@Chessie Is there anything that you want to add to the conversation pertaining to my actual design dilemma? If you have something helpful to add, I’m all ears


I already did!! I guess you missed it. :-)

A wildcard has been introduced to the mix as I was literally on the cusp of making a final decision! I had chosen (in my mind) the mont Lucia Quartzite with the Via lactea. When I went to the stoneyard to confirm my via lactea slabs, I spotted imperial danby marble. I had never even entertained marble as my kitchen island before due to fear of staining/etching. But Quartzite can also have that issue from what I understand. I absolutely loved the gray and brown veining in the imperial danby marble. It’s supposed to be a very dense/hard marble and more resistant to staining/etching than other marbles. They just have a slab and a half left and that’s exactly what I need for my island. I feel it’s almost like a sign! I think that it will go well with the via lactea. I have read through threads on here where people absolutely love their marble countertops and of course there are some who say to stay away, but they seem like they are not the actual owners of marble countertops. What are your thoughts? The price is not that much more than the quartzite.

Hi Tammy- that's a beauty. I've never had marble before but myself am seriously looking at it for my Master Bath right now. GASP! I know it's faults and would be purchasing it knowing full well that it's going to have a "patina" over time but I'm ok with that because I can have it repolished. I would just make sure that someone in your area (or the fabricator you are using) would able to come to your home to repolish it if that is something that may come into the picture for you down the road. I think, too, it comes down how relax you are about things. Years ago I would never have put in marble as I knew I could take care of it but it would have driven me crazy thinking that other people possibly doing "damage" to it when I entertained. Now that doesn't bother me as I would rather enjoy my company than worrying about my marble!-LOL..

@Tammy

I have marble.

Rio Venato. It is one of the more soft, easily chipped, fragile, dented and easily etched marbles in the crowd. Stains are not really a problem as we have some expensive product from Italy that my installer used to prevent stains. However I still spray a sealer on it every six months because I serve red wine, love olive oil and use this counter like it is bullet proof. It's not. I love it and we would do this all over again. Have I had any issues? None but that doesn't mean we won't. We love marble the same way we love good leather boots or quality denim jeans or German cars. They will have knicks, marks, bumps, chips, dents, tears... but I'd rather be using something I love than tolerating something I settled for.

I love baking cooking on this stone.

@Tammy i forgot the biggest reason I wanted to post.. I love love love those slabs. Beautiful and perhaps a good wild card you are adding to the mix. I have a feeling whatever you do choose its going to be fantastic.

@Tammy I don't really care for the last slab you posted nearly as much as the one you almost have settled on. This one seems more "spotty", rather then nice flowing veins like the other one. Just my personal taste and opinion, of course. I like a more flowing look.

I think you’ve found your “duet” - go for it! I’m so happy that you’ve found something that you can get (‘wow” factor!) excited about. I haven’t had marble - but if I were to use it, I certainly wouldn’t care about the patina. When I think of someone with marble counters in their kitchen, I envision a serious cook.

I also love how the marble doesn’t have that inverse quality about it. The via Lactea has just be come the supporting player...the island will be the showstopper.

It’s going to be spectacular. You did it!

@MaryBocaTX Thank you so much! 😭❤️ I am a serious cook! I wrote a cookbook & have a food blog on Instagram. 😄

Well...there you go! You’re going to love it.

@User What crawled up your caboose today? Wow! Smh...🤦🏻‍♀️

Mock up of your Island with the imperial danby marble from your 3 different photos of the slabs.

@zeld Thank you my friend! I’m going back today with my cabinet drawer, I’ll try to grab a full shot of the slab to capture it more clearly. ☺️

Both are going to look great in your kitchen. I wouldn’t do marble because I have not gotten to where @Boxerpal is. I do like the “softness”of the coloring in the marble and it does give a different look than the quartzite. You have a great “win-win” choice here. As for the ogee edging - my vote is no. I had it in my former house and every now and then a tiny piece would chip off. I have a plain rounded edge in this house and much prefer it. I agree with those who say use the same edge all around.

I usually agree with @RedRyder on all things; I think she has a great eye. However, since this would be your first use of marble countertops I think the beveled might be a better choice for the island just because of the ‘unknown’ possible edge chipping.

As I mentioned, I’ve never used marble tops so I could be incorrectly erring on the side of caution, but...

I think I might be inclined to have a little added security trump symmetry in this case.

@RedRyder Thank you for that advice. Appreciate it. I’ll probably stick to the eased edge.

@zeld

Here are the 1 1/2 slabs of honed imperial danby marble. What do you all think about my white cabinet color against it?

😍

Not a great match on my screen, but who knows what it will actually look like in your kitchen. Your cabinet seems too creamy. My slabs looked a little different once installed.

imperial danby marble

The first post I see is pretty spectacular. Also pretty busy. With solid black,all around you perimeter it should be ok. A conversation piece. Wouldn’t black granite in the leather finish be cheaper than the quartzite(sorry - less expensive)? I know sometimes the “busyness” can wear on you after a while but I think the stone is really interesting. You second choice is completely different if I’m following correctly. Certainly more subtle, a safer choice. BTW I’ve had quartzite for my islands and have never had any etching or problems with it. I’m careful with it but not crazy and have never sealed anything.

@Tammy I like it with your cabs, but I am the one who liked the first stone too. I am enjoying watching this project unfold. Thanks again for starting this thread. and sharing your kitchen reno journey.

@Boxerpal Thank YOU for your insight & sharing your personal experience with marble. Yours is quite lovely as well! I loved seeing the visual of dough rolled out on your marble! The analogies you used as to why you chose marble really resonated with me. You mentioned your fabricator using a product from Italy. I know it’s a long shot, but would you happen to remember the name of that product?

@Tammy I misspoke i think it was an impregnator. I think the name was Lacticrete. I will shoot a message to my installer to find out which one. He said it should last 18 or more years.

Here is an interesting link from 10 years ago.

Who makes the longest lasting, best stone impregnator/sealer??

It’s really hard for all of us to know if your cabinets “go” with a slab. Every monitor is different. Having said my disclaimer, they look good together on my screen. That particular marble has a warm, creamy look that I find appealing. But I’ve liked so many of the slabs you posted I don’t know if it’s helpful!

@Diana M. Bier has been a wealth of knowledge concerning marble countertops, specifically danby. I’ve read through many threads on here trying to educate myself on marble & she’s been super helpful! I have Carrara marble on my kid’s bathroom vanities, so I know how it behaves in that setting. I was curious to find out how it fairs in a kitchen & now I feel like I will know what to expect if I choose the marble.

@MaryBocaTX I went with the med bevel on my island only, eased on perimeters. I have med bevel edge on my granite tops now & love the “beefier“ edge. It has held up well! I wanted a different edge for my island to showcase the marble, not that it needs the extra help! 😉

Thank you for your help Mary!! ☺️

It’s been my pleasure. I’m so happy for you (oh, and also jealous - just so you know)! I can’t wait to see the finished product; it’s going to be SPECTACULAR!

Who wants to see my finished kitchen??! Still waiting on my new island light fixture to come in, but it’s pretty much complete! Just to recap, I used honed Imperial Danby marble on my island, leathered Via Lactea on my perimeter counters & the full height backsplash is a polished Calacutta Caldia Venato marble. Love how everything came together! Here’s a perfect example of how mixing colors, materials & different veining patterns can work together beautifully. It’s a risk worth taking as long as you plan carefully. Thanks to everyone for your input & opinions!

What

What a stunning kitchen ... I even posted too soon from the enthusiasm 😂

Beautiful!

Great job Tammy! Love the new look...and I have the same Staub ;) Happy cooking!

Beautiful!

Oh Tammy, It is BEAUTIFUL! You must be thrilled. Congrats!

Would love to see a pic of the whole kitchen from the window seat...the pretty vignettes are a tease to see how it all looks together!

@btydrvn Absolutely, I will snap a pic tomorrow when it’s daylight!

Fabulous! You’re right - three stones work because you did good planning. I bet your heart sings every morning when you walk in!

Anxiously waiting for more photos of the whole kitchen. Really want to see that gorgeous backsplash and island in the same shot!!!

Here you are @dani_m08! I’ve also included a pic of my coffee bar that wasn’t shown. Check out the sculpted backsplash, love the detail on it!

That sculpted backsplash is a wonderful surprise! The whole kitchen looks amazing!

@RedRyder Thank you so much for your kind words! My heart definitely sings when I walk in my kitchen!!

Well done.

🌟🌟🌟

Love all your choices! May I ask what sink you have? Thx!

In the pix...the backsplash looks like a mural....how interesting!

Tammy - heart singing = successful project!

This thread is a great example of how Houzz should work.

You “inherited” a kitchen with really good bones - and it just needed a few tweaks to make it perfect. When you started this thread off by positing that beautiful slab - I could tell that, while you recognized the beauty of it, it wasn’t really quite right for you, and the vision you had for your kitchen. It was interesting to observe the process work between you, pros, other Houzz contributors - until you finally found the right materials to use.

Your kitchen is beautiful. Your backsplash was an amazing choice! I also really love the sculpted piece that you incorporated into your coffee bar! I really would like to do something like that with wall mounted faucets in my upcoming powder room renovation! Enjoy your kirchen!

I forgot the best part guys! I salvaged my old granite island slab to make two new bathroom vanities. one in a guest room, the other in my oldest sons bathroom. The previous vanities were dated cultured marble tops. I know a few people on this thread were concerned with waste & the fact my old countertops were basically in good shape. I’m happy to have saved an entire slab from going to the landfill.

@dani_m08 Thank you for your very kind words! Houzz was certainly a helpful resource for me. And you’re so right, I was very fortunate to have a kitchen that had good bones. Good luck with your powder room renovation!

Looks gorgeous Tammy! Love the marble slab backsplash especially!

Well, that sure worked out perfectly! The countertops look great in the bathrooms!