Hi, Have you chosen your slab? If so, can you post pictures? I've seen soapstone in colours varying from almost black to very green. It is hard to make a recommendation until we see what yours will look like.

I'm a huge fan of soapstone, I think it looks and feels fabulous and it is a great choice and very classic. I don't think I'd ever tire of it if I had it.

We need to see your choice for cupboards as well.

Have a look at these gorgeous Ann Sacks tiles. They come in several different shapes, sizes and colours but I really like the bevel that has a hint of another colour in it. Depending on your slab and cupboards, I like Cottonwood, Ricepaper or lotus colours. It comes in 3 X 6 and also 3 X 3. If you were thinking of a pattern behind your cooktop (some people like it, some don't) you could mix the two sizes.

I'm also a sucker for herringbone and I think this one is really pretty.

Or this shape is nice and just different enough to make it more interesting than a subway.

Beth H is your best bet for sure - she always has fabulous options to offer.

I have apple green back painted glass with my soapstone. I can't post a picture right now. I will later. Mind you my backsplash is only behind my range.

Have you considered a 4"-6" soapstone backsplash to match your counter? You could put glass behind your cooktop.

I have not chose my slab(s) yet. I know this would make a difference. Going with white perimeter cabs. Thinking dark plum island but this could change depending on what we do with counters. I was curious to see what people paired with their soapstone to see how different tiles, textures and colors look with it.

Rita your kitchen is beautiful!

I used cobblestone Bellavita tile in the color Turenne.

Kitchen Cabinetry Project in Hammond, NY · More Info

One of my favourite Houzz kitchens of all time. Assuming the plum looks good with the soapstone slab you choose, you could do a low 'splash of the soapstone with plum painted beadboard above.

Beautiful blue soapstone.

Lafayette, CA - New Construction · More Info

I love soapstone counters. I wish they were in my budget. Here are some pretty tile backsplash options (Although I agree doing a slab backsplash would be glorious)

Martha's Vineyard · More Info

The Woodshop of Avon · More Info

Laurel Hollow, NY · More Info

Melrose Street, Newton MA · More Info

Puritan · More Info

Thanks you for the pictures! Lindsey I am wondering how this BM shadow painted island might look as well. I am rethinking it because it may not look good between the white and soapstone. Now wondering if I should A) keep everything white or B) find a lighter paint color that would look really good with he white and soapstone. My home will be a craftsman bungalow. I thought initially of having a plum island with a different counter top all together but now thinking of doing soapstone with a lot of pattern or veigning to stand out on just the island with a quieter soapstone on the perimeter with some veigning. I do love the veigning but read the more you have the softer the stone. I wish I had one of those programs where you could plug in colors and counter top choices to see how it would look.

This is the shadow color.

I had these ideas saved for backsplash.

Carolyn it sure is beautiful. I considered wood for my island but because my sink will there and we will be eating on it Im so afraid of scratches.

Before you decide your island colour you need to choose the specific slab you will use, whether soapstone or not. Then decide if you will oil it or not.

A craftsman bungalo is fairly screaming to run the soapstone up the perimeter splash. ................. a seamless no worry splash and no way you will tire of it. A mid deep greenish blue for the island. ...Or a wood stained island depending your floors. I'd NOT worry on the veining. Match the slabs. : ) Soapstone is rarely very boldly veined ala granite. It will scratch,...........it is supposed to. If you need 24/7 perfection? Don't do soapstone. It's a rock not a stone. the talc content and the fact that it is a rock make it easy to erase imperfections, and yes fine scratches disappear with a swipe of ordinary sandpaper. But it isn't quartz. Think of your old biology lab. ......there's a reason it was there.

r

Soapstone can have so many colors in the veins or background, I think you need to pick the stone first.

My Santa Rita has caramel colored quartz mixed with typical grey/white. My moms Black Venata has beautiful turquoise veins throughout. It is stunning, especially in her carved block soapstone sink. We both have just painted backsplash with tile behind the range only.

Another poster on here back in 2007/2008 when I did my kitchen had light green veining so she did a Ming green marble subway-it was also beautiful.

If you are near Philadelphia, Bucks County Soapstone is worth the trip. The owner does some amazing things with stone.

Thank you for your suggestions Jan.

Cleo I live in RI. Your soapstones sound gorgeous.

If the house is Craftsman style I'd do more soapstone or beadboard for the backsplash.

I have a Victorian and I'll be redoing (actually building out) the kitchen. I was looking around at inspiration pics and tried to figure out why nothing was clicking, and it was because the backsplash was all wrong. Back in the day, they used beadboard for everything - backsplash, wainscoting, etc - and if this old kitchen had any built-ins, they'd have been backed with beadboard.

Look up photos of Victorian and Craftsman butler pantries and you'll see lots of soapstone and beadboard combos. It all looks amazing, too.

My most recent article contains a bit of a geology lab as I tested different soapstones. There's also the usual geologic details of the stone. Hope it's helpful!

https://usenaturalstone.org/soft-spot-soapstone/

I matched the veins of my soapstone for the backsplash;

I think one of Fireclay Tiles Glazed Thin Brick tile colors would be an awesome choice. The colors are gorgeous and I think the feel of the tile would go really well with soapstone.

My friend chose glass 2x6 tiles from FireClayTile in 'Pear'.

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  I’m currently remodeling my kitchen, going with Black Venata soapstone with a 4” matching backsplash. The walls are just painted in a semi gloss - which worked fine with the old Formica counters too. . My house is older (1918) but really lacking in architectural detail, so I’m trying to keep it very simple. But my vote in your case would be to go for the bead board. It sounds like it would be both beautiful and historically appropriate. I guess my advice would be to bear in mind that you may decide to oil your soapstone - or you may not. If you elect to go with tile it should look good with the untreated gray, the color of the veins, and the oiled soapstone as well.

Thank you for all the suggestions and help. Karin thank you so much for the article. I did see some slabs of Marine Black that were gorgeous (saw them online). This looks to be the hardest stone as well.

Beth I was hoping you would chime in! I would like to add some color but not something I will tire of quickly or is a fad and will look dated quickly. I find at my age I overthink everything and it takes me far longer to make decisions, especially because this one is a big one and will stay for a long time. Luckily I have time.

How far in advance do people pick out their slabs?

You pick your slab at least five to six weeks before the dates of CABINET install. Sooner if you are indecisive. There is no hurry, repeat NO HURRY to select a splash if you are determined to tile. Wait for the full effect of top install. It can't go UP until then anyway.

Stones don't marry well in most cases. Out is a marble. Glass mosaic feels done and over done and tends to look busy. The point of the tops is their natural organic beauty. A simple greenish glass subway.........a ceramic subway laid herringbone and match grout. ONE star in a show. : )

No matter what, it all begins and ends with the feel you want OVERALL in the kitchen.

jad2design, I love a curb backsplash with soapstone. I also happen to believe a black counter and curb backsplash is the exception that can have tile above it and still look fabulous.

Your cabinet is so gorgeous! Wow.

I think the soapstone will be really beautiful and I really like the idea of carrying it up the backsplash, but, pricy, I'm sure! I also love the bead-board look! Something different from tile and a nod to the historic.

I use to follow a blog called 'for the love of a house,' a couple who 'revitalized' a New England antique farmhouse. In her kitchen, she did the soapstone with the beadboard which was so pretty.

for the love of a house: Soapstone... · More Info

for the love of a house: the kitchen · More Info

There is also a post on her experience with the soapstone, sealers, etc.....http://fortheloveofahouse.blogspot.com/2014/03/soapstone.html

Thank you Jan. I am not rushing any choices and why I want to take my time and really look before making a decision. Thank you for the advice and suggestions.

Barricartz and kmg thank you for the pictures. Both beautiful.

kmg I am looking forward to reading the article when I can get on my computer. Have been reading a lot!