Andi- Thank you...that's really pretty :) KCRemodeler- That sounds wonderful! I'm looking forward to seeing your pictures. Fishies- I think you're right, but I'm trying to minimize the damage, so I thought the small island might get less abuse. We'll see... Boxerpups- Beautiful pictures, as always! Thank you, for all the options. I really like the last one, as I'm thinking about a small island or work table. My blue Arborite is no more and the one place in the city nearby, didn't even know what Arborite was! So, I don't think they'll be having any sales on display models. LOL Here are the bunny tiles and blue arborite I was hoping to use...which I'm sure most of you have seen :) From Lavender Lass farmhouse pictures From Lavender Lass farmhouse pictures I know I want white cabinets for the perimeter, but if there's no blue...I like this picture...and thought maybe I could paint the island/work table the blue, with a marble top, to go with this. What do you think? From Courtyard Garden album And for those of you, who have seen my earlier plan...our contractor said it would be very difficult to put the bedroom wing onto the existing house...and expensive. So, I'm back to my ealier plan, with all the porches and a corner banquette! Sorry, it's so light, but it's a copy. From Courtyard Garden album

I did not see the original posting, but neither photo looks like what is called Mont Blanc in my area. I purchased three slabs of Mont Blanc quartzite in Anaheim, southern California. This is a stone that is quarried in Brazil and looks similar to Perla Veneta. I had considered White Macaubus, which is more white, but decided I wanted to go with a warmer color. .

I’ve been in the stone restoration business for over 20 years and have seen many other solutions to keep marble counters from etching over the years. The MORE AntiEtch treatment is the first one that actually caught my attention because on most stones, it maintains the look and feel of the stone and doesn’t look like plastic sitting on top of your marble counters. When there are complaints about this product, it boils down to 3 problems: 1) The contractor not advertising accurately and setting proper expectations 2) If the contractor did explain the benefits and limitations, the consumer not paying attention and just thinking that the treatment will make their counters ”bulletproof” 3) Poor application/finishing by the contractor The product itself does exactly what it is meant to do when applied and finished properly. We always explain the benefits and limitations of the AntiEtch product to our potential customers, including providing them with a copy of MORE Surface Care’s AntiEtch Care and Maintenance Instructions and a copy of the Warranty to be reviewed before even approving the work to be done. I feel that all AntiEtch authorized applicators should be very clear about the fact that the treatment will stop etching, but it does not stop scratching, scuffing, etc. Etching is the main eyesore on marble counters, and this product eliminates that problem.

I've got one long run of marble countertop in my kitchen and a marble vanity top in my bathroom--both honed. There may be minor etching, but if so I don't even notice it. I think it all really boils down to how laid back you are vs how compulsive you are and if you want a showcase kitchen or a truly used kitchen. About a month ago I was concerned about a yellowed ring from a soap dispenser on my bathroom top. I tried cleaning it but it was still visible (to me). Within a couple days it had disappeared. Perhaps some of these things just balance out after time. FWIW a few years ago we visited Ostia Antica which is about 30 miles outside of Rome and used to be the seaport for the city. One of the ruins there is a 2000 year old tavern kitchen. Guess what the counters were? They are still around with a bit of patina.