To most individuals who are familiar with soapstone, the material conjures up images of kitchens described as shaker-style, farmhouse, rustic, casual, or country.

(from The Stone Studio)

Just once, I would love to have a client who requests a soapstone kitchen that is none of these. Don't get me wrong--I love rustic and casual (the kitchen pictured above is one of my favorites!) but a soapstone kitchen can be so many other things as well!  I guess I think it would be great if someone would ask me to design a kitchen using this beautiful, natural material without the limitations of sticking with "the expected." (...craftsman-style cabinets, wood plank floor, apron sink)

I suppose every designer has the dream of creating something new and unusual--a space that is unique, surprising, interesting...unexpected, but still beautiful.

Imagine using a rustic-looking material like soapstone in a sleek, modern space.

It's been successfully done before.

(Photos courtesy of Signature Kitchens magazine)

At least a few times...

(Photo courtesy of Boulderexports.wordpress.com)

How about a very detailed kitchen countertop fabricated from soapstone.
Christopher Peacock, the popular kitchen designer, uses soapstone in many of his formal kitchen designs, like the one pictured below.

(Photo courtesy of willowdecor.blogspot.com)

Here, the soapstone island has a very traditional shape with crotched corners. Not the simple, rectangular island one expects to see when using soapstone.
Notice the edge detail on the stone in this kitchen and the intricate mouldings elsewhere in the room--all contributing to the easy elegance and formality of the space.

This sample of a double laminated edge was fabricated in our shop. (below) As you can see, soapstone looks really awesome with lots of detail, yet edges like these are seldom used on the material known for its simple charm.

Wait until you see my soapstone island!  (coming soon, I hope.)