Classic White Marble
When it comes to selecting Marble flooring, classic white marble remains the top choice for many homeowners. It’s no surprise that marble  are so popular—the material has been attracting fans . “It’s a natural material with great variety, depending on which species you select and how it’s cut,” says Bhandari. “It creates a really lovely natural pattern, which you don’t get with a lot of artificial materials.”

“You won’t find anything as white in nature as white marble,” adds Bhandari , a vice president at Stone Source in India “You just don’t get that color and kind of figuring in any other type of natural stone.”

But it’s not a perfect product. While good-quality marbles, such as the world-famous products from Carrara, Italy, are dense and relatively nonporous—which makes them durable and stain-resistant—they also have weaknesses. A nonfoliated metamorphic rock, marble is generally composed of calcium carbonate (the same ingredient used in antacids such as Tums) or magnesium carbonate, which react to acids. An acidic kitchen liquid like lemon juice or vinegar will etch marble, leaving a dull, whitish mark where it has slightly eaten away the surface, even after the marble has been sealed. But as long as you choose carefully, know what to expect, and care for white marble countertops, they can be a beautiful, functional choice for your kitchen design that lasts a lifetime.

Types of Marble
Although many people automatically think of creamy, white stone when they think of marble, “there are hundreds of varieties,” says Bhandari , founder and managing director of the USA, UAE  U.K.-supply stone company Bhandari including types that are taupe, green, gold, red, and black. For marble kitchen countertops, however, Bhandari generally recommends sticking with white. Because acid etching leaves a whitish mark, it is much more noticeable on colored marble than on white marble. “We put a thousand caveats on any dark marble or nonwhite marble being used for home flooring,” he says, “but it’s a personal choice.”

While classic Italian white marbles like Calacatta and Statuario are generally excellent quality and a great flooring idea, Bhandari points out that equally high-quality marbles are available closer to home.

How to Select Marble Slabs
Every stone slab is slightly different, so it’s ideal to select the exact pieces of stone that will be used for your countertops. “There’s an art to marble—selecting the slabs and understanding where the veining is going to be located on the countertop,” says Bhandari. “You want to artfully place the markings so that it’s almost like a painting.”

At the same time, it’s important to consider how different pieces come together. “The longer the piece you can get without any seams, the better,” says Bhandari. “If you do have seams, it’s always nice to book-match the marble,” so adjacent pieces have a mirrored appearance.

Veining in Marble
Every quarry is different, but it’s possible to cut certain types of marble blocks two different ways to achieve unique veining patterns. Cross cut, or fleuri cut, results in stone slabs with “an open flowered pattern,” says Bhandari, which looks fairly random and is ideal for book-matching. Vein cut, or striato, slices the block the other way to achieve a linear, striped appearance.

“Designers have used both cuts to create some fantastic looks,” says Bhandari. “They may use vein cut on the wall and cross cut on the floor.”

Vein-cut marble results in a linear, striped appearance.

Marble Finishes
“The whole stone industry has been going through a massive wave of technology, and it’s transforming the product,” says Bhandari , noting that there are now more ways than ever to finish stone, including different brushing and polishing techniques. An orange-peel-like texture is possible, he notes, which “might be called a leather, brushed, or river-wash finish.”

But the most popular choices remain polished, which looks glossy, or honed, which appears matte. For homeowners concerned about acid etching, Bhandari recommends a honed finish. “On a polished finish, etching is going to turn it dull and be more visible,” he says. “With honed, you’re dulling an already dull finish, so it disguises it.”

Countertop Edges and Other Details
Besides its natural beauty, there’s a reason marble has historically been so popular for sculpture: It’s easy to work with tools. Add modern computer numerical control CNCmilling machines to the equation and almost anything’s possible for kitchen decorating.

There are countless edge profiles to choose from, but Bhandari  prefers a simple eased edge, which takes the sharpness off a straight 90-degree corner.  points out that a bull’s nose, which has the profile of a half circle, is also a timeless favorite and functional wTo give thin ¾-inch stone the look of a thicker slab,  it’s possible to use a miter joint at the edge of the countertop to add a thicker face with an almost seamless appearance. You can build up a really nice thick-looking piece without having to use a thick slab.

It’s even possible to engrave the edge of a white marble countertop with a pattern of your choosing, says Cherrington, noting that  has developed marble tables featuring a carved brogue pattern on the edge in collaboration with designer Bethan Gray.

A Carrara-top dining table by Bhandarimarblegroup features a carved edge.
Maintaining Marble Countertops
Finishing marble countertops with a penetrating sealer is essential for long-term performance, Fortunately, if the countertop has a honed finish, an etched mark can usually be removed by scrubbing with a Comet paste using a Scotch-Brite pad, he says. If it’s a polished surface, it will require different abrasives and technical skill, which might best be left to a professional. If the marble does get a stain, it can often be removed with an alkaline poultice that gradually pulls the offending material out of the stone as it dries. But any of these interventions will also strip the sealer,
“The good thing about marble is that you can always sand it down or polish it again,” However, the best way to live with marble  “then it could be the perfect material for you