Every client has a specific goal for their custom woodworking pieces, whether it’s to be a one-of-a-kind family heirloom or to highlight the heart of their home. One of my favorite pieces I’ve ever made were three huge 18-foot bar countertops for clients who wanted to entertain guests in their new home.
A friend from my hometown works as a finish carpenter with one of the biggest builders in the state. He made the introduction directly to the absolute best and most hardworking clients themselves. I couldn’t say no to this extravagant project.
Here’s how we created three statement bar countertops for a client’s new home.
Going Over the Client’s Checklist
Talking to the clients was like talking to friends I’ve known for years. They absolutely love to entertain friends and were building a huge pool and temperature-controlled outdoor space where they could play outside and enjoy drinks and movies. They also wanted the bar to be the focal point of the entire entertainment area.
As soon as the clients told me their goals of creating an entertainer’s dream bar and that they wanted all three bar countertops to be one uniform wood — walnut — I knew the exact set of slabs we needed for the build.
We had sourced four huge walnut slabs from a town near North Portland, Ore., in Cedar Hills, so I showed them photos of the raw slabs before they went into the kiln, and we agreed that they were perfect. Because we were able to get them all from the same tree, all the grain, color, and mitered joints matched perfectly.
Maximizing Space & Focusing on Details
One of the reasons I loved this piece so much was because of the elevated bar. The clients wanted to maximize the utility of the space and make the bar as long as possible. The mitered extensions are five feet long, making this one of the largest bar countertops I’ve ever made.
But one of the coolest details in this bar is that four inclusions still had walnuts in them, which I exposed and encased when filling the cracks with black epoxy, making them look like hearts stuck in the resin. It’s always fun and amazing what can be preserved in a tree that’s well over 100 years old.
Finally, we had to install the sink. I contracted a company I work with for the cabinets and showed him samples of the barnwood oak along with samples of the finished walnut bar countertops. The clients wanted an undermount sink, which we ended up cutting out after installation.
Overcoming Challenges & Revealing the Final Result
Handling slabs this large is always a challenge made easier with overhead cranes and forklifts. But the real challenge is finding the trees themselves and making sure that every inch is properly dried. Huge trees hold water in the outer veins of the tree, so the smallest amount of moisture could cause the slabs to split or warp down the road.
The counters are huge and heavy. But because I work with the best cabinet company, installation was as simple as bringing in the bar countertops and screwing them down. We used coated hardware and clear silicone to assure adherence and that it won’t shift over time.
The clients absolutely loved the epoxied walnuts, which encased perfectly, and the finish is absolutely flawless. Cutting out and sealing the sink hole went smoothly, so the clients will never have to worry about the counters absorbing water and expanding or warping over time.
The clients could not be more impressed or excited. The family has since then finished the pool installation and hosted many parties. They’ve also had me back for several art pieces and décor. I’m grateful for such a wonderful relationship with both the builder and the clients, who I know are thrilled to have these unique bar countertops in their forever home.
Are you dreaming of a one-of-a-kind piece for your home? Contact me today to get a custom quote and make that dream a reality.
