PM on June 28, 2021
Possibly its best purpose is to screen kitchen mess from the rest of the room?
posted by clew at 2:29 PM on June 28, 2021 [1 favorite]
posted by clew at 2:29 PM on June 28, 2021 [1 favorite]
It looks as if the granite surface (and stuff underneath it) was added later, and that bit was there first.
Your 2 choices are:
a) level it by chopping off the raised bit, to create one larger flat surface
b) resurface / rebuild the raised bit to better match the ambiance.
Not listing a C since you're NOT going to raise the granite surface.
Can't comment on A without knowing what made it raised. If it used to be a half-wall, labor can be problematic.
B has many options, from covering it up with something to full replacement (and probably a better shape, not condition, than it is currently). But it'd likely to be a custom cut, and labor can be again, problematic.
Simplest solution is probably just sticky-vinyl "wrap", white or off-white, just to see how it looks. If you like that look, you can then look for bids to replace it with something sturdier.
posted by kschang at 2:54 PM on June 28, 2021
Your 2 choices are:
a) level it by chopping off the raised bit, to create one larger flat surface
b) resurface / rebuild the raised bit to better match the ambiance.
Not listing a C since you're NOT going to raise the granite surface.
Can't comment on A without knowing what made it raised. If it used to be a half-wall, labor can be problematic.
B has many options, from covering it up with something to full replacement (and probably a better shape, not condition, than it is currently). But it'd likely to be a custom cut, and labor can be again, problematic.
Simplest solution is probably just sticky-vinyl "wrap", white or off-white, just to see how it looks. If you like that look, you can then look for bids to replace it with something sturdier.
posted by kschang at 2:54 PM on June 28, 2021
1, 4, 5 can be addressed with sanding it down, smoothing the joints with wood filler or caulk, using the proper primer and paint, then sealing with polyurethane. All doable in place by amateurs.
posted by flimflam at 11:34 PM on June 28, 2021
posted by flimflam at 11:34 PM on June 28, 2021
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posted by primethyme at 1:14 PM on June 28, 2021 [13 favorites]