Some friends do (already there when they moved in). I asked specifically what they thought of each after using them for a few years. Marble is their perimeter counter, including the main sink and stove areas. Soapstone is the island, including the prep sink. They like the look of both but the performance/maintenance of the soapstone better. They baby the marble more, and have plastic covers for it near the stove because of staining. Said they would do soapstone again but would think carefully about the marble, and definitely not near the stove. No clue what kind of marble or soapstone it was, though. HTH!

That was my plan, but I couldn't find soapstone that worked with my marble. My dark counters are Cambrian Black granite and super tough, so they are a bit different. The marble is my perimeter. I made the choice based a lot on looks and wanting to be different from the black on white kitchens that were starting to pop up. The white on white followed, but at least I wasn't copying them. LOL The granite on the counter also allows a good function too -- the prep and work that goes on at the island doesn't have to worry about getting lemon juice and tomato juice, vinegar or whatever on the stone and it sitting there while working. I think it is a good idea to have one area to work without worrying -- even if you aren't one to feel you have to baby your marble.

I have the marble next to my cooktop (where it is also my baking surface) and by the main sink. Does it stain? With all the coffee, tomatoes, chocolate, tea, chilies and spices I and a sloppy co-chef, two teen boys and their friends can give it -- no, not as long as you seal it. It will etch, but the only horrible, couldn't live with it etching was dripping some laundry product across the counter when we were moving back into the kitchen. It had knocked over in the garage and I wasn't worried about it since laundry products tend to be more alkaline than acidic. I wiped it up quickly and it still looked horrible. I buffed it out and haven't had a single cooking issue, including a spilled bottle of lemon juice, come close to that. I enjoy my marble, but don't get it if you'd have to put plastic over it!

Thanks for your input! I am leaning towards soapstone. Anyone else have input on this? Lascatx, do you have any pics you could post of your kitchen?

I was originally going to put marble on my large island that would also function as the baking center. I never could decide on a main counter that would tie it all together.

In the end, I changed my layout so the large island is replaced with a wood table, and the baking center is now in the row of cabinets along the south wall.

I ended up deciding on Soapstone for the main counters, and with my colors, I decided that marble on the baking center wasn't going to give the same look I was going for. Now it's going to be wood (cabs are very light cream/white).

I still plan on buying a slab of white marble to put on the hutch in the dining room.

Hi Jane~

I have calacatta gold marble on my island and soapstone on the perimeters. Love them both. The soapstone is more forgiving only because the marble does etch, not stain, but etches galore. We do not baby it at all-lemons, sauce, coffee, whatever. We are selling and moving and I would use both again definitely (although lately I'm drawn toward the walnut/teak island look, oh no).

Some pics. My apologies to those that have seen these a million times:

Good luck!
Katie

No, I didn't take finished photos. I got disgusted with the whole thing. LOL Love the kitchen but hated the process and the contractors. My one regret was the contractors. I may get over it someday. Until then, look at Katie's kitchen and imagine a cherry island and the counters reversed. ;-)

Katie, I can't believe you are moving! Your kitchen is one of a handful I'd actually trade for. I'd sure hate to leave it! Hope a great house, kitchen and future are in store for you.

I have both, and I echo the sentiments above. Our marble is on the island, aka work surface, so if you want to baby the marble, I'd put it on the perimeter. On the other hand, the soapstone is nice for setting down hot pans etc. I love my great big soapstone sink. And marble for rolling dough etc. So maybe not. I would do it again, although I'd probably hone the marble (which I intended to do, but there was a mixup).

I don't really have a great photo showing both at the same time, we're kinda spread out: