SPACES: The Thing About Marble . . .

Growing up in Brownstone Brooklyn marble was abundant and beautiful in the homes of my family and friends. Every home we spent time in, had at least one ornate marble fireplace on each floor, a marble sink and a marble bathroom floor. My home has six marble mantles so, it's safe to say that this natural material with its characteristics and peculiarities is second nature to me.

Marble is a distinctive natural stone that is completely its own. Mainly sourced in Italy, India, China and Spain, it is formed from limestone that's been subjected to extreme heat and pressure. Each slab possesses its own identity with one of a kind patterns and veining that tells a unique story.

As a designer, marble is consistently my first choice for home renovations because it is undoubtedly a value add to any space. Utilizing marble in kitchens, on mantles and selectively in bathrooms elevates the home, offering a bespoke look and feel that is a challenge to achieve with synthetic materials. Understandably, however, many people hesitate to use marble when renovating. Aside from cabinetry and millwork, natural stone can significantly increase your renovation budget. While also being an exceptional material it can sometimes require a little more care and maintenance when compared to other materials you may want to use.

I appreciate natural stone that's allowed to tell the stories of our lives over time: that glass of red wine that was spilled drinking with friends or the aging and scratching that shows up on the mantle after decades of families living there.

If you are considering incorporating this gorgeous, natural material into your home designs, here are a few factors to think about before taking the plunge:

// C H A R A C T E R I S T I C S

• Marble is offered in Slabs or Tile form. For most large design projects, you'll need to purchase the entire marble slab for fabrication - think: kitchen islands, countertops & mantles. Tiles are better suited for smaller design projects like, a kitchen backsplash, bathroom walls or floors.

• Marble is available in a variety of types and colors, with Carrara, Calacatta, and Statuario being the most sought-after. It also features different vein colors and patterns, each one creating a different look and feel in your home so it's important to undetstand the aesthetic you want to achieve. Is your space meant to feel soft and modern which might lead you to choose Statuario marble? Or, do you prefer a bold and confident aesthetic? In which case you might opt for a slab in a more dramatic color.

  
  

• What finish and edge profile do you want? Some marble finishing options include: Honed, Polished (shiny) and Brushed. There are a number of edge profiles to choose from depending on the look you are working to achieve.

// C A R E

Homes should be designed for 360 degree living where we enjoy every room that we enter. Many people think that marble is high-maintencnce and shy away, but it's actually quite adaptable and resilient. A little time and care is all that's required to maintain its beauty. A few good rules of thumb:

• Wipe water, spills and stains up quickly and use pH-neutral cleaners instead of acidic substances to preserve its finish.

  
  

• Sealing regularly to prevent stains or damage isn't mandatory but does help.

  
  

• Anticipate your marble developing imperfections as time passes. I appreciate natural stone that tells the stories of our lives over time.

  
  

• With proper care, marble can endure for decades and enhance the character of your space.

// C O S T

The cost of your marble slab will always be dependent on:

• The type of marble stone that's selected

• The number of slabs that are requried for your design

• Stone fabrication (how many cuts/cutouts needed)

• Finishing

• Installation cost

Marble slabs and tiles are premium natural materials, so the slab price will also be at a premium. Currently, standard marble slabs are priced between $60 and $250 per square foot depending on its type and quality. Installation costs vary by fabricator, however, the average cost for installing a kitchen countertop, backsplash, or island can range from $2,500 to $10,000 plus, depending the size and complexity of the design. Naturally, the price per square foot increases if you select thicker slabs, higher quality stone with special patterns, or stone that requires intricate fabrication.

There are trade offs in most design projects at some point. So, if you are considering using marble as a material, it's crucial to determine what your non-negotiables are and where you want to allocate most of your budget before starting your project.

// F O O T N O T E

Make full use of your marble slabs. Many people don't realize that once you purchase a slab, it' belongs to you. So, ensure you're closely collaborating with your project manager, designer and fabricator who will track your usage and show you any remaining pieces from your slab.

You can use the leftover slab to design a sidetable or use it to fabricate a backsplash or countertop in the bathroom. I had a significant amount of leftover stone from my home renovation and I designed a beautiful, oversized coffee table which is now the centerpiece of our living area.

In my experience, at the end of the day, the choice to use marble as a fabrication in your home really does boil down to cost. It's not a price-conscious material but designed and utilized strategically, it will be the most impactful choice that you can make for your home.