Changed soapstone - backsplash tile?

15 years ago

I've been planning for months to use Green Mountain Original soapstone for the kitchen counters and sink in our new house. But when I went to pick out slabs, there was only 1 left, and not sure they could get more.

So I switched to Santa Rita Venata with some beautiful veining (no pictures - thought the camera was in the car, but it wasn't).

Now I'm really having second thoughts. I had planned on using this tumbled slate brick mosaic that I LOVE

for the backsplash, but I don't think it will go with the new ss which is much busier and I can't figure out what would look good.

Does anyone have pictures of Santa Rita Venata counters with a tile backsplash?

The cupboards are shaker style knotty alder with a wheat finish, and my style is rustic. This display shows my cupboards with the GM Original ss.

Thanks for any help.

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Comments (7)

remodelfla
15 years ago
That backsplash is beautiful as is all your choices. Is there a way you could wait for your countertops to be installed, take a pic, and have someone photoshop it for you? As anxious as we all are to see our kitchens complete; it may be worth waiting to be sure the choice is right for you. BTW... I can't find my glasses and therefore can't see a word I"m typing so please excuse any typos!!
rgillman
15 years ago
Have your soapstone installed first and then audition backsplashes with it. I have GM Original that is quite busy; GM Original comes from quarries in Santa Rita, so I suspect it is very similar and depends on what the vendor decides to call it. Here is my GM Original

Here is the backsplash it took me 3 months to find (my contractor gave up on me and took on other jobs. He FINALLY came back this week and finished - LOL.)
Frankly, I wouldn't worry about it - no matter how busy the soapstone is, it really just has an overall look - it isn't the same kind of busy you get in some granites, which can really be overpowering. There is nothing overpowering about soapstone, no matter which one you choose - IMO.
Even the backsplash, which looks busy at first, all becomes one thing in the macro. But I would still wait till the granite is in. You might change your mind about the tile - who knows? I always think that if people are saying "what do you think?" they have their own doubts. When it's right, you'll know it immediately.
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I'm almost finished with a kitchen remodel due to a water leak. I got new cabinets and appliances, the granite was reused. I didn't care whether or not I kept the same backsplash but the insurance said it wasn't necessary to have it replaced. So when they installed my new cabinets, to make them level, they were running higher (above the bottom of the lowest tile) so they took off the lowest row of tile. They explained that once the granite was reinstalled, it wouldn't look right to put something back in that area because you'd see how it runs uphill (or downhill) so we tore off the entire backsplash. I just had the cheap white 3"x6" subway tile from lowes, and I like it so that's what I'm having done again. But I'm soooooo glad that we tore it all out and re-tiling the backsplash. It will look so much better. It's getting done tomorrow. I personally would rather have the backsplash redone than to go with the 3" piece. JMHO BTW the insurance paid for a new backsplash since the granite couldn't be installed exactly where it was before and I got $1100.00 for a $300 backsplash :)
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imrainey
15 years ago
My soapstone is Julia and all the "busyness" is dark rather than light veins that don't ever show up in pix. Neither does the dark green that is lovely in person.

I love the combo of soapstone and slate. The contrast of smoothness and tooth is nice and the echo of natural stone strikes me just right. Here is mine:

I got samples of everything and played with it in my kitchen in the light that changes through the day. That helped me feel confident about the decision. Oil half your soapstone sample too so you can see them together when the counter's dark and when it lightens up.
sharrongrant58
Original Author
15 years ago
Thank you so much for your responses!
I'm thinking I'll ask the fabricator to do soapstone backspashes, in case I can't find a tile to work.
I'm really hoping to use the original slate mosaic with the new ss, but I'm amazed to see the tiles that can work with it!
As you suggested, I think I'll table this decision until the counters are in (and the house built haha) so I can see how things look in the actual situation.
I will stick with the ss decision I think - there are lots of tiles to choose from.
Still happy to see other pictures!
Thanks again.
phillydi
15 years ago
Dear Sharon 58-
Who makes your original slate tile? It is very nice.
Thanks
smilingjudy
15 years ago
sharron58 - looooove your backsplash choice as well. Could you share the info, please?
sharrongrant58
Original Author
15 years ago
The tile is indian autumn slate mosaic - 2x4 tiles with on a mesh backing.
Here's one website that has it...

Here is a link that might be useful: tumbled slate mosaic

Changed soapstone - backsplash tile?

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Changed soapstone - backsplash tile?

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