Interesting! I hate "patina" and therefore didn't and never would consider soapstone or marble,but it is gorgeous until the patina appears. I didn't do white cabinets because of problems I've seen, read, and heard about, mostly cracking paint and separation. That kitchen is beautiful but would make me a raving lunatic.

I agree and we are talking about a successful home blogger. Do you know how hard a good blogger works? They just do project, after project, after project. Nobody spends more time on their home then one of those bloggers. And she doesn't want to deal with all that stuff.

Can you imagine having to have your cabinets repainted after two years? That "custom" cabinetmaker obviously didn't know what he was doing.

http://www.4men1lady.com/repainting-cabinets-progress/

I wonder if her calacatta counters were sealed. I have honed, hand-polished carrara, and have had no problems with staining, even though it's not sealed. I have a few etches that I haven't bothered to buff out, and after 4½ years the end where I roll out dough, and use various clamp-down appliances, is starting to look very dull.

My inset cabinets have fared much better than hers, but we have only one small boy in the house, and it seems she has three.

Thanks for posting the links. My verdict: That chick needs to lighten up.

Oh, she's not a complainer at all; I always love "real life" reviews. She does have honed carrara in a bathroom and hasn't had any problems.

http://www.4men1lady.com/reviewing-my-own-house-en-suite-bathroom-2/

My verdict was more in reference to her admission that she turns into a monster if her kids smear her artwork on the chalkboard barn door, which they are no longer allowed to use, because of ... chalk dust. I know hyperbole and exaggeration make good copy, but ... really? I just think her life would be easier if she relaxed a little.

Ahhh, yes, good catch! And she did just put carrara on a basement kitchen island which she does recommend. I, however, hate my marble countertops in all our bathrooms. I guess there's no easy answer!

http://www.4men1lady.com/ikea-island-hack/

kiko, OT, but have you mentioned what variety and finish you have? I've found that if marble is honed and polished with a 600-grit paper, it's fairly easy to blend in the etches with a scrubby or a fine, dampened, sanding sponge. Unfortunately, dings aren't easily repaired.

The master bath is crema marfil (I think) and pitted like crazy by my sink. Must be make-up or skin care products that dh doesn't use? The other bathrooms are emperador marble. All the marble was polished when we moved in 10 years ago (believe it was about 2-3 years old then) but our carelessnes has honed it, LOL. I actually prefer the look of the honed areas. And one counter is cracked (son standing on it ... Don't ask!).

Oh, yeah, I have a daughter who used to stand on the toilet seat cover so that she could see her whole outfit in the mirror over the sink.

Ha, and I thought it was only my kid :)

Does she ever mention regret for not following through with the subway tile layout under the Mom Desk? That alone would make me batty.