Kitchen Counters: Elegant, Timeless Marble

Granite Grannies Great article! I love your stone series. We've done a lot of work with honed white carrara. Like you said, it's a great way to get the look of marble with less risk. When customers want marble in the kitchen, we usually ask them about their lifestyle. If they have a big, busy family and want to be able to use their counter hard without any marks, then we steer them towards a quartzite (would love to see an article on this!) such as Super White or White Macubas. In Europe, a marble countertop with aging marks (stains, etching, general wear) is a sign of a good cook! I would encourage homeowners aiming towards the "handsome timeworn French kitchens" to consider this, and embrace it!

Isabelle B Thank you for putting marble countertops in the spotlight! I wanted white stone countertops and after a lot of research, concluded that only marble provided the look I was after. So I went against many people's advice--except my fabricator's: he told me that with an acid wash, etching wouldn't show. I try to wipe all stains before going to bed at night, and use my fabricator's recommended specially formulated spray once a week (the product contains a little bit of sealer and does away with having to reseal the stone). It's only been six months but I couldn't be more pleased with the stone, and find the maintenance not too bad at all. I also highly recommend the fabricator I used, for those who live in the DC area: Dominion Granite (http://beautifulgranite.com/)
I grew up in France, where many cafés had tables with a Carrara top--often with characteristic pink stains from red wine. With modern sealers, this is hopefully a thing of the past!

digsblues I love my marble kitchen counters. Even though it has been sealed, it will stain. Red wine, or stains from Icee popsicles come out easily by smearing toothpaste over the stain and letting it dry, then wiping it off. It is magic!

Studio NOO Design I agree with digsblue...it will stain...I put no white marble in the kitchen, never ! Too porous, not hygienic at all. Use faux marble quartz instead. Only one client did not listen to me and after 6 months she was depressed ! Sorry, but I never use white marble as a countertop !

shelin look up granite off-gassing radon. i have a house in maine(endless amounts of granite on the coast) and maine.gov and the EPA warn about granite and radon. i would never use granite. I think they've gone the way of sub-zeros. I plan to use marble in my kitchen. I think some look of wear adds to character. I like it.

lindsaytrue What's the difference between marble and soapstone at a glance ?

Granite Grannies @Lindaytrue check out here other article on soapstone to tell see the difference:

holybush Have your cake and eat it to!
If you use CLEARSTONE you will never have the acid etching problems again PLUS you can have any finish you desire.
This is a product developed in Australia now in USA applied through licenced applicators.
Check them out at www.clearstoneusa.com

metzfmly Would you please tell me where is the best place to buy calcutta marble?
thank you.
Susan

Granite Grannies Susan, you should find a local fabricator who can buy it from a local supplier. Suppliers will not sell to you directly (and that wouldn't be helpful anyway since you need it cut and installed.) Find a local fabricator who you trust (ask your friends who they used) and they will be able to find you a calcutta you love.

jacksonbeth Wow! Those photos are amazing. I am redoing my kitchen soon and have been going over the ideas of granite or marble, and I keep flip flopping back and forth. There are a lot of photos at http://carolinashomestone.com that show me what granite looks like installed, as well as marble. What would be the better of the two?