Provident Home Design

Decor, DIY, and Interior Design

  • HOME
  • ABOUT
    • About PHD
    • Contact Me
  • DIY PROJECTS
  • DESIGN 101
  • PAINT
  • HOME TOUR
  • DESIGN INSPO
  • DECOR TIPS

GET NOTIFIED VIA EMAIL WHEN THERE'S A NEW POST!

Why I Chose Marble Countertops & What I’ve Learned

After four years of saving I recently got to purchase my dream countertops! But let’s first take a look back at where we started.

A little over four years ago we moved into our home with a kitchen that was too dark and contemporary for my taste.

Kitchen Before Updates

 

After several inexpensive DIY projects I was able to get our  kitchen to a point that felt light, bright, and airy (the way I like it).

Kitchen After Some Updates

 

One of the first projects in our home was replacing our dark laminate kitchen countertops with some light “faux stone” IKEA countertops.  They have held up pretty well with just a couple of small light stains.  They were super inexpensive so even though I have only had them for four years they were worth every penny!

Ikea Countertop

 

But I’ve been in love with the beauty of marble and marble looking countertops for a long time!   And since I knew that the kitchen is a place in the home definitely worth investing in I began saving for them soon after we moved in.

For some reason I had it in my mind that marble was just as expensive if not more expensive then granite and stone marble look a-likes so when I contacted The Granite Guy for quotes I just asked about the marble granite/quartzite look a-likes.

Here are the quotes given to me based on the measurements of my kitchen that I provided to The Granite Guy.

  1. Hanstone: Tranquility– $4199 – ($200) cash/check discount = $3999
Tranquility
Stalwart Systems, LLC via Houzz

 

2.  Silestone: Lagoon– $4399 – ($200) cash/check discount = $4199

Claridge
Brooke Wagner Design via Houzz

 

3. Princess White Quartzite (Mont) = $7199 – ($200) cash/check discount = $6999

GREEN with Envy: LEED Certified Whole House Renovation
 Harry Braswell Inc.via Houzz

 

  4.  Super White Quartzite–  I didn’t ask for a quote for this one but I saw a beautiful slab of it at their showroom and it was even more expensive then the Princess white quartzite.

Edina Galleria Residences - Unit 1307
Suburban Dream Homes via Houzz

I had only saved $4000 for the countertops so I went into the showroom hoping that I would love the Hanstone Tranquility or Silestone Lagoon.

I was unfortunately very disappointed with the two choices.  They were fine but looked nothing like marble to me.  The Princess White wasn’t in stock and the Super white was very pretty and “marble-like” but way out of my price range.

They had about 8 slabs of carrara marble and it was exactly what I wanted but I assumed it would be too much money.

After I went home I couldn’t stop thinking about the marble I saw so I emailed them asking for a quote just to see.

I was shocked when the following quote came back!

Carrara Marble– $3499-  ($350)Angie’s List discount= $3149 – ($95) cash/check discount= $3054

 

I was surprised to find out my dream countertops were in fact well within my budget!

 

My Kitchen Now

Carrara Marble Countertops Kitchen Update

Marble Countertops Close-up

Carrara Marble Countertops

 

Marble Countertops Kitchen

 

Now I know what you may be thinking…But Tamara you have 4 young kids why would you get countertops that stain so easily?

Well a few reasons (other than that I think they are beautiful and were comparatively a great price)–

  1.  We have a butcher block kitchen island/ table that we usually do all our food prep on so we weren’t as worried about stains on the countertops from cooking.
  1.  The Granite Guy seals it with dryseal before installation which is suppose to protect it for 15 years.  Which will not protect it perfectly but at least helps.
  1.  I have a few friends with marble countertops and children and they haven’t had any problems with stains.  I was sure to have my friends give me the dirt on them and as far as stains go they hadn’t had issues.
Kitchen Updates
Then what are the cons of carrara marble countertops?

 

     1.  So I had a friend prepare me for this and in the 1 month that we have had the countertops this has been my only concern–water spots.

 

Yes, with polished carrara marble water spots will be you’re number one issue.  If water is left on the countertops then it dulls the polish and when you look at it in a certain angle if will look a glass that has come out of the dishwasher that has water spots.
Polished Carrara Marble Water Spot

 

In the month we’ve had the countertops we’ve gotten probably 3 or so small-ish spots.  They are all in-between the sink and where we keep the paper towels so drops must be falling as we reach for the paper towels and we don’t notice.

 

I do find myself wiping the area around the sink with a microfiber cloth after I use the sink just in case which for this reason I would say the marble countertops are definitely medium to high maintenance.
Marble Countertops Sink

 

Would I do carrara countertops again?  Yes!  They are beautiful and you can only see the water spots up close at a certain angle.  Also the marble counter tops can be repolished for about $750 so if there is ever a time where I feel the countertops need it it’s nice to know it’s a possibility!

 

If you think the spots would drive you crazy but love the look of carrara marble then I would do honed marble instead of polished marble.  With honed you don’t have to worry about the polish being dulled.

 

In my research I read that honed is the was to go but I just love the reflective quality of polished marble so much that heart won over practicality this time!
 Marble Countertop Pros

 

If I am ever lucky enough to have a set up in my kitchen where there is a kitchen island with a sink in it I think best case scenario would be to do a different countertop surface on the island with the sink and then polished carrara on the surrounding countertops.  This way worrying about water drips wouldn’t really be an issue.

 

Myers Park Renovation
Carolina Classic Builders via Houzz

 

I hope you found this post helpful especially if you’ve ever considered carrara marble countertops!  As always please let me know if you have any questions!!  Have a Happy and safe July 4th!!

Signature

**Disclosure- I received a small discount on my countertops for mentioning The Granite Guy which I would have done anyway. They were wonderful to work with and highly recommend them if you are in the Central Ohio area.

 

Why I Chose Marble and What I Have Learned

Related Posts From the Blog:

  • Outdoor Furniture & Decor DealsOutdoor Furniture & Decor Deals
  • You Know You’re a DIY-er IF…You Know You’re a DIY-er IF…
  • A Tiny Toilet Room Makeover & Painting Cabinetry AdviceA Tiny Toilet Room Makeover & Painting Cabinetry Advice
  • Beginnings of a New Kitchen!Beginnings of a New Kitchen!
  • 2 Year Old Drama2 Year Old Drama
  • Pantone’s 2016 Color of the YearPantone’s 2016 Color of the Year
  • Designer Spotlight:  Brooke Wagner DesignDesigner Spotlight: Brooke Wagner Design
  • A Beautiful Master Bedroom Makeover for LollyA Beautiful Master Bedroom Makeover for Lolly

before and afters// decorating// kitchen// money saving tips8 Comments

Subscribe

GET NOTIFIED VIA EMAIL WHEN THERE IS A NEW POST!

« 38 Go-To Paint Colors for Your Home!
The Look for Less- My 5 Most Recent Home Decor Deals! »

Comments

  1. Jana says

    Monday, July 4, 2016 at 5:16 pm

    Congratulations on your new counter tops! Your kitchen looks beautiful. And so does your new pic! 🙂

    Reply
    • Tamara says

      Monday, July 4, 2016 at 6:13 pm

      Aw, thank you Jana!:-)

      Reply
  2. Cheri says

    Tuesday, July 5, 2016 at 7:01 am

    Great post, Tamara. Thanks. I was loving your dining table and wondered if it was something you created or purchased? Can you point me in the direction of the tutorial or store? I really love it. Thanks!!

    Reply
    • Tamara says

      Tuesday, July 5, 2016 at 9:03 am

      Hi Cheri! I found our table on Craigslist about 4 years ago. I was searching the term “butcher block” for a few weeks and then in came up. The person I purchased t it from had bought it at an auction. She was going to use it at a store she was going to have but didn’t end up opening the store. You could try searching your local Craigslist for the term “butcher block”. Also I was thinking that if you use skinnier pieces of wood you could possibly get the same look with my farmhouse table tutorial, http://providenthomedesign.com/2016/06/10/beat-table-turned-farmhouse-table/. Hope this helps!

      Reply
  3. Jennifer says

    Monday, July 25, 2016 at 6:12 pm

    This is really helpful Tamara. We have been toying with the idea of doing a “refresh” of our kitchen. I always assumed marble was the most pricey option and that it is a pain. Glad to know a first-hand experience.

    Reply
    • Tamara says

      Wednesday, July 27, 2016 at 1:57 pm

      So glad you found it helpful, Jennifer! It was a hard decision but I am really happy with my choice.:-)

      Reply
  4. JoAnn says

    Tuesday, November 29, 2016 at 11:00 pm

    Hmmm, are you certain that it isn’t Super White Quarztzite?
    I’ve had three quotes for my counters, and in all three, the Calacatta Borghini/Gold marble was around twice as expensive as the Super White quartzite.
    Generally, I’ve found the Super White is ‘busier’ than the Calacatta marble.

    Reply
    • Tamara says

      Tuesday, November 29, 2016 at 11:17 pm

      Hi JoAnn, my countertops are carrara marble. Calacatta marble is much more expensive than carrara marble. It also seems that the gold marble calacatta is even more expensive but it is gorgeous!! Best of luck to you in your decision!!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Hello and Welcome!! My name is Tamara and this is where I share my tips and tricks to creating a beautiful home! If you are new, feel free to start HERE.

Subscribe

Get notified via email when there's a new post!

Join me on Instagram!

[instagram-feed]

More Blog Inspiration:-)

  • Icon Caroline on Design

    Close preview

    Loading...
  • Icon Centsational Girl

    Close preview

    Loading...
  • Icon Decorating Delirium

    Close preview

    Loading...
  • Icon Lauren Liess

    Close preview

    Loading...
  • Icon Life on Virginia Street

    Close preview

    Loading...
  • Icon Remodelaholic

    Close preview

    Loading...
  • Icon The Creativity Exchange

    Close preview

    Loading...
  • Icon Thrifty Decor Chick

    Close preview

    Loading...

Categories


Disclosure & Privacy Policy

You might also like

The Final Before & After of our Current Home

The Final Before & After of our Current Home

New Build Update-Paint, Lighting, and Floors oh My!

New Build Update-Paint, Lighting, and Floors oh My!

New Home Update

New Home Update

New Build Update- Cabinets are in!

New Build Update- Cabinets are in!

House Update–We Have Walls!

House Update–We Have Walls!

Join Me on Instagram!

[instagram-feed num=9 cols=9 showbutton=false]

Privacy

Copyright © 2021 · Savory theme by Restored 316

Enter your name and email to get my weekly post sent to your inbox... it's FREE!
Want to learn more about DIY, decorating, and making your home beautiful? Sign up below!
Your information will *never* be shared or sold to a 3rd party.