Soapstone has been a favorite choice in kitchen interiors for centuries, thanks to its unique blend of elegance and practicality. From countertops and sinks to wall cladding and flooring, soapstone offers a versatile and timeless solution for your kitchen decor needs. In this article, we will explore the various applications of soapstone in kitchen design and even guide beginners on how to craft soapstone coasters for a personal touch.
Soapstone Countertops and Sinks
Soapstone countertops are a popular choice for homeowners seeking a sleek, sophisticated, and functional kitchen surface. This metamorphic rock, known for its smooth texture and deep, natural hues, not only adds a touch of luxury but is also remarkably heat-resistant and resistant to staining. These properties make it an excellent choice for a busy kitchen.
In addition to countertops, soapstone sinks are another eye-catching and practical feature for the kitchen. Soapstone sinks are both durable and naturally resistant to bacteria, making them a hygienic choice. Over time, soapstone develops a natural patina that enhances its visual appeal, making it an investment that ages gracefully.
Wall Cladding and Backsplashes
Soapstone can be used to cover walls and backsplashes in your kitchen. Its subtle veining and calming color variations add a sense of warmth and depth to the space. Soapstone cladding is not only beautiful but also easy to clean, making it a practical choice for areas exposed to splashes and spills.
Soapstone Flooring
Soapstone’s durability extends to the floor, making it an excellent material for kitchen flooring. Its natural slip resistance and resistance to moisture make it an ideal choice for a kitchen that sees a lot of foot traffic. Soapstone’s ability to retain heat also means it feels warm underfoot, which can be particularly pleasant during the colder months.
Soapstone Kitchen Accessories: Soapstone Coasters
For those looking to incorporate soapstone into their kitchen in smaller ways, consider crafting soapstone coasters, also known as soapstone drink or cup holders. These add a touch of elegance to your dining experience and are relatively easy to create, even for beginners. You can simply work pieces of soapstone tiles into a simple geometric shape, or you can create soapstone coasters decorated with a simple carved ornament. Soapstone for carving is an interesting hobby.
DIY Soapstone Coasters Creation for Beginners: Easy Level
Materials Needed:
- Soapstone block, offcut or soapstone tile
- Tools for carving (Take The Beginner’s Guide to SoapStone Carving Tools)
- Pencil
- Ruler or measuring tape
- Sandpaper (various grits, from coarse to fine)
- Felt or cork backing
- Epoxy adhesive
- Clear sealant
Instructions:
- Design: Begin by sketching your desired coaster shape on the soapstone or tile using a pencil and ruler. Common shapes include squares, rectangles, or circles, but feel free to get creative.
- Curving: Use a saw, preferably a tile saw or a hacksaw with a fine-toothed blade, to carefully cut along the pencil lines. Ensure you wear safety goggles and gloves during this step.
- Shaping and Smoothing: Once you’ve cut the shape, use sandpaper of varying grits to smooth the edges and surface. Begin with a coarse grit to remove rough edges and gradually progress to finer grits for a smoother finish.
- Backing: Cut felt or cork backing to match the shape of your coaster and affix it to the bottom using epoxy adhesive. This will protect your surfaces from scratches and provide stability.
- Sealing: To enhance the soapstone’s natural beauty and protect it from moisture, apply a clear sealant according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Allow it to dry completely before using your coasters.
Incorporating soapstone into your kitchen design, whether in larger installations like countertops and sinks or smaller accents like coasters, adds an enduring touch of beauty and functionality. Its timeless appeal and versatility make it an excellent choice for any kitchen, and the satisfaction of crafting your soapstone coasters can be a rewarding DIY project for beginners. Enjoy the elegance and practicality that soapstone brings to your kitchen interior.
Soapstone forms for carving
Soapstone is available in various forms, each catering to different purposes and preferences. Here are the common forms in which soapstone is sold:
- Slabs: Soapstone slabs are large, flat sheets of soapstone that are typically used for countertops, tabletops, and other large surface areas. These slabs are often used for their smooth, elegant appearance and heat-resistant properties.
- Tiles: Soapstone tiles are smaller, rectangular or square pieces of soapstone that are used for a variety of applications. They are a popular choice for backsplashes, flooring, and even crafting smaller items like soapstone coasters. Tiles are a great choice for beginners interested in soapstone carving.
- Blocks: Soapstone blocks are larger, more substantial pieces of soapstone. They can be used for carving sculptures or creating custom soapstone pieces. Blocks provide more material to work with and are suitable for more extensive projects.
- Offcuts: Offcuts are leftover pieces or fragments of soapstone that remain after larger slabs or blocks have been cut or carved. While they may be smaller in size, offcuts can still be used for various DIY projects, including soapstone coasters or small decorative items. They are often more affordable than larger pieces.
- Chips or Shavings: These are tiny fragments or shavings of soapstone that are sometimes produced as waste during the carving or cutting process. While they may not have significant applications in larger projects, they can be used for filling gaps or cracks in soapstone surfaces.
You can buy the stone, you can easily find the right size blocks on Amazon, for example.
Small Soapstone for Carving, White Blank Cube
Efco Soapstone Blank Rectangular Cube
Item Dimensions LxWxH: 1.97 x 0.79 x 0.79 inches
Middle Soapstone for Carving, Grey Blank Cube
Soapstone for Carving Block – 3” x 3” x 5”
Item Dimensions LxWxH: 3 x 3 x 5 inches
Big Soapstone for Carving, Ocean Green Blank Cube
Sculpture House – CS904-2BX Soapstone, Deep Ocean Green, Pack of 5
Item Weight: 10 Pounds
For beginners interested in soapstone carving or crafting, smaller tiles, offcuts, and smaller blocks are indeed the most suitable options. These smaller forms of soapstone are more manageable for beginners to work with and allow for practicing carving techniques and creating smaller items before taking on more significant projects.
