20 Soapstone Inspirations: Soapstone Colors

Inspired by The Granite Gurus... here are 20 pictures of Soapstone to inspire you to use it on your next project. 

  

 

*PHOTOS ARE FINISHED PROJECTS USING DORADO SOAPSTONE 
Make sure to check out The Granite Gurus photos as well! 
The Granite Gurus: 10 Soapstone Kitchens, Sinks and a Fireplace

Whisky Rocks

You've seen them around, you've heard about them but WHAT EXACTLY are Whisky Rocks? 

  

These innovated gray cubes other wise known as Whisky Rocks (Whisky Stone or Scotch Rocks) are essentially ice cubes that will not water down your drink. So what are they made of? Soapstone! Traditionally, used as countertop tops in kitchens, bathrooms, bar tops and chemistry labs; Soapstone is the ONLY nonporous, odorless, tasteless and a natural food safe stone used in the home. 
Due to the high density of the material, soapstone retains temperature so they are great chilled in your freezer or heated up in your microwave. Not only are Whisky Rocks reusable but they will not scratch your top shelf barware either. 






More more information check out http://www.doradostonedist.com/shop/ 

A European Tradition ... HENRI'S

Henri's is the NEWEST place to be in 78704. Henri's is a cheese, charcuterie, specialty grocery and sandwich shop during the day, and transforms to an energetic wine and beer lounge in the evening. http://www.henrischeese.com/

Drawing inspiration from Europeans neighborhood wine, cheese shops and local bistros, Owner Andy Means and Sommelier Will Angst strived to create a warm and inviting place to experience a thoughtful selection of food and wine. 

Architect Elizabeth Baird brought this vision to life by keeping true to clean lines. Interesting and simple finishes such as Edison Light Bulb Fixtures, Minas Black Soapstone and Lime Stone are a few gems that make Henri's so welcoming.

The overall design is modern, with minimal design pieces and tons of natural light. However, it still maintains a comfortable, inviting atmosphere, and most importantly, foster the warmth that happens when good people, good food, and good wine have a  place to be celebrated together. 

Henri's is more than a casual wine bar with great chess & charcuterie though, Henri's offers private wine and cheese tastings, classes, and dinners to introduce customers to new and interesting wines, cheeses, and local slow food producers. If you are EVER in South Austin or 78704 as local refer to it ... make sure to stop by and make your self at HOME. 

Indigo Soapstone, New from Dorado

Brand New Soapstone from Dorado.   These large slabs consist of natural blues and greens with movements that captivate the eye.  These stones are fresh off the Boat, and will be here to Texas shortly.  Call today to get your name on the list to view when they arrive.

The Stayton At Museum Way

PROJECT OF THE MONTH: 

     The Stayton At Museum Way. 

The Stayton at Museum Way, is the newest resort-style retirement community in Fort Worth, Tx, This new concept of high luxury in the heart of a new urban village was carefully planned in every detail for the convenience of seniors.

Accordingly, The Stayton is designed to accommodate the lifestyle needs of active seniors who move in as independent residents, offering a range of luxurious amenities such as swimming pools, libraries, onsite eateries and bars, as well as chef-cooked meals, served in a stately dining room. 

So obviously, a first class, premier Lounge & Bar was a MUST with luxury finishes & touches. 

Designed by nationally-recognized architect David Dillard & D2 Architecture firm, Soapstone was used as one of the main focal point for this Lounge & Bar area. 

  

This inviting room has fantastic sunlight so the Black Soapstone on the fireplace & bar made a masculine and dramatic yet inviting material to use which compliments its breath taking upper views of Fort Worth's West 7th World-Class Cultural district.

View From The Stayton ... Over Looking Beautiful Down Town Ft. Wo

A Cozy Colorado Home

Cozy Colorado Home on a Snowy Day

There is nothing like SNOW to get you in the mood for the holidays and want to sit by the fire & sip on some eggnog. Over Christmas, Dorado went to Denver and had the opportunity to visit a home we did last summer. The McConaty's has an traditional, cozy, rustic feel with a touches of Italy everywhere! They love Italy and their true passion is seen throughout the home.The McConaty's decided to you a black "leather" soapstone in the kitchen & family room.This was a good choice because it compliments their tasteful traditional stylemixed with their Italian decor. We love the bright colors the Italian plates add and how everything ties together so nicely.

Kitchen with Black Soapstone 

The McConaty's decided to you a black "leather" soapstone in the kitchen & family room.This was a good choice because it compliments their tasteful traditional stylemixed with their Italian decor. We love the bright colors the Italian plates add and how everything ties together so nicely.

Living in Texas, it was a lot of fun seeing Soapstone used in a Colorado home on a snowy day with the unexpected personally touches of Italy. As you can see below, Mr. McConaty is very proud of his new kitchen and said "the Soapstone i found at Dorado was the perfect countertop choice for our project and we love the look & durability of it". 

The Granite Gurus: Designer's Kitchen: Soapstone Island with Carrara

Time after time, Granite Gurus has proven to be one our favorite bloggers! Without fail, you will find unique projects & ideas, a little information about the stone world and lots of inspiration. Below is a like to an article recently written about Soapstone & Carrara marble! Make sure to check out their blog!  

The Granite Gurus: Designer's Kitchen: Soapstone Island with Carrara

We Just love working with the Interior Designers at Alice Lane. They are so fun & Talented, plus they do such beautiful work. The jobs we do with them are always some of our favorites. When Interior designer Suzanne said she was redoing her own kitchen BJ was happy to help her with the countertops. 

We got lucky and had a really pretty remnant of Soapstone in our yard that worked perfectly for the Island. For the perimeter countertops Suzanne selected the Carrara marble from our stock with a honed finish.

Soapstone + Carrara = One of my favorite combos.

She did a Mitered edge detail on the Carrara because it was 2 cm.

On the island the edge detail is a 1 1/4" Square Polish.

Check out her island, isn't it a beautiful piece? 

To see more pictures of Suzanne's beautiful home go to Alice Lane's blog.

Soapstone Colors

Every week, clients asked what color is Soapstone? Like most natural stones, each piece of Soapstone varies in colors, movements and veining - depending on where it comes from. Soapstone is a metamorphic rock composed of compressed talc, magnesite, dolomite and other minerals.


Soapstone has a more limited color palate as opposed to Granite, which actually makes selecting your countertop much easier because there are not as many choices. Soapstone varies in the Gray, Black and Dark Green hue colors. Some are darker or lighter, have more movement or veining than others. Freshly-quarried soapstone slabs come in these hue colors, but over time they will darken or deepen in shade once they are exposed to oxygen, mineral oil or dry wax. 


For more colors please visit www.doradosoapstone.com

Natural - Dark Gray with some black veins Oiled - Dark with some Black Movement 

Natural - Gray * Oiled - Dark with some green undertones

Natural - Gray * Oiled - Dark Black with White Veins

Natural - Gray * Oiled - Dark Black with some Mica

Natural - Gray with White & Copper Veins * Oiled - Dark Black with White & Copper Veins

Natural - Dark Gray with Black Veins * Oiled - Dark Black

Natural - Gray with Black Veins * Oiled - Dark Black

Natural - Kelly Green with White & Black Veins * Oiled - Dark Green with White & Black Veins

Natural - Dark Green with White Veins * Oiled - Dark Green with White Veins

Natural - Gray * Oiled - Dark Black with White Veins

Natural - Gray with Black Veins * Oiled - Dark Black

Natural - Gray with White & Green Veins * Oiled - Dark Black with White & Copper Veins

Soapstone Counters - The Break Down & Tips

Holly Gagne Interior Design from Massachusetts gives a great break down & her tips on Soapstone Countertops.

SOAPSTONE COUNTERTOPS

Soapstone is a material that has been used in New England homes for hundreds of years.  From fireplace hearths, wood stoves, sinks, to countertops - soapstone can literally outlive your home.  And if you are going to invest a chunk of change in your countertop, that seems pretty important to us.

What?  Soapstone is a metamorphic rock, which means that the rock has been altered by heat and pressure over time.  It is largely composed of mineral talc, which gives it that soft to the touch texture we really love.

Soapstone mine in Virginia (photographs by Palmer Sweet)

How?   Soapstone is quarried like granite and marble.  Mining does of course require the use of non-renewable energy to get from point A (mine) to point B (your home).  We’re told mining soapstone is less impactful than granite or marble because there is no need to cut away large chunks of landscape, or dig deep into the earth.  Soapstone mines are also much smaller.  Soapstone is typically sourced from Virgina, Brazil, and Finland  – check with individual manufacturers to see where theirs is sourced.

Why?  Our favorite thing about this material is that it gets installed in your home in its natural state.  You get to enjoy the natural texture of a natural stone.  Beyond having to cut the slab to size, or alter the edging if desired, there is no need for any additional modifications.  No sealers.  No chemicals.  Just add a little mineral oil now and then to assist with an even color tone as the stone naturally darkens over time.

The Goods.  Soapstone is completely non-porous and impenetrable, so naturally stain and bacteria resistant.  It is also completely resistant to acids and heat, hence why it has been used in chemistry labs or for heat stoves.  You can move a pan from the stove to your counter without a trivet.  Since soapstone is a soft stone with no sealant, you may notice it can scratch more easily than a granite.  Good news is that you can refinish soapstone time and time again by sanding it down.

Colors range from light greys to dark blacks, and some have blue or green hues depending on where it was mined.  Veining can range from almost none, to lots.   Some slabs have very large veins that give an abstract painting sort of effect, and some veining will have color.  We have found that some clients love the veining, whereas others want a more even-tempered look.  A great opportunity to play with design intent.

Tip:  Some manufacturers only carry 1-2 types, so before you (or your GC) commit to working with a specific manufacturer, check to see what they offer.  You may need to do a little investigating.  Always see your whole slab first (or send your designer) and identify what sections should be templated for the designated counter areas.

recent soapstone installation

We used Soapstone in a recent kitchen renovation and paired it with a Carrara marble tile backsplash and stainless steel appliances.   Timeless, beautiful, and durable.

http://hollygagneinteriordesign.wordpress.com/2011/11/28/soapstone-counters/

Welcome to My Kitchen - Paula Deen

Take a look into Food Network - All Star Chef - Paula Deen's Kitchen. Stunning!!! 

Welcome to My Kitchen 

By Gwyn Duggan From Cooking with Paula Deen, November/December 2005

When Paula and Michael built their new home, one of the main priorities was the kitchen. She wanted the kitchen to reflect her Southern heritage and have the feel of an old house. Paula wanted a serious, professional kitchen that didn't feel like one. This contradiction was accomplished using a modern floor plan but incorporating historical elements. The exposed ceiling beams and brick backsplash helped achieve an older feel. Rather than using granite for her countertops, which Paula felt was too modern, the countertops were made from soapstone. Other touches were decidedly modern giving Paula her dream kitchen that could comfortably accommodate family and friends.

After spending so much time in commercial kitchens throughout her restaurant career, Paula had grown accustomed to the amenities of professional kitchens. When she had the opportunity to tailor her own kitchen, one of the first things she required was a deep fat fryer. She had become spoiled with the ease of frying in her restaurants so she had a commercial deep fryer built right into her island. Paula finds that it makes frequent frying “a pleasure, not a chore.”

Paula also loved the convection ovens used in her restaurants. Her commercial double oven is extra large and cooks using fans to move heated air over and around the food. This ensures even baking. The oven can be a little tricky to use, since convection ovens require lower temperatures and lower bake times, but Paula loves the end results.

The family tends to congregate in the kitchen, but Paula didn't want that to impede her cooking. To keep refrigerated items easily accessible, Paula had refrigerator and freezer drawers put on the outside of her island. This way, the hungry people that gather in her kitchen can get a snack and still be out of her way while she's cooking.

To achieve warmth and comfort in her new kitchen, Paula wanted a cooking fireplace. She loves that she can cook in it, but feels the fireplace is just as important because of the welcoming atmosphere it provides. Paula loves that she can have a fire crackling in the kitchen to add a glow during the winter months.

There will be a great deal of cooking and eating going on in such an inviting kitchen and that means only one thing: dirty dishes. Paula's main sink is 48-inches with two faucets to accommodate the mess she and her family make. The sink is the size of a small bathtub and is really convenient because two people can comfortably wash dishes at the same time.

Another interesting aspect of Paula's kitchen is her appliance hutch. Paula wanted her appliances to be at countertop level but also wanted to be able to close them off from view to maintain the older look of the room. This was achieved by building an “appliance hutch.” The hutch has electrical outlets that make it practical but it looks like a piece of antique furniture when closed.

To finish her kitchen, Paula displayed her hanging copper pots and pans above the cook top. She's admitted they are mostly there for their classic look. The cast iron pan, however, is well used because, as Paula says, “Every kitchen needs one or two pieces of good old cast iron!”

Paula's kitchen maintains a homey feel despite its hugeness—the island alone is a hefty 11'x4'—because of the traditional aesthetic pieces. The overall effect is one of comfort and convenience that welcomes cooks and company alike.


http://www.pauladeenmagazine.com/articles.php?id=20


Plus check out Paula Deen's Kitchen on Rachel Ray's "I Want Paula Deen's Kitchen" makeover! 


http://www.rachaelrayshow.com/show/segments/view/i-want-paula-deens-kitchen/