Just out of curiosity, how much will the cultured marble cost? We're getting Alabama White marble for ~$44/sf installed (Upstate SC). It is an extra charge to have it honed. It's a pretty white marble that may suit you just as well as Carrera.

HTH - Jo Ann

Alabama White Slab

That's really beautiful, drjoann!

briannej, have you priced marble at multiple locations? For a vanity top, you may be able to due with remnants from someone's kitchen job. Also, I know a few places (like Home Depot) carry pre-made marble tops that might be reasonably affordable (I haven't priced them). Otherwise, some of the solid surface makers and quartz makers (Corian, Ceasarstone, etc) make some marble-look materials. However, I simply don't think you can quite match the beauty of real stone with man-made materials. Also, you could consider doing a top with marble tile. I've seen pictures of marble tile countertops that were absolutely stunning.

Even more ideas here on Maggie's thread - http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/bath/msg080124365068.html?19

Here is a link that might be useful: Maggie's thread on Counters

Yes, I checked into remnants with no luck...it is a 73" top, so I guess that probably limits the remnants a little. That too, we keep calling and checking on, but finally made the decision to try to stick to the cheapest thing and get what we really want at a later date...which would include a real marble top with undermount bowls and tile up the wall behind the mirrors in lieu of a backsplash. We are building a new home so unfortunately some things just have to end at the end of the budget and we can only dream of doing them later :). The cultured marble comes out to $40/sf but that includes the sinks so really without (2) sinks at probably $60/each it comes out to be about $34 each and there still, without a charge for a sink cut out which is pretty standard...
The whole cultured marble top is around $450 so it is really affordable. I am just debating if I should play it safe and go with a plain white for a simple sharp contrast to the espresso vanity or if I should try playing with the matte finish on the grey swirl to add some pattern. I love the look of the real marble and yet don't want to take the look of the whole bath down with the top. I would still be doing a solid white bowl (2 tone molded cultured marble top) for that price, so it might look a little richer having the bowl be solid and just the top part with the pattern. Do you think I should try it or play it safe? I will take a pic of the sample tonight and try to post to see if you have any input for me. Thanks so much!

drjoann, do you mind sharing the name of your granite suppier? I am in the upstate also and I have just picked out a granite for my master bath, but I am not sure that it is what I really want.

I would so love to have the marble, but I am a careless person and am concerned that I will ruin it with makeup and stuff.

Did you obtain a sample of your marble and do you know if it stains easily?

Thks,

Kathy

That is from Slabco in Travelers Rest. My fabricator is Star Granite whose main office is in Elberton, GA. I will be using the AL White for my kitchen baking center and the vanity top in the guest bedroom en suite. I do have a sample of my slab, but I haven't dinked with it because I'm not worried about stains (seal well & if something gets through use a poltice) and I very much want it to etch so it has a patina. Now, that I have paint colors chosen, I guess I should put it through the ringer with staining agents. Good idea.

For the master bath, we're going bold and have a beautiful slab of Rainforest Green marble. There is so much pattern, that it will hide a multitude of sins.

HTH - Jo Ann