Monday, October 19, 2015

English Cottage Kitchen Cabinets With Soapstone Countertops


                     
Click on photo for a close up of the soapstone

Some time ago I bought a Proxxyn Fet Saw. This is my first project using it. It is far from finished. I still have to make the drawers and add hinges and knobs. I probably won't paint it until I am sure about the kitchen.

The counter tops are cut from soapstone. It is really brittle and cuts like butter on the saw. I still need a piece of stone under the sink which will raise it up to the right height for the counter tops. I also need a piece behind it.

I found lots of pictures of these sorts of cabinets in Pinterest. The photo that I copied these from had the drawers under the cabinet doors. I liked the look but I still have time to change my mind and turn them around so the drawers are on top. I justified the arrangement because my kitchen table has drawers, which I plan to keep all the silverware I made in.

Linda Master was here for several days last week. Thank you Linda for helping me get started.

The photo I copied my cabinets from.





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33 comments:

  1. DaydreamerOctober 19, 2015 at 8:09 PM

    Oh, it looks Wonderful! I would hesitate to have the drawers on the bottom.... what goes in them way down there? LOL! I guess we get used to the way our own cabinets are set up! It sounds as though you are using real soapstone for the counters? Where do you find it so thin? Clearly, your kitchen is going to be Awesome!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. CatherineOctober 19, 2015 at 9:16 PM

      Thank you

      Yes, it is real soap stone. It had to first be cut on a band saw into a slab. Then it was cut on my Fet saw into a squared shape.

      I assume pot lids go into those drawers at that level. I also have drawers in my hutch so I can afford to have lower drawers in the cabinets.

      Delete
  2. The grandmommyOctober 19, 2015 at 8:30 PM

    I have seen drawers like those with pet dishes built in them. I love the idea of the soap stone. Lets see where you go from here!

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    Replies
    1. CatherineOctober 19, 2015 at 9:17 PM

      I am hoping to build a fridge with a wood covered door to blend in with the cabinet.

      Delete
  3. PepperOctober 20, 2015 at 2:10 AM

    I have seen drawers at the bottom before and you're right, they normally house bakewear and pot lids. I didn't realise soapstone was so easy to cut. It all looks fab

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    Replies
    1. CatherineOctober 20, 2015 at 8:09 AM

      That is what I thought, Baking pans and pot lids. Soapstone is easy to cut and carve. The American Indians used it for peace pipes.

      Delete
  4. IreneOctober 20, 2015 at 2:16 AM

    You've created a lovely piece and I would never have considered soapstone - I wouldn't even know where to get it! Looking forward to seeing this piece completed.

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  5. Mad For ModOctober 20, 2015 at 7:39 AM

    It looks wonderful! I love the soapstone counter tops!

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  6. Vivian FoxOctober 20, 2015 at 10:08 AM

    The units look gorgeous...I'm dying to see your progress with it all! Lovely.
    All the best
    Vivian

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  7. CatherineOctober 20, 2015 at 10:22 AM

    Thank you Vivian. It has been a learning experience too. I am not accustom to working with wood or the sorts of tools necessary to make things.

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  8. Isabel RuizOctober 20, 2015 at 3:33 PM

    Creo que has hecho un buen trabajo. Un diseño original y queda muy bien.

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  9. CatherineOctober 20, 2015 at 3:58 PM

    Gracias. He estado teniendo un montón de diversión con ella.

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  10. miraclechickenOctober 20, 2015 at 10:45 PM

    You are very welcome Catherine! It was fun :) And looking so nice and inspiring---

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  11. CatherineOctober 21, 2015 at 12:57 AM

    Thanks Linda.

    It's nice to be using that little green box in the garage.

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  12. Small world of TurnerOctober 21, 2015 at 6:35 AM

    ❤️ Fabulous work Catherine !!! Looks great !!! ❤️
    Mini hugs from Pipi

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  13. CatherineOctober 21, 2015 at 10:26 AM

    Thank you Pipi. XXX

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  14. PattyOctober 22, 2015 at 11:22 AM

    Gorgeous work Catherine. Your future dollhouse is going to be amazing with all of the wonderful items you have been making for it.

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  15. CatherineOctober 22, 2015 at 3:25 PM

    Thank you Patty. How nice to see you again.

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  16. Fabulously SmallOctober 23, 2015 at 1:10 AM

    That looks so wonderful already Catherine! And I LOVE the soapstone!

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  17. CatherineOctober 23, 2015 at 1:50 AM

    Thank you Monique.

    I also really like the soapstone. I just wish it was a bit harder.

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  18. AnonymousOctober 26, 2015 at 11:58 PM

    You did a great job! I particularly like the overall design of your cabinets. The realistic design enhances the overall effect - they look like a real kitchen and not like some boxy dollhouse junk (which is how my cabinets always look :-) The soapstone is an interesting idea and it looks great. Did you have to sand it much to get a smooth finish? From what kind of a place do you buy soapstone?

    Thanks for sharing.
    Chris M.

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    Replies
    1. CatherineOctober 27, 2015 at 8:41 AM

      Thank you Chris.

      I got this soapstone from a friend but I have found it on eBay too. Yes... It had to be cut on a band saw to the correct thickness then on my Proxxyn saw to the right width and length. I did hand sand it to make it smooth. It is very easy to do but it does break if you're not very careful.

      Delete
  19. elizabeth sOctober 28, 2015 at 6:05 AM

    Hi Catherine! I must say that I LOVE the look of the sink and the cupboards which have a classic cottage feel to them. The configuration that you've chosen will make it easier to access the items inside, both in the drawers and on the shelves, which is A Very Practical Idea and one that I'm sure the mini cook will Thank You for! :D
    The sink and the counter look Perfect together, and I can already see some flaky pastry being rolled out onto the cool surface of the soapstone as preparations get underway for pumpkin pie for dessert! :D

    elizabeth

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  20. CatherineOctober 28, 2015 at 10:55 AM

    Thank you Elizabeth. I thought it was a good learning project. I am not a wood person.

    They have come along since I posted the photo. I have added something.

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  21. Alessandra Collar LipmanNovember 4, 2015 at 2:09 PM

    Hi Catherine! So much has happened since I last checked out your blog. Glad you got through the appendix nightmare - I had a similar thing happen with my gallbladder. I am doing great and hope to have a new blog post soon myself. Glad to see you are still here, and doing beautiful work!

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  22. CatherineNovember 4, 2015 at 5:25 PM

    Thank you Alessandra,

    We must be two of the luckiest women around, I am sorry to hear you had a similar experience though.

    I look forward to your new blog post. I hope it is more work on Rose cottage. ;-)

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  23. TerriNovember 15, 2015 at 11:23 AM

    Hello Catherine, wow! This cabinet is stunning! You have done an amazing job.
    I hope you are healthy and happy.
    Hugs,
    Terri

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    Replies
    1. CatherineNovember 15, 2015 at 11:38 AM

      Thank you Terri. It is so nice to see you. Also to see you are posting again on your blog.

      Delete
  24. JosjeNovember 17, 2015 at 9:01 AM

    Oh it has been so long since I have been visiting blogs, I have been so busy! And so have you I see. Your kitchen cabinets look great! You did a very good job on them, and first time working with your saw?! I'm not really surprised though, with your talent and Linda's expert guidance...
    The soap stone is a good alternative for marble, it looks beautiful on your cabinets. I worked with some marble last year and was surprised to find is was much easier to work with than I had thought. Not as soft as soap stone of course, but still fairly easy to cut and shape. There is a local artists shop which carries soap stone. I shall check out their prices and colors. Maybe I can make a 'marble' floor with it. Are you going with the slate or flagstone floor like in the original photo?

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  25. CatherineNovember 17, 2015 at 10:41 AM

    Hi Josje,

    Thank you for your kind comment about my cabinets.
    I would love to have a flagstone floor. I have been exploring different things to create that. I know Richard Stacey has a wonderful option. Still it would be nice to find something here in the US. I have found something I think might work. However small samples are not really giving me enough of an idea about how it would look. I have had another eye surgery so that has cost me a couple of weeks time (no sanding). I am looking forward to being able to finish a few things and the next few days. Good to see you. I look forward to your next post.

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  26. SarahJanuary 4, 2016 at 1:11 PM

    This is gorgeous, love those big sinks and counters in kitchens. The soapstone is perfect! Wishing you an A&E free 2016 by the way!!

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