I'm assuming the weight is factored in. We are using a popular, high-end kitchen designer. Then again, is there an issue with using a slab? The kitchen plan has two sides/walls with an island - so an L shape. The side with the range and upper cabinets will be completely covered by the marble slab but the other side/wall of the kitchen, which is directly across from the island, doesn't have cabinets and we would only be extending the marble up to be even with the end of the cabinets on the range wall. I guess one of my issues is I don't know if it is worth in to spend that much when the main accent wall is at an angle, rather than in direct view of the island seating and dining room table. Also, I think I would be saving a ton by using even a high end marble subway tile.

Just to clarify...these plans are from our architect. He has been working with a struc. engineer and together they have determined that we can not get away without any columns. Our hope was to not have any columns, but they told me these are the minimum. Our goal is to have an open floorplan. The original old house was a series of many separated little rooms. We have gone through many!! variations. The original home space creates a few awkward spaces however it is laid out. We are working within existing spaces. This plan is the best of them. The kitchen layout has not been streamlined yet, regarding sink location, etc. However, I'm not sure what is meant by "disproportionate" - as it is a fairly straightforward U-shaped kitchen layout. The cooktop will be centered on the island. The sink will be to the left of the cooktop, although farther away from the cooktop as needed. The ovens will be located on the right end of the U (landing space behind on island right), the refrigerator on the left end of the U (landing space behind on island left). The posts did move in the two images, same vertical plane. Architect had them inset, but I wanted them moved to the ends so as not to impede chair/stool space. The idea is to have the columns integrate into the end of the island, would be at the end of the island, whether 4' or 6' island.

Wow! I can't believe I got so many comments on this. So happy and will read through it all later today. You people ROCK! Just a quick update, we live on LI and found fabricator we like, Marbleline in Westbury. Stella is great and so helpful. Today we just found Calacatta Gold Bhorgini marble at European Marble in Farmingdale (Dubon Ct.) honed that is the slab I want (if I win the battle) they are also great there and I thought their selection was the best I've seen so far in marble, granite. They have multiple locations but when they get a lot, they split it up between locations so you don't have to trek into Brooklyn to see it all, the Melville location will have it. kerri helped me and they are so friendly and nice. We also found a granite and quartzite piece we like in case we (me) get talked out of marble. I am holding strong and preparing to present my case to DH and do my research. We took a chunk of carerra marble and taj mahal quartzite home (Stella's idea from marbleline) and we're planning to test it ourselves. I've seen photos of honed marble with etching and I'm ok with it. My tests will be with jelly, tea, wine, coffee, lemon, peanut butter, oj, grape juice, Gatorade, butter, honey, milk, cereal, ice cream (can you tell I have kids!!) and see how it turns out. On a daily basis this kind of stuff happens on my counters today so I expect this to continue...... sigh...... I just think that I love marble so much that even with the patina over time, it will still be stunning.

I am a small fabricator who specializes in high end quality and cutting edge design in the central Florida area. Cambria is a no brainer for my clients who want really special engineered stone surfaces. With that being said, this price increase is very true. My cost has gone up 30% for Cambria. While I will still continue to offer Cambria products in my showroom, I will say that the price increase has caused three of my clients to either choose another product or simply find another fabricator all together. in either case, Cambria has lost three sales in January alone out of my little store. One of those sales I lost all together, but the other two chose another brand. As one user above has posted, time will tell if this price increase impacts Cambria's total sales/profit and ultimately gets their attention to address the pricing structure. I love Cambria, but I am not sure I will sell as many Cambria jobs as I did before the price increase.