Kitchen Countertop Soapstone

Remodel it all, including the kitchen sink

Each time I meet with a client or speak at a home and garden show, I'm faced with a barrage of questions about renovating kitchens. Homeowners even those who have undertaken major projects in other parts of the house have a tendency to seize up when it comes time to remodel this room. It's easy to understand why: The kitchen is frequently the largest and indisputably the most important room in a home, the epicenter of a family's day-to-day life.

Though these people know that their kitchens are due for updates, they've been hamstrung by the long list of design decisions that need to be made before they can proceed. Cabinet layouts, appliances, colors, countertops — the possibilities are endless as are, it seems, the potential style disasters.

Because most of the "furniture" in a kitchen consists of built-in cabinetry and appliances, there is minimal ability to tweak the arrangement after the fact. Getting it right the first time is essential.

Whether you intend to stay in your home for the foreseeable future or are planning to place it on the market soon, your dollar will stretch the furthest if you choose styles that will have a long lifespan. This often means looking past what's "all the rage" at the current moment and thinking ahead.

What's next in cabinetry. Homeowners seeking to maximize the value of their home's resale value should focus on utility over adornments. Cabinets with fewer details are more economical, will have a longer lifespan and can be more easily incorporated into a variety of decors.

"Half of the kitchens we install in Austin have Shaker-style cabinet doors (those with a rectangular inset). Slab doors (flat-fronted) also get a lot of attention," says Adam Johnston, owner of Austin-based Under Budget Kitchens. "I think they're popular because both options are simple and flexible. You can make your kitchen feel country, transitional or modern, just by changing out the hardware."

One of the most noticeable changes in cabinetry over the years is finish. Many times, you can accurately date the year a kitchen was installed simply by looking at the type of wood used. What's on it's way out? Dark woods. What's hot? Painted cabinetry in paler colors: off-whites, yellows, pale blues and grays.

Home Improvements | Kitchen Remodeling |Countertops

When it comes to countertops, no vehicle a sleek look exactly like natural stone. While some are reluctant to using stone in the renovation projects because of the expense, the competition is causing the price of some stone to drop significantly. Take one type of stone countertop you may not have heard much, soapstone.

Soapstone is a soapstone, mainly composed of magnesite, dolomite, chlorite and talc. Talc makes the soapstone soapstone feel smooth to the touch as does a bar of soap, hence the name. It is quarried just like granite and marble.

While talc soapstone gives this brand creamy feel, you do not have to worry that this makes too absorbent. Unlike most other stones, soapstone is not absorbent. If by chance soapstone becomes stained or discolored, you can be assured that the stain is only on the top layer. It can be cleaned or sanded off.

An advantage that real soapstone has on other stones, is that it is inert, alkalis and acids, so will not damage it because they will be granite, marble and slate. For this reason, soapstone has long been used in science labs and classrooms to work tables and countertops. It naturally follows then, that soapstone is perfect for your countertop kitchen remodeling project.

Soapstone has excellent heating-retaining properties, so it is often installed with masonry projects, including fireplaces, wood stoves and with pizza ovens.

It is not necessary to use a sealer on soapstone, but some people choose to apply mineral oil to their soapstone. As soapstone ages, it naturally darkens, and adding mineral oil helps the stone to darken evenly and quicker. Many people, however, opt not to apply anything and let the stone develop its own beautiful patina over time. If you do not apply mineral oil, the stone will darken unevenly, giving it a more rustic appearance. If you don’t like this on your countertop , you can always begin to add mineral oil to even out the appearance.

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