Your new home and kitchen sound wonderful already! When you say that you've looked for farmhouse-type kitchens, do you mean that you've searched on the Funished Kitchen Blog? Here's the link, in case you need it:
"FINISHED KITCHEN BLOG"

That is a beautiful house, very distinctive.

You can and should do what you like. But since you asked, despite the description, I don't think quintessential farm house, it has much more current styling.

The soapstone/white cabinet/wood floor kitchens are beautiful, but I think that you have a special opportunity to do something that is as distinctive as the exterior ~a bit unfitted, but not rustic.

Have you checked out the kitchens in the gallery? Oceana posted TONS of inspiration over there. It is a great place to start.

I have been looking on the FKB --wow, is that a wonderful resource!

Paint chips--that is how I've been feeling about the kitchen--that it needed to be distinctive and interesting like the exterior. But, what would that be, exactly? See, this is where I struggle. Unless, I see that something, I am at a loss. I do not have the ability to come up with it in my head. Oh, and you are right. It's definitely more of a modern farmhouse look--if there is such a thing!

So if anyone wants to throw out specific ideas or pictures, I would love it.

I'll start looking in the gallery section now.

Thanks!

Hi marmoreus,

We finished building about a year ago and I understand how overwhelming it is with all the decisions. I found this blog about half way through and probably would have done things a little differently if I'd found it first. The FKB is awesome. I, too, love the look of hardwoord floors and white cabinets in the kitchen. I chose stainless appliances and stainless faucets but I used orb and black for the lighting fixtures. A good look with the hardwood and white is soapstone counters. I actually went with ubatuba granite just because I know soapstone chips and gets a "patina" and that would probably have freaked me out. I do love the look though. A similar look is a granite that's not polished. I think that gives a sort of farmhouse look also and sometimes I wish I'd tried that. I like bringing in natural materials, too. I used brick for the back of the bar because the room has a big corner brick fireplace at the other end. Some go with stone in the kitchen and that's a great look. Have fun, realize it will never be perfect, but it'll be the kitchen and home that YOU built and you'll be so proud. Keep us updated and good luck!

Here's my kitchen before we moved in. There's more pics in the FKB of mine also if interested.

Thanks for your post and pic, Mimi. Your kitchen is lovely. I really am liking the look of soapstone but like you, am a bit leary of how it will "wear and tear." It seems like everyone that has soapstone hasn't had it for very long. I would love to see a soapstone counter that has been around for years. I am also liking the honed granite and quartz countertops I am seeing. I guess I'm not a shiny kind of gal!

I really like the brick on your bar. Actually, the idea home I linked to had brick above the stove and on the back of the bar, as well, and I filed that away as something I liked. So is that the "thin brick" stuff or how does that work?

This website for me is a blessing and a curse. Don't get me wrong, I am so glad I found it and it has been tremendously helpful. The only problem is that I already research things to death and this forum really enables that tendency!

I think the white cabinets with honed black granite or matte quartz countertops would be better than soapstone.

I shouldn't say "better" but from what I've read soapstone is difficult to keep at a dark black color - it tends to lighten up in areas and the process of oiling it can be a maintenance nightmare. It seems the people who love their soapstone are also the ones who don't mind the variations in color, minor scratches etc. They love the feel of soapstone and like the patina of letting it just go. The ones who struggle with soapstone are those who want a consistent dark color, and are frustrated with the oiling process.

I know I would be one who would be constantly messing with my soapstone, so I would chose a honed granite. I love the smoothness of the honed granite and it just seems it would give you the same matte look and feel of soapstone without the maintenance issues.

Just my two cents!

marmoreus...My brick is actual brick, not the thin kind. It's what we used on the fireplace as well as on the outside of the house. The bar was the builder's idea and I love it, no need to worry about shoes scuffing it up.

And "honed" was the word I couldn't think of when I suggested granite that's not polished. I think honed gives a farmhouse look and although I do love my ubatuba, I think honed would be a great look with white cabs and hardwood floors if you're afraid of the soapstone. It's one thing I might do differently if I had it to do again, but so many decisions had my head spinning and so many decisions aren't right or wrong, you just have to decide from many great options.

Thanks for your opinion, caroleoh. Who knew picking countertops could be such a gut-wrenching decision!

Thanks for your reply as well, mimi. That is a good point about not having to worry about the brick getting scuffed up. I'll have three little ones swinging their feet at our bar.