In a word - YES!! I *love* my soapstone (no marble although we considered getting a section in marble). Unlike other choices in the kitchen where I can objectively debate pros and cons of our choice, I have never once thought twice about my soapstone.

HTH!
Eliz

I have had soapstone for 5 years and am planning on it again in my next house. No reservations with doing it again through the same company.

I will probably not do a soapstone sink again, but because of our tendency to break glasses when we wash them. Will probably do a stainless steel sink unless the kitchen esthetics *really call for a stone sink like they did in this one.

I'm a soapstone owner. When I first had my soapstone installed I experienced some regret with the first chips and scratches. Had I made a mistake? I had read the threads about people who don't iron and don't mind shoes in the house - that was me!

I got over the regret pretty quickly. Now I love the way it wears and the patina that is developing (I've had it installed 6 months). And when friends visit no one notices the imperfections, they just comment on the feel and the beauty. I love it. Wouldn't change it for anything!

I would definitely want soapstone again.

What I would do differently is have someone who specializes in soapstone install it (my installer botched up big time in many ways!)

I would probably also choose a different type of soapstone b/c my unusual variety (M. Tex Santa Barbara) gets terrible water rings and splotches.

I would also consider marble. I'm a patina gal.

I have both SS and marble. I didn't have to worry about patina on the marble or in the 2 antique ss sinks as they had it by the ton LOL. I chipped and scratched the ss right away so that was out of my hands early on. Has been 4 yrs now and I only wish I had a lot more of the reclaimed marble...I just love it. Once you roll out dough and knead bread on the ss or the marble you will never look back c

thanks for the replies so far... am leaning towards marble so would like to hear from some more marble folks too! :)

I don't know what you consider "long term" but I've had my soapstone for about two and a half years. I have one of the softer varieties, so it does have its share of chips and scratches, but I still LOVE it and I think it looks great and feels fabulous.

Four different people who were remodeling their kitchens and were on the fence about soapstone have come to my house to check out my counters in person. I purposely did not oil or anything before they came, just so they could see it at its worst to be able to make an informed decision. All four decided to go ahead with soapstone in their own kitchens, so it must have looked pretty good to them, too.

bump

I'm approaching 4 years and would have no hesitation in doing marble again. I couldn't find soapstone that would work for my island so I wound up with antiqued Cambrian black and love it. I'm pretty sure I'd love soapstone to, but I don't have any regrets.

I tell folks that if they like the way their favorite jeans fade and soften and think the crisp natural feel of linen and cotton is worth the wrinkles that can go with it, they will probably like marble. If they try to keep their jeans dark and unfaded or hate linen because it wrinkles, I think they'd be happier with something else.

thanks to all of you for your replies!

babs

I feel the same was as inthehollow. he conveyed my sentiments exactly.