Today I cried at the stone yard.

12 years ago

I'm such a baby but geez I am so ready for this kitchen to be done and felt like I was just weeks away. Now it could be months and months = tears at the stone yard.

Finding the right counters for this kitchen has been the craziest emotional roller coaster ride - and while I love a good roller coaster, I would not suggest this one!

First, I fell in love with Sochi's quartzite and found some locally but the slabs they had here were not clean - lots of rust and green spots and the veining was more brownish vs grey. I had them move all the slabs so I could look at them but there were no clean slabs. The salesperson tried to discourage me from looking at all of them because "they are all from the same spot in the quarry so they will all be the same". Anywho - checked all kinds of places online trying to find the quartzite. No luck.

Decided I would go with carrera marble but again, no slabs here that made my heart sing. They all had a very grey background and even the stoneyard said they were having trouble getting nice white carrera. Ok, then how about calacutta? Super expensive but beautiful right - yep, on the online pictures but not here in my stoneyard. If I'm going to pay a premium for calacutta, I want stunning calacutta!!

Then in February (yes 6 months ago - sigh, see why I'm dying??) the stoneyard sent me a picture of a new beautiful quartzite (white macabus)they were getting in. Looks like marble - stunning. Ok sign me up! Except...this batch had vertical bands of darker grey interspersed in the stone - very straight 1" bands that did not look natural. They noticed this when they honed a piece for me. Said they couldn't hone it out and it was inherent to the stone. Really. Crap. However, the first sample they gave me was polished and looking at it now, the vertical band is present as well so the honing was not the issue.

Still looking. Still thinking the perfect marble will show up..Last month they got a new shipment of the white macabus in and this shipment had beautiful grey veins and was very lovely. No vertical bands in sight. But they wouldn't hone it for me. Not sure why. Can I live with polished?? Not sure, not sure.

Then my cabinets got installed and they let me borrow a large piece 3X3 to see how it looked in the kitchen. Loved it, even polished. ( and I was not going to get polished anything!) Yay!!! Decision made, the long hunt is over. Reserve 3 slabs for me please. Last week they came to template. Two weeks and they would be installed. Hip hip hurray!! This week I got an email from the saleslady telling me that as they have been going through the lot there has been less and less veining which she figured I would love. Huh?

Today I went to look at my 3 slabs but they had not moved them to the front for viewing so the guy there told me they would all look like the slab on the front. Ahhh - no, you're gonna have to move the slabs so I can see what my $3000 deposit is holding. Took a while and as each slab was revealed, there was less and less veining. Then I saw the 3 with my name on them. That's when I cried. Waa...they are no where near what I thought I was getting. I cannot use these slabs.

Now, they told me there is another shipment coming but the container is not full yet so there is no ETA. Even when it is sent out it will be 5-6 weeks in transit. I'll have first pick of the slabs but what if they are more of the same that I saw today!? I think I have aged just trying to find counters.

I also want soapstone on the island but the soapstone they have here seems awfully shiny to me and doesn't have that lovely soft feel to it. I need to follow up with them to see if they will refinish the surface for me. Knowing them, the answer will be no. Joshua wanna come to Halifax?

I live in a small city of 400, 000 and this is the only game in town with slabs to view and pick from. There are soapstone companies that will ship to us but the problem is finding a fabricator to install..there are no independent installers. They all work for companies that sell their own granite and thus do not have the liability if there are installation problems.

Today my ebb is on low. I feel so defeated and tired and just yucky and sad.

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Comments (17)

suzanne_sl
12 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
It's August, time for a road trip to somewhere where there are more choices!
caryscott
12 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Not sure how typical your saga is but I can say having read it I am more sure than ever that I'm a laminate kind of person. I just can't invest that much in countertops. I wish you the best going forward but having invested so much I wonder if anything won't be a disapointment at this point.
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Comments (18)
Some other thoughts (I've been thinking about your and your post, and your problems, over the evening and the morning, on my commute, in the shower, etc.--so feel "cared for"!) I have some other thoughts that maybe you can plug into your problem-solving here. ******************* THOUGHT ONE: Redefine yourself as a SUPERVISOR, not a DO-er I have a relatively new colleague who is the editor of our magazine (I'm in charge of process and timing). Over the last 2 issues, I've realized that she's editing about 3/4 of the stories--yet she also has meetings w/ the publisher, and press-conference things to attend, and meetings w/ the edit director, etc. I've been pressuring her to realize, as she's hiring a new senior editor (there are only 2 editors, her and the senior) that she has to redefine what she does. She CANNOT edit 3/4 of the stories; she doesn't have time. She has to have time to be the executive (researching and making decisions; editing behind the other editor, etc.). And time to supervise. The same is true of you. Your kids aren't quite as old as mine (my youngest is the age of your oldest), but you need to start working TOWARD the idea that you don't DO; you supervise. (right now, you'll have more 'doing', but frankly, you should never take the garbage out, and you should never clean a toilet or a bathroom sink--your kids are old enough to do that. ******************** THOUGHT 2: REWARD WORKS BEST Also, reward works better than punishment. I keep forgetting that, and I sort of resent rewarding them for doing chores, but it's EFFECTIVE. Praise is a great reward, but so would be something like TV watching. (this means you have to move stuff like family event, TV time, etc., out of "life as normal" and into "reward" category) **************** THOUGHT 3: MANY HANDS MAKE LIGHT WORK This is not just that you can do more--but that when you work w/ company, it's more fun, less oppressive. Also, especially I think at the ages your kids are, it's much more fun to clean and tidy WITH COMPANY. So keep up the "family pick-up time," and make it MORE often, and everybody do it. Right before bed, everybody picks up. Put it on the schedule as being JUST as crucial as brushing teeth. it happens at the same time every day, and everybody does it. A little bit of "togetherness" right before bedtime, that ALWAYS happens, regardless. (I say this, because I do not DO this always, and I live w/ the end results, and it is NOT good; but the times that I am able to make this happen, it makes a big difference) (and everybody picks up everything--even if it's not yours, if you know where it goes, put it there) ****************** THOUGHT 4: PROVIDE STRUCTURE I think the ages your kids are is a good time for little time-management/motivation tricks. Here are some I've used: -"beat the clock": set a timer for 15 minutes, see how much you can do in a HURRY! -"clean to music": pick lively music, and see what you can do in 2 songs -"do a dozen": bring a laundry basket in, put 12 things in it (maybe you can help pick them, but best is to get the kid to put them in); so the dozen is clearly corralled, and have them put those away (beat the clock, if you can--my DS can put 12 things away in 3 minutes). Repeat as needed -"how long is it REALLY?" My timer will also work as a stopwatch; we timed how long it took to fold a basket of clothes--10 minutes. Or how long to "do a dozen"--3 mins. You could make a chart of how long things REALLY take, and then that will help remind you all that it'll be done so quickly. ************** THOUGHT 5: EDUCATE HUBBY I'm not big into demanding of my husband--it doesn't work, for one thing. But I'd suggest working w/ your DH to open his eyes to the idea that the stuff he brings in doesn't have a home, doesn't add to anything, etc., it sounds like he's got a willingness, so you can build on that. You may just need to educate him about the dynamics of "stuff" and "clutter"; he may not even see it. *************** THOUGHT 6: THINK "LONG-TERM IMPROVEMENT," NOT "ONE-SHOT SUCCESS" Also: one slighty pessimistic (well, "realistic") note: you said: "I want this resolved!" Homekeeping is NEVER "resolved." Training children to pick up their clothes is NEVER "resolved." Laundry is never "done." Aim for "caught up" w/ laundry. Aim for "trending better" w/ organization, housework, and kids living up to their responsibilities. ******* (an aside--the 6-hour math class: I often say to my kids, "If you'd stop arguing w/ me and just go PICK IT UP, you'd have been finished by now. You have spent more time arguing that it would have taken you to DO it!" 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We had a pretty good experience at most of the slab yards we visited. There was one in our area that wouldn't tell us prices - said we had to tell our fabricator which stones we were interested in and he could call for a quote. That was one of the smaller slab yards and they didn't have anything we were interested in. Most would ask our fabricator's name and then quote us a price. My impression was that their discounts to fabricators may vary based on the volume that fabricator does with them or something. Most let us browse on our own. When we needed help such as when we wanted slabs moved to choose which ones in the lot we might want, we went on a weekday. They were crowded on the weekend and it is hard to get individual attention then. We found a stone that we really wanted. Only two yards in our area carried it and one had very small slabs and the other had slabs that weren't as long as we would have liked and would have required an extra seam. The latter was a regional chain. They held the slabs which we were willing to buy but also checked their inventory and found large slabs at another of their sites around 100 miles away. They moved the bundle of larger slabs to the local yard so we could decide if we wanted them and select the slabs. I can understand slab yards choosing to not allow minors - especially young children because there not necessarily kid friendly with heavy equipment moving slabs around at times. Possibly it is a requirement of their liability insurance. But they could have handled it more pleasantly and shouldn't object to a 16 year old waiting in their lobby. Our fabricator didn't accompany us - we were to select slabs and they would then visit to vet them to make sure they didn't have any significant defects that we had missed. Our fabricator quoted one fabrication price (not including the material cost of the stone) regardless of which stone we chose. They have been in business a long time - I think they quoted a high enough price to cover their risks and costs over a range of stone. We chose a fairly expensive quartzite and they did comment that they had to be extra careful because they didn't want to have to eat the cost of a replacement slab. Quartzite being hard also takes extra time on the fabrication equipment. Most of the yards are sellers of stone, not geology buffs. Even the pleasant ones are often pretty ignorant about details on the stones like which ones are really quartzite.
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darbuka
12 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Musko...found this on M. Teixeira's site:

M. TEIXEIRA SOAPSTONE CANADA

Burlington, Ontario

Greensville Soapstone Company is a leading producer of quality soapstone countertops, sinks and tile in Canada. We offer Canada wide shipping and delivery. Installation of our soapstone is offered throughout Ontario however we can travel anywhere in Canada.
For an estimate, please contact:
Greensville Soapstone Company
4055 Harvester Road, Unit 12
Burlington, Ontario
email: greensvillesoapstone.com

Showroom now open

Monday - Friday: By appointment
Saturday - Sunday: 10am - 4pm
p: 1-888-95-STONE (1-888-957-8663)

email: sales@greensvillesoapstone.com

Chances are, Greensville Soapstone carries at least a partial selection of Teixeira's collection. And, they travel all over Canada.

Worth a call.

Here is a link that might be useful: M. Teixeira Soapstone Canada
davidro1
12 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
With ( " nova scotia steatite " ) I found this on the internet:
"... The most notable producers of soapstone include Brazil, Finland, Japan, and the United States (primarily in the New England state of Vermont), and to a lesser extent Canada (Quebec, Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Nova Scotia). "
at http://www.soapstonecountertops.ca/aboutus/

I would email them one question only.
Which quarry is the soapstone quarry in NS?
Don't complicate it in the first email.
Then, email again when they haven't answered yet. Etc.

--
With ("nova scotia steatite mine ") I found this:
http://www.roadsidethoughts.com/ns/soapstone-mine-profile.htm
It looks like a place that is a mine.

--

Liquid Stone Studio in Halifax specializes in unique concrete designs. Concrete when done well is generally right up there with soapstone.

I found them on the internet. Maybe they know where the quarry is. They would be qualified to sculpt soapstone.

Paperstone is available in your city.

More web searching will produce more ...
There are bound to be librarians who can guide you to provincial government resource books.
muskokascp
Original Author
12 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
darbuka - I have been in phone and email contact with them and another lovely soapstone dealer in Ontario over the past few months. My problem of finding an installer remains the same. My DH is just not that DIY to take on a 10 X 5 island. I do however have a good friend who is a mason but he has no experience with soapstone.

Road trip - yep I have thought of that too but no one locally who will install.

I think I will just have to wait and get a timeline on the quartzite and sit tight with my fugly laminated chipboard counters and my beautiful sinks and faucets in boxes.

It's just so terribly disappointing with the end so close.
sochi
12 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Oh muskoka, I'm so sorry. That is brutal. I know how long you've been trying to get those counters. There really are no fabricators in Halifax that would install "other people's" slabs? Any chance there would be anyone is NB or PEI that would do it and be wiling to travel (I know, not likely if there isn't anyone in Halifax).

You best bet if you took to the road would be Montreal. Marcolo just recommended a good place to have a lovely Rose - that might be just what you need! ;0 Did you ever speak to Ciot in Mtl or Toronto? I wonder if they might know of an installer in Atlantic Canada. I know one guy here on GW from Ottawa who drove to Florida to get his quartzite bianca. Counter love is a serious thing.

Is there a plan B? Is there something readily available in Halifax that you really like (if not love)? Is it really worth the wait??

Good luck, have a glass of wine and remember, however frustrating, it is just a counter and count your blessings. I'll keep my fingers crossed for that next shipment.
beckysharp Reinstate SW Unconditionally
12 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
muskoka, I'm so sorry. I live in Alberta, in the back of beyond (we have been to Calgary once in 17 years because it's just too far away...), and I can sympathize. Most things seem to be so far away with prohibitive shipping fees, or unavailable outside of the US, etc. I just bought something small from your end of Canada, and it cost twice to send it to Alberta what it would have to the US. Boggles the mind.

The only thing I can think is perhaps to get in touch with kitchen designers in Halifax to see what they might be able to recommend. It might be worth hiring one to get the end result when you are so close. I Googled and got Feron Kitchens and Appliances at Bayers Lake, who according to the website deal with Green Mountain Soapstone,

www.feronkitchens.com/accessories.php

Are there any options in Dartmouth, or Bridgewater? Googling led me to this in Bridgewater...

www.celticmarble.com

I don't know if they'd have anything suitable. I hope so...

Good luck and keep us posted,

Becky
mmhmmgood
12 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
What a disappointment! So sorry to hear it. I think you saw my thread too ... I'm losing my dream of soapstone countertop and am having a hard time letting it go. I've been sad about it ever since deciding on my plan B. And I haven't been at this nearly as long as you.
I hope you find a countertop to love in a reasonable time frame. I would have cried at the stone yard too.
muskokascp
Original Author
12 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Sochi , I spoke with the Ciot rep last year but not since. My girlfriend has been talking to him trying to find the quartzite in Mtl for her sister. If the stone yard here can show me pics of the expected stone I can wait for it..heck this renovation started a year a go so what's a few more months for the crowning piece.

My real search is on for the right soapstone and possibly installer. I like the suggestion to call some kitchen companies and ask about installers.

Thanks for the tip about Feron kitchens . I have been there several times looking at the Gaggenau appliances but ended up buying from the other dealer in the city. Hope he doesn't remember :). But, if he will do the soapstone only, I think that would be exciting. They build their own cabinets etc and I am not sure if they would just do a kitchen island where we didn't buy the cabinets from them.

Celtic marble is actually in Dartmouth and does not do soapstone and their other stones are not in the running, plus no slabs to look at.

There is a small stone yard in Bridgewater and the owner is the fabricator and really great. He has never dealt with soapstone before but brought some in for a client and was going to install it in June. The stone had caramel veins which is lovely but I need those grayish veins...plus they had never installed soapstone before..makes me a bit nervous as my island is so large it will probably need a seam so experience is important to me.

I know it will happen and I will love it ..just hope it's done for Christmas.
darbuka
12 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Perhaps you'd consider asking Florida Joshua if you could retain his
services for the install?

Then you could make the road trip so many have suggested, pick out
slabs you desire, and wait for him to do his magic.

I think it was about a year ago, that Joshua flew to the island of St. John
to install Piaa's soapstone.
davidro1
12 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
One thing seems apparent is that any competent person (with stone in general) can do soapstone. Hint hint. If I were in Halifax I would get the concrete guys to handle and install a soapstone counter. btw, about Maritimers I've found they are all multitasking and multitalented because they HAVE to be. The local economy isn't big enough to support specialization.

-

On Youtube are videos of "Canadian Soapstone". canadiansoapstone.com

-

I always call more than one person in any company. Three years ago I dealt with a few people in Ciot in Montreal: they all had different levels of knowledge, and they seemed to think they knew everything. None of them ever bothered to double check anything they said. None of them directed me to quartzite. Perhaps none of them knew about it or thought it could be a good option for me. I'll grant them this: they were the only place that could say positive things about both soapstone and granite on the same day. This was three years ago, before I saw Sochi's photos and read that Ciot could be a supplier. (!).

Hth.
bonniecoop9
12 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Quartzite is as beautiful as marble but isn't it just as difficult to maintain?
colorfast
12 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Not necessarily. Most yards in my city mix them with the granite slabs as they are more similar. And just as some granites can stain, so can some quartzite. The quartzite I considered cost more to install than granite because it was incredibly hard but it was lovely.
sochi
12 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
My quartzite is no more difficult to maintain than granite, not as "challenging" as marble can be. No etching or staining (it is sealed of course). Very hard and lovely.
ww340
12 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
I totally feel your pain. We originally wanted soapstone, but we live in the boonies. No one here knew how to fabricate, no one carried it. Our granite people sold us on National Treasure granite. We fell in love. I planned all my drapes and paint around this granite.

Now it is impossible to get it. We have waited for 4 weeks on a shipment that was supposed to be here weeks ago.

We finally flew to St. Louis to the 2 distributors that ship to our granite yard. We found an alternative granite.

We are in love again, and have convinced ourselves that this is better than either of our previous choices.

Maybe you can find out who is the distributor for your granite yard and do the same. The selection is much greater that way.
davidro1
12 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
now might be the right time to issue a reminder that soapstone is DIYable so therefore it is do-able by any other person who might be as skilled or more skilled than a DIYer.
puppeez
12 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Yes, do-able but perhaps not deliriously happy with the results. Mine was bought/installed by a granite place that also handles soapstone. By no means is mine awful, it's just not as wonderful as it could be. Darbuka's suggestion should be considered if ss is the centerpiece.

Today I cried at the stone yard.

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