My island is a piece of pastry marble that was put into a kitchen in the 1880s. I am the second owner and since it was an institutional kitchen, I don't think it had an easy first life and not knowing all the "no-nos" about marble, I haven't been kind to it either. But it is OLD marble. I've put everything on it, never seal it and perhaps that has created a patina. But I LOVE that marble. Look at a) old Victorian tables with marble tops -- they also have a great patina. There are old Victorian era kitchens/Butler's pantries that have marble as well and they have a patina. When I redid my kitchen counters, I ran into the same brick wall and one company even said, if I wanted marble they wouldn't guarantee it and I would be back in a couple of years for something else so I understand. I say if you want it, go for it!

I was in the same place as you. Every single person, said don't, but one. He was the templater for the company that ended up being the fabricator and installer of my counters.

I have had them for almost 2 months. Still singing to me. Yes they have little white chips, yes they have etching..even found a little spot that stained, but they are amazing and beautiful.

They make my kitchen what I envisioned. Each thing I do gets me closer to the best room in the house.

Here are a couple of pictures of my island.

While I don't have marble yet, I will one day!! For me there is no substitute. I am ready for the patina, etching, and all that comes with marble. We currently have limestone counters that were installed by previous owners. I love them as well and all their etching, pock marks, and yes, even the stains.

Get the marble!!

I was looking at honed, which is more expensive. The polished isn't like a high gloss quartz. The polish affords a bit of stain proofing as well.

They fabricators did put a sealant on, but I'm not sure that I will continue that.

I do not have marble yet either, but feel the same way you do! While I love my moms quartz, and my sisters granite- I feel like they will be sick of them in ten years.. but who gets sick of timeless marble?! my favourite are 'patina' marble ones, and I can't wait to have mine soon! Go for it!!

Go for it. My neighbor has Carrera and she bakes for a small business. Lots of work on the marble and it looks fine to me.

If however, you are the kind of person that freak over a small spot that can only be seen at a certain angle at a specific time of day, then no.

Very happy with my honed marble, would do it again.

LOVE my 4 years old honed carrara marble countertops and island

Oic57 and MDLN, you'd do it again???

So thankful for all these replies!!!

I am definitely not the person that will freak out over a spot (well, I'm sure I'll freak over the FIRST spot, and then move on and love the marble. seriously, I feel like I'd HUG my honed carrara!!) Thanks everyone for giving me the confidence to say what I want and stick with it!

Yes, I will do it again!

Without a doubt, especially since it was less expensive than my 2nd, 3rd, and 4th choices.

Anna- Did you get the marble? I’m going through the same issue! My kitchen designer and stone salesperson are both trying to talk me out of marble! I LOVE MARBLE!!! I have two antique wash stands that are well over 100 years old. Do they have stains? Yes! Do they have chips? Yes! But they are beautiful! I’m digging my heals in, but hoping I don’t regret it. After reading all the comments on this thread I think I’m making the right decision for ‘ME’.