Can you post pictures? I'm not familiar with this stone?

Like many stones Montclair comes in many variations:

Especially with white perimeter cabs, I don't think Montclair would be "too busy," but this is really a personal choice. Have you checked your creamy white cab color with the gray-white of the Montclair to be sure they don't clash? Personally, I love this marble. What else are you considering?

STUNNING! I don't find it busy at all. Simply gorgeous. Suzannes has a valid point, it would be useful to see the cabinet color with it. Great to have such luscious choices in stone. Have fun choosing.

That looks like my stauarietto marble! I love it! I think it may clash with "creamy" white cabs. My statuetto marble is very white and gray - no cream or ivory to it. I wish I had this on my perimeter too (only have it on my island). On the other hand, I'm not sure all the same goes with the "collected" look you are seeking. I think it would be beautiful and not busy at all, but I'm not looking for collected.

Here's my slabs:

Here it is with my white cabs in background:

Gorgeous stone. Not busy, just beautiful!

here is my slab for the island:

i'm assuming the other slabs would look similarly busy. you all think it's ok for the perimeter given it's busy look?

Looking at deb's kitchen with her equally, if not more, busy stauarietto, I'd say no, it's not too busy. Just check the compatibility of the whites!

I think it would set it off nicely to have a darker gray on the perimeter but it would also not be too busy I don't think if you did it all in the same. Personal preference, good luck!

I've actually not chosen a paint color yet. This is good, right? Should I take my fan deck to the fabricator to test colors?

what on earth to do for a backsplash then? i was going to do a calcutta or carrera honed subway tile, but i fear there will be too much "pattern" if i have the montclair on the perimeter counters. ahhh......this is so overwhelming!

YAY! This is what I thought! It will be spectacular!

Yes, do take the fan deck to the fabricator's, or even better, get a sample chunk from them and take it and the fan deck into your kitchen space. Lighting makes a big difference, so using your actual light will make it easier to choose. Can hardly wait for you to get this in so we can see the photos!!

what should i do for a back splash? we want this to work with the rest of our historic-looking house. thanks!

I think I would just paint. Maybe even with a 4" traditional backsplash of the marble. Very unlike most of my style recommendations but for some reason it seems as if it would work with historic and that slab is special.

Have you looked at the August 2012 issue of BH&G Kitchen and Bath Ideas magazine? There are a couple of very nice kitchens with white perimeter cabinets, marble countertops and backsplash...and even marble island tops.

One example... {{!gwi}}From Cottage house plans

Thanks, lavendar. How gorgeous! This is way out of our budget, however.
As for no backsplash--with my husband and kids a backsplash is a must!!!! :) would white subway tile not work?

Sorry, I thought you were trying to see if marble on the backsplash would be too busy, with the island and countertops. In this kitchen, it looks like they used a large piece of marble, behind the range, but the rest seems to be a 4" high marble backsplash.

White subway tiles seem to be a popular choice with marble countertops, as are marble subway tiles. I would look through some magazines and online pictures and find some examples that you really like. I feel a bit unqualified offering you specific advice on the most appropriate backsplash, since I'm planning to use 'bunny tile' for mine :)

lavender--your kitchen inspiration pics are phenominal and i like how it all looks collected, rather than out of a big box store. so, your bunny tiles are fantastic to me (and are so sweet to me for sentimental reasons). i'd say, in my book, you're qualified to make back splash suggestions for me. so, if you have ideas, please send them my way. i want something that will go with our georgian style very historic-looking home.

Threeapples- Thank you, that is so sweet :)

I think your marble is going to look stunning on the island, but with such a strong pattern, I don't know if I would use it on the perimeter countertops.

If it were me...and I wanted to use the wood island/marble countertop...I would want that to be my focal point. A nice secondary focal point would be carrera marble subway tile backsplash...also marble, but not as strong a pattern. To give you a bit of a break with the pattern, a black soapstone (did you see Mama Goose's countertops?) or a honed black granite would look really nice. Regular white subway tiles would look great with black countertops, too.

While either subway tile would look wonderful with your other finishes, I would probably lean towards the marble subway, to really pick up your lovely island. And, the veining in the marble tiles distract your eye a bit from any grout lines.

Are you using stainless steel appliances? I do think a few topiaries or herbs would emphasize the classic look you like and I would use a traditional stool at the island.

What are you planning for hardware? Any idea about lighting fixtures? Are you going to have any open shelves or glass uppers? Any colors you plan to use with valances, cushions, etc? A soft leaf green is always nice...as is light blue. Many people like gray (which would look nice) but for me, a little more color would be more cheerful, when we come down for breakfast in the morning :)

I have Montclair Danby on the island and the perimeter. Depending on the size of your island, it can be a lot of white. I don't think it is busy looking at all. In fact, I find it to be quite the opposite. I like the soothing nature of it.

I am doing a glass backsplash to give the contrast. My kitchen isn't finished yet, but it can give you an idea of what a white backsplash will look like from a distance.

Here is a link that might be useful: Danby marble island and backsplash.

Finestra - your danby looks like my Alabama White. Threeapples looks a lot different with a lot more contrast and a lot more movement. Mine is very quiet - mostly white with subtle grey veins. Hers looks darker (very dark gray veins) and there is quite a contrast between her veins and the background. For me, personally, it would be too much on the perimeter and island and I would do something solid on the perimeter (like honed absolute black granite or some other mostly solid darker looking granite). I am doing a white backsplash too . . .

One more thing. . . Have you thought about hiring a decorator? It seems you might need some help tying things together so everything is a cohesive whole inside and out. I would investigate this as I think it would take a lot of stress off you and help you end up with a better product. I have done design work for years and figuring out things for yourself is not easy even if you are experienced in all of this. I have talked with my mother, also a designer, and people who do this for a living rarely design for themselves. Too difficult. Just a thought!

athensmom, yes i need major help with this house and want a decorator. But, I can't seem to find anyone in our area (Cleveland) who understands my aesthetic and who doesn't charge so much that we'd be taking away from the house to pay them.

i have calacatta on perimeter and island. not too busy at all! still thinking about a backsplash. i may never decide.

{{gwi:1446454}}

i think i need to take new pix!

kateskouros, gorgeous kitchen! my marble is much darker in its veining. did you see the pic higher up in the thread? still think it'd be ok on all counters in my kitchen?

thank you. my marble has much more of a presence than is showing up in this pic. it really is closer to what suzanne and deb posted. the veining in your slab seems denser, maybe, but not all that different. i think it would look great!

thanks, kate. ahhh.....this is so daunting.
my island will be stained cherry, as will the french casement window and two doors in the kitchen (one to pantry and one to mud hall). the floor will be dark stained red oak. am i doing too many finishes here?
athensmom is so right, i NEED a designer.
i'm off to go search for one right now. :)

Threeapples- Getting a designer is a great idea! You're building an entire home (not just remodeling one room) and you'll have so many decision to make! A designer can help keep you on track with your construction schedule, as well as assist in pulling together the different choices you've already made.

Right now, I don't think you have too many finishes in your kitchen...and I would say you have a very good idea what you like and what will work, in your space. You posted this question because you're having doubts about using the marble on every countertop...and I think you're right. But, as Athensmom said, even designers get help with their own homes...because we all tend to second guess ourselves.

Best of luck, on your search for a great designer :)

Oh, I just saw this link posted on Fishies' thread. If you imagine your wood island with marble countertop...it will give you a good idea how it would look with white cabinets, white subway tile and black perimeter countertops.

It always helps me to find a picture and sometimes even cut and paste a few pictures together...to change the island, wall color or some other feature. Of course, if you're handy with a computer, I'm sure there are more high tech ways, to get the same effect :)

Here is a link that might be useful: Link

threeapples- I think it's beautiful : ) I've been reading through quickly a couple of times and am wondering if you are able to find a slab that's quieter if that's what you like. I'm looking at Imperial Danby and have seen many variations from slab to slab of course. Maybe you can find a quieter one? I wouldn't say it's too busy though.

I found this picture (while looking for something else) and thought you might like. Not exactly like your kitchen, but close to your white cabinets, wood floor and darker island with marble (I think) top. It looks like the white subway tile backsplash, too. What do you think of the chandeliers?
{{!gwi}}From Kitchen plans

lavender, you're so nice to post those for me. i'm having a hard time describing the look i'm going for. i decided today that i'm going to do the montclair on all the counters and the island. my fear now is less the look of it and more the practicality of it. i have two kids and a husband who loves to cook.....yikes!!!!
anyway, i've not chosen a stain color for the floor or the island or the doors or the window, so i have a lot of choices left to make. but, the good news is that i hired a decorator and i think this will be very helpful for me.
i'll post back when i have more info. or some photos.

It's been 7 years, how did you kitchen turn out?