Help with countertop decision - soapstone vs. butcher block

14 years ago

I would appreciate your help and insight as I make a decision about countertop materials.

Here is my kitchen:

Last summer I had trim added to the perimeter cabinets, had those cabinets, walls and ceiling painted, added a light fixture over the kitchen table and had some other electrical work done, and had a new hood installed.

The island top will be soapstone, apron sink, etc. I am considering painting it a gray/sage green (it has not been repainted yet - I have the paint but not the courage!).

Where the refrigerator and microwave are will be floor-to-ceiling built-in cabinets (from door frame to door frame) housing both of these things plus storage (maybe a second oven instead). This would be painted white.

On the other side of the room on the wall across from the range (beyond right side of photo) there is a bookshelf/basket cubby thing on the side of the kitchen that I built with unfinished bookcases and MDF. It is painted white, and will have an IKEA butcher block top.

The backsplash behind the range will be white subway tile. Appliances will be replaced as they die with stainless steel. This is an old farmhouse, built around 1880. We are a family of 4 with two little boys under 6.

It's the tops on either side of the range that I can't make a decision about. Either soapstone or butcher block. Here are some of my pros and cons:

*Soapstone costs about 10 times what IKEA butcher block would cost - is it worth it to put that much money into a countertop for old cabinets? (DH says SS could probably be reused if we ever replace those cabinets, which is probably true.)

*Worries about durability of butcher block in these areas (heat resistance, etc.) - soapstone would solve these problems

Butcher block is so cheap that I could do it first and live with it for a while and if I hate it, replace it later, and I wouldn't feel like I was out a lot of money. This is how I am leaning based on the beautiful BB countertops I've seen here, but I am wondering if I will regret that.

Any thoughts? (Or other suggestions - not countertop related - are also welcomed too...)

Thanks so much!

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Comments (2)

rookie_2010
14 years ago
Hi Latimore,
I my opinion, I think the way you're already leaning, (toward the BB on either side of the range) sounds like the way to go. And like you said, if you hate it in a few years, you won't feel awful about replacing it. I'm fairly sure if you remember to switch on your vent every time you're boiling something, you won't have a moisture problem. And you can always treat the BB on a fairly regular basis. Great luck, it's going to be beautiful! I love butcher block, soapstone and white cabinets!
kdlarue
14 years ago
Hi Latimore,

We are actually in the process of replacing our BB with soapstone on our perimeter cabinets b.c the areas around the sink were too challenging to maintain. We are keeping our BB on our peninsula. It is John Boo's and we have been maintaining it with mineral oil. I think that BB and SS go really well together. Either way you go, I think that it will be nice. Just a thought, the areas around your range do not seem very big and you may get a good deal on some remnant pieces of SS. I personally like the BB when it is on an island or peninsula but it is all personal choice.

good luck!
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Help with countertop decision - soapstone vs. butcher block

Comments (2)

rookie_2010

kdlarue

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