We have antique pine, which is soft, but they were distressed when we got them anyway and the few dings only add character. Used Good Stuff for Wood - purchased here (copy/paste): http://mapleblock.com/detail/butcher-block-finishes-39/ It's FDA approved/food safe, but we don't cut on the wood. I also don't sit hot things on it. I have honed granite on either side of range. Love my counter: Here is a link that might be useful: my wood counter

caffeinequeen: Your trap door idea is great! :) It's just me & hubby & hubby is not the 'problem'...so...guess where the blame lies? I do like to be organized, it's just sometimes I'm in a hurry & things get set down on the table. My 12" space includes the wall area - I was thinking of something like this (without the beverage thing) I will also use my office - this will be just 'transitional' stuff waiting for me to put away. Plus, a phone & message place. I got the above from http://simplystated.realsimple.com/home/2008/09/where-busy-moms.html "The Kitchen Command Center" shows a kitchen organization makeover. Here's a great entry/control center (I'll link it below as well so you can see the entire site) yakkinyetti: I was thinking the same thing...a catchall & too high to sit comfortably. Thank you both for your input! Here is a link that might be useful: I'm an Organizing Junkie

This hinges on two questions: material quality and fabricator skill. I went with Silestone when I did my built-up mitred counters in five rooms (five years ago) and have had no chipping. But that's because my fabricator was great and does solid-surface work only. Ensure you get a great result by working with a fabricator who comes highly recommended, who creates a full physical template of your counter plan, and who understands your expectations about finish quality and durability. Do your homework and you can work together for lasting results that will stand the test of time. Cheers!

We love our soapstone! 2 years into our new kitchen and it’s still one of the best choices we’ve made. Zero maintenance, we oiled it after installation and never did anything after that. We rarely clean it and it looks new. I just wanted to point out that while there are many lovely alternatives with a similar look to soapstone, those alternatives are very obviously not soapstone once you see them in person. I don’t know what it is about photos, but even the ever popular Virginia jet mist on these forums is a far cry from a soapstone substitute when you see it in person like we did. It just looks like a very nice granite. It’s hard to put in words, but even the honed varieties don’t have a softness to them, and black granites show tons of smudges for some reason while soapstone is impervious to it. My opinion of course, but I just thought I would throw that out there since we were so shocked when we first saw these alternatives in person.