Creating Your Ideal Kitchen With Marble

If you enjoy spending time in the kitchen, it's essential to create an environment that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing. Designing your dream kitchen requires careful planning and research.

One of the best decisions you can make for your kitchen layout is choosing a high-quality work surface. Pristine marble worktops are a top choice for many homeowners due to their elegance and durability.

Here’s what you need to know about marble worktops and the key considerations to keep in mind when making your selection.

Marble & Porous Stones

Marble is a metamorphic rock composed mainly of recrystallized calcite or dolomite. Throughout history, it has been used to construct cathedrals, statues, and homes. Today, marble is also popular for interior design, especially for kitchen worktops and bathrooms. But did you know that marble is a 'porous' stone?

When we say marble stones are 'porous,' we mean they have tiny pores through which air and liquids can pass.

Microscopic Pores in Stones?

That's right! These pores are an important consideration when choosing worktops:

The wrong combination of stone and spillage can ruin your new kitchen worktop.

In some ways, the porous nature of marble makes it beautiful but risky. There are solutions to this, such as choosing a robust and resistant finish or researching which types of marble are less porous.

If you want to avoid this risk, quartz is an excellent choice as it is non-porous. This means you can have a gorgeous worktop without worrying about spillage. Quartz is highly resilient, so we recommend considering it if possible.

Honed Matte or Shiny & Polished Finish?

Choosing a marble worktop for your kitchen is a significant decision. One of the choices you need to make is the type of finish you prefer:

Shiny, polished marble worktops provide a pristine shine, adding glamour and luxury to your kitchen. However, polished finishes are more resistant to stains and spills due to the extra protective layer, but they can also show scratches more easily.

Honed, matte finishes, on the other hand, are better at concealing imperfections and scratches. They offer a sleek and calming aesthetic to the room. The Carrara Marble range is an excellent example of honed matte finishes that look beautiful in any kitchen.

Other Uses of Marble for Your Home

Marble is not just for kitchens. It's also an excellent choice for bathrooms, floors, and decorative elements. Its wide range of colors and patterns, along with matte and polished finishes, make it versatile for various applications, adding an otherworldly beauty to your home.

History of Marble

Marble has been appreciated for its beauty since ancient times. The Greeks were among the first to develop methods to extract and shape marble for construction. In Greece, marble quarries date back to the 3rd century BC, particularly in the Paros and Naxos areas.

Anatolia was another significant center for marble, using it for trade and construction. This region played a crucial role in marble trade during the Roman and Ottoman empires. Italy also has a rich history of marble use, particularly in constructing cathedrals during the first millennium AD.

Today, advanced cutting technology and tools have made marble more accessible, allowing us to create beautiful, long-lasting structures and decorations with this timeless material.

Marble Worktops FAQ

Should I install a Marble Kitchen Worktop?

Natural marble worktops are an excellent choice for adding a touch of elegance to your kitchen. They are durable, stylish, and heat-resistant, providing a lifetime of use if properly maintained.

Do Marble Worktops stain easily?

Marble is a porous stone, which means it can stain quickly without proper care. The most significant threats are citric acids (from lemons, grapefruits, oranges, etc.), oils, curry sauce, and red wine. To prevent staining, wipe up spills immediately and ensure the surface is sealed properly. Regular sealing, about once a year, helps maintain durability.

Is a Marble Kitchen Worktop resistant?

Marble worktops are highly resistant and durable. However, spillage and scratches can be a concern, especially with shiny polished worktops. Sealing the worktop annually helps preserve its durability by preventing liquids from penetrating the stone. Additionally, avoid placing hot pots directly on the surface to prevent damage from extreme temperatures.

Are Marble Worktops expensive?

The cost of a marble worktop can vary significantly based on quality and availability. Premium stone is rare and challenging to refine, which can make these worktops expensive. However, the investment is worthwhile due to the beautiful and durable finish marble provides.

What colours are available?

We offer a wide range of marble colours, including popular choices like Black, White, and Grey. Additionally, we have striking options such as Green, Cream, Purple, and Pink. We also carry marble effect worktops that mimic the look of quartz.

Marble Worktops: The Perfect Statement for Your Home

Marble worktops add a bold, elegant touch to your kitchen or bathroom. These beautiful natural stones are not only aesthetically pleasing but also durable and versatile. Commercial projects also benefit from the luxurious appeal of marble. We offer a wide range of colours and patterns to suit your design preferences, whether you're looking for classic whites, bold blacks, or unique greens and browns.

So what about the colours?

Marble is a natural stone known for its variety of beautiful colours. Choosing the right colour for your kitchen worktop can be simple if you know what you're looking for. The colour you choose can make a big difference in your kitchen's appearance and ambiance. Here are some tips to help you pick the right marble colour for your home.

How to Choose the Right Colour

When choosing a marble colour, consider the overall design of your kitchen. The worktop should complement your cabinets, floors, and other elements. Think about how many natural light your kitchen gets, as the colour can either enhance or diminish the brightness. Some collections offer detailed options that make your decision easier.

Black Marble Worktops

Black Marquina

Carrara Noir Black

Sahara Noir Marble

Urban Black

Grey Marble Worktops

Alaska Gray Marble

Fantasy Grey Marble

Thunder Grey Marble

Thunder Grey Polished

White Marble Worktops

Calacatta Royal Marble

Calacatta White Marble

Frozen White Marble

Statuario Royal Marble

Gold Marble Worktops

Calacatta Viola Marble

Brillient Gold Marble

Calacatta Viola Marble

Soft Jade Marble

What is Marble, and Why Should You Consider It?

Marble has been a valued material since ancient times, known for its beauty and durability. It's often chosen for its luxurious look and feel, making it a popular choice for kitchens and bathrooms. The stone's unique patterns and colours can add elegance to any space.

Polished vs. Matte Finish

When choosing a marble finish, you have the option between polished and matte. Polished finishes provide a shiny, reflective surface that adds a sense of luxury but may show scratches more easily. Matte finishes offer a softer, more subdued look that hides imperfections better.

Carrara Marble

Functionality

Carrara marble is renowned for its durability, making it an excellent choice for kitchen and bathroom worktops. Its robust nature ensures longevity, especially when installed by a professional. Carrara marble can withstand high heat, making it suitable for placing hot pans directly on the surface, although using a wooden board or heatproof mat is recommended.

This marble remains cool, ideal for baking, as it prevents ingredients from sticking while maintaining the preferred temperature. Proper maintenance ensures Carrara marble worktops last for many years without needing replacement.

Carrara marble is also highly resistant to water damage, making it an excellent choice for use in kitchens, bathrooms, and spas. Its durable and easy-to-clean appearance makes it a popular choice for both.

Versatility

Carrara marble is versatile, blending seamlessly with various decor styles, from classical to contemporary. It enhances both dark and light cabinetry, creating an elegant environment in any kitchen. Its glossy and matte finishes add sophistication, and it can be used for flooring in kitchens, bathrooms, living rooms, and spas.

Carrara marble walls are also featured in some of the most luxurious properties, highlighting its adaptability and appeal in high-end interior design.

Availability

In the UK, Carrara marble is imported regularly, with large blocks cut into slabs upon arrival. Compared to other stone types, Carrara marble is relatively soft, allowing for easy cutting and shaping into various sizes and profiles. Custom fabrication ensures that specific requirements, such as edge profiles and cut-outs, are met to suit individual needs.

This flexibility makes Carrara marble a popular choice for bespoke kitchen designs, offering tailored solutions for sinks, appliances, and other kitchen features.