Delivery of My Soapstone!!!
Finally!
Soapstone is much denser than granite so it is much, much heavier.
This is Atilla (light shirt) and his partner carrying the corner piece. Let me tell you, they were the quietest guys I've ever heard. They almost whispered back and forth to each other when they did say something. Men of few words. They are Romanian and I must say pretty darn good looking : ))
Here is the big island piece.
Atilla is putting the coat of mineral oil on the stone. That's all the care it requires. Plain mineral oil from the drug store! ($1.50!!) You put it on and then wipe most of it off. It brings out the black color and the beautiful veining.
The natural stone is gray like this. The mineral oil doesn't penetrate the stone but just helps with the aging. It would turn dark eventually from use but not as even or as fast.
After wiping off the oil, it has a beautiful understated sheen. That's what I wanted!!!
It's gorgeous and I love it!!!
Soapstone cannot be stained by anything!! You can set burning hot pots on it without scortching. That's why they use it in chemistry labs. The only thing you can't do is cut on it because it will scratch. So a cutting board is in order. Any scratches can just be rubbed or lightly sanded away!
I've learned quite a bit about soapstone in the last few months, so if you have any questions, just ask : ))
It is definitely the old look I wanted in this house.
Since I had to get two slabs to do the job, these are what I have left over! There's enough there for vanities in both my bathrooms!!! But then that's another day : ))
Shirley (smiling)
Your kitchen is Gorgeous! i need to put this in my inspiration photos, when I get to one day re do my kitchen!
ReplyDeleteLori is smiling too. ;-) because I am so happy for you.
ReplyDeleteThey look fabulous and the soapstone is pretty good looking too. Your kitchen has turned out so great. It seems to have been pretty painless. Or was it?
I am so happy for you. Your kitchen is just gorgeous and I know you love cooking in it. I know I would.
ReplyDeleteWow!! The soapstone is gorgeous. I'd never seen it in such great pictures before. So, is the kitchen all finished now or is there something else that needs to be done? You should have it shown off in a magazine now. So pretty!!
ReplyDeleteGood for you Shirley. It all looks great! Wow, it's so beautiful.
ReplyDeleteWhoa, Shirley -- very good looking, and the counters aren't bad either. ;-)
ReplyDeleteI have soapstone counters, too, and LOVE them. Like, loopy about them. They aren't cold like granite, nor as noisy. In fact mine act as radiant heaters near the sink, where some steam pipes run thru the backs of the cabinets -- I have warm counters there! It's wonderful on cold days.
We are oiling less than we thought we would, as I do like the rather "used" look of the dark gray color -- I oil (or rather, my husband oils, bless him) when I see scratches or even tiny chips -- watch out for them along the sink edge! a carelessly held pasta pot can do damage, but it does "black out" with oil. It's all part of the patina.
Anyway -- I just love them, and so will you. And they are absolutely so appropriate and "soft" looking in our old houses.
Enjoy!!!
Cass
Shirley, your kitchen is gorgeous, the soapstone adds such panache. Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteHappy St. Patrick's Day
Have a lovely weekend.
TTFN ~ Hugs, Marydon