The Murphy Island
The Murphy Island is a massive 90" × 72" White Oak countertop designed to capture the character of old, rustic barnwood using entirely new material. Each board was individually distressed to introduce the texture, wear, and irregularity normally developed over decades of use.
That individuality continued through the finishing process. After creating an extensive series of custom finish samples, the clients and I selected complementary tones that would give each plank its own character while remaining cohesive as a whole. Every board was then finished individually with carefully selected layers and tones of Rubio Monocoat, creating the natural contrast and variation seen throughout the finished top.
The construction was approached just as intentionally. Rather than edge-gluing the White Oak into a conventional solid countertop, the boards were left visually separated and connected with floating tenons, preserving the appearance of individually laid, timeworn planks across the entire surface.
At nearly 7-1/2 feet long and 6 feet wide, the countertop was built as two substantial sections to make transportation and installation possible. Both sections were brought into the home, carefully fitted together, and professionally installed on site—completing a piece designed to combine modern craftsmanship and durability with the unmistakable character of an old barnwood surface.
