I appreciate oldryder's first post - why wouldn't we want to take care of our belongings? I even took care of my old, nasty laminate. I've always used large cutting boards and trivets, whatever protection was necessary for the job. I'm careful of contamination and cross-contamination and clean thoroughly as I cook. I am forever grateful to romy for turning me on to the Range Kleen pads and I don't just use them on the marble. I protect all my surfaces. I keep two out at all times, one next to the range and one as a beverage station next to the fridge. It works with our lifestyle. I've had our Danby several months now and I couldn't be happier with it. No stains, etches, or chips. We don't cover all the surfaces and we're still under construction so it's had its share of tool drops though I don't recommend that. I love the variation of very light to dark and of course the sparkle which is difficult to capture in photos. I originally wanted mostly white with gentle veining, but love the interest and texture the veining gives. I also have an antiqish (we're guessing 1930's) polished marble side table. It is still beautiful. It is not babied and does have water ring etching though you wouldn't know unless you're at an extreme angle and the light is just right. In fact, I did not know it had etches until I got on my hands and knees and looked for it. I've used it as en entry table with a chair next to it so it does get abuse-drinks, keys, drop zone. Patina in the upper left corner. I also agree with peony4s wise words, although I asked quite a few of my friends' early 30's kids (male and female), and my 20 something daughter when I was in the choices phase, and they all picked the marble and love it now. Christina222's quartzite and marble combo is gorgeous. Maybe that's the best solution for you, especially if you love polished.

Hey all, Just want to add that we have decided to do all marble after all. I had loved reading the responses on this thread that were encouraging and then we went to the stoneyard and fell in love with a marble called Bardiglio Nuvolato Apuano amost instantly (that sure is a mouthful, lol!). It will complement the VOP Extra marble we had picked for our island, which is like a clean Statuario with grayish purple swooshes (the technical term, I believe). The Bardiglio has a gray base with wild black & white throughout. It is what I would have designed if I knew it were possible. I wanted to come back and thank those who had shared their happy marble stories because that helped us decide to not listen to the fabricator nor stoneyard salesperson when they advised against any marble in a kitchen and to follow our hearts. I guess we are lucky in that we both agree on this counter so much that no one can point a finger if it is a mistake, lol. I will buy a ton of Miracle 511, so you may want to add some of their stock to your portfolio now ;) Thanks again! Here is a link that might be useful: Bardiglio thread

Thanks Dash3108. hswsc-Here are some pictures of what flanks my range. To the left is a lazy susan cabinet that I had made bigger each way so I could store cookie sheets and cake pans on either side. On the right is a two drawer cabinet for pots and pans. ppbenn-You are right. The breadbox area has a 23 inch high backsplash. Don't know why. It is okay for me since I am pretty tall, but I probably wouldn't do it on purpose. Hope this hood insert picture helps. ="0" alt="Photobucket"/>

have finished the 4th remodel (wow 2 yrs since earlier post on this thread!). Used all white (no patterns speckles or veining) in MasterBath, Butlers Pantry Wet Bar, and as BACKSPLASH in Kitchen whose counters are Stainless Steel. (the rest of kitchen is all white cabinetry with brushed metal pulls). No qu that the white is stunning, crisp, pleasant. MasterBath is fine. Butlers Pantry: the white counter is unforgiving and shows everything. So on a second bathroom we chose white with a little gray veining and that has been excellent / easier. Kitchen all white backsplash with white cabs above below has been great and VERY easy clean (we cook a lot and use spices that stain too). But the all white in kitchen would have been intolerable as a counter for us. Stainless steel is not for everyone but 3 kitchen renos later, (2 remain actively in use) we love its cleanliness and the patina and very, very low maintenance. It looks surprisingly good with Cesarstone / Quartzite type stone products