Granite and marble countertops are great staple items for kitchen design, but what if you want something a little different for your super trendy all-white kitchen? If you love the beauty and veining of natural stone, consider soapstone as an alternate kitchen countertop material. It’s similar in cost to granite, low-maintenance, and can enhance a modern kitchen with wonderful texture.

What to Know about Soapstone:

Pros

Maintenance and daily care – soapstone resists staining, so no more worrying about those red wine spills on marble. It’s also resistant to heat, which is ideal for setting down hot cookware when you’re cooking up a storm.

Colors – Soapstone comes in an array of blacks, grays, and greens.

Cons

Cost – Although not the most expensive choice, as it’s cheaper than marble, soapstone can cost about the same as a high end granite.

Durability: It’s soft and damages easily. Some would argue this is part of it’s natural beauty. Either way, this is definitely a consideration if you live in a home that sees its fair share of wear and tear. You can leave it untreated if you prefer the look, but to achieve an even, dark finish, you’ll need to make sure to oil soapstone on a semi-regular basis.

Need a visual?

Here’s a gallery of kitchen inspirations we compiled from around the web that show how to incorporate this classic stone in a fresh, modern way:

This kitchen, featured in Better Homes & Gardens, achieves a blend of old world and modern. The dramatic veining and contrast of this soapstone countertop is visually subdued by the clean, architectural lines of the sink and faucet with classic white cabinets.

The heaviness of black soapstone in this airy cottage in Maine plays against the all white walls and open shelving, creating contrast.

A beautiful home in Bedford, NY shows off soapstone in a deep green, which color is repeated in the window frames. Paired with warm metals and white cabinetry, this takes the look in a unique direction that designer Kathryn Fagin of KJ Designs describes as “a mix of farmhouse with a midcentury, almost Scandinavian minimalist feel.”

How about continuing the material from the countertops to your sink? This design by Rustic Sinks makes a sleek, modern statement.

<

Turn up the drama by painting cabinetry in black. This kitchen, featured in designer Brian Paquette’s blog, combines soapstone with another textured material that we hear is making a comeback – terra cotta.

So, there you have it. The next time you’re considering a redesign for your kitchen, think about those subtle ways you can set your space apart with a fabulously different material. With a timeless and textured look, soapstone is a way to bring that extra something special into a modern home.

Sources: Apartmenttherapy.com | Houzz.com