I have marble countertops in my kitchen and they don't look like this. Did they ever? Maybe for the first day and thereafter they showed every water spot and more. Their real enemy is lemon juice. You don't want to know what that does to marble. The acid etches it!! Luckily over time the patina evens out if you use your kitchen a lot. I love the way this 'virgin' kitchen looks. I never sealed my countertops and my marble was honed. I've read lots of articles that say even the sealing doesn't help. I just tell myself mine is a 1920s kitchen. Would I use marble again? I'm not sure. Have you had a similar experience? photo
This is my kitchen counter snapped with my iPhone just a few minutes ago. The light from the window over the sink highlights many of my spots and the overhead spotlight is shining on the lemon juice spots that are etched in the marble on the edge over the dishwasher. See what I mean? Overhead reflections really show up the spots. That's why I almost never turn on my under the counter lights.
16 comments:
Your kitchen is ten times more practical than the virgin kitchen. Evidently they never intend to cook because that picture and those lamps won't be able to withstand such use. Strictly for looks and not meant for cooking, and very odd when you think about that.
Gail,
I guess it's another trophy kitchen complete with an Aga range.
I like it too.
xo, Rosemary
I prefer wooden bench tops that develop a patina as they age, along with all the dents and accompanying scratches.
However, I do love the look of a stylish counter such as yours that shows that it has taken part in the creation of many delicious meals over the years :)
Look at that wonderful wide expanse for rolling pastry on... that's joy to me :)
And, my chocolatier friend would be so envious of a beautiful, cool marble top such as this for pouring chocolate and creating his luscious curls and other masterpieces.
I think, celebrate your kitchen counter. But that's just me and I've never loved a spotlessly clean 'show' kitchen where they look as though they hardly get any use at all - just look pretty.
Such a shame.
To me, the kitchen is the heart of the home. The place for spiritual as well as physical nourishment. We all have scars and I like a beautiful old kitchen to reflect that :) x
Vicki...
Your words are poetry to my ears.
I consider all of your comments to be Guest Posts :)
I like butcher block counters too.
My kitchen is "broken in" for sure. I no longer worry about one more blemish. When the lights are low, it looks perfect.
xo, Rosemary
I adore your counters!! I love the patina and the "etching"!
"Humbird" said all the right things!! And beautifully!
I had my good friend teach a cooking class in my kitchen and spill red wine all of the "unsealed" and "infilled" limestone counters!
I can't see any stains.....but I'm hoping they are there!
Divine!!
Rosemary, your beautiful blog inspires me to comment.
The contents of your posts are candy for the eyes and invite conversation :)
Yes, I am a BIG fan of old well worn butchers blocks too. I would like to have one in the next house we buy. My current kitchen is a bit too wee to fit anything else in. But I will hunt around for one, even if I have to store it somewhere.
I can just imagine your beautiful kitchen in the late afternoon, early evening. Soft lights turned on as twilight encroaches, casting a warm, almost magical glow over the room.
Delicious ingredients at the ready and your lovely strong marble counter called upon once again to be the backbone to the wonderful timeless ritual of preparing wholesome, nourishing meals to sustain those you love.
And, of course, Webster never too far away. Watching, waiting :)
From the photos you have shown, your home radiates character, charm, warmth and style. And THAT is the environment that truly makes a house a home.
Vicki :)x
I second what humbird said! Your counters are very pretty, especially compared to my worn out 90's laminate. Killer soap dish, too!
Helene...
I like my soap dish too. Thanks for your kind words.
I'm not minding my stains from honest use today :)
xo, Rosemary
Vicki...
You certainly do make my life sound enchanting.
The reality of dinner meals is a mad rush to throw something together with absolutely no planning :)
But somehow it always works.
I'm looking forward to making big pots of soup in the fall.
I hope you find that butcher block.
Rosemary
Penelope...
I have seen limestone floors but never limestone counters. They must be beautiful.
Having a cooking class in your own kitchen must have been fun and christening the counters with red wine was good for them.
I'm feeling good about my stained marble today.
xo, Rosemary
Rosemary, your countertops are lovely---and yes, marble shows some things. So what?
We have mother of pearl quartzite countertops. It looks like marble, but is a bit sturdier like granite. It STILL shows marks. I like it anyway and do plenty of cooking.
I love wooden countertops too, but was unable to persuade my husband.
Susan...
Thanks for sharing your stains with me. I guess there is no such thing as a perfect kitchen counter. The first stain is the most upsetting and it's all downhill after that.
xo, Rosemary
Rosemary,
I love your marble counter tops, even if there is some wear. So pretty. I have a friend that honed her marble counter tops and she claims the spots don't show as much.
Karen
Karen....
My marble is honed too but it doesn't look that way in my photo. I could always have them re-honed in place and maybe some day I'll do just that!
Then I could start all over with stains :)
xo, Rosemary
Our mother of pearl quartzite is honed also. The spots show in certain lights and from some angles--probably just like yours.
I was not aware that countertops can be rehoned and that it can be done in place. I'm sure the fabricator would make all sorts of disclaimers and not take responsibility for damage.
Susan....
You are probably right. I'm pretty confortable cooking in my kitchen with all the stains and etching so I probably will leave well enough alone. At least I can't blame anyone else. I did all the damage myself :)
Rosemary
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