I'm a little confused...I think you're trying to adjust things to meet the KD's advice? What is her idea about "offsetting the drama of the fireplace?" Remember that while she MAY know more about design (depending on her experience and training...Some have very little), it's your kitchen, and she won't be the one living there.

It doesn't sound like Option 2 goes with your vision for the kitchen at all, from the whole plan you described. I think the soapstone will look great with the white Shaker and the stainless...and the green. I think the espresso island would be too much to add to an otherwise clean scheme, and I certainly wouldn't like it with white dishwashers.

I also don't think the flooring has to be any darker than you are comfortable with. The wood will add enough interest, texture, and color without having to be something you'll always think is too dark.

What style, material, and color is your fireplace? Can you post any photos and your layout?

Hey neeter check out blackeyedpeas kitchen. I think she was going for a more modern look too.

Here is the link if I can do it correctly: http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/kitchbath/msg0308091425554.html

Or just do a search on her name.

I'll see if my wife has some pics of any more modern kitchens that match your discription for you as well, her computer has most of our pictures.

Joshua

I used to think soapstone looked best in a "classic" kitchen, because I wasn't sure the (someday) rustic, scuffed counter would go with a contemporary look (which in my mind conjures up images of sleekness and shininess). I'm still now sure how sopastone would look with that kind of kitchen, but yours doesn't sound that way. Also, after having soapstone, I immediately learned that one of the great joys of the soft stone is that it can be easily sanded to look as pristine as the day it was installed. So, it can look 100 years old, or 1 day old, or anywhere in between! It won't ever be shiny, but it needn't be overly rustic and scuffed if you are willing to do the work (minimal, in my opinion, but I do have a tiny kitchen) to keep it scratch-free.

If you are a tactile person, well, there is no substitute to soapstone! I stroke mine all day long!

Check out the Vermont Soapstone site. They have soapstone in a variety of kitchens, and some fun new graphics.

Francy

neeter... have you thought about refacing the brick with perhaps a glass field tile that would match your backsplash or even tie those colors in with some black accents to pull the soapstone in? Then... if you desire not to design around the brick you can. Of course.. brick is so beautiful and very universal... so you can make it work either way.

BTW... As much as my plans keep changing... and trust me, I've gone full circle; I know that. I will have at least some soapstone in my new kitchen. The weirdest thing is... I am going transitional/contemporary and personally, don't favor really dark countertops. HOWEVER.... I absolutely love the feel and notion of soapstone; so I'm somehow going to work it in. I'm in the minority I think. I like my samples best when there is only the slightest hint of oiling and the stone has lightened where you can see crystal like inclusions. I almost wish there was something just like soapstone in softer shades but with the same matte finish, soft natural feel, and impervious and restorable! Good luck!

Remodelfla, we seem to be of the same mind. I really don't like dark countertops (I wanted white coutertops originally... until I saw the pictures on this forum and remembered that I do like the feel of Soapstone). Soapstone just seem to call out to us... I love the feel of it and matt finish. I've gone round and round with my design and now it's crunch time... I have to make some decisions.

I'll try to post some pictures but not sure how to post the layout. I'll see what I can do. The fireplace is red brick. Don't get me wrong... my KD has been dead on about everything so far. She's great! But there are so many options out there. I've been reading the threads on this forum and you guys are so creative and helpful.

You're right about just going with what we like. We don't really care too much about resale since we plan on being here for the long run. My DH and I care more about function than anything else... but at the same time, we want it to look nice.

Thanks for the responses. It makes me feel better about just going with what we like and make it work.

I don't think there's any problem with putting soapstone in a modern kitchen. I am linking to Raynag's kitchen where she is doing slab contemporary doors and just had her soapstone installed.

I would suggest that you make sure your door hardware is on the more modern side, if that is the look you're going for. White shaker doors and soapstone do read "vintage" to me, but I think with stainless counters, green mosaic backsplash and the right hardware, it can look modern.

Here is a link that might be useful: Raynag's Modern Soapstone Kitchen

Actually, I think soapstone with a "chiseled" type edge and the slabs already "pre-patinated" with lots of chips and dings could be the the rustic juxtaposition to all of the sleek and shiny elements in a spectacular modern kitchen. You know, like the modern living room with the ebony floors and white leather couches and white walls, but on the wall is some really weather damaged wood and rusted iron "artifact". It's the contrast between the two that intensifies the other. I think the look would be easier to pull off with slab doors than shaker, because as others have said, shaker and soapstone reads more vintage, but accentuating the modern with really modern bar pulls or something else with some "wow" factor would work also. You might also consider finishing the cabinets with a white laquer finish rather than the semi gloss type paint which reads more traditional.

Thanks, Malhgold. Here are a couple more pix of the modern (unfinished) kitchen with soapstone. Florida Joshua, I remember quite a while ago that you had mentioned I should send pix of a modern soapstone kitchen. Will be happy to do so when it is done.

Tomorrow, we head to IKEA and hope they will not be out of stock in the handles we want/sizes we need. Monday, the electricians and then, of course, we need to get the tile for the backsplash. Another post.

A friend of mine did a very modern kitchen in her NY apt, with white cabinets and marble-- it is just stunning, and she decided that sealing it every 6 months was worth it to her-- certainly it is very modern, and the stone grounds it and warms it up from being, in my opinion Too Sleek.
Personally, I'm in the planning stages of a new very modern kitchen for an old victorian and soapstone is my first priority-- and we have a brick chimney for a woodstove in there!

live wire - you have just described the EXACT look I am going for in my kitchen. That perfect blend of modern and rustic. I'm calling in industrial eclectic chic. Any other descriptive words or assistance to the modern/soapstone look would be greatly appreciated. Sounds like that might be what the OP is looking for as well.

neeter3148 - BTW we also have a full wall 8'X13' brown brick fireplace that will be in the dining area which is open to the kitchen. I'm also considering stainless counters and as live wire mentioned, have/am considered/considering white glossy slab doors mixed in with some rustic wood doors.

Thanks everyone... I'm glad to hear that I'm not totally off esthetically.

Malhgold, I thought our fireplace at 8'X11.5' was massive (red brick)... but yours beat ours. I think that is pretty much I am going for... rustic+modern.

Thanks for the support.
-Anita