Hey, Marble countertop owners!

9 years ago

My hubs and I bought a fixer-upper on some acreage last fall, and we're just about to finalize the kitchen and order cabinets! For the last 6 months I have read every.single.thread on here about carrara marble, and every.single.post possible online about marble countertop. I have poured over EVERYTHING - I am entirely aware of the etching problem and the potential to chip.

The problem is I just LOVE marble. LOVE. It really sings to me. I got a small sample of marble from a countertop company and it has sat next to my current kitchen sink for months and I just stare at it, and feel like hugging it at times. :)

My current kitchen company is trying HARD to talk me out of it (for real, every single person has tried to talk me out of it), but the cabinet company is swearing I'll hate them, have them ripped out, etc.

I love the warm, lived-in look of marble, the softness, the textural impact. This may be my only time to ever get to totally pick my own kitchen...I really, truly want marble.

So, marble-lovers...tell me you're still happy with your countertops, etching and all? Would you do it over again? Do you regret the choice?

My heart just loves marble...I kind of feel like if I chose something else, even though it'd be insanely more durable, I would never be as happy, and still long for marble.

help me! :)

Featured Answer

barnaclebob

9 years ago

last modified: 9 years ago

I'd consider honed marble. I took a tour of a chocolate factory and they had a marble table which had obviously been very used and I thought the used looking surface (or patina if your are a marble salesman) looked just fine.

Most consumers are looking for a high polish perfectly clean looking surface and if you want that then marble is no good from what i read. But if you don't mind having a kitchen where it looks like a lot of good food has been prepared in over many years vs a showpiece then you'll be happy.

Who knows, maybe "patina'ed" marble will be a trend in 10 years if people start wanting to look like they really use their kitchens instead of look at them.

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Comments (14)

User
9 years ago
My island is a piece of pastry marble that was put into a kitchen in the 1880s. I am the second owner and since it was an institutional kitchen, I don't think it had an easy first life and not knowing all the "no-nos" about marble, I haven't been kind to it either. But it is OLD marble. I've put everything on it, never seal it and perhaps that has created a patina. But I LOVE that marble. Look at a) old Victorian tables with marble tops -- they also have a great patina. There are old Victorian era kitchens/Butler's pantries that have marble as well and they have a patina. When I redid my kitchen counters, I ran into the same brick wall and one company even said, if I wanted marble they wouldn't guarantee it and I would be back in a couple of years for something else so I understand. I say if you want it, go for it!
Terri_PacNW
9 years ago
I was in the same place as you. Every single person, said don't, but one. He was the templater for the company that ended up being the fabricator and installer of my counters.

I have had them for almost 2 months. Still singing to me. Yes they have little white chips, yes they have etching..even found a little spot that stained, but they are amazing and beautiful.

They make my kitchen what I envisioned. Each thing I do gets me closer to the best room in the house.
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User
9 years ago
Here are a couple of pictures of my island.
theclose
9 years ago
While I don't have marble yet, I will one day!! For me there is no substitute. I am ready for the patina, etching, and all that comes with marble. We currently have limestone counters that were installed by previous owners. I love them as well and all their etching, pock marks, and yes, even the stains.

Get the marble!!
Terri_PacNW
9 years ago
I was looking at honed, which is more expensive. The polished isn't like a high gloss quartz. The polish affords a bit of stain proofing as well.

They fabricators did put a sealant on, but I'm not sure that I will continue that.
shayr
9 years ago
I do not have marble yet either, but feel the same way you do! While I love my moms quartz, and my sisters granite- I feel like they will be sick of them in ten years.. but who gets sick of timeless marble?! my favourite are 'patina' marble ones, and I can't wait to have mine soon! Go for it!!
beachem
9 years ago
Go for it. My neighbor has Carrera and she bakes for a small business. Lots of work on the marble and it looks fine to me.

If however, you are the kind of person that freak over a small spot that can only be seen at a certain angle at a specific time of day, then no.
PRO
mdln
9 years ago
Very happy with my honed marble, would do it again.
oic57
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
LOVE my 4 years old honed carrara marble countertops and island
Anna Walker
Original Author
9 years ago
Oic57 and MDLN, you'd do it again???

So thankful for all these replies!!!

I am definitely not the person that will freak out over a spot (well, I'm sure I'll freak over the FIRST spot, and then move on and love the marble. seriously, I feel like I'd HUG my honed carrara!!) Thanks everyone for giving me the confidence to say what I want and stick with it!
oic57
9 years ago
Yes, I will do it again!
PRO
mdln
9 years ago
Without a doubt, especially since it was less expensive than my 2nd, 3rd, and 4th choices.
Diana DeMarti
4 years ago
Anna- Did you get the marble? I’m going through the same issue! My kitchen designer and stone salesperson are both trying to talk me out of marble! I LOVE MARBLE!!! I have two antique wash stands that are well over 100 years old. Do they have stains? Yes! Do they have chips? Yes! But they are beautiful! I’m digging my heals in, but hoping I don’t regret it. After reading all the comments on this thread I think I’m making the right decision for ‘ME’.