soapstone

This question is directed to Maurizio…I need help FAST!!  I am going to have new kitchen Counter (http://GialloFiorito.com) tops put in, in about 3 weeks. The Stone (http://g603.net) fabricator I am using is EXCELLENT, as was his father before him, they have been in business here for 50 years.  I have chosen soapStone (http://g603.net) from Brazil, but as I am still waiting for cabinets, nothing has been done.  I have a sample of the soapStone (http://g603.net) , and (http://maplered.com) it is beautiful and (http://maplered.com) I have been trying to have my three kids eat on it, but it is not a very big sample (due to weight, I’m sure) so not sure if I’m getting the effect.  My fabricator also suggested uba tuba Granite (http://tanbrown.org) ?which I really liked the Colors (http://www.g640.net) of.  It was an excellent Stone (http://g603.net) sample also.  I love the fact that soapStone (http://g603.net) is an old authentic Counter (http://GialloFiorito.com) top in New England (http://maplered.com) .  I also have a southern long-leaf heart pine wide plank floor which I love the look of.  I wanted soapStone (http://g603.net) because it is such an impervious Stone (http://g603.net) , different than most people’s, has a long history here in America and (http://maplered.com) I don’t mind the oiling.  ( I stained and (http://maplered.com) Tung-oiled the floors myself).  But I must confess, after reading some of your comments here, I’m not sure if you recommend it or not.  I admit to actually potentially liking the shiny look of the Granite (http://tanbrown.org) , but it feels kind of like a “cop-out?since Granite (http://tanbrown.org) is EXTREMELY popular here right now…plus, soapStone (http://g603.net) feels much warmer to me.  One of my concerns is that you have stated it “always looks dirty?  There is a store here that has soapStone (http://g603.net) Counter (http://GialloFiorito.com) s that are gorgeous but it is a retail store, and (http://maplered.com) they are obviously not cooking or wiping it down (probably just dusting it once in a while, as it is still rather grey and (http://maplered.com) not black—they have stated they have never oiled it).  Being as both Stone (http://g603.net) s will be good quality from my guy, (he says it’s my decision) is there concrete reasons for picking one over the other?  Or mostly just aesthetics?  I would hate to obviously have regrets.  I have not seen actual soapStone (http://g603.net) in a kitchen application since my days in New England (http://maplered.com) (16 years ago??.but Easterners seem to love it.  I LOVE things that looks old and (http://maplered.com) worn (NOT grubby?things like 300 year old floors, or 600 year old travertine Tiles (http://www.g682.net) …you know), but again, I don’t want something that looks like a disaster, but I hate to just be one of the crowd.  Do I need to pay?  I have not gotten any prompts to pay…please help me (will gladly pay, but am on a strict timeline if I decide to gulp—change my mind!) 

Sincerely,

Aimee