Need advice please. have island 10ft long island x 4ft 2" (50inches)wide. overhang will be 12 inches down the entire 10ft length. have 24"d base cabinets plus another 12"d set of base cabinets back to back. (36 inches of base cabinets that granite will sit on). question is how many support posts will be needed down the 10ft length of overhang ?(14inch overhang) Will one support post on each end be sufficient or do I need 3? can't add metal supports into top of cabinets, not enough space between the cabinet doors and top of cabinets. no room for corbels. support posts are the only option. would like one on each end vs adding one in middle. help!

Love love love this topic. Your kitchens are amazing. Looking for pics of stainless; particularly of stainless with white cabinets and beadboard backsplash... Have you ever seen this combo? Any ideas would be awesome. Again truly amazing kitchens!!

My architect/designer sez these days Granite prices lower than nearly all the other solid surfaces and contributes to its popularity espec if u r not looking for esoteric colors. Marble, which i have alot of in our offices for multiple conf and other tables, even in a dark shade, is "delicate" in the sense that it is brittle and can crack etc, and in a lite color maintenance is brutal b/c it will stain (not an issue with, say, a dark wine color marble like we have but it does crack). I have seen some Granite Tiles used where costs need trimming and when done in larger tiles, and done well and creatively, the look is acceptable and grout lines minimal. So you may be able to compromise in one area this way...it is the long lengths of granite that set you back. Soapstone is a joy b/c of the touch, and if you like it oiled up black, stains not an issue. Natural colors of soapstone are lovely but we have only used that in dining area cabinet tops in bar-like areas...and natural is not good for kitchen. (It also is great in bathrooms, even flooring b/c it isnt slippery). But soapstone is a more old-fashioned/colonial like look...not slick and modern My favorite for counters is Stainless Steel!!! installed in 1993 i still love it. But i would then warm up the look by having the island be done in something else. Also St.Steel with dark wood cabs really look warm and approachable.

Good, I’m hoping I’ve saved you a few weeks of anxious fretting. My finding is that soapstone is a bit more maintenance than my old formica, which did not show oil spots. Even though the spots will evaporate eventually I find that I can’t leave the kitchen at night if there are splatters or rings of oil on the surfaces. But its all okay, as long as I know _how_ to clean my new counters. My sister asked if I minded that it is more work, and really I don’t . Somehow, dealing with a natural (and not shiny) stone is just soothing —wiping them down just makes me happy. From what I’ve read they will darken naturally over time, but I think maybe not to the degree that mineral-oiling would accomplish. The edges around my sink are already showing up a bit darker, but that looks really cool. Congratulations on getting your counters in. I totally love mine and think you will too. :)