Kitchen Countertops- Soapstone

I'm a messy cook.  I can't be bothered with worrying about a spill of tomato sauce or a lemon on the counter while I am trying to get dinner on the table.  I need something that is low maintenance and forgiving.  Add that to a checklist of ecologically responsible and nice to look at and it becomes quite overwhelming to choose a kitchen countertop.  Lucky for you we have sorted through the labyrinth and chosen a few of our favorites to share with you.  As always, there are pros and cons to each choice and your location and lifestyle will play a large part in the equation. Today, we are highlighting soapstone.

Soapstone

This material has been a favorite for kitchen, baths and fireplaces for hundreds of years.  In fact, this material will more than likely, outlive you and your project.  The most eco friendly choice would be to find a slab or sink from a previous project to re purpose in your home. It is not a renewable resource and the transportation is costly.  Stone harvested from Brazil may be damaging the eco-system and should be avoided.  

It is maintenance free.  Yes, it's true.  It requires no sealing and wipes clean with soap and water.  It is a softer stone than granite and it may wear at the corners or nick if you drop a heavy pot.  These "flaws" blend with the natural patina of the stone and add character and warmth.  If you don't like the sound of that, simply buff out any stains with a fine sandpaper and oil once a year to even out the color.  Color varies from grey to black with veining that resembles marble.  Some slabs can have a green cast. The darker colors are more dense and better suited for high use areas. 

Alberene Soapstone offers a kitchen in a box. All you need are a circular saw, jigsaw, drill/driver, grinder, and a sander to assemble your counter top and back splash.  

Pros:

Fits into any design style- vintage, contemporary, traditional.  This stone is a chameleon.  

Maintenance free- Withstands high heat, is non porous, non reactive, and easy to clean.  

Easy to repair-fix any stains or nicks yourself with sandpaper and oil or wax.

Long lasting- this stone will outlive all of your other design choices.  

Cons:

Not a renewable source- check the provenance before purchasing.  Pass if the stone was quarried in Brazil.

Not locally sourced for most of the world.

Here are some images of beautiful kitchens that highlight the versatility of soapstone.