It would help to show a sketch of the island.

In general I like mix and match anything and also love butcher block. This is the kind of eclectic look I would really embrace :) It's all subjective though...

Here is the sketch but that is our white kitchen in picture as well. Cabinets are in.

Perimeter of kitchen will be soapstone

Got it. I thought that was an inspiration photo. Is the whole island one level?

Yes ma'am. Island is 1 level.

Knowing that the perimeter counters are soapstone, I'd go soapstone and butcher block on the island. I love that combo

I would make sure I have four feet of passage space between island aisles and counters in kitchen our else the island will look too big for the room....check your measurements.

We do. 4 on one side and 4.5 on back side.
I love the soapstone idea but it being the island I wanted something a tad bit more durable.

More durable than soapstone?! Soapstone is ridiculously durable.

https://www.houzz.com/magazine/kitchen-counters-durable-easy-clean-soapstone-stsetivw-vs~3561803

Maybe you're referring to its tendency to patina?

Just that's it's a softer stone chips and scratches easily.

Bump

I don't see man made silestone with lovely and organic soapstone at all. I also wonder why this selection was not addressed/planned when the island was configured for the kitchen. I'd place a seam at the sink, SOME fabricators will, others will not, though it is very safe and the least noticeable spot for a seam. Then I'd CONTINUE using soapstone. Or butcher block combination.

Jan, yes very good point. Not one person architect to cabinet people told us we'd have an issue. Crazy when it's a $20000 kitchen design without countertops. We could Seam at sink but it would cost another $3300 to go width wise with it like a match book. The silestone is gorgeous. It's the new Silestone Eternal Calacatta Gold. Man-made, yes but we didn't want to maintain marble. We live on farm but 4 little ones. Ingot a quote for a small part of wood and he wanted almost $4000 to do a 24" x 10' section. Wowzers.

I do think you should re-investigate the durability of soapstone.

This is admittedly a blog, can't be held as gospel truth: http://consciouskitchenremodel.blogspot.ca/2009/04/counters-soapstone.html?m=1

Look for other references too.

Especially considering it is already on your perimeters so the concern about chipping already exists, I can't think of a good reason not to use it on the island. And scratches buff out with no problem whatsoever.

I wouldn't push soapstone if you hadn't already made that choice; it's not the counter for everyone. But since you did choose it, you need to be careful to coordinate finishes that support that choice. I think three different countertops in one kitchen is too much especially when one of them (soapstone) wants to be the focal point.

I have a girlfriend in a beautiful home like yours, she hates her island and wishes she did something different!
Why?

She has 3 little ones and they LOVE to run around it constantly, hootin and hollerin and chasing one another. She feels like all she is ever doing is yelling at them.

Sorry, I'm off point, but when I read the post about the little ones it popped into my mind.

The veining in soapstone tends to be very random and faint. Book matching is only possible when a pair of slabs allow that, usually in granite or marble . The point is this: Mixing materials for tops is part art and part science. Two different natural stones will never pair particularly well, too confusing!. The soapstone is an organic/earthy material.......best with more of itself! If you love the marble effect in Silestone, use it on the island. Pay for extra to ensure a slab may seam CLOSELY, or in a logical manner at the sink...... and select a simple plain white quartz for perimeter.

At this point , and for your fear of durability, and for slab size, you'd do well to consider Absolute Black granite, (honed) and make all the same, everywhere, or do the island in that and pair it with plain white quartz on perimeter.. Or stick to the butcher block/soapstone combo on all surfaces and limit it to those. More suited to a farm locale in ANY scenario. (Re shop the pricing on the butcher block. That is RIDICULOUS.)

Point is .... the veining you love in the Silestone is misplaced/rather lost on perimeters. It needs a larger surface to show its best feature. And it's a bit too "glitz" for soapstone, whose beauty is very natural, earthy subtlety. : ) with no real substitute, but honed black granite comes closest to the look.

Ps...... you probably dissected your biology class frog on soapstone...... and never knew. It's used in labs all over the world. A scratch can be erased with ordinary sandpaper. Re seal and presto, A chip can be smoothed with same. It's simply gorgeous Belgian linen versus polyester. :) Wrinkles are part of the beauty.

Do you like this Quartzite? Or am I going to hate that it's kind of muddy off-white? This fits our island 123 x 77 is what we need. It's pretty but it's not the Silestone.

Option B
Do the Calacatta combined with a small wood portion on island too.

Some visuals of mixes

Forgive me. A ten foot by six foot island is RUNWAY TARMAC! For heaven sake, adjust the posts, reduce the island to nine feet six inches, x five feet. You need stool over hang 12 inches on two sides at best. Th labor involved will be more than compensated in looks, freedom of top selection, and seam issues. Its more than enough for four kids, and all kitchen activity.

Redesign that uncleanable boondoggle continent to something with a human scale. This is what you get when you don't work with a designer. It would have saved you money. instead, there's a borderline unusable kitchen with no thought given to materials limitations, or their support. Penny wise and pound foolish to think about nothing but bling.

Becca I understand that your island is already built so what you've done is done, though I too would have advised you to go smaller.

The two countertop islands you posted are lovely on their own.

I would just like to reiterate that three different tops in one kitchen is too much, and you will be negating the significant investment you made in the soapstone if you choose something that will steal its thunder.

If cost is an issue and you would be content with something more temporary while you decide/save for the real deal try pre-cut bamboo counters. They are cheap (we did our 12x12 kitchen plus the island, plus had enough leftover for the laundry room counter for like $600). They are durable in the sense that they won't break and are fairly heat resistant although they do scratch, they can be stained to your liking or oiled with food-safe oil for a natural finish though with oiling alone they are more prone to staining. You will have seams all over the place but careful work will minimize their appearance. They are diy-able for anyone with careful woodworking skills. And they will mesh better with soapstone than your other choices.

Or reconsider the soapstone. All your other ideas are fighting it, I'm sorry to say.

Sophie, not everyone can afford a "designer" for $100 an hour. You're comment was rude and quite honestly, sounded like a pretentious snob. We would never invest in someone with the inability to speak kind or just learn to edit their words. Come on. Jan-I'm not sure how they would even reduce- have them redo the legs? Costly mistake-Not one person told us this in the "Custom Countertop" place. Shouldn't surprise me though, everyone claiming to be experts and missed this biggie. I've seen people mix the materials, but yes. It's delicate and has to be be done right if so. Anyways, so the sage continues.

Becca...go with your gut you have great taste and I love the mix of wood and Quartzite....it will look amazing and give a casual Farmhouse feel:)

I think this large island will support four children doing homework, science projects and artwork at the kitchen counter, and still have room for food prep! What a great family hub.
I like the idea of the butcher block, especially in a farm setting- very warm and comfortable.
For me because I have issues with "visual clutter/noise", three types of countertop would be too much. Two would be best for me.
Enjoy your kitchen and all the family memories you will make there.

A cabinet guy can re- do those support legs/apron.. A match in paint is possible as well. A grand spent on that is a far, far better "investment" than overwrought/multiple surfaces in the kitchen, or seams where none need exist.

As to the OP...... she WAS in fact led astray by an architect, and perhaps even the cabinet folks. No clue what she paid him. He goofed in allowing this, or not ADVISING the implications of such a size. Not all architects, or interior designers are equal......, and all decisions in any design will have consequences for better.....or for worse.

A nine foot by five foot island is beyond generous......it truly is! And ten hours with a designer going over this architect's plan and following through with its surfaces, sizes and consequences, right through all materials selection is the "grand" (and probably not much more than that) that could have prevented the issue now facing this op with this island.

Do you really WANT a nightly "science project" on your island? If so, fine...how bout when dinner is all cleaned up.? Not during prep , perhaps: )

Hi. If you want to see what soapstone and butcher block and calacatta gold look like together.... go to Astro Design Center (link below). Go see Farm House Chic. It's one of my favorite kitchens.

http://www.astrodesigncentre.com/gallery59.html