Types of Marble for Kitchen and Bathroom Countertops

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Interior designers continue to describe marble countertops as the ultimate in elegance and luxury. Despite some practical limitations that make it less than ideal from a functional perspective when it comes to kitchen use, marble is still a strong contender for choices in kitchen countertops.
The great thing about marble is that it is available in a much wider range of hues than most people think. White is the most common color, but this ranges from pure white to a very pale pink or blue. You can also find green, reddish pink, salmon pink, blue-gray, blue-black, and black marble. This makes it a great choice for many parts of the home to complement all types of décor.

Marble is also available in a variety of grains and veining patterns that makes each type of marble distinct. It is not always obvious to most people. But these subtle differences have a significant impact on the overall look and flair to a room. The type of marble you choose for your kitchen counters will dictate the type of kitchen you have.
To help you decide on the marble to choose for your kitchen, here is a brief description of different types of the most popular options.

Carrara

Carrara marble is probably the most popular type of marble for kitchen and bathroom counters as well as floors and wall tiles. As the name implies, it mostly comes from Carrara in Italy, although some marble slabs may originate from Tuscany.

Most people think that Carrara marble is always white, but in fact, it is also available in blue-gray or gray. For kitchens and bathrooms, white Carrara marbles is ideal. It has linear veining patterns that are either feathery soft or fine, and some slabs can have a subtle drama about it. Most people prefer stark white Carrara marble for its pristine look.

Statuary

Less well know but equally as dramatic as its celebrity cousin, Carrara marble, Statuary Classic marble also comes from the Carrara region. It is also a white marble, but with a semi-translucent look to it that throws the light gray vein patterns into dramatic relief. It is brighter and more reflective than Carrara marble, and has a glossy feel to it.

Calacatta

Another popular mostly white marble, Calacatta marble is actually quite rare and rather expensive consequently. Many people confuse it with the more readily available Carrara, which is probably why it seems common.

Calacatta marble also comes from Italy, mostly in the Apuan Mountains in the Carrara region, and is often white with gray veins. However, Calacatta marble has a pure white background and thick, dark gray and/or gold veins that distinguish it from other types of white marble.
The distinct veining patterns and color variations make it look much more dramatic than regular white marbles. When it has gold streaks or veins, it only adds to the richness of the stone. Depending on how you match it with other colors, it can impart a cool or warm look. This versatility is why designers and homeowners with an eye for luxury want it.

Nero Marquina marble

If you are skeptical about real marble being black, that would be understandable. Marble is a metamorphosed rock, and originates from limestone, which is mostly white. However, there really is true black marble, and that is the Nero Marquina marble or Marmol Negro. It comes from the Basque Country in Spain, specifically in the Marquina region.

In appearance, Nero Marquina is a deep black stone with pure white veins, which in some slabs can almost overwhelm the black background. It is much in demand in Spain and globally. And is an important marble for its high quality, fine grain and dramatic look.
Nero Marquina marble is beautiful, and the ideal stone for elegant black-and-white kitchens and bathrooms. The great thing is that it is readily available, so you will not have to pay an arm and a leg to use it for your marble countertops.

Crema Marfil marble

Another marble of Spain, the Crema Marfil is a colored marble, ranging from a uniform light beige to yellow background and interspersed with irregular vein patterns. The neutral color makes it an ideal stone for bathroom and kitchen countertops for complementing dark-colored cabinets and other natural stones.

Crema Marfil marble is quite common, so it is readily available for many uses in the home aside from marble countertops. You can use it for the floor, fireplace surrounds, and wall cladding.

Conclusion

Marble countertops are a great idea if you want to elevate the look of kitchen or bathroom to elegance. The wide variety of colors and vein patterns make it versatile, and these relatively common options make it quite affordable. If you want to know the options already available to you, visit the showroom of a reputable natural stone countertop provider in your area.

Keystone Marble and Granite is your best bet if you are in the areas of Columbus, Ohio, Delaware cities, Lancaster and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. We have showrooms in Lancaster and Horsham, Pennsylvania as well as New Castle, Delaware and Columbus, Ohio where you can readily see the marble slabs we have available.

We will walk you through each slab and explain how each can benefit you in your kitchen or bathroom remodel. Also we carry hundreds of granite slabs if you are exploring other options.

If you prefer engineered stones, we also carry the top brands in the industry such as Cambria, Caesarstone, Silestone, and MSI, all with manufacturer warranties.

Once you have chosen your slabs, we provide free professional design consultation and quotes. So, you know exactly where you are before committing. We also have a quick turnaround, so you will get your products on time and on budget.

We are experts at fabricating and installing marble, engineered stone and granite countertops, so you can be confident that you will get the very best in product and service quality. Give us a call or send us an inquiry through our website to set the ball rolling!