When we went looking for countertop material, we saw a display counter in one of the showrooms of seafoam green and really loved it. Unfortunately, their available slabs were a more yellowish/grayish faded sort of color. Not what we wanted. We searched about 6 other stoneyards and did not like any of the material we saw, so we started looking for alternates. We had decided that we wanted to go with a green material if we could find one we liked. We found some lovely slabs of seafoam at the last place we looked. What almost all of the suppliers told us was that the seafoam green material now coming out of the quarry is not as good as it used to be.

Other materials we looked at were tropical green, rainforest green, minsk green, costa esmerelda, neptune bordeaux (sort of grayish/blue/greenish).

The pictures I found of the Iron green look interesting. You told us what your cabinets and floors are like, but not the style of the cabinets and what type of feel you want your kitchen to have: traditional, modern, cozy, etc? That would help the people here give you suggestions. Pictures of the space would help too.

For the perimiter countertops, you could pick a countertop in a quartz or other material that is light or picks up one of the colors in your island stone. The type of backsplash will really depend on the style of kitchen you want to have.

Good luck with your kitchen project.

Well...thank you for the feedback. You all seem so knowledgeable, and truly... We're totally 'green' on this subject. I know what you mean about the color variations in the Seafoam. So much of what we saw was yellowish or too drab with blackish/gray molting. I tried copying some of the pictures of the Karndean flooring in the autumn Oak, but I could not paste them here. Also tried doing the same with the countertop pictures, but no luck. Even so, what I'm seeing online doesn't show the true colors of this soapstone, serpentine or whatever it is. I just did a red wine test on it, and boy did it stain! I used a baking soda and water slurry and it came out fine.

Look for the thread: "New to Kitchens? Posting Pics?

It should be on the first or second page of threads here. It tells you what you need to do to post pictures to this forum.

Again, knowing the style of cabinets or kitchen you are going for will help everyone give you suggestions. Looking forward to your pictures

We put Malibu Green in our last kitchen (from M. Texiera). It was truly gorgeous and bombproof. I couldn't get it to scratch, chip or stain. Unlike soapstone, oil won't stick to it, and it has a subtle luster similar to honed marble. I was told it was impregnated with a sealer at the factory and like soapstone, it darkened (oxidized?) just a teeny bit in two years' time. You're right, it doesn't photograph well. The subtle beauty that's so rich in person fades in a photo.
We were told the quarry was just about mined out. You're fortunate to have found some.

Hi dcsam,

Here are some ideas of green granites that might appeal
to you. Of course as you have learned it is best to go
in person and find the slab you adore.

I wish I had words of wisdom about the Iron Green/Malibu
Green. I do not know much about this. If the installer
and fabricator come recommended than maybe it could work
for you. I did find this below link that might give
some information about care.

Serpentine Stone Care, Maintenance, Cleaning, Polishing, Sealing

http://www.baneclene.com/articles/serpentine.html

Here are some ideas of the green stones out there.
~boxer

Forest Green Granite

Rainforest green Granite

Verde Maritaka

Verde Tropical

Verde Fontaine

Costa Esmeralda

Moroccan Green

Green Galaxy

Verde Bamboo

Here is a link that might be useful: Any experiences with serpentine on counters?

Great pictures of installed green iron soapstone at www.kdckitchens.com in their kitchen gallery. I have 2 beautiful slabs waiting for my kitchen in a new house build. They have been the inspiration for the kitchen and colors for interior. Hints of things to come: Schuler cabinets, quarter sawn oak, Monroe door, Anne at home Hammersmith hardware rust with verde wash, Rachiele copper sink, Metroflor Hybrid flooring in Dutch Elm and a tile mural by Somi Tileworks. Appliances will be GE induction slide in with chimney style hood, Bosch dishwasher and LG fridge. At the rate things are moving, pictures are months away!

I'm guessing you may have decided on counters by now but wanted to add a vote for the Malibu Green. See the link below for pictures of our kitchen, which was finished just over a year ago. We are neither abusive nor extra careful but they look the same as the first day - no nicks, scratches, etc.

There is no need to treat them as they hold their deep, dark color well and we can put anything directly on them - even a burning tray straight out of the oven. Good luck!

Here is a link that might be useful: Galley Kitchen with Malibu Green Counters