Marble counters for my kitchen? - Page 2

aubnwa01 · ‎03-09-2010

When I redid my kitchen counters a few years ago, I went with quartz that looks like carrera marble & I love it. It's by Silestone & the pattern is called Lagoon.

For the backsplash, I had a marble mosaic in a Versailles pattern installed with random 1" tiles taken out & replaced with white glass 1" tiles to add a bit of sparkle.

Poodlepet2 · ‎03-09-2010

Violann, it is beautiful, but many people gave great advice about maintenance. That would not really scare me away, but here is what does scare me is the following....

All within the space of one year, we met three different home owners who had gorgeous marble counter tops in their kitchens.

By now, you know it's expensive, but no two "veins" are exactly alike. Contractors usually tell people to buy a spare piece-or they used to- as long as the longest piece they have on that counter top because if anything happens on down the line, there's next to no chance of finding more where your was cut from.

All three couples had stupid things happen-( something that would happen to us-I'm sure!!!) One had a huge corner piece broken off-another's got etched with something and there was no buffing it out without marring the whole area....I don't remember what happened to the third.

All three said the cost of replacement far exceeded the original cost of the cabinets, counter tops and appliances combined!!!!!

We need to get rid of this silly Corrian that the original owners put in. It really wouldn't be so bad except there is a powder blue stripe on the edge that matches nothing. This house was built in the early 90's, but it's that shade of blue that was popular in the late 50's-the shade found in bathrooms!!!

I LOVE the quartz composites that are out and over the years, they have more to choose from. The maintenance is carefree-but there are other materials out there....it is amazing what people are doing with concrete: the shocker there however, is that it can be every bit as pricey as marble....but it is highly customized at every step. As much as I love it, I just can't justify the price.

Redecorating is fun, but the sheer number of ideas is overwhelming!

Poodlepet2

wildlifewitch · ‎02-08-2016

@violann wrote:
Don't think so but I could change my mind.

Saw an article online yesterday about marble kitchen counter tops "trending" in 2017. I am 100% uninterested in "trends" but I do love the look of marble- just not too sure about in my kitchen.

Do you have it? Do you like it?

Who cares what is trending? Get what you like. Quartz is beautiful, easy to care for and durable. Granite needs to be sealed, and marble isn't as strong and could crack.

noodleann · ‎06-10-2015

How is your water? Hard or soft? I know a woman who paid through the nose for stone kitchen--not sure if it's marble or granite--and her well water is so hard that even though she's manic about wiping up every little drop, it's still managed to cast a haze on the counter and backsplash in the sink area. She has darker stone, so if you're going with a light color, that might not be a problem. Just something I'd have never thought of.

ECBG · ‎01-08-2011

I didn't want marble so I went with corian where I wouldn't have a seam between the counter top and the sides of the sink. I can sand a place lightly if I have a problem. Cold water must be run when pouring scalding water in the drain from cooking. I love this counter top!!! (Less expensive too!).

SuperShopper · ‎08-23-2011

Hi, I love the look of natural stone, but did not want the maintenance hassles.

We chose OKITE (oh-kee-tay) brand of quartz in CREMA MARFIL, a lovely cream color with striations that looks completely natural for our kitchen a number of years ago. It still looks brand new. We have been totally pleased with it. We were able to go to the warehouse to pick out our own slab.

Their website is http://okite.com/us/

Our backsplash is 4" squares of natural tumbled marble in coordinating shades of beige, set "on point" in a diamond pattern. Super elegant! I would have added some small accent tiles of black granite, but my husband thought that would be too busy. You can add a variety of other tiles as well, including running rope or solid edging, insert a mural or textured design, etc to the backsplash.

I like warm colors in my home, so the Crema Marfil has been perfect, but I also like Carrera Marble.

If I remember correctly, OKITE is made in Italy and was the original developer of the quartz solid surface type of countertops. They allowed other companies to manufacture a similar product (like Corian, Silestone, Caesarstone, etc) but reserved the most natural looking colors and designs for themselves, so had more "upscale" designs. Many more options are available now from a number of companies.

When we remodeled our kitchen, the cost of solid surface and natural stone were comparable.

Definitely check out solid surface quartz. You can get the look you want without the muss and fuss of natural stone.

violann · ‎03-10-2010

Love all the great tips, pro and con.

Thanks, Folks!

CLEM · ‎03-09-2010

@ECBG I also have corian for the last 9 years. About a year ago I decided to get rid of my stove/oven and have the countertop extended over that space. I was totally amazed when I saw the end product. It was seamless and I can't see where the new part starts. I love the countertops which are easy to clean and don't stain at all.

Having said that and if I had more money, I would choose quartz countertop. There are more options and I think they are prettier and also totally maintenance free.

terrier3 · ‎03-10-2010

My brownstone was built in 1912 but was remodeled in the late 80s. The remodeling added central heat and air, all new wiring and plumbing...things that make sense now (like large walk in closets!).

My neighbors matching townhomes are original, so when I decided to re-do my kitchen, I visited them for more authentic ideas.

The one unit with marble was a MESS - they were about to remove it. Totally stained, cracked, chipped.

I ended up getting Shaker style maple cabinets painted sage green with quartz countertops that look like Carrera marble. I have the beauty of marble, but the durability of quartz.

Here is an example (not my house)...

Image result for quartz counter marble appearance