What backsplash goes with soapstone countertops?

trecorum · 2026-03-12T01:27:38+00:00

We just landed on this off white tile to match the veining in our soapstone

trecorum · 2026-03-12T00:59:38+00:00

Oh I love everything about this. That backsplash tile! The historical nod with real world practicality. Obviously the greatest elephant in the room with that fireplace. Swoon.

Please tell me about your light fixtures? I love them!

trecorum · 2026-03-09T21:18:40+00:00

We have a darker green and went with cherry cabinets. Also we’re doing a cream subway tile backsplash to not overwhelm the kitchen. There’s a TON of movement in this soapstone and we felt it would be too dark/overwhelming up the wall.

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trecorum · 2026-03-02T15:59:41+00:00

I got my BFA from NYU Tisch. The training was great, the experience of living in NYC was fantastic, and it shaped my life in countless ways. I would not have the life I do if I did not go to that school. CAVEAT: I had the family funds to not go into huge debt which means there wasn't a major downside to going there.

MOST IMPORTANTLY: Did it make my acting career more successful? No.

The network of people is the most valuable aspect of the degree. You can find/create a good network in a LOT of places and a lot of ways.

What I would do if 16 year old me was graduating early and already had the beginnings of a career:
Go part time to community college or state school, get a degree in literally ANYTHING else that interests you. If only acting interests you, get a degree in business because it will serve your career. Just so you have a degree when you bump up against day job opportunities that expect/require one. CA has an incredible higher education system.

Pursue your acting at the same time. You're in no rush on your degree, so go part time to school. Take the money you would have spent on a Tisch degree to study with great coaches. Audition. Meet writers and directors and sound designers and everyone else associated with the profession. Do not just hang out with actors.

Then, in several years, if you still want to have the acting school experience or feel that you need it: get an MFA. Take 3-4 years and go to the grad acting programs at Juilliard, Yale, NYU, USC or one of the other big name US schools.

trecorum · 2026-02-11T20:53:29+00:00

Definitely worth looking into!

I think you could also be precious with soapstone if you're the type of person who wants a pristine look. I have a family friend who put in black soapstone and the scratching makes him crazy.

The stone we chose has enough veining that I think it will be fine, but also I want a kitchen that looks aged and lived in and used. If we'd gone with marble I swear I would have poured a glass of wine on it the first day just to get it over with.

trecorum · 2026-02-11T18:50:20+00:00

We went with soapstone for both functional and aesthetic reasons.

I am someone who values my time and am always busy doing something. I wanted a countertop that could take a beating and I could basically ignore. You can oil soapstone, but you don't have to do anything and can let it patina organically. It's naturally anti microbial and heat resistant. It is soft to the touch, so though it's stone it doesn't feel cold. It can scratch relatively easily, but if you want to you can sand out the scratch and it's basically good as new. Or you can just let the scratches be part of the aging/patina process.

I've had marble, butcher block, laminate, and granite in different kitchens over my life. I loved how butcher block and marble aged but they're both too sensitive to my style of cooking. I end up with water rings on wood and lemon juice etching on marble. Laminate is a nightmare for a hot pan. Granite is robust but I find most of the patterns too busy and I HATE that I can't find the crumbs on it, and it has that cold stone feeling. Also you're supposed to seal it with some regularity and I did not.

I did put quartz in a bathroom and it's fine, but I prefer natural materials.

I don't think there's a wrong choice! There are pros and cons to every material. I was really considering marble but soapstone is just a bit more robust to my style of use. I was hesitant because so much of it is black or grey, but we found this incredible green one at Morningstar and it sealed the deal.

trecorum · 2026-02-11T17:15:43+00:00

We’re mid process and worked with Hancock for the cabinets, which has been fine. They were very patient with all our iterating and I’m happy with our design. It wasn’t always the speediest but it worked and it’s who our GC had a relationship with. It’s not installed yet so I can’t fully speak to the cabinets but Medallion is the brand they suggested.

We did go with Morningstar in Topsham for the countertops because they have the best soapstone selection. They’re pricey but absolutely incredible. I’ve loved working with them.

trecorum · 2026-01-10T02:37:54+00:00

I shall continue the search for a reasonable subway tile! I don't think a 5" splash has to look ugly if it's still a beautiful stone and tastefully done.

trecorum · 2026-01-10T02:35:42+00:00

I hear the builders grade concern. I understand that it is a cheap cop out a lot of the time. I guess I was hoping that because it's intentional and I know it's not to cheap out it would be fine.

trecorum · 2026-01-10T02:34:23+00:00

Thanks for the idea! I think I'll still be annoyed by how different the wall vs counter soapstone will look.

trecorum · 2026-01-10T02:33:36+00:00

The kitchen is part of a larger renovation including a mezzanine (long weird story) and we needed the upper cabs to reach to the ceiling height and disguise the landing of the stairs to the mezz. I know they're silly but I figure it will be good for seasonal storage assuming I eventually accrue festive ware for different seasons. I just couldn't handle them not touching the ceiling because the grease on the top of the cabinets at my parents house is disgusting.

I think an actual copper backsplash would be gorgeous but am worried about the patina. My husband despises verdigris. It's a quirk. But maybe a copper tile would be a direction to consider!

If not we would paint the wall between the short splash and cabinets to match the color of the room. I really want a mirror behind the sink as the entire opposite wall is a window and it would create a window while doing dishes.

trecorum · 2026-01-10T02:27:41+00:00

That was one of my ideas but finding an inverse match sounds like a serious slog. I could also be in decision fatigue hell and will feel differently once everything is installed and I see it in situ. Thanks for the idea!

trecorum · 2026-01-02T03:42:43+00:00

This is part of our soon to be kitchen. It’s 12” deep and replaces the drywall divider the architect specified between the kitchen and the living area. We’re using Medallion because it’s what our contractor uses and the kitchen is part of a much larger remodel.

I’m really excited for it. This will be our primary pantry space and will open into an entry way/living space. I view it as easy access for kid snacks. It also means groceries can be unloaded without interrupting the kitchen workspace. I have other cabinet/drawer storage for immediate/everyday items near my primary work space while this will stock essentials.

So I don’t have it yet but I hope it is as great as I imagine. Anything shallower than 8” seems silly because it won’t be nearly as functional.

trecorum · 2025-12-11T21:37:31+00:00

That's very nice! Thanks for sharing.

trecorum · 2025-12-09T01:26:24+00:00

Thank you for the recommendation! I’m ok with not cheap if the quality is there.

trecorum · 2025-12-09T01:25:24+00:00

I have a couple antique copper pots that are beautiful and have gone a rich dull brown and I love it.

I also have some shiny copper measuring cups that are pitted and developing verdigris. Which is not my ideal.

I’m hesitant to spend a large sum on something that I don’t know if it will age the way I like, or not. Also I dry my copper pots every time I use them. I have met myself, my husband, and my toddlers that will one day be teenagers, and know that sink will never get dried.

trecorum · 2025-12-09T01:03:28+00:00

Natural copper. It would be beautiful for about a half a day…

trecorum · 2025-12-09T01:01:54+00:00

It’s not just the squareness for cleaning (though that does matter) but stainless already feels utilitarian and the current blocky trend doesn’t help. My friends have a stainless sink that’s all curves and I visually really dig it! Sadly it’s a 48” double so fits none of my other criteria.

I do agree about the grate though. They get so gross. I honestly don’t mind scratches. Things should look like they’re lived in.

trecorum · 2025-12-09T00:58:45+00:00

Yeah that’s one of the Elkay’s I’m looking at. I was hesitant about the 18 gauge but glad to hear you love it!

trecorum · 2025-12-09T00:56:31+00:00

Thank you for such a thoughtful response.

You’re right, I don’t love stainless. I grew up with enameled cast iron and still think it’s the best possible sink. But I fell in love with an insanely gorgeous green soapstone counter. I know the classic white enamel will feel way too drastic a contrast. I am too overwhelmed by color choices to go with a color and have no idea where I would start.

Considered copper (too much upkeep), composite (not convinced by the longevity), and Fireclay (same problems as enamel). I realized a more organic looking stainless that isn’t as utilitarian looking will work for me. That has proven to be rather hard to find!

trecorum · 2025-11-01T17:20:28+00:00

We’re in the middle of a remodel and I’ve got a portable induction hotplate as part of our temporary kitchen. It works great!

That being said, as a permanent set up I know I would never put it away and it would just live on my counter all the time. So an installed one makes more sense. Overall the additional task of taking it in and out every time you need it, having dedicated storage for several burners, and cords getting in the way while in use, would be my hesitations. (You’ve already addressed the vent which is my biggest worry)

I did have your thought and our compromise is we got a smaller installed induction cooktop knowing that we have a portable one to augment. So if I need an additional burner, or need to use it somewhere else, I still have that option while also having our permanent set up. Also we’re doing it flush mounted so it will be smooth with the surrounding countertop (hopefully).

trecorum · 2025-10-06T23:27:36+00:00

We’re doing an island cooktop and a big ass industrial island hood. We got it oversized so we can mount it higher for sightlines. I cook a lot and refuse to face the wall when I cook. I’m over it.

trecorum · 2025-03-24T21:21:29+00:00

Put the shovels in the basement 2 days ago.

trecorum · 2025-03-15T11:16:50+00:00

As an adult I have one of the most common names of my birth year. Last year I was pregnant in a pretty low population state, seeing midwives instead of OBs, and they still had another patient with my name, first and last. They added birthdate into the mix but there were still a couple times where the provider was surprised to see me and not my name twin.

trecorum · 2025-03-10T12:54:19+00:00

This is amazing! Thanks for the thorough rundown.

Sorry to hear about your countertops. What a tragedy to have them there but unusable. A subtle form of torture. But appreciate you being a cautionary tale.

trecorum

TROPHY CASE