Friday, November 4, 2011

A Very Big Day!


Yesterday was a big day at casa vignette design! The new countertops were installed!

New plywood went in first, then it was epoxied...

....then the slab came in. Gasp!
Oh my, it is just beautiful!

I might as well spill the beans right now, instead of waiting for the final reveal.
I did not get black soapstone.
I ended up with calacatta oro marble instead.

For the entire kitchen, not just for the island.

After the granite was demoed, I couldn't find two pieces of soapstone that matched.
Believe me, I tried. Also, soapstone doesn't come in large enough slabs, so there would have been many seams.

I owe Carlos the Fabricator a huge thank you for being patient with the decision making process.
As you can see, we had a template for soapstone, but every piece had issues. Cracking, too much veining, etc.

The island was always going to be marble, so after a week of searching for the perfect soapstone, I switched gears. Carlos was also key in negotiating the price for me.

Back to the kitchen, I'm really happy with my decision.
Although, we have to wait 48 hours before we can touch it after the sealer was applied.

I had to "sit on my hands" last night to resist the temptation to accessorize!
The jury is out on the butter colored backsplash. The fabricators didn't crack one single piece!
But, does it go with the new marble? I'm still deliberating!

37 comments:

  1. Oh, it's gorgeous! I'm so proud for you and I'm not jealous,nope not one little bit! :) It truly is beautiful and can't wait till all is dried and settled so you can go to town decorating it and show us!
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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  2. "gasp!" Its BEAUTIFUL, Delores!! So fresh & clean looking & it brightens up the space so nicely. I know you'll be happy with your choice. You're going to have so much enjoyment out of this for years to come.
    I love to just lay my hands on my cold marble counters after tennis. (they ache) Its like an ice pack!

    I can't wait to see all the *pretties* you're going to put into place once its dried.

    fondly,
    Rett

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  3. This is stunning Delores, how exciting for you, we look forward to seeing everything in place!!
    A fun weekend ahead!

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  4. Wow! Calacatta always takes my breath away. Fabulous. Interesting about the soapstone, I've always thought that is what I wanted to do--Calacatta and soapstone, so it's good lesson for me....thanks for sharing.

    On the yellow tiles, wait and see. Don't be hasty in ripping it out. I did that when I had slab installed in the kitchen, wish I'd kept it.

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  5. OMG! I am awe struck!!! Just beautiful! Such a great choice...and nice that the universe conspired in your favor it seems!!! Thank you for sharing and can't wait to see the finished room! I know it will be spectacular!

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  6. bonjour Delores, I think you made the right choice... the soapstone would not endure like this gorgeous calacatta marble... congratulations it looks fabuloso!!

    bis

    Kit

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  7. I have marble in my kitchen and I love it. I am sure you are going to enjoy yours. I have a mirrored backsplash...yes, I know it sounds a little strange but it works beautifully.(-:

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  8. oh D!!!!

    fantast-que!!!!

    love
    love
    love
    at first sight ...
    ya done good honey

    the holidays will sizzle now

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  9. Hi D!! Oh my!!They look gorgeous, I am so excited for you!!! What beautiful slabs of marble! Just gorgeous!!!! xo Kathysue

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  10. Wow! Now that is a showstopper! I love it and can't wait to see it when you have put your finishing touch on it!

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  11. Yes, yes yes! the backsplash looks spectacular with your new countertops. Brings an essence of warmth to the room. Your remodel is awesome! Enjoy:)

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  12. You have such a beautiful blog! I love your new counters! I love your comments as well. Have fun in your new kitchen :)

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  13. Delores, the marble is just stunning!! I can't wait to see how you accessorize it all. I already KNOW it will be fabulous!!

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  14. It is truly gorgeous...and I love it with the back-splash too. Once you put all your decorative touches around you will see!

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  15. That does look super gorgeous Delores - and I really like the butter tiles, unexpected, warming and fresh...

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  16. It looks just beautiful! I had marble in my last kitchen and I really miss it. You will love it! Your whole kitchen looks lovely and I can't wait to see how you decorate!

    Robin

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  17. La Vie Quotidienne said...
    I have marble in my kitchen and I love it. I am sure you are going to enjoy yours. I have a mirrored backsplash...yes, I know it sounds a little strange but it works beautifully.(-:
    I would like to see the mirrored backsplash. Cannot picture it.
    Miss D, Plan B looks FANTASTIC! Have fun accessorizing! -JK

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  18. I love how excited you are about this and you couldn't wait for the reveal! It looks so good so far.

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  19. Beautiful! We are getting ready to do a kitchen remodel and want to do marble but everyone is trying to talk me out of it!! After seeing yours - and then reading everyones comments I think I will not listen to those nay-sayers!!! What is your backsplash? It is beautiful as well!

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  20. GASP is right, STUNNING!!!! Love marble as you well know and especially gorgeous white marble!! It looks poisitively perfect with your kitchen. I laughed about resisting the wanting to accessorize part, can so relate..cannot wait to see what you do with it...JUST BEAUTIFUL!

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  21. WOW!!! It is gorgeous!!! I think you will be happier with the marble. It looks so beautiful, timeless and classic. I can't wait to see you "work your magic" with your accessories!!!! XO, Pinky

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  22. Your countertops are absolutely beautiful. Lucky you to find a 3cm. I just had my own calacotta oro island installed yesterday. Did you also choose to hone it? Have you learned any special maintenance tips other than catching stains quickly and sealing often? I would love to hear.
    Enjoy it all.
    Victoris

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  23. Oh it is just gorgeous. I love the marble. Stunning. Hugs, Marty

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  24. THIS IS STUNNING!!! Great fabricators.

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  25. Beautiful-you can never go wrong with Calacutta or soapstone. I love both. I've just been through the same thing with soapstone for my barn. In the end, I went with slate which was also extremely difficult to find in slabs that matched or were big enough. God Bless my stone mason. He might not be Gary Cooper in The Fountainhead, but I love him! Just looking at that template photo in your post gave me the shivers! One day my husband was waiting out in the car for me while I was at the quarry-can you imagine? he came out to the field no less than 4 times, poor man-he couldn't for the life of him understand HOW it could be taking that long!

    Hone and Harbor Seal your calacutta marble and it lasts forever. People who say "don't do marble"???
    I never understood that. I've had it in my kitchen for over 18 years and it still looks great.

    Congratulations and ENJOY accessorizing!

    xx
    SP

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  26. I think because you haven't accessorized yet you are just seeing tooooo much of the tile. I would wait it out, I think only you can make it work. Funny I want to use marble on my island and I thought about soapstone, but have heard it scratches easily, so I am considering honed black granite. The look, but will hold up better.

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  27. LOVE the marble-! You made the right decision. I have soapstone and I wish now I had chosen marble.

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  28. Love the marble. Would like to see the backsplash done the same. :)

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  29. Delores,
    B E A U T I F U L!!! Oh, what a lovely choice! I don't know how you managed to stay away while it "cured"...keep us posted on your accessorizing!
    Fondly,
    Pat

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  30. Gorgeous! I am so excited for you. Can not wait to see it when it is all done.

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  31. I have a feeling that, once everything is put together and you've styled your fabulous vignettes on the countertops, the backsplash is going to just look beautiful. I love those butter tiles! I can't wait until you show it all finished.

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  32. Delores, Stylish, classic and beautiful how can you beat that combination? You will always be happy with this choice. (Still loving that butter slab!!!) ~Jen

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  33. LOVE!!!!!! It looks gorgeous! I want that exact marble in my kitchen :)

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  34. The marble is lovely -- congratulations and enjoy!

    And it looks beautiful with the buttery backsplash, gorgeous and warm. I think both the tiles and marble are the kitchen equivalents of a little black dress, they go with just about everything and certainly with each other. And of course make everything else look better!

    Becky

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  35. The marble is beautiful! Truly classic! I have a feeling the buttery tiles are going to go white! Love your island sink too!

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  36. I did the same thing - went for marble in the entire kitchen. LOVE it, but we have to be very careful. Luckily, I have a bake station in our new pantry, so all of my mixing for cakes, pies, etc. goes on in there. Make sure you get your marble sealed well.

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