As someone who has designed hundreds of kitchens and bathrooms over the past decade, I can tell you that most of my clients that had to have marble countertops have come to regret it. They are hard to keep clean, and easy to damage. They are very soft and always seem to get damaged by someone other than the homeowner. I would suggest a white quartz countertop. Silestone has a color called Lagoon that comes in their Suede finish, which basically looks just like a honed white marble. The quartz is nonporous, so no need to worry about staining and needing to seal it regularly. The cost of the Silestone is going to be right around what a white marble would be. Also, it feels like a marble, so if you enjoy baking and need to roll out dough, etc, the Silestone will work just fine.

I hope this helps!

The only customers that give high marks for marble counters are those that don't use them very often. Unfair, I know, they are soo beautiful. Maybe save that idea for a bathroom top?

Another thing to consider...will guests ever use your kitchen? How would you feel to come into the kitchen after a party and find that a guest had sliced lemons on the marble (or even dribbled red wine) and not cleaned up the juice, so you now have an etch mark that may be very visible in certain lights and angles? Likewise with red wine or salad dressings causing dark stains.

I constantly read decorating mag articles where people claim to adore the "patina" on marble that comes with usage. And maybe it's true. Why not get a sample of the marble that you can roadtest in your kitchen? See if you love the patina of usage.

Hello,
I've had several different homes with different countertop materials- granite, formica, Silestone, soapstone, and marble. All have rec'd heavy use for long periods. Nothing is indestructable! If you are dreaming of marble, ( and yes, I loved it, too!) please go get a small remnant or sample and take it home. Try your various liquids on there- wine, juice, oil, etc that you would normally be using and see how they react with the marble. ( and a honed finish is going to stain more easily) Are you going to be ok with that? Yes, the stains can dissipate over time, and you can use various poultices to remove ( mostly) stains, but ultimately they will still be there. Many people are ok with that, and can live with a "well-loved" countertop. : ) You may way to consider marble tops only on your island, and granite around the cooking area? Just a thought if you're concerned. Ultimately, it is YOUR kitchen, and YOUR decision; just educate yourself on the product and go for what you love.

Hello,
I have had my statuario (white) marble on my island for several years now. We us our kitchen A LOT and yes there are a few areas of etching. I absolutely love it and would not change it. I actually don't mind the etching--but that is just me! I just recall all the great meals and love that has gone into what I do at my island. If you are fairly careful, it is not that bad......really!

Marble can be seen in some of the oldest buildings in the world- as flooring, no less. if it was good enough back then....