I think budge1 is right -- it depends on whether you mind some etching, or a lot of etching depending on how you use and abuse it, as well as how careful you want to be. If you have polished, the etching will stand out more. But marble etches regardless, and that's part of its charm. If you don't find that the least bit charming, marble probably isn't for you. I went into an open house that had bathrooms with polished marble that were a couple of years old. The small amount of etching -- the one that jumped out was obviously from a water glass -- made it looked lived in. But it didn't bother me because I grew up with quite a bit of old marble. It did jump out though because the etching was on polished marble.

For our new house master I'm using a fantastic honed marble look-alike porcelain tile, 16x16, and I'll tell you why. Last house we did an extensive master bath remodel with three different kinds of white marble. It was amazing and the complements were off the charts. I loved how it looked but I *hated* how it lived. I had water etching all over the place, even after sealing three times. Honed will help with that I think, but I believe even honed will etch. Honed also isn't as stain resistant, so you have to think about that, too. And it was indeed slick and we had to have rugs everywhere. Honed might help with that. But the tile we're using is an amazing replication of a honed marble, and I'm picky (won't even consider the marble-look solid surface counters because they're not realistic). Or you could find a granite look-alike tile. As I'm out there looking for granite for the kitchen I keep seeing all this gorgeous marble and lots of different opinions from granite suppliers and fabricators on using it in a kitchen, mostly negative. It tempts me every time. I absolutely love the stuff. And I'll never use it for a practical application again.

pps7-- Thanks for the great pix. I ordered a sample of the Catarina tile. And many thanks to the person who posted the American Olean website link for the tile. That was so helpful. I thought it would be simple to find a Carrera Marble look alike tile but it has been an ordeal! Guess I was looking in the wrong tile stores (about 7 total, with one find that turned out to be discontinued!) **On another note: Where did you get your beautiful medicine cabinet? Is it wood, and do you like the quality? I found one at Pottery Barn online (Hotel is the brand) but can't look at it in person, so would have to buy first. I also saw one at Restoration Hardware but the quality didn't seem top rate. Thanks for any help.**

Renee you must be overwhelmed with all of these comments. Your countertops are GORGEOUS, so I do hope you keep them. Sophie's suggestion to stain the floors is well worth looking into. For what it is worth my suggestion for your backsplash is to go with a simple solid tile in a lighter color that coordinates with the countertop. I would suggest you not go too small with the tile- 3x6 to 4x12 would be a good size to stick with. You want to avoid too much movement in the backsplash as the counter (and the floor) have quite a bit of movement and you do not want them competing. Let the countertop be the star of the show. Good luck and let us know how it all ends up for you.