Kitchen Installation, Part 4: Countertops

In a previous post, I shared my adventures in choosing the right countertop. Once that decision was made, we then had a long wait for the kitchen installations (flooring, cabinets, painting) that needed to happen before we could have the counters installed. But while we were waiting, we also had to decide how we wanted the counters fabricated. That involved a two-step process.

First, the fabricators came out in person and created a template from our cabinets.

Creating the countertop template out of balsa wood.

Then, they brought that template back to the shop, where I made an appointment to create a layout with the shop owner, Magdalena.

Final layout - I decided against using the big bold streak.

"This is the fun part!" Magdalena told me, as she helped me decide where the stone should be cut. "I've been doing this for many years, and it never gets old."

Magdalena Gruca, owner of Marble European Style

Then we had to wait a few more weeks, for Magdalena's crew to be available to install the counters. (Soapstone is *very* heavy -- it takes several strong men to lift one countertop!)

Peninsula slab installed!

Countertops all installed! (Almost)

We were a little concerned about installing the countertops before the induction range -- but the range had been delayed, and delayed, and delayed... and move-in date was approaching. So they went ahead and just left a gap to slot the stove into.

And... after they left, we realized the gap was 1/16" too small to fit the stove. So the stone crew came out one more time to adjust it.