White Washed Butcher Block Countertops + Floating Shelves

HOW TO DO IT

For this kitchen I wanted wood countertops for warmth—it just seemed right for a Craftsman style home—but I also wanted to mute it. So thanks to Mike and Tom at Williamson Construction we mad scientist-ed it and created a formula! It’s half water and half BEHR DYNASTY Paint in the color Crisp Linen and then after it dried we sealed it on. Here's how we did it...

Materials:

• A light toned butcher block of your choosing (we used this Maple)

• BEHR DYNASTY Paint in Crisp Linen (sheen: semi-gloss)

• Water

• Dry rag or an old t-shirt you don’t wear anymore

• Staining Sponge

• Rubio Monocoat Wood Stain Oil Plus 2C in Super White

• Bowl (something you don’t mind getting paint all over)

• Paint Brush

• 1/4” Nap Roller

1. First and foremost, you will want to thoroughly clean and remove any debris or furniture from the space. Think blank slate, you are preparing your canvas!

2. In your bowl mix equal parts paint and water. Your goal is to simply dilute the paint so that it becomes a whitewash and is no longer fully pigmented when applied.

3. Grab your staining sponge and dip it in the paint and water mixture and rub it directly on to the butcher block. Moving in the direction of the grain of the wood.

4. Take your dry rag and immediately wipe and excess off.

5. Repeat until your entire butcher block surface has received its first coat.

6. Once dry step back and check in with the pigment to see if it is to your liking. If you want it whiter keep adding coats, if you like how white it is after one coat it is time to seal! The more coats of white wash you add the more pigmented the white will become. (We only needed one!)

7. Now it is time to seal it with a food safe product.

8. Combine part A and B of the Rubio Monocoat Wood Stain by pouring part B into part A.

9. Pour an apple size amount of the wood stain directly onto the butcher block surface.

10. Brush and roll the wood stain on to the surface going back and forth between the two as needed. Always move in the direction of the grain of the wood.

11. Let it cure for 15-20 min.

12. Apply a 2nd coat of the wood stain.

13. Let cure for a full 24hrs.

Pro Tips:

• Don’t let the paint dry too long when applying the white wash or you will get streaks. Wipe it on with the sponge and then wipe it off with a dry rag almost immediately.

• Always move in the direction of the grain of the wood.

• Notify anyone living/working in the space in advance that they won't have access to the space.