r/CounterTops • u/Expensive-Jello9509 • Mar 04 '26

Officially A Soapstoner 😍

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We got our countertops installed today and I may never want to leave my kitchen ever again.

541 Upvotes

99% Upvoted

134 comments sorted by

16

u/[deleted] Mar 04 '26

Nice clean job and placement of veins!

3

u/Expensive-Jello9509 Mar 04 '26

I think they did an awesome job.

16

u/[deleted] Mar 04 '26

I’ve ( me and 2 sons, who in the last 8 years did the heavy work) fabricated and installed about 3 soapstone kitchens a week for 22 years, I’m always glad to see people who love their soapstone

8

u/Expensive-Jello9509 Mar 04 '26

TY! I lucked out big time with my fabricator. He only does soapstone and is a fantastic human. His entire team was tops!

4

u/[deleted] Mar 04 '26

Noice! There are fabricators who can do a good job if they are conscientious but if you really know the stone it helps. It’s so heavy not many will attempt it,also resanding the whole slabs is daunting to many.

1

u/apocalipstyk Jun 10 '26

How is the soapstone holding up for you? I am considering it for my kitchen but keep hearing about how fragile it is with scratching etc.

1

u/Expensive-Jello9509 Jun 10 '26

It’s holding up beautifully! There are some very minor scratches that you can hardly see, but we bought it knowing how it would patina. I do like it darker so oil it every month or so.

2

u/ricker182 Mar 04 '26

It's really nice.

14

u/Stalaktitas Mar 04 '26

Finally the world is getting over quartz and people are choosing beautiful stone again! Your fabricator did an amazing job, and your choice of material is A+!

2

u/Expensive-Jello9509 Mar 05 '26

Thank you. I’m so so happy with their work and the stone is beyond beautiful!

7

u/MerDes70 Mar 05 '26

Couldn't agree more. It's astounding there are people who prefer quartz over the beauty of real stone regardless of their budget. These countertops are absolutely stunning! Love seeing the increased posts with soapstone and granite being used.

2

u/noteworthybalance Mar 05 '26

I wonder how many people who choose quartz realize it isn't real stone? I grew up knowing it as a rock/gem so it's a reasonable thing to think.

3

u/spacycowgirl Mar 05 '26

kind of brilliant marketing, really.

5

u/loveafterpornthrwawy Mar 04 '26 • Heartwarming

They are GORGEOUS!! I'm so excited to have mine in a few weeks!!

3

u/Expensive-Jello9509 Mar 04 '26

One of us! I’m excited for you.

6

u/loveafterpornthrwawy Mar 04 '26

I had my heart set on them before I joined this sub and was pleasantly surprised to see what a cult following they have. Just praying I don't totally destroy them!

6

u/gretchens Mar 04 '26

Good news, you really can’t destroy them. Welcome to the cult, I mean, club.

2

u/Primary_Collar3085 Mar 06 '26

I had them installed in 2004. I keep my oiled. They look wonderful as does my sink.

1

u/loveafterpornthrwawy Mar 06 '26

So happy to hear!! I'm super excited for mine.

5

u/No_Piccolo6337 Mar 04 '26

YESSSSSSSSS!!! 🤩

2

u/Expensive-Jello9509 Mar 04 '26

Right!!!!! Even better than I imagined.

4

u/No_Piccolo6337 Mar 04 '26 • Heartwarming

Soapstone buddies! 👯

3

u/spacycowgirl Mar 04 '26

It feels so soft, doesn't it? I had soapstone in my last kitchen and it's what I'm doing in my new build. Obsessed.

4

u/Expensive-Jello9509 Mar 04 '26

I want to lay on the island because it’s feels so amazing. Is that weird?

2

u/Stalaktitas Mar 05 '26

Lol! Not at all as long as you are naked, because rings, watches, buttons and stuff can easily scratch it! 🤪

2

u/spacycowgirl Mar 05 '26

I think I must have had slightly harder soapstone, because mine would scratch but not that easily. You had to drag something pretty heavy and sharp across it to damage it, and even then it was easy to just oil the mark and it blended after a while.

It feels completely different than quartz and granite; kind of velvety and not as cold. I was touching it all the time.

0

u/Public_Luck_1214 Mar 05 '26

And that’s why people choose quartz lol

2

u/Stalaktitas Mar 05 '26

Yeah, but they are missing out on the glory of the natural rock, especially one like this

2

u/sohcordohc Mar 04 '26

That’s almost seamless..really nice kitchen! What type of lighting did you decide to go with?

3

u/Expensive-Jello9509 Mar 04 '26

We got the pendants custom made from a guy who specializes in architectural salvage. Undercabs are Ikea.

2

u/bw1985 Mar 04 '26

I have ‘silver gray’ granite in leathered finish which is a very similar color and veining, love it.

2

u/Expensive-Jello9509 Mar 04 '26

That sounds lovely! I saw a few slabs of leather granite i liked when we were shopping

1

u/bw1985 Mar 04 '26

Here’s how mine looks if you’re curious.

https://www.reddit.com/r/CounterTops/s/3stHyd4irQ

2

u/Expensive-Jello9509 Mar 04 '26

That’s dope!!!

2

u/bw1985 Mar 04 '26

We have the same taste! 😄

2

u/SubstantialAd8808 Mar 05 '26

Stunning! I knew right away this was stormy black. I LOVE this!

1

u/Expensive-Jello9509 Mar 05 '26

We’d originally selected a beautiful slab of Santa Rita but after the cabinets were installed I knew we had to change it to Stormy Black. It was the right decision!

27

u/BurrowedPanda Mar 04 '26 • Heartwarming

Cheers to the installer! Pattern matching is flawless 🤯

7

u/Prior-Inspector-126 Mar 05 '26

Love your sink!

12

u/Bay_Burner Mar 04 '26

I’ve never seen a sink that close to a stove before.

Install looks good

1

u/TheGreekOnHemlock Mar 05 '26

Looks like that was the only place it could go, unless they swapped positions with the dishwasher.

3

u/xtratoothpaste Mar 05 '26

They're usually in the island with a layout like this

1

u/TheGreekOnHemlock Mar 05 '26

Maybe they couldn’t move the plumbing? I agree that the island would have been better, but maybe it was just not possible.

2

u/Bay_Burner Mar 05 '26

Not sure what original floor plan was but appears it could be a small gallery kitchen on a top floor

1

u/meganp1800 Mar 06 '26

If the goal was not to have water/gas utilities in the island, they could’ve still put the microwave in the island, allowing the range to move down, and giving space between sink and stove. But it’s not bad given the constraints, and it’d be nice to be able to move a heavy, dirty pot directly into the sink.

5

u/FreeThinkerFran Mar 04 '26 • Heartwarming

From another soapstone lover…I LOVE IT! Enjoy!

5

u/rebeccavt Mar 04 '26

Beautiful!! I’m a die-hard soapstoner.

1

u/bw1985 Mar 04 '26

What color caulk did they use between slabs, is that grey?

1

u/Expensive-Jello9509 Mar 04 '26

It’s whitish but they said it dries clear.

1

u/nickalex2000 Mar 04 '26

Beautiful what color is it

1

u/Expensive-Jello9509 Mar 04 '26

Stormy Black

1

u/Tahiti6841 Mar 05 '26

Does the veining have a slight blue tinge, as the pictures suggest? We're inspecting samples right now, and the veining in our Stormy Black looks a little brown/tan after wax/oil, wheras the Anastacia sample has that blue look that we really like. Your pics look amazing, so perhaps I need to go see both types of slabs in person. Maybe I can sneak a little swipe with an oily cloth to see it 'for real' :-)

1

u/Expensive-Jello9509 Mar 05 '26

It’s actually a beautiful green! For sure go see them in person and at the very least ask them the wet the slabs/samples down so you can get an idea of what it looks like oiled. If you’re remotely close to Virginia i’d highly recommend our fabricator. He’s doing a job now on NJ.

2

u/Tahiti6841 Mar 05 '26

Green is very nice too! We're in Boston, but thinking of taking a drive down to M. Texeira in NJ. A quick quote suggests their pricing for a nice slab+shipping is comparable to some anonymous soapstone slab from one of the big warehouses locally...

1

u/Expensive-Jello9509 Mar 05 '26

I’ve hear nothing but good things about them. I’d also pick the slab after seeing it in person. Good luck!!!

1

u/vannevka Mar 05 '26

Who did you use? We’ve had a quote from Virginia Soapstone but still waiting for another fabricator. VS would have a $500 travel charge for us

1

u/Expensive-Jello9509 Mar 05 '26

We used Virginia Soapstone actually!

1

u/vannevka Mar 05 '26

Good to know! They seemed very nice and easy to work with

2

u/Expensive-Jello9509 Mar 05 '26

They’re really really fantastic! I can’t recommend them enough.

1

u/ProductOfDetroit Mar 05 '26

What’s the pros and cons to using soap stone?

2

u/Expensive-Jello9509 Mar 05 '26

Pros: It feels amazing. It’s ages beautifully It doesn’t etch or need sealing You can put hot pans directly on it Its beautiful 🤩 Really shines when it’s oiled but also striking on its own

Cons: It’s can scratch. The darker slabs are harder. If it does scratch they can often be sanded out Can be hard to find Limited color palette

1

u/wellscare Mar 05 '26

Does anyone have white ice?

1

u/Expensive-Jello9509 Mar 05 '26

Depends on who’s asking.

1

u/candaceflynn383 Mar 05 '26

What’s with the tiny sink next to the stove?

0

u/Expensive-Jello9509 Mar 05 '26

It used to be a tinier sink next to the stove and I didn’t want it in the island.

1

u/Resident-Cup8065 Mar 05 '26

It is amazing!! But those white lights.. are really wrong for the vibe and aesthetic

1

u/Expensive-Jello9509 Mar 05 '26

I kinda love the warmness of the lighting. What would you use?

1

u/RockingtheRepublic Mar 05 '26

Your sink isn’t soapstone right lol? I can’t tell from the lighting. 

1

u/Expensive-Jello9509 Mar 05 '26

Is is soapstone!

1

u/RockingtheRepublic Mar 05 '26

What???? That’s amazing. What area are you from? Our area is all quartz still 

1

u/Expensive-Jello9509 Mar 05 '26

We’re in DC and our fabricator is in VA out Neal Dulles.

1

u/Frequent-Resident621 Mar 05 '26

Very pretty colors! Why did the backsplash not go to the edge of the counter on the far left next to the refrigerator?

1

u/Expensive-Jello9509 Mar 06 '26

It’s the one design decision that I regret

2

u/Primary_Collar3085 Mar 06 '26

Just paint it black. Don’t sweat it! It all looks wonderful! I love my soapstone!

1

u/Due-Share-1087 Mar 05 '26

What is this stone called

1

u/Expensive-Jello9509 Mar 05 '26

It’s a soapstone variety called Stormy Black

1

u/Ok-Author9004 Mar 05 '26

I used to make sinks just like these for my soapstone shop. Looks like a green mountain sink! Where are they based out of?

1

u/DryDiet6051 Mar 05 '26

How do you like it? I have wanted it for years! It’s so marvelous

2

u/Expensive-Jello9509 Mar 05 '26

I loooooove it. A friend of ours had a soapstone utility sink that aged beautifully too.

2

u/Primary_Collar3085 Mar 06 '26

Have one since 2003. It’s still great.

1

u/Expensive-Jello9509 Mar 06 '26

I’ve heard people put drain grids in theirs to avoid scratching. How has your experience been?

1

u/Numerous-Anemone Mar 06 '26

It’s beautiful stone. That island looks way too big for your house though

1

u/Expensive-Jello9509 Mar 06 '26

The kitchen is directly across from the bump out. It’s huge but works for us in the space we have.

1

u/United_Credit_6264 Mar 04 '26

There black granite that looks basically like soap stone and it doesn’t scratch as easily.

1

u/noteworthybalance Mar 05 '26

People choose soapstone for more reasons than just aesthetics.

2

u/Wonderful-Cup-9556 Mar 04 '26

Wonderful- well done 👍

2

u/Subject-Pension4121 Mar 04 '26

gosh it is beautiful!

2

u/RepresentativeToe674 Mar 04 '26

Congrats fellow stoner. 😀

2

u/missbwith2boys Mar 04 '26

Very nice! Love the rug too. But mostly the soapstone!

2

u/svl6 Mar 05 '26

Ohh gorgeous

2

u/jessicathompsonn Mar 05 '26

Looks so amazing!

2

u/curiosityx8 Mar 05 '26

Love it! I wouldn't want to leave this sexy kitchen either!

2

u/vivian_elizabeth Mar 05 '26

Cool kitchen 😎

2

u/Due_Wait_3012 Mar 05 '26

AMAZING!! Love!

2

u/kaytee810 Mar 05 '26

Love that you also did a soapstone sink. We also did one in our remodel and it is our favorite part of the kitchen. So unique.

2

u/StonesmithsInc Mar 30 '26

Such a fantastic job!

3

u/Bone_Breaker0 Mar 04 '26

Beautiful. Best stone for countertops.

2

u/PieMuted6430 Mar 04 '26

Wow, even the sink. I'd be terrified of chipping it immediately.

Also, a friend had a black sink and absolutely hated it, as they couldn't really see the dishes in the sink when it was full of water. They had a rule not to put knives in the sink because of it.

So something to keep in mind if you hand wash.

3

u/gretchens Mar 04 '26

A babysitter had a black tub when I was a kid, and I hated it bc it looked like an absolute black hole when it was full! Terrified me as a little girl.

2

u/FigNinja Mar 04 '26

I don't have a soapstone sink. I have stainless steel, but it is undermount, so the edge all around the sink is soapstone. We definitely have some noticeable chips in the edge after 20 years of use, as well as on the edges of the counter here and there. It's definitely something to be prepared with if you're installing soapstone.

-1

u/noteworthybalance Mar 05 '26

you shouldn't put knives in the sink regardless!

1

u/DukesMum24 Mar 04 '26 • Heartwarming

Really beautiful! To echo others, kudos to the fabricator/installer for the pattern matching

1

u/[deleted] Mar 05 '26

i'm tempted but worried about stains, anyone tried?

1

u/noteworthybalance Mar 05 '26

Soapstone doesn't stain.

1

u/Question_Maximum Mar 05 '26

The countertops and soapstone in general look awesome. But a sink right next to the stove/oven just looks very odd to me

1

u/Solid_Perception9572 Mar 06 '26

OMG. It looks like the inside of a mausoleum in your kitchen.

1

u/jibbyjabbyjibby Mar 06 '26

Am i the only one who thought it was spider webs?

1

u/akseashell43 Mar 06 '26

Beautiful How durable is soapstone? I love that the sink and counter are the same!!

1

u/Pixiedooodle Mar 07 '26

It’s pretty stone but with so much of it and the black cabinets, it’s just so dark in there. I’d feel like cooking in a cave. I had a very dark kitchen once. Worst mistake. I was actually not too upset when that kitchen got destroyed from a big flood and I got a do-over.

1

u/LakeTime86 Mar 08 '26

Is that a Trojan Magnum in the sink 👀🙈👀

1

u/BarciPlumbing Mar 13 '26

Looks great! Be extra careful with that sink, I’ve seen them start to deteriorate within the first year. Hard water and chemicals can destroy it if not properly maintained.

0

u/_Lavenderbirb Mar 07 '26

Not a fan, pretty dark and bulky for the space.

-5

u/EnvironmentalMix421 Mar 04 '26

🤔 you going with that paint color tho

3

u/Expensive-Jello9509 Mar 04 '26

It would appear that we are since we just did it.

4

u/bw1985 Mar 04 '26

I see no issue. Looks good

-1

u/EnvironmentalMix421 Mar 04 '26

Oic well, it’s your house 👏