They said my counter is their smallest job in 3 years!

16 years ago

How emasculating!

The truck arrived with my soapstone. I ran out to greet it. I saw a few teeny pieces of stone on the truck. *gulp*

I didn't realize how small my counters are. No wonder I have a hard time with food prep. But I guess it is a good thing that our space is so small. If it were bigger, we couldn't have afforded the soapstone!!

I asked what the square footage is. The guy said it might be more accurate to measure in sq inches! Ha. Ha. Ha.

So I have the distinction of being their smallest job in 3 years! I told them I'll also be their pickiest!! So look out! The "eagle eye" is open, and watching...

Here's the truck:

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Comments (23)

polly929
16 years ago
Funny Francy!
Did you tell them its not size that matters? Its quality!
Your kitchen will be so cute when its done- and just think of how many steps all those people with the BIG kitchens have to walk when they are cooking. There are some pros to a small kitchen!
antiquesilver
16 years ago
My counters tops may be even smaller than yours - I told everyone I preferred quality over quantity. And then they realized how picky I was!
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Funny that you guys started to discuss this just when I am about to start this same project myself. Here are my findings. First off, if you plan of putting a counter on top of the new 3.8 cu ft FL, good luck, and have your pocket book ready. You see, the deepest "standard" counters are those for kitchens, at 25 1/8". Assuming that one leaves around 5" of clearance behind those newer FL machines for vents, air circulation, heat, etc, then you are looking at about 30"-35" of depth, depending on how flush you want the counter to come to the front of the machine. Having said that, there are 3 prices for laminate counters in the stores (like Home Depot). The counters you see in the store in stock are the cheapest, and will cost around $10 li ft. If you need to pick a finish that matches say the sink counter top in your bathroom where the machines are also located, then that is considered a custom order, even if it is a standard depth. This will easily double the price to $20 li ft. Now if you want to order a non-standard depth so that it goes from the back of the wall to the front of your new FL, then you are looking at $35-$50 li ft, depending on type of finish like rounded vs sqaure front edge, back ledge or no ledge, etc... Keep this in mind when shopping for a counter top. I would like my counter to cover the machines completely, so I might have to bite the bullet and order the more expensive counter top.... Again, I am talking about a laminate counter top, no fancy materials here.... I am from Canada, and here is what the local Home Depot quoted me in Canadian dollars for the 3 options.. 1) In-Store counter (limited finishes) 25 1/8" (standard depth) X 6 feet = $68 CAD Custom order counter (you choose the finish) 25 1/8" (standard depth) X 6 feet = $132 - $150 CAD 30 Csutom order counter (you choose the finish) 30-35" (non standard depth) X 6 feet = $222 CAD I believe the last option of non-standard depth only allows for a square front edge finish. If you want a rounder edge in front, like that found on your kitchen counter, the price jumps to $500 CAD, since the guy said that they have to charge for a full 4X8 sheet, and then cut the custom size from there, in order to get the rounded front edge... One other option you can do, which my brother did very nicely is lay down 2 sheets of plywood (for extra thickness), and tile the top and sides, looks really nice, but is a lot more work...
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cburch
16 years ago
It was the same way when my granite was installed. I was almost embarassed when I saw what else was on their truck to be installed that day.

Christy
caroline94535
16 years ago
Your soapstone is gorgeous...and the delivery men are easy on the eyes, too! LOL
Fori
16 years ago
Are you sure they didn't say it was the smallest job that TOOK three years?

:)
flatcoat2004
16 years ago
Whee ! How freaking exciting ?!?!?

Hey did you use M Tex ? I am in SF and thinking hard about soapstone (love it and hope the budget will allow it when the time comes). I went down to the MTex "showroom" on 18th st a couple times over the holidays, and it was very closed, with no holiday notice or anything.

What has your experience with them been like ?
bayareafrancy
Original Author
16 years ago
Fori: HEEEE! Hilarious!! I was wondering about you--haven't seen you lately...

Flatcoat: I got my slab from M. Tex, b/c they had the best selection, and they had the particular variety I wanted. I chose to go elsewhere for the installation, however. I just wasn't "wowed" by the seams that i saw in their showroom, and likewise wasn't wowed by seams that I've seen online in photos. So, a company in Emeryville--Creative Stoneworks--was highly reccommended to me. They have been very good to deal with. And the cutting of my wonky shaped counter is excellent. I'll have one teeny seam--we'll see in a little while how it looks. But overall, I just had more confidence in them. Well, that, plus I didn't have to cross a big toll bridge to keep visiting them!

:-)

Francy
bayareafrancy
Original Author
16 years ago
Ok Flatcoat:

Here's the seam. I think it looks great! Only the "kitchen-obsessed" types would ever notice it. Basically invisible.
mindstorm
16 years ago
Ummm darling, a blind man could see that thing! ;-)

Cool faucet! What is it? Is it on an outside wall? Only you California coast people can do that. Out here in the NE, you put plumbing in the walls at your own peril. :-(

I know you said your counters were small but surely they're not just *that* small! Hope you add more pictures soon even before oiling - that stone looks lovely unoiled.
mindstorm
16 years ago
that should have been: "in the NE, you put plumbing in your OUTSIDE walls at your own peril".
sjerin
16 years ago
More pictures, please!! How exciting for you, Francy.
sarschlos_remodeler
16 years ago
I love it! Your kitchen is really coming along. Oh, and your "backsplash" is fabulous, too. is that in the works, or are you going to live with the 3X5 card backsplash as long as the flying dishwasher? :-)
coleen3201118
16 years ago
Gorgeous! Have you oiled yet?
sweeby
16 years ago
Did you tell them it's not the size that matters -- it's how hard it is? ;-)

We're talking about soapstone Ladies!
vwhippiechick
16 years ago
Oh, Francy, It's going to look fabulous. I can't wait to see it oiled!!
flatcoat2004
16 years ago
Oil it
Oil it
Oil it

...

Then post pics !
polly929
16 years ago
Sweeby- I'm now getting my mind out of the gutter LOL

Francy- where's the finished product??
I think I've gone from TKO to TGWO (totally garden web obsessed) I love seeing everyones pics :)
bayareafrancy
Original Author
16 years ago
Sweeby: I didn't think of that comeback, but when they started to caulk the edges, I did make point of telling them, "I'm very picky about caulk. Which one of you guys is better with the caulk?"

I'm gonna post a gazillion photos in a new thread...
Off to start uploading...

:-)

Francy
kitchenkelly
16 years ago
I like the backsplash but am concerned about water stains ;-)

Congrats on the countertops!
cat_mom
16 years ago
I vote for quality, not quantity, too!!! :-)
rmkitchen
16 years ago
Oh Francy!

I was away for a bit but searched for you because I was really curious what has been happening with your delightful kitchen. WOW! The dishwasher panel is in and now your countertop -- now that's what I call a great way to start the New Year!
bayareafrancy
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks everyone! :-)

Mindstorm: the faucet is by Chicago Faucets. It is a pretty good reproduction of a leaky one that I have in my basement.

I'm really loving the paper backsplash! Thanks to Decodilly who gave me the idea for it. Now, it isn't washable, but it is easily fixable: just stick on a new index card. From a distance, it actually looks kinda nice! I'm almost ready to order the real tiles. I just have to decide if I want an in-wall sponge holder (b/c that determines which company I order from. One makes it, and one doesn't. Details, details, details!)

Francy
polie
16 years ago
If you lived in New York City, those wouldn't be small countertops at all.

They said my counter is their smallest job in 3 years!

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