I finally picked a countertop

15 years ago

Well, after mos of agonizing over which stone I would use for a countertop, today, I selected Minas Soapstone for my island and perimeter and walnut for my hutch. This was no easy decision for me as many of you know.

I started out wanting soapstone and then moved away from it due to patina issues, then saw Mamadadapaige's gorgeous Ocean Green granite and went on a search for that, but never found a slab as nice as hers. I then moved onto Nordic Black antique and actually chose the most beautiful slab of this granite I had ever seen (and I've seen a lot). The stone was fabricated for our kitchen and it looked amazing as they carried into the house, but they had templated the kitchen incorrectly and several of the slabs were too short. They wanted to fill it in with silicone and we said NO! So they removed the stones, gave us our money back and I was back to square one. I relooked for the Nordic Black but what I found wasn't as nice as the one I had chosen. This was a major disappointment, but it led me to rethink soapstone. Several wonderful GWebers have been so helpful to me regarding soapstone and I decided to go with my heart.

Dorado soapstone opened up a new distributorship in Shrewbury, Ma very recently, (about 1 1/2 hours from our home) and I drove down there last week and met the most helpful people you could ever want to meet. Dave, the owner, has been a soapstone fabricator for years and spend so much time educating me and letting me oil slab after slab. His sons Ben and Nate were equally as helpful and patient with me. Ben offered me a job as a permanent soapstone oiler, but the next day, my right arm was ready to fall off so I had to decline. Hehe :)

Today, they received a huge shipment in of Minas soapstone and I ran down there with hope in my heart and I was not disappointed. So here's a pic of the slab unoiled and then a pic of a small section oiled. It is scheduled for installation next Friday. Fingers crossed ;) So a big thank you to all of you who helped me along the way in this process. I am truly grateful.

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Comments (38)

rhome410
15 years ago
Wow. Gorgeous. Congratulations and hoping your installation goes better this time!
kelleg69
15 years ago
It looks great. I hope that all goes well. It sounds like it will.
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We have 4-inch tile counters in our current kitchen, and they are the only thing about the kitchen that I love. We bought the house this way and I probably would never have thought to choose this surface, but it has turned out to be great in the 11 years we have been here. The problems I had imagined with tile countertops (including those mentioned above) never materialized. They are sturdy, easy to keep clean, and provide a surprisingly smooth and level working surface. All that said, I wonder if the smaller tiles might magnify the issues of unevenness and grout to get dirty to the point that the problems that seem invisible to me now would be quite noticeable? I guess I'll never know, since we are going with soapstone in our remodel.
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Thank you all for your input. biondanonima, The color is actually cream. DH is giving me push back on opening the crates until we are ready for install. Demolition starts in March. I am pushing hard to open one crate as it would make my life so much easier. I am going to use your comments to motivate him. LOL kariyava, I actually ordered samples from Wellborn to take to the stone yard. The problem is it is a huge warehouse and all the slabs are inside under florescent lights so it is tough to get a good idea. Rita, Whew! I'm so overwhelmed I keep second guessing myself. I was hoping soapstone would work. I have sentimental attachment to soapstone. I will try to get DH to open a crate so I can get a good picture to share. It's been 10 years so even I have forgotten some of the details. LOL
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nomorebluekitchen
15 years ago
Mary,

That is gorgeous!! Spectacular veining!

I hope the installation goes well. Next Friday...as in a week from now? That is awesome. Please post pics as soon as you can.

Anita
mldao
15 years ago
Congratulations!! I had no idea you went through what you did to get here. How long did you have to go without a kitchen? I was in agony and it was only 8 weeks.

Your soapstone slab is gorgeous. You're right it does look a lot like mine.
sw_in_austin
15 years ago
Congratulations. I know you'll love it. I look forward to seeing pictures of it installed.
caligal
15 years ago
This is what drives me nuts about this forum. I see all these beautiful materials and say to myself, "Why didn't I use that!"

Truly beautiful, can't wait to see it in your kitchen. I hope you have had a decent temporary kitchen for all this time.
worldmom
15 years ago
Beautiful! Congratulations on a great selection!
danielle00
15 years ago
you sound like us.. we keep waffling. glad the granite didn't work out so you were able to get what you originally wanted. i can't wait to see pictures of it installed.
mary_in_nc
15 years ago
Mary! It's beautiful!! The veining is spectacular! I promise, you will not regret it! I've had my Green Mountain Original P.A. since May and I love it!! I can't even remember the last time I oiled it! I love the matte finish. I love the smooth silky feel. Can't wait to see pics of yours installed!! Congrats and Merry Christmas!
Bethpen
15 years ago
Oh my goodness, that is gorgeous!! I can't wait to see the photos of it installed.

Beth
redroze
15 years ago
Pluckymama - What a HUGE relief it must be to find something you love, and a beautiful, beautiful soapstone at that. Good for you to go with your heart.
mary_in_nc
15 years ago
By the way, for oiling my stone I use a combination beeswax/mineral oil paste. It works the best. The stone stays dark longer and it isn't as oily as with using straight mineral oil. By the ounce the best deal out there that I have found is on EBAY. A really sweet stay at home mom makes it and sells it. She is also a very talented woodworker. Her cutting boards are amazing. You can see them at http://woodenwonders.ifp3.com/ Otherwise, the EBAY link is below.

Here is a link that might be useful: EBAY beeswax/mineral oil paste
malhgold
15 years ago
stunning!!!
rmkitchen
15 years ago
Wow! The veining is stunning, both oiled and not. That's what I call a win-win.

I hope your arm is recovered and ready to go by next Friday (installation day), and I will put it on my calendar to check back in here for pictures!!!

Congratulations on finding such a beautiful slab -- I am so relieved for you!
vicnsb
15 years ago
Sounds like it was meant to be! Beautiful!
vic
mustbnuts zone 9 sunset 9
15 years ago
What a beautiful holiday gift for yourself! Can't wait to see it installed. Congrats! It is gorgeous!
pluckymama
Original Author
15 years ago
Thank you all for your encouraging comments. I am very excited about the soapstone. It has been a long remodel mostly because we decided to not only GC ourselves, but DH has done much of the work himself. It takes a lot longer when you have to remodel on evenings and weekends. The biggest thing we have all missed is running water in the kitchen. The sink in the powder room is small and it is difficult to clean dishes in. We almost didn't get a microwave as we are all so tired of microwave cooking! But we are nearing the end of the road and I see light up ahead and a wonderful new kitchen ready for Christmas :) And we couldn't have done it without all the very helpful people here on GW.
mamadadapaige
15 years ago
Mary,
that is absolutely gorgeous. I NEVER saw soapstone that looked like that when I was on my search... had I, my search would have been over.

What an odyssey it has been for you.. so glad you found that gorgeous stone.
alliern
15 years ago
Mary,

I have to say that you couldn't have picked a better choice for your counters (a little biased since I have the same choice in my kitchen)! I love my minas soapstone from Dorado. I've only lived with mine for a month but I can't say a bad thing about it. I love it both oiled and natural.

I'm certain you will love yours...I'll keep a look out for your pics after installation! Good Choice!!
Jean Farrell
15 years ago
Wow, that is beautiful! Congratulations!
missopinion47
15 years ago
Just so lovely! I am so pleased for you that you decided to choose soapstone and your slab is STUNNING. Both quiet and dramatic--the beauty of this fine functional natural stone. Would love to see pictures when ti is installed. Enjoy!
cinamom
15 years ago
Wow, that slab is lovely. It should look fantastic with your other choices! Good luck with the installation and please show us pictures when it's in.

Cin
donna214
15 years ago
Your soapstone is gorgeous! My kitchen is about 80 percent done, but our beleza soapstone counters are in, and that is one of my favorite things about the whole kitchen. At night, after the workers are gone, I go in there and touch it and gaze lovingly at it, always amazed at how beautiful it is and how I never get tired of looking at it. I'm sure you will be just as happy with your soapstone. Awesome choice!
pluckymama
Original Author
15 years ago
I am beginning to think there is a dark cloud hanging over my kitchen remodel. Today my DH and I went to the templating of our beautiful slabs of soapstone. The stone was outside and it is cold here in NH, about 19 degrees outside and the fabricator suggested he bring the stone into the warehouse so we would be warmer as we lay the template out on the stone. As I waited in the warm warehouse, I wondered what was taking so long, when the fabricator appeared and broke the news to us that he had knocked over one of the stones (the one whose pic I posted) with the forklift and it was unusable now. We went out to look at it, (I wish I had pics to show you ) and it was shattered into many pieces.

Tomorrow I drive back to Dorado Soapstone early in the a.m. to pick another slab. Hopefully, I will find another one to match the remaining slab. They say the only thing we really have control of in this life, is our response when things happen. So, I am laughing instead of crying and believing there is another beautiful slab waiting for me and the kitchen will still be done in time for Christmas!
pbrisjar
15 years ago
Oh man how disappointing. I'm sure things will turn out fine, though.

Seeing your slabs I'm getting more and more convinced that I NEED soapstone somewhere. Current scheme is for our master bath remodel...
rhome410
15 years ago
Yes, don't give up until you see what you find tomorrow! I'm sorry for the disappointment and delay, but those for us usually meant a change for the better. I'm hoping the same for you.
igloochic
15 years ago
OH dear....you've caught my countertop karma. The cure is easy....drink more :oP

There was once a time when I was sure my kitchen was trying to kill me (probably right about the time it threw me off a ladder causing a broken arm and miscarriage). I still look carefully to the left and right when entering, just to be sure it's not going to drop a cabinet on my head....

But really, it's likely not out to get me....and yours probably isn't either....

(But wear head protection at all times honey...just to be safe!)
nomorebluekitchen
15 years ago
Mary,

I am so sorry to hear this. You're right, though, and I'm impressed that you so quickly got to the point of realizing you can't make it better by losing your cool. I will be checking tomorrow to see what you come up with after your (next) field trip.

GOOD LUCK!

Anita

PS - maybe this is a good thing. Maybe that piece of stone actually had cracks or was fragile and would have not held up in your kitchen. Is that possible?
raehelen
15 years ago
Like Igloochic, I only know too well how disappointing it is to have sh** happen, and to have to endure delay after delay. I am sorry that happened, but it sounds like your fabricators are good people, and the bright side may be, that they will take very good care to do an awesome job once you pick your next slab!

Still waiting for my cupboard doors, ummm, 15 weeks and counting, (was supposed to take ~ 2 weeks). Here's hoping you ARE in for Christmas 2008, and don't have to wait 2 Christmas's like some of us!
moonkat99
15 years ago
OK - you maintain that wonderful attitude & keep smiling & laughing.

I'll cry for you. :(''''

& then we'll all party together when your perfect countertop finally is successfully installed!
Buehl
15 years ago
Ohhhh....I'm so sorry PluckyMama!!! We had our share of problems w/our counter, but at least they didn't break it (we would have been heartbroken as it took us weeks to find the one small lot in all of the DC/Baltimore/Frederick Metro area with a truly black AB!)

I hope you find another slab that you like even better tomorrow!!! You deserve it after your problems!!!

[P.S., "PluckyMama" is so right....you seem to be handling these set backs very well!]
charlikin
15 years ago
Pluckymama, what a great attitude you have! We could all learn a lot from your terrific spirit and fortitude (and dare I say it?... *pluck*?! LOL!).

Go get that new slab! I know it's there waiting for you!
vicnsb
15 years ago
Oh wow...you have had your share.
Tomorrow brings an even more perfect stone your way...
hugs,
vic
marty_2008
15 years ago
That obviously wan't the stone you were meant to have and the right one is waiting for you tomorrow. Sending hugs your way!
Nicole Valentine
15 years ago
oooooh Pluckymama -- I know all about the dark cloud of which you speak. The best you can do is just roll with it with the best attitude possible.

We are nearing the finish line now 4 weeks late and beyond all the small things that went wrong (oven installer dropping my wall oven, streaked marble, etc.) the worst that happened is my beloved cat of 15 years died last week. :(

I'm sure it will work out and you'll find some minas you like even better. I chose the same kind btw.
evilbunnie
15 years ago
That sounds heartbreaking. May things get better, and may you keep your positive outlook! Good things are on the way, we promise!
busybme
15 years ago
So are you back from the stoneyard yet, Mary? Can't wait to hear how things went. Hope you have pictures to post of a new 'love-of-your-life'!

Sandy
pluckymama
Original Author
15 years ago
Igloochic, When I think of your miscarriage and broken arm, I am reminded that is but an inconvenience. But if you read my latest thread, your idea about wearing the helmet rings true!

Ndvweb, Your minas soapstone was one of the countertop pics that threw me over the edge towards soapstone. I am so sorry to hear about your beloved cat :( Pets are family members and their loss can be so difficult. May the happy memories of your kitty bring you peace. And I hope to see more of your beautiful kitchen pics soon!

Sandy, I'm back. Check out my new thread on my soapstone saga. Thanks for your good wishes.

Raehelen, 2 Christmas's! You poor thing. That is terrible :(

And to all the rest who have sent hugs and encouraging words, thank you.

I finally picked a countertop

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