Hi, I could have written your post (similar home/family circumstances, same aesthetic preferences.)

I do not think concrete counters would read as too contemporary with Shaker cabs and other old house details. I think they can be "quiet" countertops that just fade into the background and let other aspects of kitchen be the focal point "stars."

The problem with nucrete/earthcrete/"cement elegance" type of products is that (much like a poured in place concrete countertop) they can, and probably will, crack. One of those products-I'm sorry I don't remember which-advertises that it guarantees against cracking and I got all excited, then read that the "guarantee" is for one year. I don't know about you, but I want my counters crack-free for longer than one year!

A KD we consulted with who had concrete countertops herself and stated while she loved the look, they were a high maintenance choice and advised us to steer clear of them, given our desire for low/no maintenance.

These cast concrete countertops share the same drawbacks as regular concrete countertops-they are porous and so can stain (except the one nucrete product which is coated and bit more...plasticky than the other cast concrete products.) Since they are porous they need to be waxed like regular concrete countertops which can also mean problems with water rings, etc. (Perhaps some of the same concerns you have with soapstone...?)

I still got a quote from Sonoma on the nucrete: $130-150/sq. ft. PLUS the cost of crating/shipping, PLUS finding/paying a local fabricator to install. Zoikes.

I never got a sample of the squak mountain, but I assume it performs similarly to richelite and paperstone (which I did get samples of) they scratched very easily and needed to be oiled. My feeling was that if I was going to oil a countertop, I'd prefer to get soapstone.

I sampled ~7? different soapstones (and I was surprised they were not necessarily more expensive than other choices we were looking at, depending on supplier and pricing. Whether they charge for a whole slab or just what you need fabricated can make a difference.)

After first purchasing soapstone, I ended up switching at the last minute to leathered absolute black granite with a wood island. I haven't even been living with/using them yet, but already have concerns about scratches/oil marks. Sigh.

I looked into dozens of countertop options looking for what you're looking for and there just is no perfect choice.

In short, countertops can be maddening. :)

Well I've already written a novel, but I'd be glad to chat further if I can provide input on other choices you might be considering. (Sadly I have several dozen countertop samples here-I sampled several other more obscure materials from schist to slate to anthracite and lots of the better known choices too.) Good luck!

littlesmokie - thank you so much for your post! Wow, what a lot of thought and work you did. I had just read your post on bluekitten's thread too and was about to thank you for the research that benefits the rest of us, when I saw you posted here too. So, thank you! We have narrowed it down to Paperstone or soapstone, with similar maintenance issues we'll probably go with Paperstone - I love its warmth and the indigo is really beautiful. Cost for us (near Seattle) is better than soapstone, plus we like the green, local quality. But I did surprise myself and actually liked some honed granite, Nebula Satin in particular, so I can see the appeal (so much better than the cold, boring, polished stuff we've seen in all new construction around here). I have been agonizing over this and appreciated your encouragement that there is no perfect countertop out there. Hopefully we'll be happy with it, whatever it turns out to be . . .

hi Sloane,
If you're considering Paperstone/Richlite, one thing you could do is get a cutting board made of it. They sell a number of sizes and colors and you could do your worst to the board to make sure it will hold up to your standards.

I hate to be a killjoy, but will say that I have a Paperstone cutting board and it decided me against the material as counters -- it scratches very easily and soon looks beat up. Then again, of course you won't be using knives directly on your counter to cut bread etc.

Have you thought about stainless or other metals? I wound up putting DIY copper counters into my 1921 bungalow and we are quite happy with them. Stainless would be about the most bulletproof material I can imagine for counters, besides being historically appropriate.
Here is a picture of forum member Theresse's gorgeous stainless counters in her foursquare:

Best of luck and happy deciding!

Thanks for the great advice, and the pictures of that gorgeous kitchen! I have been using a Paperstone cutting board for a while - trying to do as much damage as we can. :) Soaked it, hot pots sat on it, moved counter appliances across it, and of course cutting. Like all cutting boards it has knife scratches, which I wouldn't do right on the counter surface. Otherwise, it held up great and the only marks was from my crock pot. These sand and oil out though. The board seems much denser, less colorful, and not as warm to the touch as the countertops. I appreciate your feedback artemis78, esp about getting quotes, and your friend's experience. Being close to Seattle and having a contractor who can install it makes it a more reasonable choice for us, so I think we may go for it.

Careful of the supplier in Seattle... horrible reviews on Google for ecohaus (now GreenDepot) doing Paperstone.
Check out GreenhouseSolutions in Ballard/Queen Anne, went there yesterday and they have "ecotop" (made my originator of Paperstone) and the Squak Mtn stuff.

I'm with you that there is no perfect countertop, having a heck of a time deciding!!