How To Refinish Butcher Block Knife Block Tutorial.
Once upon a time, I worked on Michigan Avenue.
In the heart of the Magnificent Mile.
And it was magical. Every day I went to work surrounded by Gucci. And Cartier. And Saks Fifth Avenue. And Louis Vitton. And Bloomies. And …
my most favorite of all …
the Crate & Barrel flagship store.
It was majestic. Standing tall at the corner of Michigan & Eerie. Four glass-windowed stories filled to the brim with my dream home heart’s desires.
I would spend many a lunch hour roaming the store. Traveling from floor to floor. Plotting my dream kitchen filled with the most beautiful kitchen gadgets (even though I had no idea what most of them were used for). Of bedrooms made with the finest of linens and fluffiest of down-filled comforters. Of living rooms with beautiful sofas with plush throws and pillows …
and I could hear my credit cards screaming in protest.
I haven’t been to the Magnificent Mile Crate & Barrel in years. Fortunately — or unfortunately, depending on how you look at it — a second Crate & Barrel has been erected closer to home. But I resist spending my lunch hours roaming their hallowed glass-windowed halls.
Until recently.
I walked in with a firm grasp on my debit card. I was on a mission. A two-tiered rustic fruit basket was my desired purchase. So with blinders on, I entered.
And crumbled.
The dreamer in me took over. Kitchen gadgets I still don’t know how to use called out to me. A collection of wooden and metal salad tongs begged me to give them a home. And then there was the butcher block …
so many lovely, perfectly grained butcher block cutting boards. And cheese trays. And bread trays. And knife blocks.
And just as I was ready to loosen my grip on my debit card and purchase a new butcher block knife block, I had a revelation: What am I doing (the logical side of my brain demanded)? I’m a DIY blogger, after all! Why buy new when I could refinish my old, decrepit, stained one?
It was looking very sad. And in need of a little TLC in the form of sandpaper and wax.
How To Refinish Butcher Block Knife Block
I started with sandpaper, Bee’s Oil, and tack cloths.
Started with the largest grit sandpaper, sand all sides of the knife block; use tack cloth between each sandpaper to wipe clean.
After a final cleaning with tack cloth, use a clean cloth to generously rub on Bee’s Oil on all sides. Let stand 15-minutes and then buff off any excess.
And that’s it. A pretty dramatic before & after …
And now my 20+ year old butcher block knife block looks like it could hang with all the other butcher blocks at Crate & Barrel.
🙂
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Love this! So easy to do with a little bit of elbow grease and time. Much nicer than throwing it away. It turned our perfect!
That is my favorite!! I LOVE the C & B store on Michigan Ave. It’s the first place I went on my first trip to Chicago. Your knife block looks great–good job!
It does look like new, great job..
Linda, you did the right thing. It looks brand new! I love to go to Crate and Barrel, but most of the time I go there just for inspiration. 🙂 I got my knife block at a thrift store out of many they had, the cost only a couple of dollars.
Impressive and inspirational! ?
such restraint. Are you kidding…..Your butcher block can do back wards cartwheels around all the ones on display at the store.
Curious, how did you clean the inside of the slits for knives. They do get dirty. Dusty. Etc
You know what, I didn’t! Uh oh! 🙂
Here’s some info 🙂 https://www.today.com/home/how-clean-knife-block-how-often-t116794
Looks great. You’ve inspired me to do something with mine now.
I have to ask…………… Did you get the two tiered rustic basket?
It’s on back order so I’m still waiting for it to be sent to me! Though, I’m beginning to wonder if it will ever be in stock again … which makes me sad.
Maybe in mean time you’ll find a two tier fruit basket at a thrift store and not need a new one? How much more fun will you have getting it pretty as you did your knife block. What a wonderful job you did Linda. Know how you feel, I talk myself out of things all the time, my upbringing (and our budget) won’t let me alone. Dadgumit anyhow. lol. I’ve never been in a Crate and Barrel store. Probably good thing we moved away from San Diego and all the stores. Saved me from bankruptcy most likely. Have great week and be proud of super job you did on that knife block, looks like new.
Doggone it, almost 12:30 in am. so better get my shower and to bed.
I took a can of spray paint to mine over the weekend. It wasn’t a nice one from C&B.