Should You Use Marble in Your Kitchen?

If I had a dollar every time a customer told me they want a stone for their kitchen with the look of marble but without the care and maintenance that marble requires, I would have enough riches to clad my entire apartment in the finest Calacatta. People just love marble’s aesthetic qualities but are all too often put off by the idea that it requires a bunch of extra work to keep it in pristine condition. Although marble does indeed require some additional upkeep, I’m here to tell you that it’s not as bad as you might think. In fact, with a small adjustment in how you look at marble, you’ll be able to use it confidently and without worries.

When You Change the Way You Look at Things, the Things You Look at Change

What I suggest is a mindset shift, a new way of thinking about this truly remarkable stone that is more in line with the European viewpoint on the subject. In places like Italy, where marble is used frequently for kitchen countertops, backsplashes and everything else you can imagine, no one stresses over small scratches, etches or stains that accumulate over time. In fact, those things which we call imperfections in North America, are seen as a desirable and natural aging process of the stone in Europe. The ‘patina’ which forms on the surface of marble over time due to everyday use can bring to mind fond memories of time spent together with family and friends and doesn’t need to be something that ruins your enjoyment of the stone.

Now I’m not suggesting you just toss any idea of a care and maintenance routine to the wind, but I am saying just relax your expectations a bit and be open to allowing your marble to age naturally without stressing out over a small stain, scratch or etch here and there.

When you think of marble and the role it has played over the ages, think of the grand edifices of ancient Rome or the massive cathedrals of Europe with ceilings stretching to dizzying heights, or even the sculptures and friezes painstakingly crafted by the world’s greatest artisans with this exceptional stone. As the years go by and the marble is transformed by the passage of time, do we not find it more charming and elegant as it shows its age? If you can take this line of thinking and apply it to marble in your home, your appreciation of the stone will only increase exponentially.

A healthy patina will give your marble countertops character

Should You Go with Marble Countertops?

With all that being said about changing your mindset around marble, you do have to honestly ask yourself if it is the right material for you. Although you shouldn’t be too concerned about the aging of the stone, there is still some care and maintenance required and some other factors to consider as well. To help you come to your decision, I’ve broken it down here:

You Should Use Marble If..

• – You love the look of a good Calacatta and find yourself drawn to marble first when you are browsing stone slabs online or in a showroom.
• – You have a flexible budget and are willing to spend a bit more money to get the look you are after.
• – You enjoy the finer things in life and appreciate the prestige that comes with having a luxury stone installed in your home.
• – You are prepared to put a little extra time and effort into cleaning and maintenance of your countertops.
• – You aren’t bothered by the occasional scratch, stain or etch on the surface of your countertop.

You Should Avoid Marble If…

• – You don’t find the look of marble that appealing. In fact, you could take it or leave it without much concern.
• – You are on a limited budget and want to get the maximum value for the lowest cost possible (although there are some cheaper marbles, more on that later).
• – You enjoy all natural stone equally and are also intrigued by granite and quartzite just as much, if not more, than marble.
• – You would rather be as hands-off as possible when it comes to the care and maintenance of your countertops.
• – You get stressed out over any slight scratch, dent or ding in your natural stone countertops.

With all that being said, if you find yourself interested in marble as a possibility for your home then read on and we’ll help you choose a marble that suits your unique needs.

You can enjoy your marble countertops stress-free (pictured here: Super White Hard Marble)

Which Kind of Marble is Right for You?

While most people think of the classic gray-on-white look of Carrara or Statuario, the truth is that the varieties of marble that exist in the world are incredibly vast and come in a ton of different colors and patterns.

Darker shades of marble such a Sahara Noir or Nero Marquina, can be ideal for homeowners who are worried about stains showing up on the surface of their countertops. Furthermore, darker varieties of marble can have just as much elegance and prestige as their lighter counterparts and make a strikingly bold statement in your interior design.

For those with a flair for the dramatic and a more experimental mindset, there are a number of intriguing choices. Invisible White is an exciting twist on the classic marble look that will transform your living space into a work of fine art that can be appreciated every day. Rainforest is a truly exotic stone with a few different color variants that mimic tree roots stretching into an endless network beneath the soil.

Now if you’re a real marble connoisseur, you should also consider the classics. For all the fascinating elements comprised in the different varieties of marble, nothing looks quite like a fine slab of Calacatta. With its distinct and bold gray veins flowing across a crystal-clear white surface, beauty, symmetry and luxury are the calling cards of this historic stone that has been relied on throughout the ages, time and time again.

 Invisible White Marble

Sounds Great but What is It Going to Cost Me?

Although there certainly are some expensive varieties of marble to choose from, you may be surprised to learn that you don’t necessarily need to spend a bundle of cash to enjoy marble in your home. In fact, a lot of marble slabs won’t cost you any more than other natural stone such as granite and quartzite and there are even budget options, such as Bianco Carrara, that will still give you that timeless marble look without the extravagant price tag.

Of course, if budget is not an issue then you have much more to choose from and will have access to the finest Italian marbles that mother nature has ever produced. Just keep in mind that price isn’t necessarily a reflection of the durability or physical properties of the stone but rather, of the designs and patterning which is considered most desirable in the marketplace today.

To choose the right marble for your budget, getting the assistance of an experienced salesperson in the stone industry is a key element. Here at Hari Stones, we won’t try to push you in a direction you don’t want to go and take careful consideration of your style preferences and budget when recommending materials. In the end, it is ultimately up to you to make the final choice but consider our staff to be a compass guiding you on the path to selecting the perfect marble for your home or business.

Come visit one of our locations in Burnaby, Calgary or Edmonton to have a look at our vast selection of marble and see all the available options for yourself.

Check back here next week for our complete guide to the care and maintenance of marble once it is installed in your home.

Written by Jesse Day, Inside Sales @ Hari Stones Limited