We’re wrapping up some client projects this month and next that I’m super excited to share with you! In two of the projects, we’ve gone with black soapstone for the countertops. I love the dramatic contrast of dark counters with light/white cabinetry!
I love that there is still some soft veining and movement in the stone. It’s not a solid or flecked black, which is the case with Jet Black granite. Soapstone also has a super high heat threshold (you can put hot pans right on the surface!) and it is scratch and stain resistant. Any little problems can usually be buffed right out using a little mineral oil (this one is my favorite for natural stone and butcher blocks). But I think the best thing about soapstone is the feel – that smooth, buttery surface!! There’s nothing like it.
Here’s a progress shot from a home we’re working on locally. This is from a couple of weeks ago – I’m so excited to share this space with you guys! It’s going to be beautiful! We’ve got some gorgeous satin brass plumbing fixtures going in that will look amazing against the black soapstone we installed on the perimeter cabinets!
What’s your dream countertop material? Or what do you have now? The pro/con list for natural stone countertops is a long one, but I feel like soapstone is a pretty smart option!
We installed soapstone in our last kitchen and I absolutely adored it. It's such a beautiful, living material that develops a stunning patina with age. Nice that it also hides messes and stains quite well! ;) it does require regular oiling or waxing to keep it looking uniform, but pros far outweigh the cons. We just purchased a new-to-us house and are installing calcutta quartzite in the kitchen. I can only hope I love it as much as my soapstone.
I installed soapstone in our weekend place and I love it. I am not good about oiling it so it's a dustier gray instead of black most of the time! Note: many counter places don't know much about soapstone (vs granite)–sone varieties are WAY to soft, and the common stuff is green, not black. Make sure you find someone who knows their stuff. (I have an amazing guy who works in NY and New England if anyone needs a rec.)
soapstone is such a beautiful and under-appreciated material. i agree, that buttery texture is wonderful!
Kate F. I'd love your recommendation! I'm in the Boston area and thinking about soapstone for a future countertop replacement. I'm living with inherited black/grey/beige speckled granite and hate it.
Love soapstone, but I went with stainless steel and maple butcher block. Love them!
I've never even heard of using soapstone for counters. Beautiful! Thank you, as always, for the inspiration and information! Would you mind also sharing what those beautiful floors are in the local kitchen remodel? Yum!
we put soapstone in our kitchen on the perimeter cabinets – stainless steel on the island – and i haven't regretted it once. the feel is so smooth and cool, and it's pretty much indestructible. i was a biology major for about three minutes in college, and did a lot of kitchen/food service work to pay the bills, so i was very familiar with the hardworking qualities of both soapstone (science lab tabletops) and stainless (every restaurant kitchen). if we ever move, i will likely go with the same combo; that's how much i love it. there's just such a classic beauty-meets-utilitarian chic in both, and our soapstone has amazing green veins running through it. our builder was shocked that we weren't in love with the idea of granite (quelle horror!), but in the end he understood the lure of soapstone.
We've had soapstone since our kitchen remodel 4 years ago. I wholeheartedly agree with all the pluses- the hot pans directly on it feature I don't think I could go without ever again. Quartz and granite were too cold, shiny and hard for me. With 6 kids, I figured we'd be breaking glasses all the time if I'd chosen those. Instead, probably because of the aforementioned kids, the soapstone is chipped like crazy- especially around the sink (undermount farm sink). It was mined locally here in VA, back in the 1800s, which made it all the more appealing to me, but I do wonder if other areas might have sturdier soapstone varieties. We're moving in a couple months and re-doing the kitchen- despite its flaws, I can't keep myself from wanting it again!
I have soapstone on my center island (macaubas white quartzite on the perimeter) and I absolutely love it! It is a very hard working surface and I love how it has an earthy natural look to it. It does scratch though and can develop little nicks or chips along the edges. This doesn't bother me but if that is something that would drive you crazy, I do not recommend it. Wiping it down with mineral oil periodically helps to speed up the oxidation process so eventually the soapstone will have a dark charcoal appearance.
Oooh, I would love soapstone counters, but our kitchen is large and our budget is not. I'll file it away as a dream.????
I love the flooring! Would you mind sharing what that is?
Your client's kitchen has my favorites – black soapstone and white marble! Can't wait to see the end result! They're both timeless. We have St Cecilia granite and it's so nice but not my taste but I feel too guilty to throw it out. Is there a resale market at all for countertops?
I had soapstone in my AZ house and it was high maintenance if I wanted to keep it dark; I'd oil it to keep it dark. It would 'whiten' or get chalky but finally I just enjoyed it in all stages. It's gorgeous no matter what! xoxo
I know this is a soapstone blog but am also wondering about that fabulous floor!
I installed it about 4 years ago too. Worth every single penny, and I love it every day. My friends installed it last year too. Best remodeling decision I made.
We have had soapstone before…and I loved it.
Can you recommend a soapstone dealer in Arizona?
Try consentinos!
I too have the same issue with the sink area by my granite. I have tried many things to clean and have not been successful. Also would appreciate any insight or solution to this. granite countertops seattle
I love the color of the grey-green kitchen cabinets with the white brick walls and white farmhouse sink. Do you have the name of the paint and who makes it? Thank you!
Hi Kyla! The green paint is Farrow and Ball Arsenic. One of my favorite colors! :)
I would love the gray color on the cabinets. Thank you so much!
The mix of black soapstone and white marble is great. Works really well with the white cabinets.
hi there – what is the color of the cabinets with the farm sink? per the comments, F&B arsenic appears to be a more minty color..is that what you used? in the picture it is a beautiful gray/green tone..love it!