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Carrara Marble for your Kitchen; Yay or Nay?

By 04/13/2011April 29th, 201865 Comments

This countertop is definitely the of-the-moment choice for many a new kitchen. Apparently if you install it honed, that takes care of the ‘etching’ that will happen too slowly without it.

So over to you my lovelies. . . if you have it, do you love it or hate it? Is it worth the extra angst and cost of maintenance? Please let us know in the comments below, I would so appreciate your input.

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65 Comments

  • Arne Salvesen says:

    For years I've been on the NAY side. The fear of having a client come back to me and say "you never told me this was going to stain" had me specifying materials based on fear.

    Today, as a more confident designer, I can tell the client the pro's and con's of marble and let them decide for themselves.

    Because, bottom line, marble is gorgeous.

  • Alexandra Rae says:

    It's all my clients want. Couldn't talk them out of it if I tried. But I say "Yeah." Currently I am fighting one over putting it in her 8 year-old's bathroom–on the counter surface. Huge "Nay!" One spot of bright blue Colgate Kids mouthwash and it's over. She still says "Yeah!"

    1
  • iamari41 says:

    My kingdom for a carrara marble kitchen countertop with subway tile backsplash. My daughter has it in her kitchen and it is absolutely gorgeous. She does maintain it daily with marble cleaner but I would accept whatever maintenance issues come with it just to own such an elegant, bright, yet restful kitchen.

  • Cote de Texas says:

    love beyond life!

  • Anonymous says:

    You may want to check out engineered stone (aka, quartz, silestone, caesarstone):

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Engineered_stone
    http://www.hgtvpro.com/hpro/di_design_trends/article/0,2618,HPRO_20174_4488191,00.html
    http://www.handycanadian.com/articles-stone-kitchen-counter-tops.asp

    It's pretty much completely sealed, so you don't have to worry about stains (and annual re-sealing) at all (or very much).

    One 'minus' people sometimes cite for it is that the patterns are not as random / natural, but often look more repetitive. Some people don't like that look.

    2
  • cindy says:

    I love it – and think the dings, scratches, discoloration are what makes it age so beautifully. If I have a client who is NOT into the aging factor then I say nay. To everyone else YAY!

  • Peggy says:

    Beautiful and so sophisticated!

  • Anonymous says:

    I installed marble countertops (Vermont Montclair marble) as part of my kitchen redo 6 months ago. I could not be happier. We had them sealed at installation and so far no etching or staining even though we are not always as careful as we should be cleaning up right away after parties. Lots of glasses of red wine have been left on the counter overnight and one wipe and the ring is gone will no ill effects. If you have always wanted marble — as I have– go for it!

  • Diane says:

    I used it as an accent, putting it where it wouldn't get ruined and I could enjoy it — the butlers pantry, a raised shelf and full backsplash for perimeter black granite counters. Only maintenance is occasional swipe with sealer behind the sink when water starts absorbing. Love it!

  • Anonymous says:

    I prefer Calcutta marble with the honey colored veins. So beautiful.

  • Maria Goff says:

    Have it, love it, and honed it. It is so perfect in our kitchen, there really wasn't any other option that could compete with the natural beauty of marble.
    Actually, I went with Calcutta Ora instead of Carrara because it has subtle tan veins along with the grey and white.

  • Grace @ Sense and Simplicity says:

    I don't have it in my kitchen and would never put it in – I find it way to demanding in terms of care and I find it busy looking.

  • Shawna says:

    I love the look of marble, but can't afford it and a whole new kitchen too. Luckily I found the 180fx laminate http://formica180fx.com/browse.php So in a couple of months when my kitchen is done I'll have a look I love at a price I can actually afford.

  • shelly says:

    So funny you should ask! We are about to remodel our kitchen, my husband and I are having this debate as we speak. (aka as you post) I want really want the marble and my husband is worried about the upkeep. I don't mind the etching, It would add to the charm.

  • Marlis says:

    I think I've decided on a white marble topped island. I think it will age gracefully, just as we all do.

  • Visual Vamp says:

    As we speak I am having honed gray marble counter tops and back splash installed, and sealing it with grout sealer, so the honed mat finish remains. I'll;post on it when it's done.
    I don't fear the dings and stains – I love the look of old marble in a French kitchen.
    I do worry about grease spatters on the back splash over the stove, but am hoping the grout sealer will help.
    xo xo

  • Susan says:

    The great old houses on the South Shore of New York's Long Island always had white inset cabinetry and Carrera marble. From Bay Shore to the Hamptons, it still looks great after 100 years. I put marble in a busy hall bath 14 years ago and it still looks great.

  • Anonymous says:

    We have had Carrera marble counters for ten years and can't understand the concern about staining. Anything that does leave a mark (e.g., strawberries, red wine left overnight) only leaves a mild greying which gives a wonderful aged appearance. Isn't that what we all love about old marble in europe?

    • Brenton cloud says:

      So you really love it after 10 years? And all the marks and stains add nice character to the kitchen? My wife and I are scared. We want it but we are so close to going with a white granite. I just want to know if I am going to hate this before I install 100 sq ft if this in my new kitchen. Any advise?

      • Maria Killam says:

        Go with white granite. Some people can live with the marks, some can’t. Don’t talk yourself into it just because it’s trendy if you know every little stain would drive you nuts.

  • Salty Mom says:

    I am undecided. I like the look, but we recently moved into a house with busy granite and I find myself trying to work around it as I don't want to do a kitchen remodel but I find it sort of limiting with flooring choices.

  • pve design says:

    I do love the look, stained,etched and well loved.
    That said, we will be having "glassos" for our counters. I wanted a modern look and although I love marble – I think it does look more traditional.
    pve

  • Anonymous says:

    I put it in my new kitchen 2 years ago and very quickly it has etched marks on it and lots of scratches and chips on the edges!!! Oh well the more it gets used the more it will look like an old Italian kitchen!!!! I must not stress!

  • Hannah says:

    I had it in my bathroom and LOVED it– also in the 5 year old's bathroom– not a problem. The kitchenin the photo is a little too precious for me, but, as you know, Maria, I do love my (mostly) white kitchen. So I say "Yea" and "Yay!" as long as it is clean and fresh looking overall.

  • Marci says:

    I put it in my kitchen 3 years ago. It looked amazing! It was on the counters and a full backsplash. I did a large walnut island with it and it was a great compliment. The kids could sit at the island and we didn't have to worry about their spills.

    Ours was polished, and it wasn't the etching that bothered me–it was the stains…brown by the coffee pot, greasy on the back splash…chipped by the sink. And yes, we did seal–but in our big family, life happens! It's not the "aged" marble that is ugly….it's all those years in between when the one "oops" spot stands out until you have many other to follow it. You really have to be able to accept that.
    My friend on the other hand doesn't cook, or have kids–and so her kitchen is marble magazine perfect all the time.

    We moved a few months ago and in this kitchen I did wood on the perimeter counters and a salvaged marble slab for the island. It doesn't have the "bling" factor but it is more practical for my life right now.

  • Francine Gardner says:

    More on the Nay side, I find carrara overused and much prefer stone such as Pietra Serena, my favorite!

  • jeanette says:

    I LOVE the look of Carrera and especially the Calcutta Gold. We have it currently in our home here:
    http://jvwhome.blogspot.com/2011/03/crystal-creek-cottages-part-2.html

    However, we're about to move and will not use it next time. I would recommend it in an area of the kitchen such as the baking zone. (or bathrooms are great) But for the kitchen, I highly recommend granite, wood or another solid surface!
    It's GORGEOUS, but not for me on the next house.

  • Cathy says:

    We're undergoing renovations right now, and have just installed bianco carrara.
    Although I've been warned about staining and etching, I haven't seen anything that matches its natural beauty.
    So far, the only damage done has been by the workers.

  • Cris Angsten says:

    I like Marci's suggestion of wood and salvaged marble slabs. I love things that have a history and make the house look lived-in and loved – unfortunately my husband seems to think things should always look new! I know it would never make him happy if we installed brand-new marble. Our kitchen is HEAVILY used, it wouldn't stand a chance!

  • Anonymous says:

    I have a big kitchen and installed 4 slabs of palest grey granite b/c I couldn't pull the marble trigger. Just didn't trust myself not to go to bed with a spaghetti sauce blob on a countertop, and end up with a stain.

    Wish I had pulled the trigger.

    BUT I do love my granite too…it rides the fence….not busy, very pale. I did good.

    So, if people out there are really struggling, use a pale pale granite with minimal spots, and hone it or antique it.

  • A-L, says:

    We just installed silver pearl granite (a warm, grayish-black) but had considered marble of the FX180 marble look (as a combo of cost/possibly more livable look). But my husband didn't like the look of lighter colored counters with white countertops so that helped our decision toward granite. But my mom is also thinking about changing her kitchen, and she's contemplating the marble. But she's also concerned about the livability of it. It's interesting to hear the different people's experiences here.

  • Mary Middleton Design says:

    Whilst I have polished black granite in my own kitchen I do love marble but prefer it in bathrooms. I'd choose Calcutta over Cararra marble with the honey colored veins – lovely. Most worktops of a natural disposition come with maintenance…. but its your own (or clients) ideas of ageing that need to be managed – it takes time and patience but will look lovely.

  • SuFo says:

    I had carrara installed in my new kitchen in 2010… It is honed. It is amazing… I have had minimal spots, even the rasberry sauce spill did not stain. The only significant mark is a white ring from fresh squeezed lemon juice that was left too long (>1h). I don't believe it would have been a problem if I had noticed when it happened. Honed carrara is the right choice!

  • Dori says:

    I have Royal Danby which is more like Calcutta and I LOOOOOOOVE it!!!

  • Lynne Rutter says:

    I absolutely say YAY! I scored a recycled slab of carrera and used it for my (tiny) kitchen. It's honed, and 15 years of hard use later it's getting tiny nicks here and there, but I like the look of imperfect, vintage things. I can have it re-homed if I want to fix those. I think it's extremely practical and next to no upkeep at all, and i was far less expensive than many "new" alternatives for counters.
    Many of my clients have carerra or calcutta (white) marble counters and they are all thrilled with them both for the surprising ease of care and the beauty. And this marble seems to work great with just about every color!

  • Jil Sonia McDonald - Interior Designer says:

    To the 2 Anonymous comments – Maria does know her stuff, she oftens posts to encourage discussion. It's always fun to hear what others have to say.

    Back to the topic – Personally, I'd have marble in the bathrooms only. For me, Life is too short to be worried about staining my countertops. Although the look of marble is far superior to anything else. Great topic 🙂

  • Linda Leyble says:

    I love Carrera marble, so I say "Yes," but I think thatthe client should know the good, the bad and the ugly about it. If the client bakes a lot – it's a great surface for that. If their kids are doing their homework on it – then, no – with all the spilling, waer and tear etc. I wish that I had honed marble on my kitchen countertops – a designer friend pf mine talked me out of it. I still had teenagers at the time – maybe that's why. But you can't beat it for it's beauty and classic style.

    Linda
    http://www.studioofdecorativearts.blogspot.com

  • Ideezine says:

    Maria,

    Love it, use it, and suggest it often. It's living we need to embrace nothing is set in stone! Great discussion post.

    Bette

  • Summers Cottage says:

    We have shiny granite counters and I'd love to get it honed. What is involved in getting already installed counters honed? What's the difference in daily clean-up between glossy finish and honed?

  • Jennifer J in Hawaii says:

    YES!!!! We just did it last summer. To anyone reading this I'd love your help though… we had to rip out all our beautiful wood floors due to wet slab issues. Now we have to put in tile. What tile would go in a white kitchen with Carrara (white with grey veining) marble counter and not cheapen it?????

    trying to attach a shutterfly picture

    Maria, I may be writing to you for another consult due to this!!!!!

  • Anonymous says:

    JENNIFER J,
    We have Carrera and love its classic look. If I had to remove my wood floors and replace with tile, I think I'd go for an equally classic black and white tile. Also, I'd use black grout so you never have an issue with dirty looking grout lines.

  • MD Interior Design says:

    Hello MK, It's a big no for me – I find it much too cold looking – for me it applies a chilly effect to any room. Definitely not something I would specify for a cold climate anyway. In warm tropical areas… yes – maybe!
    xMichelle

  • Suzanne Vachon says:

    I am a Carrara marble chick, it somehow creates history, even if it stains now and then,it still delights me. I understand it is not for someone who wants to attain perfection in this lifetime.

    Thanks for great posts,

    Au revoir,

    decogirlmontreal

  • AB HOME Interiors says:

    I use it all the time and love it. I always give the clients the pros and cons but I personally like the imperfections that it gets from use and abuse. It is the most stunning and classic material, and a fantastic back drop for any interior.

  • Wrenda Goodwyn says:

    It is absolutely beautiful…just a matter of how much time you have to devote. Like others have said, I make sure that clients understand the level of care they will need to consider. Once we get past that, the decision is made.

  • Brenda says:

    NAY!! For the kitchen I'm a stainless steel top girl with all it's marks and scratches….B:)

  • Sarah says:

    I don't personally have it in my home, but I LOVE, LOVE the Carrara marble look and suggest it to homeowners in my showroom for the bathroom – or Terestone, which has a Carrara copy that looks great as a tub surround…:)

  • kathi123 says:

    wow,great post, just spent over 9 mos agonizing whether to put my first choice,marble on my countertops,but kind of buckled after so many stone salespeople said not a good idea for the kitchen -I went with 50 sq feet of blue volga granite on the island and then another 50 sq feet of emerald pearl on the sides-salesperson said not to mix them like that,but I told them I looked on a globe and one is from the Ukraine and the other from Norway,so that made them neighbors-it looks fantastic-and after I had my 15 red hat friends over last night spilling red wine,with red velvet cake smeared everywhere, I must admit, the white marble might have driven me crazy! My daughter just put in a granite called Super White aka Vermont White that looks a lot like marble and shes very happy with it!

  • Susan says:

    I found this so helpful and love your blog Maria. I'll soon be building a new house within the year and will look to this blog for inspiration and guidance. Thanks!

  • Maria Killam says:

    Thanks everyone for your comments, it will make all the difference when someone is trying to decide whether to go over to the dark side of maintenance which includes wine stains and olive oil vs. sticking to granite or quartz which is more impervious to staining.
    Great Conversation!
    Maria

  • Roses @ StrictlyRoses says:

    love love love! I never owned so I cant speak about the mainteance aspect but I love how it looks.

  • Cindy says:

    I love the look of marble, especially the Calacutta Gold. You just can not duplicate the look of a marble with any other product out there and I have looked at them all (Caesarstone's Misty Carrera, Silestone's Bianco River, Corian's White Cloud or Sea Salt and all the so called "white granites" available in my area-white river, etc.). We chose the Carrera marble for our beach house over the Calacutta mostly bc we could not see putting the price tag of Calacutta into a beach house, but we still wanted the marble look. We had planned on putting the carrera in the bathrooms only, but were told by several reputable marble and granite yards here in Miami that the honed and sealed marble would work in the kitchen and the polished would be fine for the bathroom. We were also given information on a sealer program that Dupont offers. If you buy their sealer program they will guarantee your counter tops for 15 years. If you get a stain that they can not get out, they will replace your counters at no cost to you. We will definitely be purchasing it! Marble is just a beautiful, timeless, classic that never goes out of style and is worth the extra effort (IMO). Maria, though you do not think the Carrera works with BM White Dove, woud you say that BM WHite Dove works better with the Calacutta Gold since it has the Gray AND beige veining?
    BTW, this is an excellent, informative blog and you have an amazing gift for color!

  • Cindy says:

    Also, would just like to add to my earlier post for those considering marble that there is also another man made attempt to replicate the look of marble called Zodiaq's Bianco Carrara (made by Dupont). So Zodiaq (Bianco Carrara), Caesarstone (Misty Carrera), Silestone (Bianco River) are all Quartz (90% granite and 10% resin finely crushed down). Pros are it is stronger than granite and can not be scratched or stained. If function over form is what you are looking for, than you may want to consider those, but IMO you just can not compare them to what nature has created, marble. If you choose to go with the marble in the kitchen, have it honed and sealed. Look into the Dupont sealer program that guarantees for 15 yrs (no I'm not a spokesperson-have just done a ton of research). Also, I'm no expert, but IMO Carrera marble works better in a more relaxed, casual setting and a cool color palette while Calacutta Gold works better in a formal setting and a warmer palette, but Maria would be the color expert to consult with on that.

  • Anonymous says:

    Interesting discussion but this misspelling of the name of the marble is driving me crazy! It's not Calcutta – that is a city in India. Nor is it Calacutta. The correct name is Calacatta Gold (calacatta d'oro) and the marble comes from Cararra, Italy. Whew, I feel so much better now. Thanks, Maria

  • Jennifer J in Hawaii says:

    A few notes from someone who has 3 little kids and who cooks a LOT who has carrara:

    1. Some notes about ETCHING/STAINING: I have polished since the slabs here only came polished and I figured I'd save the $1000 that it'd cost to hone them until after I'd done some years of damage and possibly had to sell the house. YES they etch very easily as well as scratch. I don't seem to notice the discoloration as much as the etching, so I agree that if you hone it that would help a TON. I cut a lot of pineapple and the juice that runs off the cutting board etches the carrara in about 20 minutes if I haven't caught it. Same with anything else acidic (tomato sauce, OJ, etc.) You can't see it though unless you look at it on an angle, and with the pattern of the grey most people don't notice it anyway. I also mostly just use one area for food prep and the opposite side looks great and doesn't see much wear and tear.

    2. Some notes about COLOUR Matching: take Maria's advice!!!! Hold a few paint samples (large if possible) up to the actual slab you'll be using. Anything Creamy looks BAD with carrara. It looks dirty next to it. Maybe something creamy would work with Calacatta depending on the slab.

    3. If you want to see Calacatta in action, go to any Williams-Sonoma store. They use it a lot on their countertops. That actually dissuaded me from the Calacatta because there is so much milky white and not enough other color that I could CLEARLY see all the scratches and marks all over it. The carrara hides these much better!!!!

    4. Carrara pairs really well with ABSOLUTE BLACK granite and also some SOAPSTONES. So I ended up just putting Carrara on the big center island and the ABlack on the areas around the stovetop and perimeter. That way the heavy duty areas could take a beating on the granite while the showpiece island could look beautiful.

    Even my husband is SO happy we have it. It makes me so happy to see it when I look at my kitchen. We are both Type-A perfectionists and the etching isn't too bad for us!

    Enjoy!

  • Capital Spice says:

    I think it is beautiful and clean but I'm a nay. Mostly because it is SO of the moment it is becoming ubiquitous. Which means it will be tomorrow's 'oh, you redid your kitchen in 2011' timestamp. If we were selling soon or had the funds to redo the kitchen every few years, I'd install it anyway. But we aren't and don't. So I'd rather stay away from the of-the-moment countertop. When we do replace the counters, I'm thinking about going with butcher block. (Which comes with its own set of upkeep challenges, I know.)

  • mrsben says:

    Personally I think it is one of nature's most esthetic beauties however I will have to say 'nay' namely because it stains.

    If one wishes to get a complete perspective on kitchen countertop choices, I highly recommend that they check out a blog called: Kitchen and Residential Design (by Paul Anater). Search his side bar under the title of 'Key Words' and follow the link under 'countertop'. Paul is a free-lance writer who is a former Kitchen & Bath Designer and is a wealth of accurate information. An example: "Let's meet marble and the metamorphics" (Oct. 14/2008) etc. etc.
    -Brenda-

  • Danielle {breakfast at toast} says:

    Yes! Absolutely. I just wrote a post about this and featured some pretty carrara marble goodies from Williams Sonoma. I love love love it! It's gorgeous!

  • beth Lavern says:

    As much as I love the look of marble I am afraid to use it in my kitchen because of the staining and etching issue. Do you have any other suggestions for a countertop to coordinate with dove white shaker style beaded inset cabinets and oak flooring?

  • Jennifer Johnson says:

    Beth, I’d recommend a black granite, and then you could choose a fun backsplash (although Maria loves white backsplashes and I have one which I love). But a classic black and white kitchen won’t go out of style!

    I would also recommend a Caesarstone product that you could choose in the color you want (like maybe a light grey) which would have a similar effect to the marble but without the care issues.

    I will say, though, that we haven’t had any problems with our marble staining (it’s been 18 months) and nobody but me notices the etching!

  • Sharon says:

    Silestone’s new “Lyra” (Nebula series) is a beautiful mimic of Carrara

  • Maggie says:

    Everytime I open a magazine, I see carrara marble. I love it so I have to go with it. I think I would be less happy with granite then a stain on my carrara marble. BUT I definitely plan to go Honed. Carrara marble is absolutely beautiful and lots of designers are using it and featuring it in magazines.

    ANYONE out there who install “Honed” Carrara and so regrets it?

  • Cathy says:

    I too, HAD to have White carrara installed in my dream kitchen, in spite of almost everyone encouraging us not to. We chose the honed marbel. I like my kitchen to be perfect so the imperfections and etchings make me crazy. It looks amazing when the light is not shining on it, bringing to life every little mark. Any suggestions on how to maintain it? What products are best to use on marble?

    • Maria Killam says:

      You need to just etch the whole thing to make it the same. Lemon? That’s what I’ve heard but do some research before you go for it. Maria

  • Cathy says:

    Are you kidding???? I don’t want to ruin my counter tops, I just want to know what works best to keep them looking beautiful.

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