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The Old House Design Dilemma Kitchens

What if I LIKE the idea of worn, etched, stained marble counter tops?

spanishsunlover

last year

I'm planning a kitchen installation in a 500-year old home in Italy and I'm going for a been-there-forever look: Farmhouse sink, traditional italian cabinetry of masonry with wooden doors, a big old-fashioned looking range and some furniture-style storage. I'm thinking of using local marble for the countertops. I know marble has the rep as high maintenance (needing regular sealing) and easily marred by staining (red wine, etc.) or etching from acids like lemon juice. If this kitchen were ina different house, I'd definitely substitute quartzite or go for another look altogether. But Im wondering if it might not be just fine to let life happen to marble countertops in a kitchen and house like this. A decade or more ago, I redid a large kitchen in the US in a 1900 townhouse. There I chose soapstone, despite knowing that it tended to chip on the edges and could get pretty battered. It did...especially along the edge of the undermounted sink. but, you know what? I still loved it. It just looked right. I'm thinking this may be the same kind of thing. Thougts?

Featured Answer

Jilly

last year

My people!

That sounds perfect and oh please please please show us your house when you can. :)

🎊celebrating a thread not wondering which gray rug looks best with gray sectional, and please recommend a giant piece of generic art over couch🎉

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Comments (16)

PRO
MDLN
last year
Yes! Wish I could have bought "used" marble for my kitchen.👍
artemis78
last year
If you have already lived with soapstone and all its idiosyncrasies and you are at peace with the idea of marble ending up etched or stained as it's used, I think that makes it the perfect project for marble--go for it! (And what a cool project!)
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I've had my honed statuary marble for 2 years. I have etching and "worn" spots where I cook and mix (and thus turn bowls) all the time. Even scratches where I slide a bowl (or laptop or something else) across the counter top. But I have no stains. As another poster said, you only see the etches (and worn parts) when the light catches it right and you are looking. The marble is still my favorite thing in my entire house. I seal with the 511 (fabricator sealed and gave me a new bottle). I've done it twice since it was new, so I guess about once a year. When water doesn't bead anymore, it's time to seal.
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I've heard glass etching stuff is what some places use. Now, take this with a grain of salt. This info is from a place that I would never want in my house. They have had terrible reviews (put the wrong edge on the counters for a customer and went to the house to correct it, in place--ruining the cabinets.) In fact they just installed cabinets in the house across the street. I didn't know it was possible to do such a bad job, even after everything I have seen on here. They had 2 different edge styles amongst other bizarre mistakes! Yes, it's being replaced. But I digress. So, maybe try it on a sample piece?
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People are likely to tell you to do a search--which is a good idea. There have been several threads on this in here and I definitely found them helpful. In the meantime, I can tell you that I have carrara on my perimeter countertops. My GC and KD both said "NO WAY" in the beginning, but I forged ahead! Mine have been in for about six weeks and I love them. The biggest cons you'll hear are staining and etching. I haven't had any staining issues at all. My husband left a lid from a margarita mix container on one counter and it did etch (acidic). But I'm pretty sure I'm the only person who can find it. What you'll generally hear on here is that if you're willing to live with some "patina" meaning some etching and possibly staining (though there are poultice recipes that people seem to have great success with), then marble is a great choice. If you want a completely blemish-free surface, it may not be for you. Definitely do a search on here, though--and good luck!
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cpartist
last year
I love worn marble so wouldn't have a problem at all. It has character. In fact my bathroom has onyx countertops and 3 years later, even though there is some minor "wear" I love it even more. In a house in Italy, I'd expect marble.
latifolia
last year
I've had marble for going on eight years and it still looks extremely good. I think I've only sealed it once. My bad. So your patina may take awhile!

Having lived in Europe many years, I'm familiar with the masonry cabinets. While they have character, you may miss the convenient modern features like drawers and pullouts. And who really wants to crawl on the floor to get stuff from lower shelves. They also limit storage space.

Love the range, a big hood, farmhouse sink and marble, though.
chinacatpeekin
last year
Your ideas for your kitchen sound perfect. Please keep us posted with updates and photos!
pennfire
last year
I used marble in my kitchen because my love of old, patina marble i saw in Europe growing up.
lucky998877
last year
Sounds like the perfect choice for an old Italian kitchen...that's what they have been using forever!
PRO
Debbi Washburn
last year
Yes please!! please please. And then post pictures. I love the look of a well worn marble top . It has so many stories to tell
elizabeth_eclectic
last year
Go for marble! I love love love mine. I even got an unlaquered brass farmhouse sink for the patina and it’s glorious!
JP L
last year
I just want to say I love you and your marble countertops. Sometimes I feel like an alien on this site where everyone seems to want to reside in a museum or a sterile store display - I want a HOME - a lived in, comfortable, makes me feel all warm inside HOME. Those marks on the counters are PROOF OF LIFE - embrace them! Your kitchen sounds fantastic. A 500 year old house in Italy? What a dream!
PRO
Flo Mangan
last year
Do what you love. But if you want alternative look at Virginia Mist granite sometimes called Jet Mist. You can do it honed and it looks like soapstone but easier to live with.
PRO
Joseph Corlett, LLC
last year
Top chipping, particularly at sinks, has more to do with edge profile selection than with material.
decoenthusiaste
last year
last modified: last year
Check out Kylie Flavell's YouTube channel (Renovating a Ruin.) She seems to know where to shop for old original stuff for her Italian home(s)
Connecticut Yankeeeee
last year
Great idea! I have always considered doing this in a future home. My favorite used stone was in a museum’s bathroom, probably 120 years old. Gosh, it was so gorgeous, just as it was. I hope you’ll post an update if you go that way.
Paula Anderson
last year
Omg you are so lucky, pictures please I’m starting a reno on our 150 year old farm house , my new husband is a real farmer so he’s lived here most of his life! It’s challenging I’m looking at an alternative to those beautiful Italian ranges ,and I love love Marble, we live in Canada so it’s hard to find some of the things I’d like to get at least at affordable prices, I love reclaimed things though and am excited to see your place

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