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Crema Marfil countertops?

13 years ago

I am thinking about getting honed (or even leathered or antiqued) Crema Marfil kitchen countertops. I've read all the posts about marble, and I think I can accept etching.

I love the Carrara and Calcutta Gold countertops, but I think the look is too formal for my house. Plus, no Danby is available in my area, nor any of the lovely Princess granite I've seen on this site. I was quoted a price on a great quartz but the cost is twice as high as most marbles (plus it might be a little silly with my builder's grade countertops -- though I recently painted them white and they now look pretty good).

I even thought about IKEA wood countertops, but I have an outrageously angular kitchen, and I think the seams would be a real mess and I'd still only save maybe 1500 bucks.

Thoughts on the Crema Marfil, anyone? Pics?

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reel_life
Original Author

13 years ago

Thanks for putting that $.02 in Kevin, I've got no problem with dissent! Trying to make the right move for our family, here. I am definitely weighing how it will hold up over time. Are you anti-marble for kitchens in general, or is it just a Crema Marfil issue? As I said, I loved a quartz that I found, but the price was really hefty. Plus, I just don't care for the look of granite (though I like honed or leathered granite better than the polished kind). The only granite available around here in the colors I like are river white, kashmir white - and I just don't care much for them. I am curious if they would look less spotty and more consistent if they were leathered or something.

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Comments (11)

kitchenaddict
13 years ago
Hi reel life..

My backsplash is made of tumbled crema marfil mable. What's not to love? I sealed it and try to wipe it down so that it stays as clean and as beautiful as the day it was installed. I wasn't as brave as you about using marble as a counter top, but the look is gorgeous. Hopefully someone will share a picture of it as a counter. Would love to see that! Good Luck!

KA:)
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reel_life
Original Author
13 years ago
Thank you so much kitchenaddict! Crema Marfil seems so warm and classy. It is so hard to find pictures of it being used as a countertop! I'm glad you love the backsplash. No problems with oily residue staining it or anything?
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I did a brick wall in my kitchen, but left it as is, I did not paint it. My brick is unsealed, I have no issues with cleaning it at all. HOWEVER you are specifically asking about painting it. In my opinion, I don't think I would do that. Although I always envisioned that some 10-15 years down the road if I get bored with my kitchen I could change it up with painting the brick, walls, cabinets, as people do. But I envisioned maybe doing a whitewash kinda thing, I think it's called limewash?? Or somehow giving it that crumbly/whiteish look. Thin brick veneer comes in many different colors, not just the classic red brick. I'd look into that first, as opposed to painting it. Painting it - I think - will make it look a bit more one dimensional. The look of the brick with its "mortar" (grout) is what makes it look interesting, textural, and authentic. Is it just the texture you are after?? If so brick gives you that, if it's just a matter of color matching your countertops, then you can install beadboard and paint that. Or just leave the walls as is and paint that. Paint is so scrubbable these days, and who cares if you'd have to touch up the paint in two years! But then I would do ANYTHING besides tile, but that's just me.
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azstoneconsulting
13 years ago
I would not recommend Crema Marfil for a kitchen countertop.

IMHO - this stone (which we in the industry affectionately refer to CM as Crema Landfill...HA!) is too porous and soft to stand up to the punishment it will receive in a conventional kitchen countertop application....

I would look at a granite or engineered stone that has the colors you want, but not all the other qualities that are found in CM.......

sorry to be the one to dissent, but I have worked with CM way more than I want to, and it's ok in a bath lav or on a backsplash - but not on a kitchen counter top - if it were my house - I would NOT put CM on my kitchen counters

hth

kevin
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margcooks
13 years ago
We just installed (honed) crema marfil tiles in our hall bathroom, and are using polished crema marfil for our surround/hearth for the fireplace and NOW the stone yard and my GC tell me that it's a really soft stone. I know now first-hand, as the first hearth stone cracked in half before installation. I'm keeping my fingers crossed, but I would NOT recommend it for a countertop--maybe a backsplash would be OK because nothing heavy is going to fall on it to crack or chip it. Good luck.
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Jewl4Joe
12 years ago
I just ordered crema marfil for my island top, even though everyone on here has recommended against it.
gkfenton
7 years ago
I just ordered cream marfil for my counter tops. Suppose to be installed weeknof 1/22/17. Had to sign at least 6 papers denying responsibility. Am getting a 15 yr warranty on stains but company says" if there is a problem, don't call us! Call DuPont". Company was adamant about NOT fabricating a fancy edge for fear of cracking".
Rachel Nye
6 years ago
any feedback of those that have it? I have crema marfil in our living room floors no stains some etching from me not knowing how to clean them. But I think it will be the only thing I am happy with on counters. Crema marfil to the left, quartz and quartzite as the other samples
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gkfenton
6 years ago
DO NOT GET IT!! You cannot put anything on it that could possible spill or drip, particularly oil or anything from the frig. Although WARNED, l loved the soft look and purchase it anyway. I have yo put a hand towel on the marble countertops when I use it. Marblecraft would not put an edge to it for fear it would crack. I already have a chip by the sink and areas that have natural marks dark spots are staring to get deeper pits! Glo1
cyc2001
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
Consider taj mahal quartzite instead. It has a similar soft look and is more durable.
Rachel Nye
6 years ago
I got a sample of the taj mahal quartzite it has a lot of green to it
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