I'm almost finished with a kitchen remodel due to a water leak. I got new cabinets and appliances, the granite was reused. I didn't care whether or not I kept the same backsplash but the insurance said it wasn't necessary to have it replaced. So when they installed my new cabinets, to make them level, they were running higher (above the bottom of the lowest tile) so they took off the lowest row of tile. They explained that once the granite was reinstalled, it wouldn't look right to put something back in that area because you'd see how it runs uphill (or downhill) so we tore off the entire backsplash. I just had the cheap white 3"x6" subway tile from lowes, and I like it so that's what I'm having done again. But I'm soooooo glad that we tore it all out and re-tiling the backsplash. It will look so much better. It's getting done tomorrow. I personally would rather have the backsplash redone than to go with the 3" piece. JMHO BTW the insurance paid for a new backsplash since the granite couldn't be installed exactly where it was before and I got $1100.00 for a $300 backsplash :)

We are currently looking to replace some of our butcher block countertops with soapstone, 5 years after installing the butcher block. We put on a small addition 5 years back and the kitchen was that much more exposed so we had spruced it up as well. Long story short, we put in the butcher block counters b.c we loved the warmth and the lower cost. Now, 5 years later, the areas around the sink drive me crazy!!!!! That being said, we are keeping our peninsula butcher block (love the patina) and replacing the perimeter with soapstone. You could consider doing a combination b.c I really think the two go well together. If you do end up doing wood around the sink, I would recommend using Water Lox to help with the water. No matter how you try and protect it around the sink, the water and butcher block do not mix. And even if you are careful, it is really hard around parties, etc. Btw, with the butcher block, berry stains eventually come out but it takes awhile to get rid of metal rings if you leave a can on it for too long. HTH

The home you're building is beautiful! My soapstone fabricator built custom homes for years before he decided to focus his business on soapstone and wood kitchen surfaces. I chose to go all soapstone in my kitchen, but many of his customers like the mix of stone and wood. I believe his website might have pics of some of the kitchens he's done using both materials. It's thesoapstoneworks.com He mixed stone and wood in a local chef's home which was featured in a regional magazine's Kitchen Issue last spring. I'll see if I still have it.

Our counters are a combination of butcher block and soapstone tiles. I'm short and tend to rub against the counter as I work. I was concerned that a soapstone edge would get dinged and scratched, and very much show it. So we edged the soapstone runs with strips of the butcher block which doesn't show the damage as much and which should be less work to repair. We also inset a few soapstone tiles into the butcher block at the undermounted prep sink so I can put wet or staining things down without concern. We had it done by professionals so I don't know how stuff was mounted.