Congratulations! Something completely finished to provide positive reinforcement for the rest!

it looks great Brooke! can't wait to see all the other rooms painted/whitewashed!

Brooke-

I have some kitchen questions for you but I wanted to post somewhere more recent so you might see it! We just did a super-quick kitchen renovation, with oak butcher block counters. I bought the Tried and True Danish Oil after reading your post, and have done two applications--I think it will be great! I'm just curious, since you have wood counters too, what you did under your dishwasher. I'm really worried about the steam hitting under the counter every time we open the door. Did you put plastic in or anything?

BTW, I've been obsessed with the white enamel Viking since seeing it in Domino a year or so ago. That is phase two of the kitchen!

Your house is looking great... Did you ever whitewash a wall?

I have a wood counter in the kitchen too and the steam and water from the sink and dishwasher doesn't seem to effect the wood. I have coated the wood with Tung oil on the surface and the underneath counter wear the water would hit from the sink. The wood is a whole piece of African walnut and not butcher block. But it still looks good after a whole years use.I'm sure it will be fine. my neighbors had their butcher block for 13 years they still very happy with it.

Hey... sorry for the slow answer, but here goes. I am loving the Danish oil-- I've done 2 coats, too, but have been advised to do a few more before we call it a day. Chase Booth, the editor at Domino who does tons of set building (and renovated houses on the side) SWEARS by it. As for the steam, I don't think that'll be too much of a problem, especially if you leave the door open long enough for the wood to dry. We usually run the dishwasher at night, so it's back to room temp before we open it. I'd treat that part of the wood for sure (don't know if you've left it raw) with the Danish Oil just to be on the safe side.

Glad you like the Viking. We love it too! Now the only challenge is going to be finding a white paint that matches it (it's a really true white, with not a hint of warmth to it at all) so that our cabinets match. You will be sooooo happy with it if you choose to get one during phase two!

Thanks! Ok, I hope I'm doing the oil right... I did three coats before using the counter, letting it dry fully in between (24 hours between coats) and yet the first time we used the counters and wiped up spills, etc. the wood got rough in a couple spots. I'm afraid the butcher block from IKEA, despite excellent reviews, isn't good at all. Agh! But I'll try a few more coats.

I was hesitant about the white Viking for that reason--our cabinets are off-white. But our stove isn't next to them, so I think it will be ok.

Good reason to hesitate, but if your counters aren't right by the stove, I think you'll be good. If I weren't married to my color sensitive husband, I'd be in much better shape, but he's a stickler for color temperatures, so the search is on for the whitest white out there.

Good luck with the kitchen reno!