I also can't see your photo, but we are starting our reno in a couple of weeks and went through the same dilemma. We landed on Carrara marble. It will etch, but I don't personally feel like that will bother me too much since it's going to be honed. However, it should be professionally sealed and that should prevent stains so long as you don't leave anything sitting on it for an extended period of time. Nothing looks as nice as marble.

The only quartz counterparts that I found in all my searching that even remotely mimicked marble in a believable way were both by LG Viatera - Rococco and Minuet. The rest all remind me of spider veins or look pixelated. It's all personal preference.

This is our slab. No quartz on the planet looks like it. :)

Repost your pic, if you can! :)

Sorry I didnt realise the photo wasnt uploaded!

Thank you both for your feedback! Yes quartz really is the safe option, but Im such a marble lover. Stringrae your marble is simply stunning :) I do get a bit worried about maintenance though...when I go in stores asking for kitchen marble I get really weird looks. I live in Malta, and the current trend here is quartz, quartz, quartz. Both countertop and backsplash, which I like because I wouldnt go for tiles. However the only ""marble-looking"" quartz available here is white with grey veins (like Carrara). I didnt like it when I placed a sample next to the wood of the cabinetry.... What do you guys think of the quartz (top) and marble (bottom) samples in the pic? Sorry the colours really didnt come out nice but they are. Only problem is that as for quartz, it is plain and boring but durable, and as for marble, it is a lovely slab but stains/etches and also pattern might be too busy (?).

I agree that the marble and the cabinets do not work well together. I'd go with the Quartz if you're set on the cabinets. Personally though I would do a plain white cabinet with the marble.

Thanks!

i agree with Diana. But also I've read that etching is more obvious on colored marbles so if you do choose it, make sure to consider that! Good luck! :)

Cabinets are already in place, so not much choice about that :) I will follow your advice and go for quartz then. Now I can be as messy as I want lol Thanks guys!! :)

One last thing, pleeease :) In my last attempt to consider marble...what about Crema Marfil with that wood? It is less busy than the Crema di Roccia marble shown in the pic. Do you think it would work with the cabinetry?

Marfil is slightly peachier, right? If so, that might look better because it would provide a little more contrast against the color of the wood. You should try to get a sample! If you are able to get a sample, I'd also do a bunch of etch testing and see how that shows on the color. Etches are usually whitish, which is why most marble kitchen countertops are white. :)

Carol, marble is marble. Beautiful and maintenance-heavy. Within the light colors you're considering, the issues- what marble kitchen countertop owners know as "patina"- will always be there.

It seems like a simple choice, but I know it's not. Such a personal decision. My only input- if you're going marble stay classic. I wouldn't do anything "peachy" in tone. Can be a real challenge to get paint etc. to match, and you could end up with a color palette that isn't what you want.

Thank you both so much. I am totally aware of the maintenance that marble requires, and to be honest I think that it has such a timeless beauty that a few etches here and there wouldnt even bother me and I am willing to risk it. What concerns me most is how it's gonna look. I dont want to choose a marble that wont match, and since I am using it for both backsplash and countertop I really want to be sure (because if I make a mistake it's gonna be even more evident). All the white marbles I have seen all seem to have a grey vein, which doesnt match at all with my kitchen. That is why my options are limited...and a little voice inside me keeps whispering ""quartz is boring" lol I am hating myself for taking so much time to decide !!

https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/b4215a9b0c3a620a_2001-w500-h400-b0-p0--traditional-kitchen.jpg

This is a kitchen with crema marfil marble counterop

I hear you on the effort being worth it! There are many marbles that are more gold/beige than gray, but that only matters if you would WANT to go in that direction anyway! A lot of the Calacatta varieties are much more warm than cool. Some of the Vermont Danby ones, too, although I'm not sure how readily available those are in your neck of the woods. We saw a lot of white marbles that were not white enough for my liking. Also, a lot of quartzites that look like marble are more creamy than white. Not trying to dissuade you, just putting more ideas out there! I think the Marfil might be great, but I would definitely try to get a sample so you can see how the colors work together!

And I agree...quartz is boring! ;)

These decisions are materials you will see/live with/work with every day. Don't hate yourself for taking the time necessary.

Here's what I hear: You want marble, you're willing to take the extra care/"patina" that can come with it. Huh-

It'd be a lot easier to change the cabinetry choice, to fit what seems to be your strongest want in this area. Shoot- I've done that, and I never looked back. Was over the moon with the choices.

So consider changing out the cabinetry material/finish? It's "wrong", as you've said- too yellow? Not sure if this is possible for you, at this stage, but you can definitely affect all that you want, if it is.

The cabinetry has just been installed, it s brand new and I really really like it ....would be kinda crazy to throw it all away, especially considering how expensive it was :( As for other marbles, the choice seems to be a bit limited ( for example I love Gold Calacatta but it is not available in my country). As for quartzite, which is a beautiful alternative, I only managed to find the Taj Mahal here, which also seems to have a greyish tone ( and was gonna cost $7K). Since I am after the "bright" look, there are not many cream/beige marbles to choose from. I will have a go at the Crema Marfil, will post a sample next to my cabinetry material asap. And big big thank you to everyone fro your amazing feedback!! :)

Btw, just for info...this is my kitchen ( as shown in the showroom)

Quartz is by far the better choice for a kitchen for durability

Yes no question about that. Quartz by far requires less maintenance. Does not etch or stain, but definitely not as beautiful as marble (IMO). However I was told that a quartz marbletop+backsplash would look too modern with this kitchen...what is your expert opinion?

Thanks a million stingrae, i will follow your suggestion and get a sample of crema marfil..I have a feeling it will look good. I am still open to options but definitely feeling less stressed out lol Thanks again and wish you all a lovely weekend !!

Are those the slabs you would be selecting or samples? As samples aren't going to be like the actual slabs so you are better to be looking at slabs (if you haven't been) rather than a sample.

On a side note regarding marble vs quartz that you may glean further info from-

Some interesting conversations going on regarding quartz on houzz right now..

[https://www.houzz.com/discussions/caesarstone-stains-will-not-come-out-dsvw-vd~4357435[(https://www.houzz.com/discussions/caesarstone-stains-will-not-come-out-dsvw-vd~4357435)

[https://www.houzz.com/discussions/how-to-make-backsplash-more-practical-dsvw-vd~4383674[(https://www.houzz.com/discussions/how-to-make-backsplash-more-practical-dsvw-vd~4383674)

I tried to find the one regarding how the kid had eaten a Popsicle over the marble kitchen countertop and the damage that Popsicle drips had done to the counter.. had to bring in the professionals to take care of that problem..

Hers's another marble one that may interest you if you.

[https://www.houzz.com/discussions/i-want-to-put-marble-in-my-kitchen-i-have-two-boys-does-marble-gets-damage-easily-dsvw-vd~200044?n=24[(https://www.houzz.com/discussions/i-want-to-put-marble-in-my-kitchen-i-have-two-boys-does-marble-gets-damage-easily-dsvw-vd~200044?n=24)

Hi tedbixby thank you for sharing those links! It would be a real bummer to chose quartz over marble for its durability and ending up getting stains just the same :/ I actually had a friend whose quartz countertop got stained, but i figured it might have been a cheaper quality or something... I am glad to know that at least i am not the only one having this quartz/marble dilemma though :)

Quartz is just so...blah. Marble has upkeep issues but, it's gorgeous. While I understand your selections are limited by your location, have you considered large format porcelain sheets, or some granites? Browse through this website, maybe you'll find another choice.

https://www.msistone.com/

Between the quartz and marble shown I'd go for the marble...even if it needs a professional cleaning etc. twice a year.

Thanks for your feedback chiflipper. I actually think the porcelain sheets are available in my country ( they ARE gorgeous) but so far they havent been used as countertops so I have no feedback. The only thing that bothers me is the grout lines....uggh I really hate them with a passion. i dont think they are very hygienic and they just dont look as good and clean as one whole slab IMO. I am not considering granite either, it has quite a dated look and looks too busy for my tastes. So you like the marble shown in the photo? Or do you think there might be another marble more suitable with thatwood sample? So far Crema Marfil seems to be top choice

Have you looked at Calacatta Gold? Personally, I think you set yourself up for the problem with the cabinetry selection, one reason they have a dark granite on it in the showroom?. I don't see Marfil......it's usually so finely veined you may as well do quartz. CG below

The material used in the showroom is emperador dark marble....definitely too dark for me since room does not have a lot of natural light. Like i said before calacatta gold would ve been my preference but unfortunately it is not available where I live. I fell in love with the style of this kitchen and it only comes in this finish, which I also really liked because it is not totally white or totally cream like the majority...the picture doesnt do it justice, but after all it all boils down to taste. I just didnt want to ruin it with the wrong countertop/backsplash that s all...

Carol, the porcelain "sheets" are 118 x 59 inches. Sheets can be seen in the site link under the "Stile" name.

Thank you chiflipper, much appreciated :)