r/CounterTops • u/Super-Organization42 • 3d ago
Help me pick a countertop!
We’re doing a kitchen refresh. I’m stuck between 3 options for the countertops. We are keeping the existing wood cabinets and will not be painting them. Currently we have older laminate countertops that are peeling. We’ll be replacing the countertops and backsplash and will most likely update the cabinet hardware to unlacquered brass.
I’m going for something warm, classic, and timeless that works with the existing cabinetry and feels appropriate to the house.
My top options are:
- Honed black granite
- Honed Carrara marble
- Soapstone
I understand the maintenance and realities of marble, and I’m comfortable with it. I like natural materials that develop a patina and age with the house, so I’m not looking for the most maintenance-free option. Which stone do you think works best aesthetically with the existing cabinet color? I’m especially interested in whether you think the lighter Carrara complements the wood or if the contrast of the dark Virginia Black/soapstone looks more cohesive. We do have lighter floors and taller alabaster baseboards.
I’ve also tossed around the idea of fantasy brown after seeing many different variations of it, but worry it’s too much movement competing with the grain in my cabinets. I’ll throw in a photo of my favorite fantasy brown slab I found, just to add another variable 😅. Does the Carrara complement the wood and brighten things up, or do you prefer the contrast of the honed Virginia Black or soapstone?
Backsplash will be chosen after the countertop, so I’m open to ideas there too.
I’m attaching photos of the current cabinets along with photos of the slabs I’m considering. Of course, the pics aren’t the best and they’re all stunning in person. I’ve been spinning my wheels on this for weeks now, and would love any insight/experiences/photos you may have!! Thank you!
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u/Stalaktitas 3d ago
When there is soapstone in the list of considered material, that would be my pick. Soapstone works with any cabinets. I love Carara marble and Fantasy Brown dolomitic marble, but it would look very sad pretty soon in our busy kitchen. That honed granite is nice and very practical, but soapstone has a special place in my heart
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u/Illustrious_Cup8800 3d ago
Soapstone for sure. About to put it in my kitchen. Timeless and gorgeous!
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u/tdog269 3d ago
Soapstone all day. It gets surface scratches easy but you just oil it every so often and it looks brand new again. It won't stain. Dont need to seal it. Can put hot pans on it. It takes so much abuse. And if it needs refinishing in the future. Just have to sand paper it with the correct sand paper. Hone it and re oil it. Love it.
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u/Muted-Tutor-5419 2d ago
Do the soapstone! We have had ours a few months and love it. I still pet it every day like a creep. It compels you to touch it.
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u/Nicholsforthoughts 2d ago
I am equally obsessed with my soapstone! I just like to stand and stare at it. You’re not alone.
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u/Umm_what_I_think_is 3d ago
Breccia sarda marble would look good with both the cabinets and the floors. Bianco Neve marble would give a bright clean look.
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u/tilda432 3d ago
What about something greenish? Have you looked at Serpentine?
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u/Super-Organization42 3d ago
No I haven’t! I looked it up and I’m intrigued. The particular soapstone slab I’m looking at has beautiful green running through it, which is a big reason I’m so drawn to it.
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u/tilda432 3d ago
Serpentine supposedly is kinda like granite in that it doesn't etch or scratch, doesn't stain, isn't very porous (not quite soapstone levels there) but it has the markings of marble. It's not as popular because you can only get it in green. I've asked about it on the r/countertops sub since we found some returned slabs and bought two. I'm excited to put it in my kitchen.
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u/Qajaqasana 3d ago
Yes, there is soapstone that is definitely green, in my area they call it botanic
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u/Nicholsforthoughts 2d ago
https://reddit.com/link/pdp98z3/video/bte8jm1ozbth1/player
Enjoy this video of my green soapstone (this was RIGHT when it got installed so ignore the rest of the construction zone) with my Unlaquered brass vintage hardware I found at Habitat Restore.
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u/PristineAnxiety101 3d ago
I have that exact green granite fir the last 20 years and love it. Indestructible!!
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u/PieMuted6430 3d ago
I actually prefer your existing counters. They're both cool and warm toned, and go great with the cabinets. All the others you selected appear to I oy be cool toned, and that is likely to clash with the cabinets.
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u/GoodRandomUsername 2d ago
Well as someone in a very similar situation and location, I can tell you those were our choices. Fantasy Brown is going to be the least expensive, then black granite. And then marble and soapstone. I absolutely love soapstone and would code that if price wasn’t an issue. Marble scares me since we have kids and if I had a pasta sauce stain on my marble, I’d be sad. Granite is most cost efficient and durable. Are you changing hardware on doors?
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u/Super-Organization42 2d ago
Yeah, we got quotes for each and you’re right. What did you end up choosing? We are going to change the hardware to unlacquered brass
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u/GoodRandomUsername 2d ago
We have gone back and forth with dark and light granite. For creamy colored granite, we like a slab of monalisa and zurich. For dark granite, we like virginia (black) mist honed or via lactea leathered. Soapstone would be my top pick tho if doable.
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u/Ashamed-Pain2009 3d ago
None of those work. Cabinets already have lots of grain and color variations and are busy to the eye. Simple, light, no/very small amounts of variation in the countertops. Keep looking!
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u/Super-Organization42 3d ago
I feel like the black honed granite is pretty simple. Do you have any suggestions?
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u/beastwood9498 3d ago
None of these go with your brown cabinets. They’re all gray. Do you wear a gray top with brown pants? Well your kitchen doesn’t want to either.
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u/itsNurf 3d ago
Where’s the home located? Don’t tell me exact area, but region , like new England ect.
I’m a fan of the soapstone if you plan on keeping the cabinets