Good to Know: Living With Soapstone (one year follow up)
As many of you are aware, I chose un-oiled soapstone countertops for my entire kitchen and butler’s pantry. I’ve had a few people ask how it’s held up after over a year of living in my home. For today’s Good to Know post, I thought I’d give you an honest review and answer a few questions about my experience living with soapstone.
Why did you choose soapstone?
I knew I wanted a natural stone for my kitchen and I wanted to add contrast to my space so soapstone was a really great option to check both those boxes. Another deciding factor was durability. Soapstone is heat resistant, doesn’t react to acids, and is bacteria resistant, it’s a great countertop for families (you can learn more about all of that on this blog post).
Do you regret not oiling your soapstone?
Not at all! I love the natural coloring of my slab - it’s a nice dark grey. There is more variation in the color since the oils in our hands will darken the stone simply by touching it, but that doesn’t bother me at all. It feels more organic and fits my style more than the very dark coloring of traditional oiled soapstone.
How has IT worn over the last year?
We have definitely put my kitchen to use the last year and a half and the countertops are still in great shape. Soapstone is soft so it does scratch. I do have a few scratches and some tiny nicks but because my slab has movement in the stone, these minor signs of wear don’t draw too much attention.
Is there anything you don’t love about your countertops?
I also used soapstone in my butler’s pantry, however, the sink is not proud of the countertops like the sink on my kitchen island and therefore there are more dings around the edges from pots and pans. I’m okay with this since I don’t use this sink as often for dishes but if you’re considering soapstone, I would recommend installing your main sink just proud of the countertops to avoid those signs of wear.
Would you use IT again?
100% yes! I absolutely love everything about soapstone. If I didn’t use soapstone, I’d use Virginia Mist Granite. It’s similar in coloring but a bit lighter and also very durable.
Other spaces we’ve used Soapstone
If you’re new to our blog, we have written several blog posts about different rooms in Marianne’s home, as well as her experience throughout the build process. You can read all about Marianne’s house here.