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November, 2023

Slate Countertops vs. The Top Countertop Materials

Selecting the perfect countertop for your kitchen not only influences the overall aesthetics but also determines the functionality and maintenance requirements of your space. If you’ve been considering the top countertop materials, you may not have seen slate. However, this natural stone option has significant benefits over some of the other top choices. Slate Countertops:… Continue reading Slate Countertops vs. The Top Countertop Materials

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Previous Articles

History of Soapstone Around the World

Friday March, 2017

History of Soapstone Around the World Soapstone’s natural, heat-resistant qualities and impermeability set it apart from other trends. In fact soapstone has been used as a tool for baking and architecture for thousands of years. Soapstone artifacts have been found across the world, from the United States to Brazil to Norway. Here’s a little bit… Continue reading History of Soapstone Around the World

The Case Against Granite and Concrete

Sunday March, 2017

Considering Concrete or Granite Countertops? Garden State Soapstone ™, Slate & Wood Countertops, is an advocate for natural stones like slate and soapstone. However, we don’t carry all kinds of countertops, like granite and concrete. There are a few reasons why. The number one reason is sealing. Granite is a stone that requires periodic sealing.… Continue reading The Case Against Granite and Concrete

Why Chefs Use Soapstone

Sunday February, 2017

Great cooking requires the right kitchen. A lot of chefs and cooks come to us and ask what types of countertops they should consider. We always recommend soapstone countertops. Soapstone is easy to clean and maintain. Soapstone countertops are non-porous, stain resistant, heat resistant. They don’t require sealing. Some homeowners choose to wax or oil… Continue reading Why Chefs Use Soapstone

Baking & Grilling with Soapstone

Sunday February, 2017

Soapstone Pizza Stones Rumor has it that a Chicago food writer named Pat Bruno actually “invented” the pizza stone. Bruno claims that he was with the famous cook book author Julia Child when she was making pizza. She made a comment that the crust would be so much more crisp if someone could just get… Continue reading Baking & Grilling with Soapstone

What’s New with Slate

Sunday February, 2017

What’s New with Slate? 2017 Trends: Slate Has it All It’s been a while since we talked about slate. So what’s new? Well, turns out, there’s a lot. Natural stone is back on the “trends” list in 2017. As a sustainable, durable, easy-maintenance material, it’s not going anywhere. Sate is definitely trending in 2017 and… Continue reading What’s New with Slate

In The Spotlight: PA Soapstone

Sunday February, 2017

In The Spotlight: PA Soapstone PA Soapstone, short for Pinheiros Altos, is a harder variety of soapstone that sits at a 5.0 on the Mohs Scale. When treated, Pinheiros Altos is dark black, with off-white veins containing a slight green hue. Pinheiros Altos contains less talc than traditional varieties of soapstone, like Mariana or Churchill.… Continue reading In The Spotlight: PA Soapstone

Natural Home Design in 2017

Monday January, 2017

Home Design in 2017 Natural is Back As 2017 gets into full swing, home design trends move towards functionality, minimalism, and natural materials. On Improve Net, natural stone makes the list again, along with butcher block countertops. Soapstone: Your Go-To Soapstone has repeatedly been named as a go-to material lately. We’ve mentioned the history and… Continue reading Natural Home Design in 2017

Happy New Year!

Sunday January, 2017

Happy 2017 from Garden State Soapstone ™!

Thoughts on Soapstone Seams

Friday November, 2016

Soapstone Seams There’s no better way than to celebrate the holidays in style, with beautiful, sustainable soapstone countertops. And there’s never been a better time to consider remodeling with soapstone (many sources are claiming it’s the end of granite, and soapstone is taking over). With soapstone’s growing popularity, we’ve received a lot of questions about… Continue reading Thoughts on Soapstone Seams

What is Patina?

Sunday October, 2016

We frequently talk about Patina Patina is how your soapstone naturally ages. It’s why quarried traditional soapstone, in its natural state, is light blue gray or darker grey. Typically the darker soapstone is harder, with less talc. Soapstone countertops will age (patina) or darken naturally. However this could take some time and typically is inconsistent,… Continue reading What is Patina?

Trending Triple Vanities

Saturday October, 2016

Trending Renovations For Your Bathroom This fall, Forbes posted an article describing the design and nuance of a custom triple vanity sink. We all know that a new vanity can change the entire feel of your bathroom, but typically we talk about materials, style, or even the surrounding decor when it comes to your vanity.… Continue reading Trending Triple Vanities

5 Soapstone Countertops We Love

Saturday September, 2016

We can’t stop talking about these 5 soapstone countertops. 1. Old Dominion Soapstone Island + Perimeter located in SoHo | Manhattan. Placed in a beautiful NYC home, this soapstone island provides the perfect centerpiece for an already-amazing kitchen, standing out against the yellow decor and marble backsplash. It’s sleek and smooth, and ready for company… Continue reading 5 Soapstone Countertops We Love

Advantages of Natural Stone

Saturday September, 2016

When it comes to soapstone and slate, we love natural stone. At Garden State Soapstone ™, we pride ourselves in our selection of beautiful soapstone and slate, custom-fabricated for your home. We recommend natural stone for a variety of reasons, from the subtle characteristics and textures that it adds to a home, to its versatility… Continue reading Advantages of Natural Stone

100 on Houzz

Saturday September, 2016

Garden State Soapstone ™ on Houzz: Thank You For 100 Saves! Since re-designing our website last summer, we’ve also taken initiatives to stay active on Houzz. Thanks to our customers and followers, we’re pleased that our hard work has paid off! Along with 17 amazing reviews from our customers, we’ve officially hit 100 saves on… Continue reading 100 on Houzz

Garden State Soapstone ™’s Churchill Soapstone

Thursday September, 2016

Churchill Countertops: Traditional, Sustainable Soapstone Churchill Soapstone, from the Alberene quarry in Virginia, is one of our customers’ favorite soapstones. Although it’s slightly harder than other soapstones, Churchill soapstone is a traditional variety of soapstone. Instead of a 2.5, it sits at a 3.0-a 3.5 on the Mohs scale. When untreated, it has a light… Continue reading Garden State Soapstone ™’s Churchill Soapstone

Why Slate Countertops? 10 Facts

Thursday August, 2016

When it comes to countertops, slate is growing in popularity. It’s no surprise: slate is a consumer-friendly, natural stone that’s quarried locally. With a variety of colors from grey and green to red and mottled purple, it presents a wide range of selections for home renovations. Here are 10 facts about slate countertops you should… Continue reading Why Slate Countertops? 10 Facts

Back to Basics: Soapstone 101

Saturday August, 2016

10 Facts About Soapstone Consider this Soapstone 101. There’s a lot of information around about soapstone. We want to make sure you have the most accurate details. We made a list of our “Top 10” soapstone facts! 1) Soapstone is impermeable and stain resistant. It’s easy to clean with mild soap and water, and no… Continue reading Back to Basics: Soapstone 101

Home Tour: New York City Soapstone

Thursday August, 2016

Renovating Your Home with Soapstone: New York City Last week, we took a tour of homes throughout New Jersey. However, Garden State Soapstone ™ beautifies homes beyond the Garden State. We’ve served customers throughout the Mid-Atlantic, from Connecticut to Maryland. This week, we’ll take a tour of homes in New York City, updated with soapstone… Continue reading Home Tour: New York City Soapstone

What Are Whiskey Rocks, Anyway?

Saturday July, 2016

All About Whiskey Rocks Now that summer is officially here, we’re ready for the outdoors. Not just hiking and outdoorsy stuff, (Though there are some great places to explore around the Garden State), but for a cold drink on the porch. Any summer whiskey cocktails may look good, but there’s no better way to enjoy… Continue reading What Are Whiskey Rocks, Anyway?

Maintaining Marble in your Kitchen

Saturday June, 2016

Marble In Your Kitchen Marble is beautiful and timeless. It brings a soft elegance that brightens up any room. Plus, the growing interest in texture has lead to an increased demand for honed, long-lasting, natural stones. Many of our clients are wary that this material might be difficult to maintain. Though it’s one of the… Continue reading Maintaining Marble in your Kitchen

Thinking about a Soapstone Sink?

Saturday June, 2016

Garden State Soapstone ™: Soapstone Sinks If you have a love of all things soapstone like we do, you might be thinking about a soapstone sink. All of our soapstone sinks are made to your specifications. However, there are a few industry-standard sinks: Chicago Wright, Boston Williams, and New England Double Bowls. We’ve fabricated custom… Continue reading Thinking about a Soapstone Sink?

Is Soapstone Sustainable?

Friday June, 2016

We love soapstone for a variety of reasons. But mostly, because it’s a sustainable material. Soapstone has been used for centuries, primarily for cooking, due to its heat resistant properties. Primarily composed of talc, magnate, and chlorite, it occurs naturally. In terms of hardness, it ranges from a 2.5 to a 5.0 on the Mohs… Continue reading Is Soapstone Sustainable?

Soapstone and the Mohs Scale

Friday June, 2016

What is the Mohs Scale? At Garden State Soapstone ™, customers frequently ask about the difference between harder soapstone and softer (traditional) soapstone. To answer this question, it’s important to first talk about the Mohs scale. The Mohs scale characterizes the range of hardness that different minerals contain. Specifically, it identifies scratch resistance of various… Continue reading Soapstone and the Mohs Scale

Soapstone in 10 Ways

Thursday May, 2016

There’s more than one way to use soapstone. At Garden State Soapstone ™, we’ve discovered that there’s not just one way to use soapstone. In fact, it’s a natural, organic material with versatility that makes it perfect for just about everything. Luckily, we were able to narrow down our favorites. Here are the top 10… Continue reading Soapstone in 10 Ways

Soapstone: Now Trending in NYC

Tuesday February, 2016

New York City Soapstone Garden State Soapstone ™ has installed soapstone countertops and done other services for customers who span the mid-atlantic coast, from Maryland and Pennsylvania to Upstate New York. Lately, we’ve gotten a lot of attention from homeowners from Brooklyn & Manhattan. That’s because soapstone makes a great addition to any modern, urban establishment. It’s… Continue reading Soapstone: Now Trending in NYC

Soapstone Veining

Tuesday February, 2016

Soapstone’s Unique Veining Characteristics When it comes to soapstone, each individual slab is unique. When it comes to the range of varieties, there are subtle to dramatic tonal and veining variations through each type.  Some slabs have dispersed and minimal veining. Other slabs have dense and dramatic soapstone veining. How does soapstone veining occur? Soapstone… Continue reading Soapstone Veining

Getting Technical: Colors of Slate Countertops

Tuesday February, 2016

Slate Countertop Colors Slate is formed by compressed layers of sediments under the ocean and riverbed. The heating and compression of these sediments altered the alignment of minerals, giving slate the ability to be separated into layers. It can be made into great slate countertops. For a natural stone countertop, slate countertops are fascinating. Slate occurs… Continue reading Getting Technical: Colors of Slate Countertops

Benefits of Organic Soapstone Wax and Soapstone Oil

Tuesday February, 2016

Organic Wax and Oil: A sustainable solution for sustainable soapstone countertops. Earlier, we had a post about care & maintenance for your soapstone countertops. Soapstone is easy to maintain because of its non-porous qualities. Soapstone should not be sealed, but should be treated and enhanced with soapstone wax and soapstone oil. Since then, we’ve had… Continue reading Benefits of Organic Soapstone Wax and Soapstone Oil

Care and Maintenance for Soapstone

Wednesday January, 2016

Soapstone Care and Maintenance One of our frequently asked questions is, how do you care for your soapstone? It’s actually pretty simple. Here’s why soapstone countertops are easy to maintain: It will not stain It is non-porous and should not be sealed It is heat resistant It is bacteria resistant, so it is food safe,… Continue reading Care and Maintenance for Soapstone

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