Kitchen Trend: It's Time to Marvel at Marble
See how you can make luxurious marble, or its lookalikes, work in your kitchen space
Nelly Reffet
28 August 2014
Houzz Australia Contributor. Interior Designer at Twinkle & Whistle based in Perth, Western Australia. Creating inspiring and "real" homes for every budget is my bread and butter. Well, make that "baguette and olive oil", in honour of my Mediterranean-French heritage! I believe a beautiful space is not a privilege of wealth and I love nothing more than witnessing how a considerate design positively affects my clients' life.
Houzz Australia Contributor. Interior Designer at Twinkle & Whistle based in Perth,... More
Once reserved for overly decadent or traditional homes, white marble is making a huge comeback in contemporary kitchen settings. So what type of marble attracts your attention? Could it be Calacatta or Carrara? Or perhaps a marble-look is more your go? Here is how to make this trend work … and last … for you.
WHITE ITALIAN MARBLE
As a benchtop or splashback, white Italian marble has a timeless appeal. It adds depth and texture and can have a “wow” factor in the most minimalist and contemporary kitchens. As it shows a wide spectrum of light to dark shades, marble creates a beautiful transition in a black and white kitchen, softening the sometimes cold contrast between these two hues.
As a benchtop or splashback, white Italian marble has a timeless appeal. It adds depth and texture and can have a “wow” factor in the most minimalist and contemporary kitchens. As it shows a wide spectrum of light to dark shades, marble creates a beautiful transition in a black and white kitchen, softening the sometimes cold contrast between these two hues.
Not sure how to identify your Carrara from your Calacatta? Fear not, you are not the only one and the differences between the two can be so subtle that it is sometimes hard to know which one you’re dealing with.
Calacatta marble
This is a dominantly white stone with bold veining that creates dramatic patterns.
This is a dominantly white stone with bold veining that creates dramatic patterns.
Because of its striking effect, calacatta works amazingly well in an all white kitchen where it can shine as the main feature.
It looks also beautiful associated with timber, for added warmth and softness. The timber must be as devoid of knots and features as possible in order not to compete with the bold patterns of the stone.
See more wonderfully white kitchens
It looks also beautiful associated with timber, for added warmth and softness. The timber must be as devoid of knots and features as possible in order not to compete with the bold patterns of the stone.
See more wonderfully white kitchens
Carrara marble
This tends to be much greyer and have smaller veining than calacatta. It is also much more subtle. For this reason, it looks beautiful surrounded by more “organic” decor.
It, too, is a beautiful match with timber, and can be combined with a large variety of wood types and finishes.
This tends to be much greyer and have smaller veining than calacatta. It is also much more subtle. For this reason, it looks beautiful surrounded by more “organic” decor.
It, too, is a beautiful match with timber, and can be combined with a large variety of wood types and finishes.
When used in association with bold colours, carrara marble can be youthful and fun! This material is very versatile, and because of its timeless look it can really grow with you and adapt to your house as it changes style and decor over the years.
More: 20 Gorgeous Kitchen Colour Pairings
More: 20 Gorgeous Kitchen Colour Pairings
CARING FOR MARBLE
Because it is a soft stone, marble is very absorbent. It is also easily etched by acidic substances, such as lemon, vinegar and certain cleaning products. For this reason, it is a material you have to handle and maintain with care if you intend to use it as a kitchen benchtop.
If you are worried about the practicality of marble as a benchtop, why not use it where it will still be a strong feature without being as exposed to the risks of damage? This is a good example where it is used to back a kitchen island.
Because it is a soft stone, marble is very absorbent. It is also easily etched by acidic substances, such as lemon, vinegar and certain cleaning products. For this reason, it is a material you have to handle and maintain with care if you intend to use it as a kitchen benchtop.
If you are worried about the practicality of marble as a benchtop, why not use it where it will still be a strong feature without being as exposed to the risks of damage? This is a good example where it is used to back a kitchen island.
MARBLE ALTERNATIVES
Good-quality marble is an expensive material that can put a dent in your wallet. If your kitchen is more flat-pack budget than Italian designer one, don’t cry yet, there are some alternatives for you!
Engineered stone
This tends to be less expensive and more hardwearing than marble, but with a very similar look and feel.
Good-quality marble is an expensive material that can put a dent in your wallet. If your kitchen is more flat-pack budget than Italian designer one, don’t cry yet, there are some alternatives for you!
Engineered stone
This tends to be less expensive and more hardwearing than marble, but with a very similar look and feel.
Laminate
Having come a long way since the ‘80s, today’s technology can accurately reproduce the look of marble on laminate, without the associated cost or the high maintenance issues.
Having come a long way since the ‘80s, today’s technology can accurately reproduce the look of marble on laminate, without the associated cost or the high maintenance issues.
Marble-look tiles
These can also be used as a splashback alternative to the real deal. They come in different sizes and shapes – from small squares to oversized rectangles, small fan-shapes, and everything in between. Try to select rectified tiles so that the grout is minimal.
These can also be used as a splashback alternative to the real deal. They come in different sizes and shapes – from small squares to oversized rectangles, small fan-shapes, and everything in between. Try to select rectified tiles so that the grout is minimal.
PORTABLE MARBLE?
If you are renting and cannot make structural changes to your home, you can still enjoy the beauty of marble – just opt for adding a portable marble item or two to your room.
A marble-top dining table, as an example, would make a great addition to a kitchen/dining area. These can be sourced second-hand, or a slab can be cut to your requirements if you wish to use it on a chosen table base. If your kitchen is tiny, you could simply go for small touches of marble. A marble cheese board on display or a marble mortar and pestle might just be what your kitchen needs for a touch of Italian luxury.
TELL US
What do you think of the marble trend? Have you adopted it? Let us know how in the comments section below.
MORE
Find Your Ideal Benchtop Right Here
How to Choose the Right Splashback for Your Kitchen
Kitchen Inspiration: 11 Contemporary Kitchen Tile Options
If you are renting and cannot make structural changes to your home, you can still enjoy the beauty of marble – just opt for adding a portable marble item or two to your room.
A marble-top dining table, as an example, would make a great addition to a kitchen/dining area. These can be sourced second-hand, or a slab can be cut to your requirements if you wish to use it on a chosen table base. If your kitchen is tiny, you could simply go for small touches of marble. A marble cheese board on display or a marble mortar and pestle might just be what your kitchen needs for a touch of Italian luxury.
TELL US
What do you think of the marble trend? Have you adopted it? Let us know how in the comments section below.
MORE
Find Your Ideal Benchtop Right Here
How to Choose the Right Splashback for Your Kitchen
Kitchen Inspiration: 11 Contemporary Kitchen Tile Options
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Yes, laminate can be used as a splashback. However, keep in mind it is not a heat-resistant material, so you would need to use something that is heat-resistant above the stove (like stainless steel).
I hope this helps.