DIY Kitchen soapstone Countertops!

The soapstone fabricators showed up one morning with my new countertop packaged in the rear of the truck in four bits. Both fabricators clamped the slab between four alloy posts, which ran over underside and the top of the slab, to prevent it from breaking as it transferred. They paused, collecting their power and attentively contemplating their next move, when they reached the front stairwell. And having a lot of work, a bit strategic planning, as well as a flurry of hexes, they started to transport the huge soapstone slab upstairs.

Fortunately, Gregg, my contractor, showed up just in time to aid the slab upstairs is carried by the fabricators. I used to be at work at that time, but I likely would've been drawn into helping as well – although I am not certain my contribution would've made much difference when I 'd been house. Nevertheless, the heavy lifting did not finish there. Once the slab had transferred to the kitchen, they'd to carefully place it on the very top of the cupboards. They slide it into place since the cupboard boxes could smash and could not put one edge of the slab on the cupboards. They evenly and lightly set it along with the cupboards and lifted the slab.

There are just two seams where the bits meet because the white marble countertop was installed in four bits. The fabricators used rock adhesive to join the slabs, and the seams became virtually undetectable after they sanded the finished countertops. We determined to hold back the countertop until the dust scenario is in order. But the shade of the rock will end up darker and much more even when we finally wipe the white marble countertopdown with mineral oil, and also the seams will probably be less noticeable.

It is also quite soft although soapstone is extremely compact. What this means is that, unlike other white marble countertop stuff, it could be cut with woodworking tools. And since it is really simple to work with, soapstone might be cut on site. Bearing this specific in your mind, my countertop was installed by the fabricators for the sink and faucet, which reduced the danger of the slab cracking during transport and setup without holes. Once everything was in place, they sanded the whole outermost layer of the countertop as well as all of the rough edges.

I could not be more happy with the countertop turned out. The rock seems amazing. Itis an excellent colour, veining to allow it to be fascinating and with just enough variation. As well as the natural appearance of of the soapstone functions nicely using the architecture of the building. And although this might seem unappealing in the beginning, it is really a very inviting feel – soft, and smooth. I’m looking forward to really utilizing it as a surface for food and baking homework.

What's the Best Means To: Clean Laminate Countertops

Our survey of countertop picks among our readers shown that an overwhelming majority of you've laminate in the kitchen. Laminate is a manmade, composite material made of paper or alternative substances bonded at high heat and pressure between plastic or resins. It is inexpensive, mass-produced, and extremely adaptable. But how can you clean it?

Laminate isn't the most exciting of kitchen surfaces. It is not terribly durable, as distintegrates over time, spots, and it splits. It doesn't stand up well to high heat, and you can easily make scorch marks burning away the top layer to reveal the wood below. (Laminate is just a very, very thin top layer glued onto inexpensive plywood or MDF.)

One nice thing about laminate, however, is that it is really quite easy to wash!

My own white marble countertops are the ugliest ones I've ever seen; they have a raised texture that's sort of like skin that is old or awful faux leather. I haven't any idea precisely what the people who set this kitchen in were believing. Therefore I utilize a scrub brush to wash up after kneading dough or serious baking. It is the only real way to get the texture really clean; otherwise dehydrated flecks of dough will just linger. For lighter cleanup I just use very hot water, a sponge, and possibly a touch of dish soap.

Everything Old is New Again: Tile Countertops, Then and Now

In 1979, when this kitchen first appeared in a book called Planning & Remodeling Kitchens, it was the height of chic. I think we can all agree that that giant window is still delightful, but the color scheme seems very like 70s. And those marble tile countertops! You would never see marble tile countertops in a modern kitchen. Or would you?

Just for grins, here's a little more old-school tile countertop action, this time from 1982. (Although you might not even notice this countertop amongst all the wallpaper and Jello molds and general bric-a-brac.) Marble Tile countertops enjoyed a lot of popularity in this period of time, and then they disappeared. Until...

Yup, what you're looking at is a granite tile countertop in a modern, minimalist kitchen. I'll admit that this struck me as odd at first, but the look is growing on me. I like how the tile adds just a bit of texture to a minimalist space, and the way the tile interacts with the paneling that forms the backsplash. Image from Fjeldborg, via Sixteen Doors.

One complaint that I hear about tile countertops is: who wants to scrub all that nasty grout? I'm with you: scrubbing grout is bad enough in the bathroom. But there's a solution: not-white grout. The grout in this kitchen looks to be a light gray. I think the countertops are really working with what this kitchen has going on: sort of an updated, minimalist-country look. Enhanced, of course, by the squirrel on the counter.

And here's some really dark grout, for those who really hate scrubbing. Something about the square tile and the dark grout reads very, very, modern.

I think the granite tile countertop really contribute to the timeless feel of this Berkeley kitchen, from Design Sponge. Nobody is going to look at this kitchen in ten years and say, oh, that's so mid-teens. (Is that what we're in?) It's sort of trend-defying.

And finally, I'll leave you with a couple different tile countertops that are a little off the beaten path. If you're willing to put in the time to keep a surface like this clean, adding a penny tile countertop (like this one from House to Home) could completely transform your kitchen. The coved detail where the backsplash transitions to the countertop is just genius (and something that you couldn't really achieve with other countertop materials).

This one might be my favorite. At first glance it may look as if the countertop in this Stockholm apartment from Fantastic Frank is made of marble, but take a closer look and you'll see that it's made of small marble hex tiles. This would definitely require a bit more doing to get clean than a typical marble countertop, but I think the movement in the different tiles would help to conceal the etching and staining that are the curse of marble countertop ownership. And of course, it is gorgeous.

What do you think? Would you be happy to see marble & granite tile countertops make a comeback? Or is this something that's better left in the past?

How to Make DIY Concrete Countertops

We were in awe of the concrete countertops she and her husband last week when we took a look at Jessie's Dazzling White Kitchen Reno. Fortunate for us, Jessie shared the procedure so now we are able to make our own!

There's lots of planning, some heavy tool usage, hard core concrete mix, and a lot of heavy lifting. However, if you are game, you will get a magnificent appearance as well as for a pretty low cost.

After a great deal of research, her husband and Jessie decided to use Quickrete countertop mix concrete. (Did you even know such a thing existed? I definitely didn't!) This really is not an item that's generally carried at a hardware store, so the mix was ordered by Jessie particular from Home Depot. Together with the concrete mix, the couple bought melamine boards to use as their forms. The melamine are boards that are white that are smooth, ideal for use as the forms for the concrete countertops. With the supplies bought, Jessie's husband got to work creating the forms into which they'd pour the concrete.

Using the forms together, it was time to mix up the concrete and start pouring! Jessie and her husband rented a concrete mixer in the hardware store to cut a bit to the work. Subsequently, after getting past a little trouble with all the consistency of the concrete, they were able to pour in their forms. It leveled outside in the forms and then let them heal for some days, once the concrete was poured.

The couple started the procedure for smoothing out and removed the forms, following the concrete had healed. They filled on their fingers in all the bubble holes using a little concrete filler. After the holes were filled and dried, the concrete slabs were sanded by them to a smooth finish. After sanded, they could heave on the enormous slabs into place in the kitchen and set them in place.

Here's What an Etch on a Marble Countertop Really Looks Like

First, What Is an Etch?

Marble is a fairly soft stone which is prone to marking because of its calcium carbonate cosmetics. Any drippy jar of tomato sauce, any dash of lemon juice, will make a mark that is subtle.

An etch isn't a stain. It is an actual shifting of the rock itself, such as a scratch. It is not actually a discoloration; it is a dulling.

Honed vs. Polished Countertops

Etching is part of the reason I picked honed instead of white marble countertops that are polished. Honed countertops have previously been dulled either by way of a machine or an acid bath. They are soft and matte, when compared with polished rock that is gleaming.

My Countertop: From Two Different Angles

Here's what you came to see: the countertop that is etched. Since etches are actually rather difficult to determine from most angles as well as in most lights, I'll reveal you it from two angles.

This is actually the most-used part of my kitchen: the homework space where I make sauces chop vegetables, and use my food processor. I pour wine, and squeeze lemons for cocktails here. It is Etch City.

There are marks on the marble which are really clear in certain lights and from some angles as you can observe. Etching is bizarre like that; it is not a gouge or a spot, so when the light is right, it is really only seen by you and you're standing at the right angle.

When you can see it, it looks like a layer of additional marks floating through the natural pattern of the marble.

Etching: Is It Possible To Live With It?

Personally, I will be just fine with the etching on our white marble countertops. The initial few marks were startling and disconcerting, but as they've grown in number, they've eventually become a subtle layer of cooking and our own use on the white marble countertops.

We feel fairly romantic my husband says he adores the narrative they've left on the counters and the etches.

But when you're less amorous (and more worried about resale) then the etches are still likely not a huge deal. Look carefully, you're going to see exactly the same skim of etches floating like an overlay above the rock, and as we did, at stunning marble taverns in fancy resorts or restaurants. It becomes part of the routine and also the great thing about the rock.

I understand it truly isn't for everyone, though; the thought of rock you can really change and mark in this manner can be freaky.

It was just right for us, and once we saw some etches "in the crazy" we understood that certainly. Therefore I hope the pictures help you also see what marble really looks like after a few years of day-to-day use that is seriously intense.

How To Wash Marble Countertops

When assembling my kitchen last year, the one which has generated the most questions is my choice of red marble countertops of all the choices I made. I don’t repent the selection one touch: marble is wonderful, relatively cheap in comparison with other solid-surface countertops, and most importantly, easy to clean.

I have found marble simple to maintain and simple to wash. Honestly, I feel a bit silly showing you how my red marble countertops clean; it is pretty darn simple.

Is Scary

But let's talk about all the reasons that individuals are scared of marble. According to the scientists in the earth sciences section marble is a carbonate. (No, not carbonite; that is what they froze Han Solo in. Distinct matter. More chilling.) But I digress.

What Causes Marble Etching

Acid literally eats away a tiny little bit of the surface, creating dull spots. This means that any dash of lemon juice, any damp margarita glass, is going to leave a subtle mark.

I 'm going to show you my etches up close and personal; I don't think they are a big deal. But this surface that is readily marred haven't really resided with marble yet and can freak people out, especially when they've been only researching options.

Is Marble Difficult to Clean?

Yes, you do not desire to use acidic natural cleansers and some common like lemon juice and vinegar. But other than that, marble is just as with other natural stones: long-lasting, easy- easy to clean, and extremely wearing.

That which We're NOT Talking About Now

I'm just going to show you the basic, regular way I clean my countertops .

I'm not, however, going to handle the ways I cope with more specific issues and other rarer with marble, like lifting light blots having a baking soda poultice, or combining in light etches so they are not so noticeable. Should you want we are able to cover those in other posts!

But first, let us just speak basic cleaning. It's super simple. And should you even have marble, I'd be interested to hear from you about whether you clean yours the same style, or in the event you use another thing.