I have a calacatta island with cambrian antique black granite perimeter counters - and opted for 3X6 calacatta subway tile for my backsplash. I wanted the marble which matches the island, but I wanted a little more texture for that vertical surface, which the subways provide.

What kind of soapstone did you choose? I suspect that a quieter soapstone with a marble backsplash - either tile or slab would be gorgeous.

Good luck!!!

My soapstone is python from M. Tex - about as quiet as you can get. There is no veining at all except some thin black lines you can see if you look close up. I hadn't thought about marble tiles. I will look into that. thanks

victoriajane-- what KIND of marble? I'm assuming your countertops are a dark greenish color?

Bill - calacatta oro marble. The countertops are black - not a hint of green.

victoriajane - I have Green Mountain Original soapstone on my perimeter counters & honed white cararra marble on my island. I did my backsplash in 3x6 honed white cararra marble. I get the subway tile look without adding yet another color to my already busy kitchen. I think it really ties everything together nicely.

annekendo, yes, that was my thinking - my kitchen is getting busy and the thought of choosing colors for subway tile ("which white? the white white, the gray-white or the creamy-white"?) is enough to send me over the edge. But a tile made out of the same material as my island countertop might solve that problem.

You're right -- our backsplash is a "continuation" of our countertop (which is the same marble). In my mind's eye if you were to do a slab backsplash (marble) it would look odd over your (slab) soapstone countertops. But the marble tile, either 3" x 6" or mini (like alku05's) would look terrific! And I don't think it would fight the pseudo-industrial aesthetic you're after.

Thanks , rmkitchen. One more thought - if we were to put a 36" sheet of stainless steel behind the range running up to the hood, and then two marble slabs on either side - would that also look odd? The size of each marble slab would be ...lets see...27" w X 18" h (or whatever standard height is from counter to bottom of cabinet!) Or would you still do tiles in this scenario?

I did my backsplash in 3x6 honed white cararra marble

That was the direction I was headed, too. Matter of fact, when I typed my loast post, I'd already typed carrara, and then decided I ought to ask victoriajane, first.