How To Make a Rooftop Cutting Board
Inspired by Danish rooftops, Ferm Living has turned useful kitchen accessories into design-worthy décor. After coveting these, along with Susanna Vento’s self-made cutting boards, I decided it was absolutely necessary that I made one of my own. Here’s how to make your own rooftop cutting board…
Upon research I found that maple and ash hardwood has a nice tight grain — suitable for daily use. Oak, on the other hand, is a little more porous and can be used for cutting vegetables or as a serving tray. I ended up finding a scrap piece of butcher block, which was the perfect size for my cutting board project.
What You Need
Materials:
- Untreated hardwood
- Mineral oil or butcher-block oil
Tools:
- Circular saw (and safety glasses)
- Ruler
- Pencil
- Mouse sander
- 80 grit and 120 grit sand paper (mouse refill)
- Rag
Instructions:
1. Using your ruler, start by drawing your design. If you’re recreating the rooftop design, make sure you have a symmetrical shape so you don’t end up with a lopsided house like I did.
2. Put on your safety glasses and carefully cut out your design. Keep a steady hand and slowly move forward releasing the saw only when the blade has gone entirely through. I ended up making only four cuts for my design.
3. To round off the edges, use the 80 grit sand paper and sanding mouse. Sand in slow-even repetitive strokes. To get rid of any imperfections sand the flat surface of the cutting board. Flip it over and repeat. After you’ve decided that the edges are round enough, use the 130 grit sand paper to get a super smooth and soft finish.
4. Now wipe off any dust. Using a clean cloth, apply a liberal amount of mineral oil, while rubbing in the direction of the wood grain. Let saturate for 15-30 mins (depending on label instructions) then wipe off any access oil. Repeat 2- 3 times until your board stops absorbing the oil.
There you have it — a pretty little cutting board ready to be displayed on your countertops and used daily!
