When I updated my 70's kitchen that had already been updated in the  90's (home depot vanilla all the way)  I didn't have the option of a restoration so I strived for a modern update with definite Brady Bunch influences.

If you are interested in more of the details, check out this post here.  

I purchased my piece of butcher block for the island on Amazon.com which was so easy peasy.

Butcher block has a minimal amount of maintenance, really it's so easy.   About every 3-4 months I clear off the island just before bedtime, then I spread a generous coat of mineral oil.  

You can purchase mineral oil in the constipation section of your local drug store :->

I let it sit overnite and then it's ready to go the next morning.  This necessary maintenance is really so easy and just adds to the patina.  It only gets better with every oiling.