Blackened Steel Panels.

The front of the counter entailed blackened 16 gauge mild steel sheets, fastened in a sort-of rivet style. Again, this is the EPI Insta-Blak chemical process (the same as the communal tables). After a bit of aging, a coat of lacquer will go on top, to stop the oxidizing.

Blackened steel sheets.

Also, under the register area, I had additional retail shelves bent from 24 gauge mild steel sheet (thicker to be more rigid and hold their shape). I had them bent by my friends at American Circle, mainly a custom kitchen supply shop, in Williamsburg.

Retail shelves.

The final product.

Cabinet Doors.

Ah, I skipped a step. So sue me.

The cabinet doors, made early in the renovation, were finally installed just after the countertops went in. A hand letterer, Khara, was brought in to make the menu come alive on these doors. Comment on this post if you'd like to hire Khara.

Here's a before and after look at the cabinet doors.

Obviously, before on the left, after on the right.

Paint Job!

The light grey tones we chose really open the small space up, look much cleaner and more modern. Thank god for this paint job! Enough said.

Josh, looking handsome next to that grey.

A much cleaner color.

Leaving Joe at 7am. I. Slept. For. Days.

Countertops

Butcher block countertops went in the week after Christmas. With a small crew of guys, we were able to install everything (and remove everything else) in two days.

Thanks to those guys.

Standing Bar

Sorry about the time lapse between posting. I've been... *ahem*... WORKING.

That said, the standing bar is installed. This entailed burnt poplar, 60" in length and a reclaimed steel gate post. I bought the post from a salvage yard near the Gowanus Canal. If you're into searching around and refurbishing pieces yourself, this is your spot.

The standing bar is meant to be walked up to, drink your coffee and go. It's not really a lingering spot. It's situated next to two windows- meaning it's the optimal people watching spot.

Here's a quick photo of the standing bar. A quality photo will be up soon.

Table Install

Now that the two pieces of the table were complete, I could finish the pieces and install in the shop.

Finishing the table frames entailed a chemical process with EPI Solutions Insta-Blak and waxing with butcher's wax. The tabletops needed plenty of sanding and waxing with two types of wax.

Here's some photos from the install:

Note the before and after tabletops.

Tabletops

Before the frames were made, Don, a carpenter based in Franklin Lakes, NJ and I got together and built the tabletops and bench seats. I chose roasted poplar because of it's color and workability. It's a really soft wood, so it's really easy to work with.

Raw lumber

Don, planing

All glued up.

Raw tabletops.