I have been looking forward to the day I go to pick my slab of marble for months. It is the one thing I am most excited about in this house renovation and despite the advice against, I have always been unswayed in my determination to have a marble kitchen counter.
The day finally came on Friday and I trekked out to the western suburbs to spend what I thought would be a few hours examining and analysing dozens of slabs of heavenly marble to pick the perfect slab that would be right for me.
When I arrived, I asked to be shown the slabs which measured 3m x 1.2m in honed Carrara marble. Imagine my disappointment when I was told they didn't have any in that size and only had something in polished marble, and not really pure grey and white, but with some brown streaks. I didn't have 20, 10 or even 5 to pick from, just one. No choice, that's it. Arghhhh!!!
So in a panic I rang my kitchen man who rang the granite/marble man to find out how much it would cost to have the polished marble honed, and it would add about another $1,500 to the counter cost. Then the stone guy suggested I could just get the polished anyway although it's much more likely to stain, scratch, etch, mark etc and that if this eventually drove me nuts I could have it honed in situ at a later date. Neither of these options really appealed. Otherwise I could wait for the next shipment at the beginning of December and see what comes.
 |
| Here's a beautiful polished slab of Carrara marble (very reflective - you can see the other slabs in the surface) |
 |
| Here's the one I'm looking at - which has some brown veining (I'm told that's good because it's a bit like Arrabescato) |
 |
| Plain white and grey Carrara - no brown veining |
 |
| My only apparent option - with brown veining |
So now, I am wondering what to do. Should I spend the money and have the slabs (we need 3 in total) honed, which apparently is the best option for kitchens, or go with the polished, save some money and see what happens. I do love the look of polished I must admit.
Anybody with any experience of marble counter tops either honed or polished? Your advice and input would be greatly appreciated.
Secondly, should I go with some brown veining? It's very subtle but not my ideal. Or wait until early December and risk having no kitchen benchtop when we move in?
I am going to paint the cabinets against the wall in Dulux Vivid White and the island cabinets in Dulux Spanish Olive.
SECOND DECISION: Sisal Runner
Now I am also looking at flooring for the bedrooms, library and stairs. I have always wanted to have sisal and got some samples today ranging from $55/sqm to $150/sqm. I was shocked to learn they charge $130+ per step to lay a sisal runner on stairs, and that's on top of the cost of the material. We have about 15 steps. But I don't think carpet would have the same effect, although I could just put nothing.
Here's some of the sisal samples I'm looking at for the bedrooms, library and stairs.
 |
| Images from Natural Floorcovering Centre |
Here's some examples of stairs with and without runners.....
 |
| via Brooke Gianetti |
 |
| via Classic Casual Home |
 |
| via Traditional Home |
 |
| via Phoebe Howard |
 |
| via The Enchanted Home |
 |
| via Tom Scheerer |
 |
| via Catalano Architects Inc. |
 |
| Via House Beautiful |
PS I've just been award the Versatile Blogger Award from gorgeous and talented Tina at The Enchanted Home. More on that tomorrow. In the meantime, check out Tina's blog - her incredible house build will blow your mind!
Hi Melinda
ReplyDeleteHmmm.... personally I hate the brown veining. Brown has never gone with grey anyway.
I think you will constantly have your eye drawn to it.
Go with the no stair covering for now if you can't afford it (that is a huge charge isn't it).
you can always cover stairs later.
(back to the kitchen bench)
we also have a granite bench top and I was told years ago -
try the stone masonry people and the grave head stone people for marble and granite - they buy a lot in and sometimes sell them a lot cheaper than the kitchen marble sellers. Worth trying anyway :)
have a great day
loulou, from hereiamloulou blog
x
Hi Mel
ReplyDeleteI think you need to wait and get what you want - a pain I know but you will be pleased in the long run. In our last house we had honed carrara marble and I loved it. Marble marks no matter what you do but it is less noticeable with the honed finish. I would wait for a better piece as I am not sure you will be happy with the brown through it with the door colours you have picked - will see if I can dig out my marble guy and email it to you.
With the sisal - we have timber stairs here with no runner and I love it - don't have to worry about it wearing and getting dirty. It is really really easy to add the sisal down the track if you need to so I would go without now to save costs - also just think of the dust that still has to settle which will go all over that sisal - I would wait until you have been in a few months before you decide! A little help - or confused you more!!! Leanne xx
Hi Melinda,
ReplyDeleteI would wait and get what you wanted on the marble.
As for the stairs i love the contrast of the wood/white, forgo the runner now, you can add it later.
Hilary x
With the marble...personally I prefer more markings rather than less as it looks more interesting and also hides marks that will, inevitably, occur. However, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and if you know that you love a particular "look" which has appealed to you throughout the years, then it is less likely you will learn to love the marble with the gold veining. So you may always feel you settled for second best. And as for honing or polished, there truly is no right or wrong. I have done kitchens with both, and clients have loved both. Yes, the honed will show less marking, but the polished is far more glamourous. And if you are going for marble, you must be able to accept that either will mark, stain and scratch - which I think is it's beauty as it shows the patina of life and age.
ReplyDeleteStair runners - if your budget is sliding out of control, just go with the timber treads for now and you can always add the runner later. But the noise difference is dramatic, and in a house with a young family, I would always recommend going with a runner for safety and acoustics.
Hi Melinda,
ReplyDeleteWhen we renovated our previous home several years ago we updated the kitchen by (re)painting the existing cupboards and changing the timber counter tops to marble.
I was going to use Carrara, but ending up falling in love with a slab of Calacatta Marble - mostly because of the brown veining which tied in beautifully with our timber floors. I loved the warmth and detail the brown veining gave - and loved it till we sold the house 10 years later.
We had a similar predicament with our chosen slabs being polished, rather than the preferred honed, but chose to put them in polished to commence with and to see how they went. I must say, they looked gorgeous and glamorous to begin with - but only for about 5 mins! Everything marked (etched) the surface - even milk droplets would leave permanent "water marks" where the area appeared flatter and duller than the area around it. Staining wasn't the issue - it was the the unevenness of the water/acid marks (the more acidic, the worse the etching - lemon, tomato, orange juice being the worst culprits).
Eventually, we had the counters honed in situ - and didn't have a problem since. At first the surface looked a little "dry",, but this softened with time and took on a softer, more "polished" surface with use.
When we eventually sold the house there wasn't a mark on it - and I really gave it a beating! I really scrubbed those counters and cooked/prepared everything on them (I have four children). I did use a rub-in sealant a couple of times (very easy to use, a bit like a liquid cleaning product) - but, other than that, didn't give it any special care.
We are planning a new kitchen and I am certainly planning on using it again - but definitely honed (again, the slabs I have looked at are polished, as they often come this way from the Italian quarries - but I will have them honed before installation).
Good luck with whatever you decide - to take these ones or wait. It's a hard decision, as you could risk not liking the next shipment that are coming in December!
All the best,
Hi Melinda,
ReplyDeleteI'm passing through your gorgeous blog very quickly today but I'll be back to have a thorough look. My quick two cents worth - 1. Don't go for the brown vein marble. You will look at it everyday and it will drive you mad. 2. I prefer no runner.
Can't wait to see the finished photos.
Kel x
I think the brown veining with drive you mad, especially as it is not what you had in your mind as what you wanted for your home :) Honed seems to be the better way to go too..
ReplyDeleteAs for the stairs I love the look of all those stairs without the runners :) As others have said you can always add it later!
Hi Melinda, I'm in total agreement with the other comments above. Wait to get your prefered colour and finish for the marble. You can always top your cabinets with laminated ply (the stuff you use for wardrobe fit-outs) or flooring sheets, as a cheap temporary solution so your kitchen is workable on move in. We've done this a few times to allow us to stretch the budget timeline. And I'd forgo stair runner too but purchase the material needed with the floor order so dye lots don't change. Store and have fitted when the dust and bank stress settles!
ReplyDeleteI'd love to know how you went with your shipping costs from the US. You didn't mention it so I presume all was OK?
x KL
Hi Mel,
ReplyDeleteI'm no expert on marble but you should wait and make sure you are completely happy with your selection....you've have put so much into this renovation you will regret it if you don't have exactly what you want - definitely wait and get the honed with NO brown veining. Regarding the stairs - I'm a sucker for a sisal runner - I think they look gorgeous, but like the other comments it is something you could add at a later date - dark timber treads with white risers are also gorgeous - I have your third image of sisal in my office - I love the colour but it is really uncomfortable underfoot - definately no good for a bedroom - I have a very similar sisal in your fourth image as a hall runner and area rug in my living room and I love them both - they are gorgeous - I can't wait to see what you end up choosing Kx
Mel Just wait for the right one.
ReplyDeleteJoni did goog post about marble
http://cotedetexas.blogspot.com/2011/09/white-marble-for-kitchen-yes-or-no.html
and also Holly http://www.thingsthatinspire.net/2011/01/selecting-kitchen-countertops-search.html
..and stairs. I love sisal runner. But it can be added anytime
Good luck wirt everything
X
Viera
VT Interiors
Hold on for colour, don't you dare get polished.. I will not put up with two of my mates having to prepare tea on mats and running around crapping themselves in case water, yes water, gets spilt by the kids. Coasters everywhere...nightmare...hone it PLEASE!!!
ReplyDeleteStairs?.. Love the sisal but it wears quickly on stairs and looks worn AND for that price I would wait and spend the extra cash on honing the marble x
Decisions, decisions... Wish I could help you with the marble question but since I haven't even begun my kitchen redo, I'll I can say is stick to what you really want. I know if the brown veining bugged me now, it will bug me in two years so I would want for the next shipment and make sure they reserve a couple of slabs for me to see then. As for the stairs, we went without since there's so much wear and tear and I agree with Down that Little Lane, sisal looks worn quickly. That's my two cents!
ReplyDeletexxoo
Hi Melinda, If brown veining is not what you're happy with, then you should wait. It may feel like a long few months but it the long run it is nothing and would be worth it. Re the stair runner- my advice would be to put one in. That was one of the first things we did when we moved into our current house because timber stairs are sooooo noisy. It was a carpet runner and made such a difference.
ReplyDeleteAll the best!
hi mel! decisions decisions, I guess you've been doing a bit of them lately!!
ReplyDeleteok, I think that Adelaidelade (above) has cleared up you need to get it honed. Don't waste time with an idea that is most likely doomed to fail. re: veins - Go for what you are happy with. If the vein is not a problem for you (like a lady above said she liked the brown colour thru it) and you want it quicker, then get it, and move on to another issue. re: stair runner, I'm assuming you want it because otherwise you wouldn't be discussing it. In that case I'd get it if you can afford it now, if not, no harm doing it in a year or two... good luck!!!
Hi, Melinda.
ReplyDeleteI am currently renovating my kitchen. I chose honed marble. (Fabricators and stone sellers will try to talk you into polished, or out of marble altogether, but do not listen.) Honed is the only way to go. It took me five months to find the slabs I want. I chose callacotta oro and love it. Either wait for December and find ones that you love, or if you love the one slab they have on hand, get it honed. I would want more choice and would wait for December and use a temporary top, if necessary.
As for sisal/seagrass, it looks more informal than none, so it depends on what look you are going for, but sisal/seagrass -- while it looks fabulous -- is not comfortable to walk on and it stains...I mean even water stains it and nothing I know of gets it out.
Best of luck to you in picking what you love most.
Victoria
Hi Melinda,
ReplyDeleteI have only used honed Carrara marble for my clients and it always looks divine!!! I use MTP Marble & Granite in Leichhardt. They are fantastic!
Hi Mel. Definitely wait for honed. No question! Prefer the look of sisal on stairs, but we had images 1 and 4 as hall runners in our house and they are not comfy at all barefoot. Is there a softer alternative that won't wear quickly? And as you know - LOVE Spanish Olive! It's going to look stunning. Xox
ReplyDeleteHi Mel, I would wait for the honed without the brown, all it would take is a glass of red, cup of coffee or beetroot juice split on the benches to ruin it, better to wait & get the best you can, especially if you're going to live there for the next 20 - 30 years! As for the carpet, I am not much help there, as I love both, my only concern would be if the sisal is a bit slippery on stairs or is it more like carpet? Good luck and looking forward to the pics of the finally finished house! Kate
ReplyDeleteHello Melinda,
ReplyDeleteYes I would wait ... it is only a few weeks.
Have you thought of Goats Hair for your stairs by Tretford.
Besides the very bright colours in their range, they do have undyed goat's hair, hues like Double Cream/Silver Birch/Wild Rice and Mushroom. You can request samples from them.
Good Luck
Lillii
How disappointing, a girl needs choices.... As much as you are at that point of your renovation, where you just want to seeeverything all finished, I would wait, you have put to much work & thought into making things just right to then have the feature piece in your kitchen leave you disappointed. It will be worth the wait!!
ReplyDeleteI am shocked by the cost of laying a stair runner, perhaps you could see if it drives you crazy without one first, to know weather its worth the money. No runner makes it easier to clean the stairs, just a quick sweep instead of lugging around a heavy vacuum, lol!!!
Love your blog. I will tell you that we had the sisal carpet (#3 in your post) in our office at our house. Although it look nice and neat and looks practical-it's not. ANY water stains at all totally ruin the carpet. Our elderly dog peed and vomited on the carpet at times. After the clean up a nice little water ring is left and there is nothing you can do about it. It also was not very comfortable to walk on barefooted. I would certainly walk on the carpet you choose with your bare feet before purchasing. About the stairs-I will say that we had hardwood stairs that were painted a deep dark brown with a gloss on them. It was beautiful to look at but showed every dust bunny in the house. We have two dogs (an English Springer who sheds like crazy and a Boykin Spaniel who sheds a little bit) and the dog hair drove me nuts!! Then our older dog got to where he was slipping and sliding up and down the stairs and could't navigate them anymore. We finally put a plaid (dark brown, black and cream) runner-think Country Club down on the stairs and it looks beautiful and doesn't show nearly the dust. I will be glad to e-mail you a photo if you like...otherwise, hope this helps in your decision making. *oh, one more thing-stairs without carpet are extremely slippery-don't wear your socks to go down them! You will end up going for a ride!
ReplyDeleteHi thanks so much for stopping by! And congrats on the award. Your blog is just lovely :)
ReplyDeleteAs far as the marble, sorry I don't have experience with it so I can't really give advice. And I prefer stairs without runners but they can be a bit slippery. Can't wait to see what you choose!
Melinda, I'm shocked that they would charge so much to hone a piece. My fabricator was going to do it at no charge if the piece I found was already polished. Decide what you "really" want, not just what you think is pretty and then go with it no matter. Otherwise you will always wonder 'what if'. I am a big fan of the honed as I like the age it gives a room, but that's me. Trust your gut!
ReplyDeleteRegarding your sisal stair runner.... it reminded me of this post by Rhoda at Southern Hospitality. I thought this was such a great idea- you'll need to scroll to the bottom of the post to get to the sisal runner part!
http://southernhospitalityblog.com/the-down-dirty-on-the-stair-project/
good luck with all your decisions!
joan
Melinda..can't believe I missed this, This is my area of expertise if there is one..lol! WAIT AND GET EXACTLY WHAT YOU WANT.....DO NOT SETTLE. You will regret it big time! This is an expensive investment one you will live with for a long long time, take the time (and patience) to get what you have your heart set on. If the brown veining is settling, don't do it. Also I highly recommend honed for a multitude of reasons least of which I think its just prettier.
ReplyDeleteLove the sisal stair runner, it warms things up so much, that second one is gorgeous but then again they all are.
If I have learned one thing in this house building world its do not settle. I waited 4 or 5 months to find the marble for my kitchen, and soooo happy I did. Now we are looking for a monster sized piece for the island, no easy feat but if it means moving in with cardboard topped island until we find the right one, so be it. You will never regret taking the time to make a good and carefully thought out decision.
if the brown veining bothers you now it will continue to do so..worth waiting for the right slab when you are spending a decent amount of money. I have worked with a client with who I visited 3 quarries because of veining issues she would not settle for..and we found the perfect one. Regarding the runner- if you have other soft furnishings in the area - rug, drapery, pillows (like 1st and 3rd pics) you could go without. It helps to have something to soften the space so if there is nothing else then I would add one.
ReplyDeletenice post. Now you can use this b2b exporters directory to promote bulk marble stone import & export business.
ReplyDeleteMarble requires constant maintenance, as it easily stains. However, some new sealers retard staining. But it does give a luxurious look, is a strong and durable material that can last for decades if properly cared for.
ReplyDeleteMelinda, I would wait for the Marble that you really. I have honed marble. It is pretty but it stains.
ReplyDeleteAs for the carpet runner, I did a wool runner from Stark that is tan and cream with diamonds. I love it. Very traditional. It is very durable, not slippery and I have spilled coffee on it. I love jute/ seagrass and I have it in my den and dining room. I like the jute better because stains come out easier . Our old dog went to the bathroom on the diamond seagrass rug and now it has a bid stain. LOve your Blog