oops on the soapstone

Well, we will not be having Virginia-mined soapstone in the house at Hanshill.

Yesterday afternoon, about 3:45 we received a phone call from the granite fabricating business we chose. We had taken them a beautiful piece of Virginia, Alberene, soapstone and they were going to cut it to fit our master bathroom vanity. This coming Monday, August 8, is the date that our granite countertops (kitchen) and the soapstone are supposed to be installed. As the professional was cutting the soapstone, the last task in getting our order ready, all of a sudden it shattered and splintered into many small pieces. Apparently, he encountered a fault that was not visible. The granite shop has worked with Alberene soapstone many times and has NEVER had a piece break in their 6 years in business.

When we got the call the granite business owner was pretty desperate sounding. He had tried to call the soapstone plant and was ready to drive up right away to acquire a replacement piece. Only there was not a replacement piece to be found that would be the color we had chosen, and large enough. The actual warehouse, where many soapstone slabs are stored, had closed and would not be opened until Monday. So the poor guy at the granite shop was in a funk. After listening to him a bit, and taking it all in, I started asking him about other options. I knew that Monday was our installation date. And I also knew, and know, that we want to settle the construction loan and move in before the end of the month, and we do not need any construction delays. So we needed a solution that would not jeopardize the Monday completion date. So that kinduv ruled out getting another piece of soapstone. Instead I started asking him questions about alternatives that would be available from the stock on hand at the granite place.

Wow, I'm rambling!! Anyway, we drove out there Friday afternoon. We asked about using a piece of the kitchen granite to replace the soapstone. The part that we were not using had been purchased by another client. Besides, the kitchen granite is light in color, and we had anticipated that the soapstone would be dark, so we had chosen a white sink to contrast with the soapstone, so we were still hoping for a darker-colored vanity top, that also would look good with the chimney-stone wall. So we looked at remnants that were sitting in the yard at the granite place. We found a couple of options, and finally settled on one. It would be of least inconvenience to the poor guys at the granite place if we chose one of their remnants, and yet is very pretty and will look good at Hanshill. So, aside from not having a piece of soapstone mined in Virginia, which was a topic I had discussed with Daddy and a goal of mine, all is fine. We will still have a beautiful master bathroom vanity top that will look great with the stone chimney wall. Pictures will come very soon! I can't wait!!!!!