Hello everyone. I am in the process of redoing my kitchen and am needing to decide on a material for our kitchen countertops and backsplash. I can't afford granite and I hate formica, and something caught my eye today. It was oak butcherblock countertop. Imust say it looked really great and oak is the general theme right? But I wasn't sure if that would be in the A and C format o even close and then what to use for the backsplash? I had one guy suggest hammered tin cieling tiles for a backsplash with the butcherblock.......hhhmmm....feedback anyone? I am at a loss.

rykertest,

a long forgotten but really well wearing material, SoapStone! very durable and very "period". the stuff looks very cool and fits the time frame right up to the 40's when the fashionable plastics were introduced. I know it is probably in the range of granite in price, possibly a little lower, but it really is what they would have used in the majority of kitchens back then.
wood is a great look and a nice feel, but it is a breeding ground for germs and dirt and you need to be careful not to cut into it or it will gouge and open up. granted it works in butcher shops, but i don't think it lasts asa long and is as durable.

don't skimp on the counters. i just did my kitchen with granite, the upper end of the price range, but it was very affordable and adds tons to resale and overall looks. if you look around you can find it very inexpensive, check with a bunch of fabricators. they all have different pricing, but it was less than many other surfaces like silestone and corian. corian is soooo dull. Soapstone would be a perfect fit to a 1910-1930 kitchen.

Tiles were very A&C and very beautiful and practical for a backsplash, I would think.

The last time we looked, soapstone was quite a bit cheaper than granite. It has the additional advantage of being much easier to work (cutting holes for the sink, faucet, etc.) which also cuts the price down. One granite fabricator was charging $300 for each hole cut in the granite, which adds up fast. Naturally, it depends on your budget, but I would encourage you to get some prices before you rule it out.

Tiles can make a fine backsplash no matter what counter top you use.

Soap Stone. Then oil it with mineral oil it will develope a wonderful patina.
Sean Brown CKD

Hi,
I'm in the same process of restoring my kitchen too. I'm leaning towards black granite tiles...much cheaper than slab granite....but still not cheap. I'd steer clear of soap stone for a counter top....very pourus...and not that much cheaper than granite for good quality stuff. I've looked into the tin ceiling panels for a backsplash too....very cool idea....still not sure though. Good luck!!

Has anyone considered concrete countertops. This is the route we went. Custom cast and finished concrete segments with a sink (which looks much better when freshly cleaned. We have been very happy with it.

I made my counter tops out of old growth quarter sawn oak. I couldn't afford granite, but I wanted something of the period. The wood has heavy flecks and rays, and everyone seems to like the way it looks. After finished the bulk of the project, I couldn't imagine having granite counter tops. I am SO glad I went this route. I could/would attach some pics if anyone is interested.

QTRswarn, I would be very interested in seeing a pic, I am just aqbout to start my kitchen and am looking at ideas.
Phobe

Yes some pics of that countertop would be great QTR!!!

I also used concrete for my countertops and yes, it is porous like Soapstone. However, I must say, what’s the problem with porosity? Is it food borne bacteria? Even if you use a quartz product, you still can cross contaminate. I.e. Chicken juice. Soapstone has been used for a very long time for countertop surfaces. Also isn't grout porous? And rykertest was concerned in a “A and C format” here is a pic from my kitchen.
Sean Brown CKD