The marble is gorgeous, and I love the look of the black Cambrian. I'm glad I don't have to choose!

I have a good friend who has several large pieces of marble she uses in her tiny kitchen as countertops. The pieces are from old bureaus, tables, whatever, she has purchased them over the years. Some have nicks and dings, but she has been able to keep the surface smooth, and she is a big-time cook, and has rolled out miles of pasta on the counters.

If you love it and are fairly good at keeping the kitchen tidy, I would think you would be ok with the marble. BUT I have lowly old 70s laminate in my kitchen so I'm no expert!

I vote for the marble - it will give everything a more consistent (read modern) look. It will be a nice break up from the blizzard without being too much of a departure. I feel like the black Cambrian will really stand out and the marble will keep things nice and bright. Plus that slab is to die for. I say go for it!!! I really love your design!

For me it would depend on the size of your island and how much light counter you actually want. I really like the right side of the marble and I think if your island could take that piece, that is what I would do. Also, what is your island going to be used for - prepping, eating, What? What is going on the lower part?

Another vote for the marble. I think it would look amazing.

That marble slab is absolutely gorgeous! I would put up with some extra work keeping it nice for something that pretty.

I think deep down it's what you want.

Sandy

my vote is the marble. There will be no other kitchen
with that gorgoeus slab. Go for it.
~boxeer

No doubt. The marble.

I vote Marble. I had a hard time deciding too and the post here made me jump in and do the marble. I dont regret it, Although I've had it for about 5 -6 weeks. I have a BUSY house 3 kids, 5 (wild boy), 2( wild boy) and 10 months and a Mother in law. I have some pits from my son banging his silverware against it and whatnot, I do have some etching but it doesn't bother me (my marble is so busy), I even both a cheap vinyl table cloth for when we have messy meals, but I dont pull it out much anymore. I'm planning on rehoning me professional about every 2 -3 years, it's cheap to have done. I love my marble. I don't regret it.

MARBLE!

I have carerra and love it! We have etching, no staining. It is a pleasure to work on.

Hands down: that particular marble slab. Outstanding choice. End of report.

MARBLE wins! Yeay!

I'm usually so practical, and this is definitely a "heart" vs. "brain" decision. I think I needed the reassurance that going with my slab lust is OK in this instance. I get it now when people say you will know "the one" when you find it.

Thanks all and stay warm!

The marble is gorgeous. I think your kitchen is going to be spectacular!

They are both wonderful, but the look of the dark counter will be dramatically different than the lighter, so you need to decide which you prefer (so I'm no help, really).

I absolutely love your cabinets. Where are they from?

I vote for the marble... Like you, I fell in love with marble after being on this site. Can you tell me exactly the product of your backsplash? love it, too, and want to investigate it for my house.

Now I am wondering if I should do both heights of the island in the marble...!

Cosmonj, the cabinets are custom, from a cabinet shop in the south of Boston area. I would recommend him with no reservations if you are in this area. Very reasonable for custom, also. The style is slab drawers and shaker doors but with a 1/8 inch offset instead of the more common 1/4 inch, which makes them look more contemporary, with just a but more detail than a slab.

Plumberry, the BS is "White statuary calacatta polished, cascading waterfall mosaic". I got it from a Tile Showcase showroom in Watertown, MA. It's not on their website but you can call them to order a sample (www.tileshowcase.com).