You're a marble person or you're not. Funk, spots, etches, stains, and scratches are patina. Or not.

How do you discover if you are a marble person or not? I genuinely have no idea if the patina would bother me or not. I just know I’ve been warned.

Using the quartz behind the range —- is that a potential problem for heat damage?

Do you need for your things to be pristine/look perfect OR would some etching/light scratches/possible little pits be okay?

I LOVE MARBLE. I have a primary bath with marble tile on shower surround (same honed marble tile on back of niche and a mix of a few varieties of marble in a random pattern 2" hexagon mosaic on the shower floor) + 42 inch wall around the freestanding tub. I also have a polished marble countertop in one of my guest bathrooms + am having a floating marble vanity fabricated for my powder room (haven't selected which marble yet) + having a Calacatta marble installed as my island countertop.

The guest bathroom polished marble countertop has been used A LOT over the past three years - way more than expected (first, my primary bathroom renovation has been a horrible experience and taken a ridiculous amount of time - so, we used the guest bathroom a lot + one of my daughters moved home for awhile and used the bathroom (and she is not careful about taking care of things). I only see one etch - when I look at the countertop with the lights on + tilt my head at a certain angle.

The marble hasn't required as much "special care" as I thought it would. I only use specific pH neutral things on the marble + I have rolled up little towels that are kept in a basket and used to quickly wipe down the countertop after use (so standing water won't leave etch marks - I do a much better job at this than my SO and daughter).

Matarazzo Dolomite should be more durable than Carrara and Calacatta marble.

Which quartz manufacturer makes the Calacatta viola quartz that you have shown above?

Most of the faux marble quartz countertops look very fake to me - especially slabs that have bold/dramatic veining. All of the below are examples of Calacatta viola quartz countertops:

I've noticed that more people are using genuine Calacatta Viola marble in their kitchens - it's bold - but it's a natural stone which looks nice. Also, the other items in your kitchen need to be more subtle - the countertops would be the "Star" of your kitchen.

Not the quartz. Looks fake. Just look at the first pic dani posted. It is not a good look.

If you are having quartz behind your range check the installation specs to see how the range must be installed if using quartz behind it. You do not want to end up with a scorched backsplash.

https://www.gardenweb.com/discussions/5649974/aurea-divine-quartz-cracked#n=30

https://www.gardenweb.com/discussions/5539959/miele-gas-range-self-clean-issue-with-dupont-zodiac-quartz-backsplash

https://www.gardenweb.com/discussions/4383674/how-to-make-backsplash-more-practical

Between your choices, the Matarazzo all the way. It's beautiful, and you likely won't get tired of its subtle beauty, whereas the Viola not only looks fake and contrived, it's something I think one would eventually just get tired of looking at. Reference the first pic in Dani's post = awful.

I don't have marble so can't speak to the upkeep.

How many of the inspiration photos that you love use viola QUARTZ as opposed to marble? I suspect very few, if any. Quartz looks completely different than and is not interchangeable with marble. I'm not going to rag on quartz, but I would absolutely not go with quartz based on liking genuine marble nor would I assume you can recreate the look and feel of kitchens that use marble with an imitation product.

Personally, I think both your choices are equally trendy so I see no real distinction there. I do not see the Dolomite as a "star" - it's pretty basic. But with a contrasting hood and island, that's not a bad thing. Personally, I hate the viola - it appears to have a stark, cold white background as opposed to the real thing, which is much creamier, even with hints of amber, all of which softens the purple veining which, on the quartz, looks garish.

Have you seen any Paonazzo marble?

If I was a marble person, I would look for something like this! I went with Taj Mahal quartzite because my DH would not be careful with more delicate surfaces.

Mediterranean Kitchen · More Info

Sheer White Elegance - Upper West Side, NYC, full home removation · More Info

I’m with you all on the Quartz looking contrived issue. I had actually scrapped it from my list as an option altogether for that exact reason — for example, all the Cambria’s look fake to me — until I saw this particular Viola Quartz. The picture I took is not great but it’s one of the best dupes I’ve seen, quartz-wise, including a creamy background and lots of amber and brown woven in.

Your collective opinions are super helpful, thank you!!

Hi Whitney - I just installed a warm white marble in my kitchen and powder room. I believe it was Bianco Lasa Oro or something similar. It is not grey like carrera, but lots of beige with a few charcoal spots. I had it honed and i love it so far. Every time I walk in, I see this lovely stone. I’m retired, don’t cook much but do have adult kids over who cook a little and drink red wine. Only a month in, but so far so good. I had it sealed professionally. I made up my mind that I was gonna go with the flow and enjoy whatever patina i end up with. Heres a pic of the powder room, unfinished.

I don’t know why, but the Viola instantly stresses me out. I think it’s just such a personal choice. Choose the one YOU know you can live with for years to come. You’ll never please everyone. Best of luck because these decisions are tough.