Some people think that marble as a kitchen design portrays luxury and beauty, class in fact. On the other hand, other people deem it too cold and sterile due to its heaviness and rigidness. There seems that there are no middle grounds here, you are either pro or contra. If you did set your mind on using it, here are some thoughts on what you should pay attention to in terms of size of the elements, their shape, installation and maintenance.
Shape
Marble is a natural and rigid material and you are somewhat limited when the choice of shapes is concerned. Somewhat being said for a reason, since, the recommended and most common shapes of marble are oval and rectangular, practically the usual shapes of elements you would normally use in the kitchen. However, despite these limitations, a gifted hand can create beautiful works of art by carving marble and you will easily find a special place for them in your kitchen as well. Check out these splendid images for inspiration. One thing, thou, requires special attention. Make sure the edges are rounded because if you leave them sharp you will certainly regret it. In this case, sharp does mean sharp and those edges would be a permanent danger.
Size
Practically all the limitations when size is the matter are due to heaviness of marble. For example, if you wish to have a thick and long countertop, make sure the legs can withstand it. The more fragile they are the thinner marble you will have to use. Other than that, you are safe, whichever length and width you choose the marble peace will be delivered. According to the renowned Sydney-based suppliers of floor tiles, all marble tiles, as well as any other elements, are calibrated to +/- 1mm, unless you specifically note otherwise.
Installing marble is a hassle-free activity. If you got the dimension right you basically have to put it in the desired place and forget about it. Due to its heaviness, there rarely is a need of tightening it to the surface. However, if this does not leave you at rest and you want to use tightening screws, ask the company you bought the elements from to drill all the necessary holes since it requires craftsmanship and special tools.
Maintenance
Marble is prone to staining and even more to etching. Almost anything you put on your countertop will leave a stain, even water. Most of them can be removed using suitable cleaners and you will have no trouble finding nonaggressive marble ones, but be prepared to clean your marble surfaces constantly if you want them to look clean. Etching, on the other hand, is something you have to accept as unavoidable. Calcium Carbonate, the primary component of marble reacts with acid substances that are found in tomato sauce and orange juice, among others. As you can see, no matter how precautious you are, marble is bound to show signs of etching and if you are prepared to tolerate occasional stains and imminent etchings, once again, there is no reason to avoid marble.
Hopefully, we solved any dilemma you had and reinforced your decision to choose marble. If you are prepared to tolerate its minor downsides years of enjoying its beauty and class are ahead of you.
