I've heard good things about both places. My neighbor used Garden State and her counters look beautiful years later. I would hesitate to buy soapstone from a generic granite yard. From my research, it's really important to pick someone who knows what they're doing...and to make sure that what you're buying is actually soapstone, and is finished properly. I called one granite yard and the guy had no clue what official name of the soapstone was or the hardness rating on the Mohs scale. I thought I'd get honed jet mist but I've fallen hard for soapstone! My sister's friend has honed jet mist (for about four months) and so far she's happy. Good luck :-)

I'm sorry to say that my experience with Garden State Soapstone was not so good. At the time of installation I was, confess, perfectly happy. The rest of my kitchen was still such a mess that anything that went in on time and without an obvious problem made me ecstatic.

Over the next year or so however, I realized that the counters just never felt really smooth. They were more difficult to clean than I expected, and just didn't have that silky, powdery feeling I had loved when I selected soapstone. And the outside radius of the curved eating counter was ridged rather than smooth.

Cut to this past winter when Florida Joshua made one of his periodic trips north. Knowing I was vaguely unhappy, but uncertain if it was just that soapstone wasn't the right choice for me, I arranged for him to come look at the counters. I'm sorry to say that he pointed out to me even more things I had missed: A badly pieced counter. A poorly done seam. A break that had been visibly and obviously epoxied. Edges that weren't properly rounded off. And indeed, the surface was no where near as smooth as it should have been.

$500 later, the surface is now what it should have been, and I do love it. Joshua couldn't fix the seams, however and could only improve, but not eliminate the ridged curved edge.

I went to GArden State because I had heard good things about it, including MarthaVilla's good experience. I liked Jay and thought him knowledgeable. So, I am assuming that perhaps my experience was the exception and there was something that interfered with his apparently usual exemplary performance.

I would not rule out GS Soapstone, but I would...whether using it or anyone else...be more sure that I knew exactly what it OUGHT to look and feel like before installation, so that on that day, you can inspect carefully and deal with any issues.

And, I would not consider using anyone who did NOT specialize in SS. If GS, with its good reputation, can screw up, I'd hate to think what someone else might do.

FWIW....

I would go to Bucks County Soapstone across the river.

Kevin - I'm originally from Philadelphia so I'm familiar with Bucks County - it's a beautiful area and lots to do there but what makes BCSS worth the drive?

Melissastar - I am glad that Joshua FL resolved most of your problems - when I spoke with GSSS Jay very strongly mentioned that he'd need to put a seam in my peninsula area - everyone else said NO WAY! He claims it would be too heavy (105" x 38+" with a small little L) - I really didn't want that area to have any seam at all

AboutTo Get Dusty - Can you ask your sister what was used to seal her Jet Mist? Does she have any problem when she puts down a typical bottle of OO and it leaves a ring?

PS - I love your screen name ATGD - SO TRUE!!