Need advice with kitchen counters and backsplash, please

7 years ago

last modified: 7 years ago

I'd love some feedback with replacing my kitchen countertops, island top, and backsplash. When I built my home 22 years ago I selected white ceramic tiles with additional Luna Garcia handmade tiles interplaced in the backsplash and green Luna Garcia handmade tiles on the freestanding island.

I'm going to keep our lovely maple cabinets and sandstone floors and I want the new look to flow with the rest of the house. (I'll also have someone lightly sand and refinish the cabinets since some of them are a bit damaged from wear-and-tear.)

Of major importance is durability and ease of care because certain members of my household don't remember to wipe up spilled wine, tomato sauce, water, or cut lemon. And certain members of my household have sometimes been known to put a pot directly from the oven onto the counter or do a quick slicing job without benefit of a cutting board. As you see, I need a countertop that will do its best to stand up to abuse. :)

I've been thinking about quartzite, slate, soapstone or granite for the countertops and perhaps a cooler version of a subway-tile-like backsplash. I don’t want a white or busy countertop and I’ve been leaning toward some softer black quartzite or granite since it feels ‘warmer’.

Also, from what I’ve read neither soapstone or slate would be good for us since they require more maintenance than quartzite or granite?

I'm keeping the "putty green" of the kitchen breakfast nook because it is interspersed throughout the house as accent color (and I still like it).

I'm interested in your input from a practical aspect, from a design aspect, and from a color aspect. Thank you in advance for your time and letting me pick your brain.

Existing island and backsplash above stove

Existing tile and backsplash.

Maple cabinets and stone floors (keeping).

Breakfast nook in kitchen.

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Comments (3)

jad2design
7 years ago
Soapstone is impervious to heat and staining. The soft and medium hardness varieties will indeed scratch or chip easily _but_ the hardest kinds do not. Check out companies like M. Teixeira and ask them about their hardest stones. No one should use a knife directly on stone btw - it ruins the edge, but if you have to live with countertop abusers in your household :) then an appropriate soapstone (or perhaps a honed Virginia Mist granite) is a good option.

I did go with soapstone myself in my recent kitchen remodel - Black Venata, which is somewhat soft . .As a consequence my counters are acquiring a patina of light scratches and dings, most of which are visible for a week or two and then slowly fade away. There are always a few fine marks, but they are never the same ones. It’s an evolving surface, which I’ve come to really like as a factor in its own right. It feels like the kitchen has some life to it. - I appreciate that it is not static. And I love that I can set down a roasting pan direct from the oven without a worry,. As for spilled wine or tomatoes ?Phttf. No problem.
debrakriz thanked jad2design
ejoe326
7 years ago
I am not a pro so I will leave the design advice to those with that skill set. I can comment on soapstone counters. We've had ours almost a year and it is hands down my most favorite part of our home. I also went with with our fabricator labels architecture grade so it is harder and does not scratch like some varieties I tested.

I do not consider oiling the soapstone to be a real maintenance issue. It involves wiping on mineral oil with a micro fiber cloth and then wiping it off with a different clean cloth. You can choose how often you oil it. At first you can oil it more frequently. By frequently I mean twice in the first week or so then once a week to now I will maybe oil once a month to every six weeks.

I agree with jad2design I love that it has a patina and putting any pans down directly from the oven or stove.

I look forward to seeing what you choose. It looks like you have a wonderful space.
debrakriz thanked ejoe326
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Mom
7 years ago
I went with a leathered Virginia Mist granite (aka Jet Mist) and it’s been really great so far! Have heard wonderful things about soapstone too but at the time I was making decisions there was very little of it available in my area.
debrakriz thanked Mom