Gee there is a difference but with natural stone, the supplier should have said there could be. I quite like the 'new one' but understand it's not what you were expecting. Perhaps take the lighter ones away and 'live with' the new ones for a few days before sending them back.

I actually like the darker one better.

I actually love the darker marble, but can understand how frustrating that is, especially when it's one of your main spaces. Do what you feel is right. Don't rush it through if you're going to wish you had lighter marble.

Beautiful kitchen by the way!

You have a plan in your head and then boom... You get blindsided with a darker stone. The thing is, the new stone may not be what you envisioned but it is lovely. It may even hide the inevitable crumbs... When I built my home there were hiccups. Some still haunt me ( the off set light over my DR table) but others faded from memory. You really need to sort out if this is going to bother you. If yes, then go talk to the supplier. Take pictures. Maybe they will split the cost of restocking. Who knows. But I'd rather see you get it right now, even if it will cost. Sorry for your trouble. Keep us updated.

I think the darker is prettier!

aha! figured out how to add more photos. The one image below shows the difference up front.

Thank you for all the feedback and compliments. The issue is the installer is coming in an hour so didn't get a chance to really "sleep" on this. I am also trying to determine if its just the thought that plans changed last minute that is concerning or if the new color is truly objectively not working.

Maybe I need to change walls colors? With the whiter marble, there was a nice contrast with the walls, now that's gone. Any wall color recommendations?

(PS - color selection has never been my cup of tea)

I think your wall color looks good, the baseboard breaks it up.

Contrast in a design is a good thing. You have to love it as it'll be down for a loooonnnggg time. ONE big question... how does it look with the back-splash? Pix are hard to tell without being there... recommend looking closely at wall paint and back-splash :) Looking at the 2nd pix... I see why you chose the lighter with the contrasting spots. I like your original... and it should NOT cost you to return as it wasn't as described. HUGE DIFFERENCE in look and feel.

I love the darker one!

I think the darker will be okay, however you have to love it. One thing to keep in mind with installing marble & it looks like you want it laid on the diagonal, right? Your installer needs to really know how to install marble correctly. Try to match up the viens in the tile to match closely to the ones surrounding (that is if it really has distinct viens). It is a selective process when installation is being done.

Whatever your decision with the lighter or darker I would advise you to be present & actively involved in the installing process. I had an interior design teacher who delegated a job of installing slate tile to an installer who was not experienced in the material, and he sorted all the colors into groups so they would all match each other. Which with slate is not what you are supposed to do. It needs to be a random color pattern.

This is what can happen if the person is not knowledgable with a particular product & is not supervised. Keep in mind slate is different from marble, however there is a right way to install & a wrong way to install. You may want to pull up DIY Network & put in 'installing marble flooring'. You will have a most beautiful finished kitchen I am sure.

If you go with the darker tile and like your paint color but want more of a contrast, use the same color 50% lighter.

I like the darker, agree the white trim is a good contrast with both wall and floor color. But and this is a big but, if you don't love it, don't settle.

Yes, installing impt. Everyone's tastes differ but a rule we often hear is having the vein and flow run in the same direction. Seeing your tile guy is coming.... best to layout tile dry. See how you like it... IN different lighting (day + night).

the lighter tile has more energy and personality than the newer... of course, this is virtual—not live. There's an old trick I use to see isolated cabinet with the one tile. Hard to explain here. But it's an instant tell all way of looking at things using tools most everyone has handy. Call me if interested. Up to; midnite. # above I believe; or in my profile.

Hi All,

Wanted to thank you all for your feedback and upload some progress photos. Your feedback really helped drive decisions. I also have another question that came up:
For the kitchen, should we add marble trim as shown? Its currently not installed and just sitting there for the photo. This would go all over the kitchen.

Thanks for your feedback!

Floor looks great. I would not run it up like a baseboard though. It chops up the cabinets.

Flooring looks terrific! Agree with wsea- don't use the marble as trim.