Friday, October 2, 2015

More Countertop Options ....

Last week I mentioned marble countertops being around for decades. It is true. They have enjoyed fans since America was founded, especially in homes of the wealthy. They also enjoyed commercial success, being popularly used for drug store fountain bar tops throughout America in the 20's through the 50's.

Even the little one street town my grandparents lived in had a long marble counter top where I sat enjoying a float or ice cream sundae. Marbles weakness impacted its success. It did stain and scratch easily and thus,  lost its appeal. Ceramic tile counter top options began to take over in the the 1940's  and 50's. Solid Surface or Corian began to corner the market following tile.

Cararra Marble is not for everybody because it is a softer stone than granite or quartz. Being softer is an inherent characteristic of the material which is why it is enjoying a renaissance.  People  who love the nostalgia of  Art Nouveau  up to Mid Century decor trends prefer marble because it does age and show wear or the distressed look that is so popular right now. 

Another favorite of mine is Honed Soapstone. I love this look! It is classy and unique as well as traditional. Soapstone is a soft , non porous, natural stone. Despite it's softness, it is very resilient. It is always a dark shade, nearly black and has a honed or dull finish. It is an excellent heat insulator that cooks absolutely love!

One important point however, is to make sure the Soapstone is of the architectural grade, which is denser that artistic grade is used. A sculpture would use the artistic grade to sculpt a piece of art. It is much too soft for use in a kitchen or bath. Maintaining soapstone is easy to maintain with simple soap and water. It will last for generations.  Many clients love to make their soapstone counter top area or sink a focal point of their new kitchen. It blends perfectly with any black and white themed design.

The pictures below of black and gray soapstone display the variations of the product that is typically mined in Vermont or the Appalachians Mountain area of the US. It is also being imported from Brazil now.


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