Walnut Breakfast bar

Another interesting commission.

The brief 

The customer had an existing island and hoped I could add a small breakfast bar to one end without altering or fixing-to anything existing within the kitchen. 

The aim was that this breakfast bar could act as a standalone side table and be used elsewhere if needed.

It had to be natural timber and something with character to compliment the current kitchen.

The project started at my timber merchant. We selected a lovely thick board of Walnut. It was shorter than I would have liked, only a couple of inches longer than required. Having no spare timber is always a concern, as there is no scope for error. ‘’Measure twice,’’ I think the saying is.

The board had a little character, including a few knots in the face and a split at one end. But otherwise, it was perfect. 

Working with the customer, I filled the defects with a black epoxy resin, adding to the character, and tweaked the shape of the sap/waney edge.

I stabilised the split with dog bone ties to zip it back together. It is a straightforward item of furniture, but its charm is very much in the details; the ties, resin, timber selection and waterfalling grain make this a unique piece.

‘’It has been a brilliant experience working with Allan who is a superb craftsman and his attention to detail is second to none. He skilfully made a beautiful bespoke breakfast bar to fit an existing kitchen island from a single piece of aged walnut- I would highly recommend him…… ’’
— Tina Jeary
KitchensAllan Ball