it would be very helpful to see photos of your current kitchen. what color are your counters now? how much light do you get?
I don't own soapstone, so these questions might be off but are you ok with oiling your soapstone and the softness of it? are you okay with a patina look to it?

We have a 2" backsplash on our granite and I like it for the practicality of it. I don't mind the look either. we were going to get a 4" one but our outlets ended up being too low. We're going to install a painted beadboard backsplash.

Have you seen the finished kitchens blog? (link below)
look at pictures with natural oak floors, white cabinets and dark counters and see if you like darker hardware or lighter hardware. I think it's a pretty presonal choice.

What kind of backsplash to you have now or would you add?

Here is a link that might be useful: FKB

Welcome!

So, are you a patina person? Really and truly? Some soapstones are harder than others, but pretty much all of them will scratch and get dinged over time. The question isn't whether your soapstone will show signs of wear, but how will you react to it.

Do you react calmly when the dog's nails scratch the wood floor, repeatedly? Do you continue to wear your favorite sweater long after holes appear in the elbows? Do you like wrinkles on faces for the history of emotion and experience they suggest? Are you ok with wrinkles not just in theory on other people's faces but when they appear on your own, too?

Well, you get the idea. Get some samples to test.

If you decide you want granite, you might want to look into honed Jet Mist/Virginia Mist.

A backsplash (or not) of the counter material is really a matter of choice. Some people feel they've been done to death. We used 3" backsplashes and sidesplashes all around because we had one area where a gap needed to be covered. We have just paint above, but if we had been planning tile instead I might have tried to fix the wall so that the tile could come down to the counter. It all depends on your design and preferences.

I hope this picture posts. Here is a pic of my mid-90s kitchen. My DH has installed the DW here. New DH has bumped the microwave cabinet up 3 inches and out 2 inches, and installed stainless microwave (not in pic). Pretty cool!

We're going to also take the crook out of the bar when we have floors redone, and make it straight. Also, hoping to add trim, etc. to it.

As much as I love soastone, I do think excessive scratches would bug me. Can someone convince me they're not that bad. Or any suggestions on alternatives?

Also, I did think of another question. I think I want to redo my 90s backsplash with subway tiles. Where is best place to purchase, what color tiles, and what color grout???? Any suggestions from someone who has used subway tiles?

Thank again!

Can you post a bigger picture? It's tough to tell with such a tiny picture...try for one around 300 to 400 in each direction (the one you posted is 160x120).

Your kitchen looks cute but I need a magnify glass to see it.
; )

Subway tiles can be purchased at a Lowes, HD or any tile
shop. If there is something more specific you want you can
even order on line but shipping is usually pricey.
I would not do a 4 inch backsplash. If you get a chance
look at all the magazines, FKB images and even other
posts on GW to see what you would prefer. I personally do
not like the 4 inch BS that matches the counter. I think it
takes away from the clean lines of the counter and Subway
backsplash. jmho.

Soapstone????
I love the look and feel of SS but my DH was not willing
to deal with the patina, the little scratches that can be
sanded and the oiling. We went with Virginia Jet Mist which
is a dark gray graphite colored granite with white swirls
that mimics the look of soapstone but is harder. Thousands
who have never had SS find this is the best counter top
and would never go back. I urge you to visit each in
person to see what you like.

Adding molding and changing your island is a great idea.
Will your island be counter top height or bar height?
I bet you might prefer the use of one height. And the
moulding on the tops of your cabinetry? What kind and
how high are your ceiling?

Looking foward to seeing your transformation. Oh and
can't wait to see your before pic bigger to play with.
Welcome to GW.
~boxer

And here are some links below about soapstone.

Does anyone regret their Soapstone? A past garden web post.
You may have read what Polly had to say.
http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/kitchbath/msg0119205026446.html

Another GW Does anyone regret their soapstone? from 2008
http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/kitchbath/msg1120201711501.html

Introducing a soapstone alternative by Niffy from GW
http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/kitchbath/msg112348258473.html

Issues with a black granite.
http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/kitchbath/msg0615240726122.html

Here is a link that might be useful: If you don't oil your soapstone...

Thanks for your insights boxerpups! I reposted some pics, just click on them and see if they work.
The ceilings are 9 ft. and the bar is counter height. We thought we'd put moldings on face and end panels of the bar, and maybe baseboard.

Thanks for suggestions on virginia jet mist granite. I'm definitely going to check that out. Sounds like what I need. I'm still not sure about the backsplash. I'll check out my many, many magazine pics. Sometimes you focus on one aspect of the picture, and totally overlook others. I need to focus on backsplashes!

So what do you think about hardware, or should I keep these brass beauties??

Hi Lakegirl,

The pictures are having some issues.
Did you take them with a cell phone? You might want to
take new ones or upload with a higher pixi.

Meanwhile let me try to answer some questions...

Hardware:
Brass is back. This does not mean you have to keep it but
Brass is making a big come back. I like nickel with white
and changed my own to the silvery look. There are many
styles, materials and options. Keep an eye out for what you
love.

Backsplash:
Think about budget. Subway is very popular right now. Maybe
you might want to keep it. Ot if you are certain you want
a change there are shapes, colors, materials that can vary
in style or price.

Backsplash for a white kitchen

Horizontal tiles

Nordic Tile

Cornerstone Custom Homes

Urban Victorian Kitchen

Subway

Kitchen Clarity blog

dichroic glass

Moulding...Check out the links from past GW posts. This
might give you some ideas.
~boxer

Here is a link that might be useful: Moulding on islands