As you all know, I am most always adorned in black and white, so it would only be fitting that I dream in black and white as well - white Calacatta marble with gray veins covering my kitchen counters. I just picture myself as an Italian chef taking a big heap of fresh pizza dough and rolling it out on the smooth surface of the sparkling white, pure, organic beauty.
Though this is my dream, I often come across clients who love the look of marble but fear picking them as counter tops due to their lifestyles:- children spilling food or even themselves splashing red wine and leaving behind unfortunate and everlasting personal statements. I strongly believe in materials being functional in the interiors the I create. When it comes to kitchen counters, it is possible to have your cake and eat it too (Just avoid putting a hot pan out of the oven on the marble!)
Before undertaking the process of seeking out the perfect stone there are several items you should consider:
1. This is an investment, and the only way to get the most durable marble is by going to a trusted marble company. Marble slabs from the same location vary in durability from layer to layer, so it is crucial to work with someone who truly knows what they are doing. It is a general rule of thumb that the lighter the marble, the harder it is to care for. Still, I believe one should choose based upon what they are most drawn to, work with a trusted source and ensure to take proper care.
2. After choosing the perfect marble, it must be fabricated properly. Honed marble, which has more of a matte finish, will hold up better compared to a polished finished, which will leave spots and scratch much easier. Sealer will need to be re-applied annually.
3. Calcium-based stones like marble are susceptible to acidic stains, but if you simply know how to care for your marble, there shouldn’t be problems. If there is a spill the most crucial thing to do is clean it up immediately and not let it soak in overnight. Methods of cleaning should be very gentle - a warm damp cloth with mild soap; never use abrasive cleaners. Marble polish will also help to maintain your marble’s luster.
What is so lovely about marble is that it only becomes more exquisite over time as it develops a patina. Until I am able to one day design my own kitchen, I will live vicariously through my clients and keep putting beautiful slabs of marble in kitchens.
What do you think? Would you put marble in your kitchen?
17 comments:
just put calcutta gold in my master bath and am very happy. now I am totally considering adding it to my kitchen. donna
Oh yes, in fact I am ready for a kitchen redo!!
I hope you will come and see the feature I have on an amazing sculptor.
xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena
The 2012 Artist Series
Nothing else compares!
I love old marble--antique French pastry tables, bistro tables, etc. have acquired a beautiful patina and warmth that cannot be duplicated with any other surface material. Great post. Mary
I've done marble (and other stone) in kitchen counters and it looks fabulous. Presently, I'm favoring polished concrete, although the look is less "polished" as it would with marble .. but then thats the look of the project :-) Thanks Grant!
I put Calacatta Oro in my kitchen and my master bath. Yes, I've had my fair share of etching, but it is the patina that I love. You can't be too precious with marble or it will drive you crazy. I wouldn't change my counters for anything. Every morning I enter my kitchen I smile!
I just renovated my kitchen. For my island, counters and full backsplash, I chose Calacatta Oro. I love, love, love it. I am getting over my obsession with every etch and spot and loving the patina.
Best...Victoria
Thinking seriously on this one. I am over granite, although the master bath has a beautiful smaller slab of juperano fantastico with black veining...
La maison fou
We put marble in our kitchen. You're tips on care are spot-on. We aren't too precious about ours, and I think that's the key. Everyone knows to keep limes/lemons and other acids off of it, we're sort of careful with red wine, etc. But the worst damage I do is when loading or unloading the dishwasher. I've made careless moves and chippes a bit of the edges with pots and pans, but I like how it wears. It's so beautiful, even when it's imperfect. Someone told me to spend more on the things you touch (the faucet, the counters, and the fridge) and that was all really great advice. It's not cheap, so I can see why a smart and budget-minded family would go with an alternative for their counters, but if you can splurge (and in my case, if you have a tiny kitchen to begin with) it's nice to get the counter you want if you can afford it. I am so glad I didn't compromise.
Tried and true classic. Love it.
Where do you source your slabs?
These are such amazing tips Grant! I definitely just learned something.
Keep up the amazing work on this blog!
I adore marble. I would have it in a second and will when we re-do our kitchen. I like the white with gray veining, but I have not researched it all yet (have you read Joni's amazing post on marble over at Cote de Texas, from last year I think? - she did an exhaustive review of all the kinds, etc.)
People think marble stains but a marble poultice will take out anything. :)
xo Terri
Love my marble bathroom (shower stall, floors and countertops). But I didn't include it in my new kitchen. Instead, I installed Caesarstone and love it! I don't have to worry about stains, etches, or chips.
As much as I don't like granite, especially the dark ones, I love Carrara and I grew up with it. We still have in the family table tops belonging to grandparents, I have one in a bathroom that must be 100 years old (on an antique vanity). It has lost the shine and it is unbelievably beautiful with a few marks here and there and some yellowish cast but hey I am Italian and I love things with history!
Hello
Grant K. Gibson - the blog
Brilliant post, I went through the post ,I found it very informative
Thank you!
I always learn something new when I come to your blog.
I have always been afraid to use marble and now you have helped me get over my fears. The patina of marble over the years is beautiful. I think that if people take care of it and seal it that it will last for years!
Thanks so much for your blogging.
I have it in my kitchen and bathroom and laundry and wet bar... all places that we use and abuse. And I LOVE it.
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