Marble is a type of natural stone with everlasting beauty that cannot be matched. It’s a choice that many people find themselves drawn to because of its timelessness, luxury, and class. Exploring the diverse marble types available can help you select the one that best aligns with your aesthetic preferences and practical needs.
Though marble is gorgeous, it involves a certain degree of care in order to make sure it stays as beautiful as the day you had it installed. It’s a softer stone than granite and quartzite, which means that chopping directly onto its surface without a cutting board can leave you with scratches and etch marks, which then threaten the integrity of the stone. Moreover, it’s known for being porous, making it vulnerable to staining if spills aren’t cleaned up right away.
But don’t let these things scare you—as long as you keep up the routine of sealing, clean it with the correct materials, and treat it with care, your marble slab will serve you for many years.
Now that you understand the basic foundation of the stone itself, it’s time to get into the details of how to style it. Since marble brings a sense of high class, many are intimidated to style their kitchens or bathrooms with this stone—out of fear that the room won’t measure up or that the stone will stick out like a sore thumb.
This article is here to change that thought process. Here we’ve compiled six design tips to help style your room in a way that highlights the marble countertop and ties everything together with a flourish.
1. Pietra Gray Marble
Marble comes in a handful of different finishes, but when it comes to Pietra Gray, we recommend choosing the honed finish. This type of finish pairs well in cooking spaces, especially in kitchens that are styled with a rustic, traditional look.
Choosing Pietra Gray marble with a matte surface brings a lift to the room that can’t be achieved with anything else. To complete the rustic look, consider oak cabinetry, rich color schemes, and natural tones. The earthy shade of Pietra Gray has the ability to bring all of this together.
2. White Thassos Marble
White Thassos marble is a variation of the stone that comes in a snow-white shade. Using this type of marble for your kitchen countertop gives the room a clean, modern feel that will outlast any passing trends and stand the test of time.
In order to make your countertops pop, we recommend stepping outside the box and going with a jewel-toned color for your tile floor—for example, deep blue can really make the white marble shine. Going with a mother-of-pearl-toned backsplash, along with gold accents scattered throughout the room (like brass faucets and cabinet hardware), brings a sense of luxury to the space.
3. Carrara Marble with Butcher Block
A well-working pair that you might have never before considered is wood and marble. They bring a modern twist to a rustic kitchen with stained oak cabinets—allowing a sense of ruggedness to ground the shine that the marble is known for.
A Carrara marble countertop and a matching backsplash, paired with a maple butcher block island, are the perfect middle ground for two opposing styles. As they say, opposites attract!
4. Black and White Theme
Contrast is all the rage right now, and it’s unlikely that it will ever go out of style. Placing a white Himalaya marble countertop amid a black kitchen is sure to brighten up the room, along with providing instant interest for the eyes. Covering the walls in marble tile set in a herringbone pattern is another great way to attract attention, and utilizing gold, metallic accents on the lights and cabinet knobs brings a touch of glamour to the space.
5. Crema Marfil Marble
When it comes to marble, there are tons of choices—not just cool, neutral tones. There are warm shades to choose from too—including Crema Marfil marble. This soft beige shade sets the tone for a warm, natural-feeling kitchen that is welcoming to all. By adding a pale green backsplash, you can amp up the earthy feel of the room and turn it into a space where everyone will want to spend time.
6. Calacatta Gold Marble
Calacatta gold marble is known for its veining patterns that showcase the beautiful color of—you guessed it—gold. It’s a timeless type of marble that might be the most luxurious shade that you can find. By accenting this slab with other pieces of gold in the kitchen—like brass hardware and gold-lined pendant lights—you’ll bring out the beautiful gold and gray tones of this stone.
Marble in Your Kitchen
All of our clients build their kitchens differently around their marble countertops, and we love the uniqueness and individuality that comes with designing a room. If you need help with style tips or would like to stop in and see our showroom, give Marble Unlimited a call at (919) 596-2325.