Sweeton Workspace

DRN · Post by **DRN** » Tue Jun 05, 2012 2:34 pm

In planning the proposed restoration/renovation of the workspace, we have reached the inevitable topic of counter tops.

The existing tops are a mix of the original 1951 luan plywood, and later mahogany butcher block which was installed by the Sweetons when the luan near the sink delaminated into oblivion in the late '50's. Wright's original drawings specified red linoleum with a 2-1/2" redwood edge trim.

Some complexities:

1. The wood fret shelf stack that separates the workspace from the dining area is embedded in a portion of remaining luan...this will of course stay and I am loathe to disrupt the luan that is scribed to it. The Sweetons cut and removed damaged luan adjacent to this material and replaced it with butcher block, which is now rotted at the sink.

2. The redwood edge trim which visually ties the counter tops to all other horizontal banding in the house, has not fared well over the years. The material is so soft that it has been continually worn, scratched, gouged, burnt, and cut into a shape that is anything but Wright's crisp geometries.

My inclination is to leave the luan at the frets alone and work the new finish to its edge...this may inform the color of the new adjacent counter top material. Has anyone one of us Chatters had experience with linoleum on counters and knowledge of how it reacts to lemon juice, soy sauce, yellow spices, hot objects and the odd knife drop?

I am convinced that the 2-1/2" edge trim at the counters is a necessity for the kitchen, but I am leaning toward a more stalwart type of wood. Does anyone have any experience with ipe? It has been used with success on board walks, one would think it could survive some bludgeoning by pots or pans and the occasional belt buckle rub.

Wrightgeek · Post by **Wrightgeek** » Tue Jun 05, 2012 3:15 pm

Dan-

As I recall, the countertops in the kitchen of the magnificently restored Willey Residence are linoleum. You may want to reach out to Steve Sikora to get his input as to how the material has functioned for the Sikora's since it was installed several years ago.

John · Post by **John** » Tue Jun 05, 2012 3:18 pm

That is true. He obtained red linoleum and placed it on the floor and the countertops of the kitchen of the Willey house.

SDR · Post by **SDR** » Wed Jun 06, 2012 12:25 am

Some Ipe is a cool dark brown with greenish overtones (undertones ?). Other hardwoods which might recall the warmth of clean redwood would include domestic cherry, Brazilian cherry (Jatoba), or Meranti. (Ipe is really "harder than it needs to be" for most carpentry and cabinetry applications, in my opinion.)

I don't seem to have photos of the Sweeton kitchen. I'd be glad to post if you have ones you like.

SDR

Laurie Virr · Post by **Laurie Virr** » Wed Jun 06, 2012 2:54 am

The term 'Meranti' covers a wide range of species, the vast majority of which are on the critically endangered list. Do you have to go there?

dtc · Post by **dtc** » Wed Jun 06, 2012 6:55 am

Has any one studied the materials used for counter tops in workspaces of 1950 to 59?
The Willey house is a 1933 design. Wright had moved on since then with every aspect of kitchen design including materials for counter tops.
Not that I have visited all of Wright's work from 1950 on, but I would bet the predominant material found would be a laminate. He did enjoy using the latest materials in his designs.

To site a few, in no particular order:
Zimmerman house, laminate. (Micarta) (Chinese red w. a linen pattern)
Palmer, stainless steel. (Mrs. Palmer's request)
Reisley, laminate.
Rubin, laminate. (Micarta) ( Red Orange hue)
Feiman, laminate. (White)
Dobkins, laminate. (Micarta) (Chinese red w. a linen pattern)
Lovness, (studio home and cottage) red laminate.
Lykes, ceramic tile (But we should note this was built post Wright, in 1966
with much input from Rattenbury and Howe)
Hagan, stainless steel. although Wright specified laminate (Micarta)
Christian, laminate. ( a neutral beige)

peterm · Post by **peterm** » Wed Jun 06, 2012 7:54 am

Redwood edge with laminate top at Lamberson:

dtc · Post by **dtc** » Wed Jun 06, 2012 9:14 am

peter,
You've done your homework.
Is that a high gloss laminate?
Looks great. An elegant complement with the wood.
Also an appropriate metal trim detail on the top of the back splash.

Excellent!

peterm · Post by **peterm** » Wed Jun 06, 2012 9:58 am

Yes, it is high gloss, but unless someone wants to be careful all of the time, I wouldn't necessarily recommend it. We are willing to live with the inevitable scratches, for the sake of purism. When I see the patina of vintage laminate, I think it has it's own charm (unless however, it has the cigarette burn, or the outline of a pot which should have remained on the stove), but others might not want that. And yes, even though Wright specified the redwood countertop edge, for the backsplash edges the plans asked for the ubiquitous 1940s/ 1950s "chrome" edging.

I am pleased with the result, and think we did closely approximate the look (excluding the appliances) of a brand new Wright workspace, circa 1950.

SDR · Post by **SDR** » Wed Jun 06, 2012 10:52 am

By way of comparison and contrast, here are three photos of the Sweeton kitchen:

SDR · Post by **SDR** » Wed Jun 06, 2012 11:00 am

Peter sends these two photos, to demonstrate the compatibility of the cherry lamp (satin finish) and redwood table (oiled) . . .

peterm · Post by **peterm** » Wed Jun 06, 2012 11:16 am

Heart vertical grained cherry would substitute well, and would be much tougher.

Only your hairdresser would know for sure...

DRN · Post by **DRN** » Wed Jun 06, 2012 12:50 pm

Only your hairdresser would know for sure...

Should he, or shouldn't he? I think I shall.

Looks like a carefully selected cherry may be the way to go with the edge banding. Just to satisfy my curiosity, I'll get a sample of cherry and ipe and see how they react to some reasonable kitchen use/abuse.

Paul Ringstrom · Post by **Paul Ringstrom** » Wed Jun 06, 2012 1:42 pm

DRN wrote: Looks like a carefully selected cherry may be the way to go with the edge banding. Just to satisfy my curiosity, I'll get a sample of cherry and ipe and see how they react to some reasonable kitchen use/abuse.

Dan,
You should contact Stafford Norris (not Steve Sykora) regarding the Willey House and the linoleum countertops.

http://www.staffordnorris.com/

SDR · Post by **SDR** » Wed Jun 06, 2012 1:45 pm

There's no doubt that the Ipe will be tougher -- it's very dense and heavy. For indoor use, however, it might be that (aside from the color issue) the cherry would be a better choice, because it will show a tighter (smoother) grain characteristic. Next to maple, cherry might exhibit the best closed-grain surface of any of the species we've discussed so far.

Any wood can be treated with the appropriate filler -- a paste designed to fill the open pores prior to finishing -- to deal with that issue. But I'd be surprised if you will find Ipe of an attractive (redwood-like) hue . . .

SDR