As long as you come to terms with the fact that it will develop a patina, I'd also say go for it. Ours has only been in for 3-4 weeks and it already has a couple of tiny etch marks and one tiny chip (the chip may have been there previously - they had to fill in a few of these and it may have been missed). Sealing should keep it from staining but it will etch from all those things you mentioned above (and mouthwash, harsh soaps, etc). Even so, I love ours and wouldn't trade for anything. I gaze at it lovingly at least once a day. If you can, choose the piece yourself. We were able to and got a really bright piece with a gorgeous pure white streak running through it. Granite is nice too and I love our kitchen granite, but I have never gazed at it lovingly. There is also a quartz (manmade) product that mimicks the look of carerra but is suppose to be more durable. Can't remember the name at the moment. HTH tchbls - will we see pix soon?

The JSI factory is in Fall River MA. The address is: 485 Commerce Drive, Fall River, MA 02720 All of the displays are there and the cabinets are really lovely. However, they don't have full-extension drawers and only self-close not soft close. The drawers close hard/load. I was working with Stacey at Woodlist.com. He got me an appointment to see them. Their site also has a good list of the cabinets and trims available with sketches. The price point is higher than Nieghbors, but Stacey said that was flexible. Their link is below. I also went and saw the Kabinart cabinets that are available from mfkusa.com. They are great! There are lots of choices in doors, colors, cabinets and trim. The construction is top notch. The price is comparable to the JSI line. Has any one used the Kraftmaid cabinet buyer that goes to the warehouse for you? Here is a link that might be useful: Woodlist cabinets

I am convinced now that it's a mindset thing. If you are the type where crumbs on the counter, water rings on a table, etc will bug you to distraction, then you may be susceptible to a problem with marble. But your attitude can change. Admittedly I was more high strung as a parent of small children. I learned to let go a bit as a parent of older kids and teenagers. I realize that certain things are not "on my radar" and other things are what catches my attention--things just change. People come to this realization at different times in their life. I came upon it earlier after being diagnosed with cancer. Many things just don't bug me anymore. They just can't have high priority. Yet, I have a friend who everything bugs her--that's fine. She can't have anything out of place--just her style. She wouldn't have marble, but since I don't care if there is etching, I will. Kids can co-habitate with marble--thousands of Italian families can attest to this. Yet, there will be some who it just won't work for--totally OK :) Once upon a time, I couldn't have anyone throw a jacket on the floor...it would make me start screaming at one of my children. Now I just walk right by those same jackets crumpled into a ball in the entry....it mystifies even me. It's like I somehow got immunity to those things like a peanut-allergy patient who has been clinically de-sensitized to peanuts! Marble is a real choice in my future for the first time in 20 years!

Unfortunately I didn't take any photos when I saw the slab here in SoCal. But, I don't think I would recommend the New Carrara. The slabs have been coming in quite gray. AZ tile will admit it. We were deciding between New Carrara and Calacatta Zeus. The 12" samples we got made us think for sure New Carrara veining but when we saw them in person, Calacatta Zeus was actually really lovely. Bigger movements of more subtle light grey veining. Carrara was a lot more activity with all over swirls. And again, very grey. We did slate colored lower cabinets and so happy we got more contrast with the white countertops. It also matches very well with our white upper cabinets. That all being said.. I don't see Calacatta Zeus on Arizona Tile's website any longer. I know there have been issues with the tariffs being put into place, but if you can grab some slabs, do it!