I can’t add any photos of the slabs in my original post:

Just realized that i added a photo of a quartzite in third photo - was thinking of using that for wall mounted sink in powder room (have others saved also).

I did the opposite — marble on perimeter and backsplash and walnut on island. I knew the island would get the brunt of the impact because our prep sink is there. That is where we do all the work. I also thought the inevitable etches would bother me less on the perimeter than on the vast island top.

A trick that might help: I designed our kitchen with marble counters and a drawer next to the sink that contained a gazillion cutting boards in every size imaginable from single lemon sized on up. The knife drawer was right there too. Anytime we cut, it was easy and became automatic to grab a cutting board. We had so many there were always clean ones in stock. It helped a lot!

CUTTING BOARDS and IMO the islnd is my usual prep space so lots of use I love marble so the patina over time does not bother me , but common sense always rules no matter what counter you choose. BTW cutting on any hard surface is a big nono for knives

Get Danby marble, and live with the patina.

Or skip the idea of marble. Marble has been on work surfaces for centuries, on floors for centuries. If you need 24/7 perfection? You don't use it. Etching is a far more common occurrence than staining. If you can't live with etch? You're overestimating your tolerance for that imperfection as it WILL happen.

As to knives? Use a cutting board, and your head : ) unless you love very dull knives lol.

My grandmother (1884-1958) had a marble on her pantry island. She said it was the best thing for rolling out pastry. I love the look of it on an island.

You won't change his habits: ) You'd be better with a different top, than to even attempt it.

There's a long road from pristine to patina. The in-between will be stains and scratches and etching next to pristine marble. You have to decide what you can live with.

I have Olympian White Danby marble in the main work area of my kitchen, and Jet Mist granite in the bar/beverage area. They work well together because of the contrast in color and the subtlety of the patterning.

That being said, if you want to mix marble and quartz, use a plain white quartz with it. With the exception of the bookmatched quartzite, any of the marbles you posted would be a very nice choice. (Just my opinion as a homeowner--I dislike bookmatched stones.)

Again, though, marble is not for anyone worried about etches or scratches or chips. Stains are the least of the problems--I have not one stain on mine and they are 10 years old. But they are heavily etched, chipped and scratched. Doesn't bother me, and you really can't even see the etches unless the light hits it just the right way. If it's going to bother you, or stress out your relationship, then don't do it.

The island usually gets the sturdiest or most easily refinished countertop, because that is where most of the work occurs. IF the kitchen is designed correctly.

You can resurface Dupont Corian in a blink ( the original, not the quartz )

Soapstone is as bulletproof as you can get.......

But no one surface is perfect for anyone, as "perfect" is subjective.

I use my island for all of my prepping. I also have many cutting boards. I can handle the marble re: etching and other things that I know will happen - I don’t need perfection. I am only asking related to HIS use of the countertops!

The comments from Jan and Kendrah actually are right on point. I know he isn’t going to change + I do NOT want to act like a ”hall monitor” in the kitchen. He already thinks I have a lot of odd “rules” (I refer to them as ”preferences“) - and I don’t think they are atypical.

I’ve also limited them:

1. Dishes go into dishwasher right after using. There is no ”staging area” for dishes in the kitchen - just put them away.

2. Shoes off in the house. I’ve tried REALLY HARD re: taking his shoes off in the house. He wears shoes ALL THE TIME - except while in bed. I’ve lost this battle - but I still try sometimes.

3. Squeegee shower after use. Simple - takes about a minute.

4. Don’t leave the dryer full of your clothes. It’s irritating when switching stuff from washer to dryer - and the dryer is FULL.

5. Use a cutting board - do not want dull knives (or easily prevented scratches - I know there will be scratches - but no reason to cut on the counter). He’s actually really good at this one - but he’s not good re: wiping stuff up off that lands on the counter (the reason for my question).

That’s really all I want.

Okay - not all I want - but all I’ve asked for - and he still thinks I have too many rules!

Diana - the quartzite photo was added by mistake - it’s one of several materials that I’m considering for my powder room.

I’ve actually decided to use plain white quartz in my master bathroom (instead of marble) because I don’t want to play hall monitor in there either.

I also think Carrara on countertop may be overload (trying to remember to EDIT per Jan).

I need to figure out which white quartz would work best with a Carrara marble shower + walls around tub area.

I’ve actually been thinking about Corian because of everything I’ve read on Houzz. My SO thinks Corian will look old fashioned and/or cheap - but I don’t think it will. I am having a thicker mitered edge on countertop in order help limit unusable drawer space (area helps store part of sink).

If anyone wants to throw out specific white quartz/corian to go look at - pls feel free to let me know!

My husband is the same--doesn't take as much care with wiping up the marble as I would like. He THINKS he's cleaned it...I'm just more persnickety. Doesn't ever cut directly on it, we always use cutting boards. Even if you're crazy careful, you're not going to stop all the etching. Hard water etches it for goodness sake! But as I said, it's just something you live with when you have marble.

I am also going to look at Danby slabs again. While the ones I’ve seen are pretty - I am drawn to more dramatic veining. But I am sure there are lots of different looking slabs.

I also love soapstone. . .

Take a look at honed Virginia/Jet mist granite. It's a good soapstone dupe and pretty bulletproof.

Yes, I already suggested Jet Mist granite, deegw. No response to that suggestion.

OP if you are considering white quartz or white Corian (solid surfacing), there's really nothing to suggest. Go and look at the plain white ones with no pattern. There are probably 4 or 5 at most. Bring a sample of the marble you're considering to make sure they work well together.

Now your bathroom is a different story--probably a good idea to start another post on that.

Marble on island and soapstone on perimeter, with a touch of butcher block for those “cutting board moments.”

This is an older shot, as you can see the BB on the perimeter was not installed yet. The whole system works really well for me...

Diana - i forgot about the jet mist suggestion - we will be finishing our basement shortly after the kitchen/powder room/laundry + mudroom - I have been planning on jet mist for the bar area down there. It’s a nice looking granite!

@gardengrl66 z5 - that butcher block is beautiful! I have thought about incorporating a built-in section of wood - yours is unique and very pretty. Originally, I wanted a walnut countertop for my island - but that changed when I decided to do rift sawn white oak lower cabinets + island (changed from a black stained island 3-4 years ago - before I started seeing white oak lowers/painted white uppers everywhere). Thanks for sharing photos of your kitchen!

I am so excited for this to finally start - it’s been delayed for about three years . . .

I am going to post a scaled drawing of my kitchen tomorrow - it will be interesting to hear everyone’s thoughts/ideas/criticisms/advice!