So you’ve decided you want soapstone counters, but you have no idea what kind of backsplash to pair with them. Well, you’ve made a great choice — people have been using soapstone for thousands of years, but its most ringing endorsement came from Julia Child. Because of its heat resistance, you can stick a hot pot right on it. And you don’t have to worry about those red wine rings that stain other materials.

Soapstone often has a greenish-gray cast, or goes into darker grays to practically black, with beautiful whitish veins.

Because soapstone started to gain popularity in the United States in the 1800s as a durable and economical material, it’s well suited to many historical renovations. It feels right at home in farmhouses and Victorian-era, Arts and Crafts, Craftsman and Prairie-style homes. It also works well in modern and contemporary spaces. Here’s a look at some of the best ways to pair a backsplash with this popular material.