An Old Kitchen Gains a New But Salvaged Countertop

The star of this remodeled kitchen is an island proudly sporting a one-of-a-kind former bowling-alley countertop.  

Kitchen countertops have become the rock-star interior of the modern home, but finding the perfect fit can be more about labor than love. That’s when enlisting a pro can lighten your load and result in a custom countertop that’s both functional and a conversation piece.

Ben Trogdon, AIA, LEED-certified principal of Ben Trogdon Architects (3417 Fremont Ave. N, Suite 220, Seattle; 206.343.9907; bentrogdonarchitects.com), turned a couple’s drab 1960s Ballard kitchen, part of a larger remodel, from an isolated cave, closed off to the living and dining areas, into a bright and inviting space. His signature countertop handsomely ties together the new kitchen’s design and ideally suits his clients’ style.  Passionate salvage fans, they sourced all of their project’s used materials at Seattle Second Use (7953 Second Ave. S, Seattle; 206.763.6929; seconduse.com).Trogdon transformed their find of four 12-foot long slabs of maple bowling lanes ($1,200 materials; $1,500 prep and installation), rescued from Ballard’s doomed Sunset Bowl, into a striking, one-of-a-kind counter.

Repurposed goods “bring intrinsic meaning and visual texture and color into an interior setting,” says Trogdon. Plus, he adds, its nice that a piece of Ballard stayed in Ballard.

Strip work commences on the alley lanes salvaged from Ballard’s Sunset Bowl.