Come Christmas time my family always does such a wonderful job of finding, or making, each other the nicest gifts. This year I got some really wonderful hand made gifts, one of them being this charming "White House Farm" sign that my sister made me.
She knows that I love black and white signs and cows:) I decided to hang it in the kitchen and I couldn't be more tickled with it. My sister is so talented, she is the one that makes the signs that I sell in my Etsy shop . She had a very busy year this past year with my niece getting married but she has started a whole new batch of one of a kind signs for my shop. And if there is something in particular you may want on one let me know because we can do custom orders.
Above the sign I hung an ironstone plate that I got at the flea market for 25 cents this past summer. It is in the Wheat pattern, my favorite.
I also wanted to take the time answer one of my reader questions....Lori asked what treatment I use on our butcher block counter top. When we first moved in and put the Ikea Numerar counter tops in I only used the butcher block oil ( it is food grade approved) that they sell at Ikea on them.
But as time passed I noticed some water damage occuring on the right side of the sink where the dishwasher is. Ikea has a protective shield that goes between your dishwasher and counter top to protect it but I am an obsessive counter wiper and I often lay dishes on a towel to dry there and the butcher block oil wasn't providing enough protection. I decided that I needed to use something else in this area and I don't actually ever chop food on this part of the counter so I didn't need something food grade safe. The best part about a wood counter top is that it is sand-able if it does get stained or damaged. I sanded the counter to get off the parts that were starting to get water damaged and then I applied 4 coats of semi-gloss polyurethane.
You can see in the picture that the right side is shinier than the left.
As for the left side where I do my chopping I only use the butcher block oil. I apply it with a rag every couple of months, usually when we are about to go away for the weekend so that it can really seep in.
I could look at pictures of your kitchen ALL DAY LONG - absolutely stunning! And what a sweet sister you have, she really created a wonderful sign that looks perfect in your kitchen. Jane
ReplyDeleteThe sign is a lovely gift! Your kitchen is very pretty and I really like the colours, materials and your pretty accessories.
ReplyDeleteOh, I love your new sign! We too have the IKEA Numerar butcher block counters. What I did was probably a big no-no to most people,but I applied marine varnish on mine. They are completely impervious to water and very pretty. I have never, ever cut on counter tops, no matter what kind of counter I have had, so I just have my cutting boards handy and use them all the time for chopping. These IKEA counters are the best buy for the money!
ReplyDeleteJust beautiful, waiting to see the other homemade gifts!
ReplyDeleteWe are considered butcher block counters. Thanks for this info. The sign your sister made is too cute.
ReplyDeleteThat is such a charming sign that your sister made, she has wonderful talent. I have to have a peek at your shop.
ReplyDeleteI love butcher block and wood counters. We used granite two years ago although I'm not a fan of the busyness of it. My husband won out because I picked the countertops at our lakehouse! :(.
Wondering what sort of garland that is hanging in your window...some sort of herb? So pretty!
Jane x
I just love your farmhouse kitchen and the new sign. I am going to check out your shop. I think I have pinned every picture I can find of your home. There is a copy cat lurking around somewhere!!..Happy Monday..Judy
ReplyDeleteHello....I LoVe everything in your gorgeous kitchen. I kept going back to have another good look. So talented with your decor. Awesome!
ReplyDeleteI'm always excited when I see you display some of the same antiques I have. You got a steal with the wheat plate! It's always good to see you post.
ReplyDeleteThe sign your sister made is adorable! I absolutely love wood countertops... Trying to talk my husband into installing them in our kitchen!
ReplyDeletelove everything about your home my friend ~ thanks for the visit!
ReplyDeleteLori from Notforgotten Farm
Thanks for answering my question, Megan. I've done much the same thing. When I first started with the butcher-block I was absolved to use ONLY oil, but after the same thing happened to me with water rings and splashes - I caved and turned to salad bowl finish (which has been great). I do wonder (still) about the color of your counters. I've oiled and oiled and oiled these things and mine appear to be yellowISH. They've taken on the [almost] orangey appearance. Did you use any stain? Was the oil you used tinted like danish oil is? Or just straight oil? Another variable might be the type of Numera that you have. I've read that Ikea use to carry oak... is yours oak? Looking at the grain it appears it may be, but yours just seem to have the more brownish appearance that I'm looking for. I'm just trying to figure out how to get the look, I'm looking for :o) Again - thanks for the answer! And I agree with Mary @ Neat and Tidy... I love looking through your blog and finding things we have that are the same.
ReplyDeleteLove the sign that your sister made and I love your farmhouse kitchen too!
ReplyDelete~Cindy
nice shop...just went over and favorited it. I wonder where you are in PA? I am in Washington County, south of Pittsburgh :)
ReplyDeleteHello!! I love your garland. Where did you get it? Thanks :)
ReplyDeleteCan you tell me where you bought the breadbox? I love it!
ReplyDeleteI bought it at TJMaxx but over 6 years ago, sorry!
DeleteBeautiful kitchen! Where did you get your farmhouse sink? :)
ReplyDeleteI love your whole kitchen, it's beautiful. Can you tell me where you got the sink, or who makes it?
ReplyDeleteI'm interested in your sink as well! I am having a hard time finding a big drop-in farmhouse sink that has a hole for the faucet. Most farmhouse-style sinks are undermount, and I don't want that. Any help you can provide would be great - thanks!!
DeleteScratch that! I just saw on your other post that it is from IKEA. Thanks! http://farmhouse5540.blogspot.com/2015/05/farmhouse-friday-farmhouse-kitchen.html
DeleteWhat is the brand of your kitchen faucet? I really like it...industrial, but not too modern.
ReplyDeleteHi Megan, was wondering if your sister is still making/selling her signs. Our surname is Whitehouse and my husband was raised on a dairy farm so I would LOVE something similar x
ReplyDeleteCan you tell me where you got your sink? I like that it goes all the way back to the backsplash with no countertop passing behind the faucet, but I’m having a terrible time finding one with that feature.
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