Define practical? We all have our different comfort levels with the amount of wear/patina that an item will show.

I would have no problem adapting to marble counters if I bought a house that had them already. I would try to minimize any etching/staining, but would accept that some will happen. What I can't control is what my husband and kids would leave on the counters. They would not want a list of things that can't be used freely in the kitchen and they would never think to wipe up the offending item either!

Because I don't live alone, I've chosen materials that are more durable and more forgiving.

It is absolutely practical if you do not mind etching. I do not. Marble's beauty supersedes the need to be factory perfect all the time. Marble can chip- so can engineered stone- called quartz- but granite is not prone to chipping. Quartzite, a natural stone is stronger than marble- does not etch- or chip easily- but you have to test slabs yourself to ensure you are getting what you are paying for- they will call all sorts of things quartzite.

Marble gets sealed, so it does not stain easily as a rule.

Get a honed finish and you will not mind the etching as much- in time the etching runs together and forms a beautiful, warm patina.

There are many threads here with people for and against marble.

I love it. I could never accept engineered stone- it feel and looks plasticky to me. I have no problem with plain white Corian- which is not trying to be something it is not, though.

Go for the marble!

BTW there are new sealants that prevent etching- an Italian company- I forget the name- maybe Joseph Corlett will see this thread and remind us the name. I don't know if that sealant makes the stone feel plasticky though.

PS I have marble in a kitchen. It has been installed for over two years with no staining or chipping. Some etching is there, which shows a great deal due to the way the light comes in. I still love it. I also have a kitchen with soapstone, which I like as well- but the marble wins my heart hands down.

If you get marble knowing you're getting etching, fine. It's the people that have been warned here and by their fabricator, do it anyway, then whine about it that irritate me.

If you have Stoneguard installed immediately, there will be no etching. Or buy the proprietary marble from Antolini.

Here’s a link to the antolini marble.

http://www.antolini.com/home/a-zerocare/