It's beautiful tile! Keep in mind that porcelain is stronger than ceramic. I don't know about the faint white lines but I do know that it's very very easy to over think things and get bogged down in details that really don't matter. I have a house full of Marazzi porcelain tile...kitchen, dining room, two bathrooms and part of the den. We're very happy with it. If you did manage to chip it, I'm sure you could buy some kind of colorant to dab on the spot. With the tile being so varied in color, it shouldn't be too hard to disguise it.
Monica

I have to say upfront that I'm biased against Marazzi. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone due to problems with their tile in the past. Perhaps they've improved their quality control, but I still shy away from Marazzi.

I've installed a fair amount of DAL's Continental Slate. Matter of fact I'm ordering 16 boxes tomorrow, the Asian Black.

I've installed mostly Asian Black, English Gray, and Brazilian Green.

Mongo

I knew that was coming (grin). If Bill weighs in he'll say the same thing about Marazzi. marymt, both of these gentlemen are tile setters and like to think they know a thing or two about tile...ok, so they DO know a thing or two about tile (grin). I'm just going by our experience with Marazzi. DH laid all of our floors...tile (porcelain & natural stone),wood and carpet. He's a carpet and wood installer by trade and has done several tile jobs altho that's not really in his job description. We didn't set out to buy Marazzi, they just had what we liked. He didn't have any problems with it.
ps...I do beleive the green tile we put on the front porch this past summer is Marazzi as well. It came from HD. The others came from flooring stores.
Monica

I was just about to chime in and say the same thing! We've had issues with our Marazzi tile as well -- out of square, off-size, chipping.

Granted, it's a pretty tile, I don't think you'd have problems hiding chips, and if you're planning a simple layout with wider grout lines, even a bit of out-of-square can be worked with. But I've seen others like it without the white border...

Thanks, Monicakm...if I decide on the Marazzi, you've given me some comfort level. I would probably order extra though -- if the installer has trouble with it being off-size, and to eliminate the worst white-edged tiles....However, the box I ordered looks very uniform in size, so perhaps they've improved.

I went to the Daltile distributor (to the trade only), and saw samples of the Continental Slate and Villa Viletta. VV also not through-body color, but at least the base is darker. Very frustrating, however, as they say there is great variation in the tiles, yet for the sample board they choose 4 identical tiles (!). "But it won't look like that," the rep says. No wonder I read many threads of people disappointed with their tiles. I think you're entitled to one (returnable) box at least before you make a decision.

Home Depot sells Daltile, so I'll see if I can order a box. Does anyone have a photo of an installation of Continental Slate? (anything but Asian Black, which does not vary). The one on their website looks impressive, but I don't know if they've done an ultra selection for that photo....

BTW, below are the accent tiles I found that would go with the field tile I'm looking for. You should see it in person -- really beautiful blend of glass, metal and stone. Just in case it strikes anyone as a perfect match for some other porcelain tile they'd like to suggest :-) Also comes in a travertine-like blend....

Here is a link that might be useful: 1-inch tiles

I was going to keep my mouth shut, but yes-- Monica's right. I won't use Marrazzi with out a kicking screaming fit.