The Beauty of Soapstone Counters (+ why we chose them for our kitchen)

As much as I love charming architecture and prefer classic materials in my home, I have loved soapstone. I wanted to use more soapstone, but that kitchen had existing tile floors, so I wanted to use wood countertops to give the tiles a warm touch. The counter was so beautiful! Our bathroom had marble, which also stole my heart.

So when I was deciding what type of counters to place in my current home during my kitchen remodel, I knew I would definitely choose organic elements again. It’s our forever home, so it was important to choose something that would bring us joy for years to come. I knew it was.

We chose marble for our surrounding countertops many months ago (see our kitchen design moodboard here), but we’re still undecided on what we want for our island. The idea was to use soapstone, but I thought to use wood or butcher block, so I put that idea aside for a while.

After the wood floors were installed, we liked them so much that after much discussion, we finally wanted them to shine on their own as a ‘wood statement’. revisited the soapstone idea. I was so thrilled with my kitchen once I decided to use soapstone! We felt like home. When in doubt, I learned to take my time and not rush into things that weren’t clear.

Like marble, soapstone stands the test of time. Soapstone is often found around fireplaces and kitchens in New England homes. It dates back to the 13th colonial era and is known as a tried and true classic here in America. Of course, soapstone and marble are European classics! We will never forget the beauty of genuine marble on the counters and tables of European cafes.

That’s the sense of history and patina we’ve decided the home deserves. You know how much I love a home that feels like a cozy sanctuary, a home that tells stories and reflects family history. My goal is not to keep my home looking like a pristine showplace. We care for the stones with love and take pleasure in doing so, but we do not live in fear that they will give us any indication that we live here.

Stone yards, contractors and designers try to persuade me not to choose soapstone and marble, precisely because I wanted to use them! I love how these materials show a patina over time. . The professionals who sell it are trying to make sure you know it, so it makes sense that they would add caution.

Here in America, it seems like most people want their materials to be pristine and perfect. So it’s no wonder it’s frustrating when your marble or soapstone doesn’t stay “showroom new”. There is also granite that mimics soapstone, but I am thrilled with the natural aging and beauty of natural stone.

We put quartz in our last two homes (Seattle Kitchen and Artisan Home Kitchen). It’s beautiful in another way, but to me, there’s nothing quite like the organic, historic look of marble and soapstone in a proper home. One thing I’ve observed is that they aren’t necessarily foolproof, they don’t have their own flaws. Our quartz still had some stains and etchings on it, but it wasn’t repairable like soapstone. Soapstone is also heat resistant, but quartz is not.

I can’t wait to see the counter in my kitchen! The joy these beautiful organic elements already bring us has made us fall in love with our home even more. When they come to our home, we can share a lot more about them than just caring for and storing the stones.

Other posts about our kitchen remodels:

My New Kitchen Floor Plan + Parents’ Extension and Exterior Elevation

Mood board for our new kitchen design (and 5 questions that helped me make the decision)

Adding character to your kitchen remodel: The story of the new range and faucets

Kitchen and dining room renovation update! The project has started!

The latest in kitchen renovations: floors, cabinets, sinks, hardware and more