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A bookmatched countertop joins two slabs cut one after the other from the same log. The slabs open like the pages of a book, so the grain mirrors across the center seam. Our Artisan Series comes in two versions: live edge, with the tree's natural edge on both long sides, and slab, with straight edges. We build each top from our own live edge inventory, most often in black walnut or figured maple. Each top is quoted to your project and handcrafted in Middlefield, Ohio.
- Construction: two sequential slabs from the same log, bookmatched and glued at the center seam
- Versions: live edge, with the natural edge on both long sides, or slab, with straight edges and an edge profile you choose
- Woods: black walnut and figured maple, with nearly any species on request
- Size: up to 140" long and 50" deep, depending on the slab pair
- Thickness: 1-1/2" to 2"
- Epoxy: knots, cracks and voids filled with structural epoxy, in black or another color
- Finish: high-performance acrylic polyurethane
- Formaldehyde-free: every top, like everything we make
- Lead time: 8 weeks or more for design and build
- Your slabs: see photos of your actual slab pair before you approve your quote
- Pricing: custom quote; call 1-800-798-1269 or request a quote
What is a bookmatched live edge countertop?
Bookmatching starts at the sawmill. A log is sawn into slabs one after another, so neighboring slabs share nearly the same grain, knots and figure. We take two of those slabs, open them like a book and join them down the middle. The grain on one side mirrors the other, so the pattern flows out evenly from the seam.
Live edge means the outer edges keep the natural shape of the tree, with the bark removed and the edge smoothed by hand. Our live edge version keeps that natural edge on both long sides. Our slab version is cut straight on every side and finished with the edge profile you choose, for a more tailored look. Want something in between, such as a live edge on the front and a straight edge against the wall? Ask our production team about a custom design.
Bookmatched countertops are rare because they need two slabs cut in sequence from the same log, both large enough for your project. We keep a large inventory of live edge slabs, so we can look for a matched pair that fits your space.
Is a bookmatched slab right for your project?
- Best for: statement kitchen islands, dining tables, executive desks and other surfaces where the grain is the centerpiece.
- Plan for: a one-of-a-kind look. Knots, cracks and color changes are part of the character. The photos on this page show examples, and you'll see photos of your own slabs before you approve your quote.
- Plan for: a longer timeline. Design and build take 8 weeks or more, compared with 2 to 3 weeks for our made-to-order butcher block.
- Plan for: sizes set by the slabs. Tops run up to 140" long and 50" deep, and the width of each pair sets how deep your top can be.
- Plan for: a cutting board. The acrylic polyurethane finish is hard-wearing, but knives will mark it.
Want full-width grain in sizes you can configure online? Our wide plank countertops ship in 2 to 3 weeks.
How to order a bookmatched countertop
Every Artisan Series top is built to a custom quote, so there's no add-to-cart button. Here's how it works.
- Tell us about your project. Call 1-800-798-1269 or request a quote. Share how you'll use the top, the rough size, and the wood and look you have in mind.
- Plan it with our production team. We'll go over size, live edge or slab edges, epoxy color, support and options such as Inset Stretcher Bars.
- We select your slabs. Our team picks a sequential pair from our live edge inventory to match your size and look. You'll see photos of the actual slabs.
- Approve your quote. Your quote covers the slabs, the build, the finish and any options. We start building once you approve it.
- We build and ship your top. Allow 8 weeks or more for the whole design and build process. Your top ships by freight from Middlefield, Ohio.
How we build it
We joint the inside edges of the two slabs straight and glue them together at the center seam. Knots, cracks and voids are filled with pigmented structural epoxy, in black or another color, to stabilize them. Then we flatten and sand the whole top and finish it with high-performance acrylic polyurethane. On live edge tops, the outer edges are de-barked and smoothed by hand. On slab tops, we cut them straight and shape the edge profile you choose.
For tops 32" deep or more, we offer Inset Stretcher Bars. They're an extra-cost option that helps control warping and seasonal movement.
Our Middlefield, Ohio, shop sits in the heart of one of the state's largest Amish communities. Every top we build reflects the skilled craftsmanship of our local Amish workforce. Hardwood Lumber Company has built hardwood products here since 1958. Read our story.
Choosing a wood
- Black walnut: deep chocolate-brown heartwood, often with lighter sapwood near the edges and dramatic swirls around knots.
- Figured maple: a pale, creamy wood with rippling figure that seems to shift in the light.
- Other species: we can source nearly any species for your project. Browse our live edge slabs to see the woods and sizes we carry.
Every slab pair is unique, so your grain, knots and color will differ from the examples shown here. Compare species in our wood information guide.
How it compares
Wide plank and edge grain tops are configured and ordered online. A bookmatched top is planned with you, one slab pair at a time.
| Bookmatched | Wide plank | Edge grain | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Look | Two matching slabs with mirror-image grain | Full-width planks showing the face grain | Long, narrow strips in even stripes |
| Edges | Live edge on both long sides, or straight with a profile you choose | 29 edge profiles | 29 edge profiles |
| Thickness | 1-1/2" to 2" | 1" to 1-3/4" | 1" to 4-1/2" |
| Largest size | 140" × 50", set by the slab pair | 84" deep; length varies by species | 84" deep; length varies by species |
| Woods | Walnut and figured maple, more on request | 31 species and grades | 32 species and grades |
| How you order | Consultation and custom quote | Configure online | Configure online |
| Lead time | 8 weeks or more | 2 to 3 weeks | 2 to 3 weeks |
Delivery, warranty and care
Artisan Series tops ship on a pallet by freight from Middlefield, Ohio, with liftgate or white-glove delivery available. Shipping cost depends on the final size of your top. Because each top is built from a matched pair for your project, it can't be returned once production starts. See shipping and returns for details.
Each top carries a one-year warranty against defects in materials and workmanship. Install it within one week of delivery, following our installation, care and maintenance guide. For a dining table or desk, pair your top with one of our custom metal table bases.
Looking for ideas? Browse our countertop photo gallery and customer gallery, or contact us with questions.
Frequently asked questions
What is a bookmatched countertop?
It's a top made from two slabs cut one after the other from the same log. The slabs open like a book and join at the center, so the grain on one side mirrors the other.
What's the difference between the live edge and slab versions?
The live edge version keeps the tree's natural edge on both long sides. The slab version is cut straight on every side and finished with an edge profile you choose. Both start as a bookmatched pair from our live edge inventory. Ask about other designs, such as a live edge on one side only.
How much does a bookmatched live edge countertop cost?
Every Artisan Series top is custom quoted, because no two slab pairs are alike. The price depends on the wood, the size of the slab pair, the figure and epoxy work, and the options you choose. Call 1-800-798-1269 or request a quote for yours.
Can I choose my own slabs?
Our production team selects a sequential pair from our live edge inventory to match the size and look you want. You'll see photos of the actual slabs before you approve your quote. Tell us what you're after, from calm, even grain to plenty of knots and figure, and we'll look for a pair that fits.
How long does a bookmatched countertop take?
Allow 8 weeks or more for the whole design and build process. Need a top sooner? Our made-to-order butcher block ships in 2 to 3 weeks, and In Stock tops ship the next business day.
Why is there epoxy in the wood?
Knots, cracks and voids are a natural part of a live edge slab. We fill them with pigmented structural epoxy, which stabilizes the wood and leaves a smooth, level surface. Choose black, as shown in our photos, or another color.
Can I use it for a kitchen island or dining table?
Yes. Bookmatched slabs make statement kitchen islands, dining tables and executive desks. For a table or desk, pair yours with one of our custom metal table bases. Use a cutting board for chopping, since knives will mark the acrylic polyurethane finish.
How do I care for a bookmatched slab countertop?
Dust with a soft cloth, wiping with the grain, and use a mild wood-safe cleaner sparingly. Use coasters, placemats and trivets, and keep the top out of direct sun, temperature extremes and big swings in humidity. Our care guide has more tips.
Are your countertops formaldehyde-free?
Yes. Every countertop we make is formaldehyde-free, including our Artisan Series tops. Each one is built from solid hardwood in our Middlefield, Ohio, shop, with no laminate or veneer.