I would just do the soapstone but the other choice might be a large format glass subway tile it will have a similar watery green to the sink This is Ivy Hill from wayfair

Go with beadboard if you like it unless your contractor is your husband.

My mom used a small one inch high soapstone backsplash that looks fabulous in her 1760 kitchen so you are not tied to 4 inch high ones. I think they routed the edge to look like a shoe molding. It really looks great and prevents water on the wall.

But get what you want-backsplashes are so easy to change, especially beadboard.

I wouldn't get the 4" splash as it just isn't as nice looking as a tiled backsplash. And even worse is when people have the 4" splash and then tile the rest of the wall.

There are some many incredibly beautiful tiles in the universe so why is it either or? You don't have to select the backsplash tile immediately as it can be installed later when your head isn't exploding from decisions. I wouldn't say I am a fan of subway tile but I do love my 6" x 3" rectangular hand fired tiles that aren't white or gray🙄 If you do the 4" backsplash you are stuck with that choice.

FWIW I have the Kohler Artifact faucet and love it.

Thank you all! I have followed the advice on this forum for almost this whole project and it is turning out beyond my wildest dreams. I think I will wait on the backsplash. I guess we could always add the soapstone later if we wanted. My Tilebar samples came today and there's a cream 2" square tile that might just be the ticket.

Also, the raw (un-lacquered) brass pulls are so beautiful. Thank you to whoever suggested it.

Sorry, I just realized - I don’t have a more recent photo of this finished, but this is what we did with our soapstone. I took out the bottom window trim and put a short splash behind the faucet. The rest is tile to the top of the counter.

I was thinking of beadboard above the 4" soapstone, not tile. Yes, "contractor" (as in the one doing all the work on this project) is the husband, Jeanne! The commenting (read: knowledgeable, as in a real one in real life) contractor is my husband's best buddy. So I'm outvoted. But not complaining: they are really into this project.

Oh my goodness! We have twin kitchens. I also am doing soapstone countertops, Sea salt short apron sink, my cabinets are more of a mushroom color (FB Shaded White). I’m mid remodel right now. Would love to see pics of yours.

Also doing the unlacquered brass fixtures. Show me all your stuff!!

I would do either a taller soapstone splash, at least 6", or tile. Soapstone lends itself to all sorts of creative approaches.

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And yeah, even the derided 4" backsplash can look great.

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There are also ceramic tiles that look like beadboard. https://www.tile-shop.com/products/boiserie/boiserie.html Whichever direction you choose, sounds like your kitchen will be lovely.

My viote is no to the 4 inch backsplash. I love subway tiles, but there are so many choices of shapes now.

I love this

It is a personal choice about the backsplash. I had my kitchen renovated a few years ago with Silestone soap stone counters and simple Shaker cabinets. I loved the simplicity of the 4” backsplash. I am still very happy with my choice❣️This is my “ forever home”.

Kculbers, as much as I don’t the small backsplash, I have to say I always like your kitchen!

Kculbers, I love your kitchen and think the 4” backsplash looks perfect!

I love soapstone! My kitchen that I’m renovating is so darn dark with very little light so I won’t be using it but I just think it’s glorious!

We had a beadboard backsplash in our last kitchen. I found the cleaning of the little ridges and the grooves (!!), especially behind the sink, to be tedious beyond belief.

A 6" soapstone backsplash would be my vote, followed by tile to the counter. If you search English kitchens, many still use the small backsplash formed from the counter material and may provide you with more visuals for your decision. Good luck!

Eld6161and Holly- Kay: thank you .
Barncatz: I was stationed in England for several years ( I am a retired US Air Firce Captain) and they use the short backspashes there alot.

Michael, do not wait - it will never match!

totally agree with therese . if there is a chance you want the soapstone, use pieces from material your using For the countertop. Otherwise it will not match. go 6” or all the way up

Thank you all! We ended up going with a 2" backsplash in soapstone in the English plain tradition as per our fabricator's recommendation. To go taller we'd have to get another slab. It seems in keeping with the house which is a colonial style with high ceilings, wood floors, cream interiors and kitchen garden. Thank you for steering me away from the 4" and to consider other options!

micheleliveshere--I have to make this same decision (yesterday!). May I ask, what did you install, if anything, above the 2 inch soapstone backsplash? Just drywall? I'm convinced drywall will get trashed (even with good paint). My kitchen counter runs and wall areas are not long or large. I was going to do a 5.5 inch backsplash with V-groove to match white cabinets above, but my contractor wasn't confident about installing it into a counter level, recessed window over the sink. Also, I don't have wood paneling anywhere else (except back of bookcases and mudroom locker). Considering a 3 x 6 glossy white (handmade look) tile over the 2" backsplash--since it's a minimal height. Will tile be okay since the shortsplash is truly short? I want the intersection of wall and counter to both be soapstone to avoid the color change where caulk will go. I'm concerned even a taller--5-6" stone splash will look to busy and break up the backsplash area too much with such constrasting colors (black and white...and whatever paint color I choose if it were drywall above.

yalemichmom-I LOVE the look of the 2" backsplash we put in. I agonized over the same situation of different colors. I have cream walls that match the cream cupboards. So very English Plain, very simple and clean. We just have drywall above it and it has been fine. And I cook A LOT and work this kitchen very hard. I also want to say I LOVE the soapstone. It is amazing. I hardly have to wax it, maybe once a year, if that. It always looks good. I love getting to put hot pans on the counter and not worrying about it. As for the walls, no problem keeping them clean and there is no damage to the drywall at all after 3 years. I'll try to figure out how to upload some pictures for you.