Hi there, White marble looks gorgeous as a worktop but is quite porous and prone to staining. All natural stone worktops will need to be sealed, but marble does require more maintenance and care than other types of worktop. Alternatives you could look at are combining a white composite worktop with a white marble splashback that runs up to the underside of your wall-mounted cupboards. I've attached a couple of images to illustrate what this could be like. Granites can be really striking, but there doesn't tend to be the same colour range of white-grey as you find with marbles. You might also consider using a white quartzite, which is a natural material. Although quartzites tend to be a little softer than granites, I've attached an image of a couple which have a hardness comparable to some granites - best if you were to go with a 30mm thick worktop if using them though. The one with the larger crystals is called Iceberg White, and one with the smaller crystals that run in bands is called White Nestos. Hope that is of some help! Best of luck with your project.

Hello haylescakes, I think it just need a bit of care.. I would definitely not mix it.. Granite, like Marble or any other luxury stone, even woods do need some attention.. I have bamboo and that too requires a bit of effort.... Wiping down and a regular re oil.. However I think it is really really worth it. Also it does last and would definitely look all the better for the little bit of effort.. I also made several chopping boards with off cuts!! Gr8 way to use up the material and useful too! For colours I would look to finding something lighter than black.. I think you could really go for something amazing... Firstly though think of the colours in the kitchen... If it's a blank canvas, so to speak and any colour would work... Ie you have white worktops... Then really go for something striking... I have just found a few colours from a company online that are quite interesting..I'd say do some research into pricing and ask for samples.. Or visit a showroom to get an idea... Get as many samples as you need before deciding.. I think the more natural looking as possible... Some of them can look manufactured.. You could also add a small splash back panel.. Narrow is quite tasteful, the have a really chalky matt paint on the walls and matt paint for the cupboards..... Lastly think of finish.. squared off edges are in my eyes more tasteful.. but you can look at that and decide what you like the look of :)) Cosmic black... Siena BordeauxVerde MarinaceKinawa

Hello Josh, All that sounds very nice! I am not sure what you mean about staining though... It is true though you do have to be careful with lemons and salt, things that can eat away at the surface.. I would not rule out marble as it's wonderful and gr8 for cooking. Grew up with white marble worktop.. Making bread and pastry is very easy on the surface.. I have bamboo and that is really quite high maintenance and I wouldn't make dough or anything on that.. but if you are set against it.. You could have a fantastic polished concrete worktop or granite.. Very dark matt cupboards... Think Plain English or deVOL. : ))

Dekton makes some great surfaces, but their faux Calacatta marble isn't one of them. I find it looks too fake. If you want engineered stone, I'd go for either Caesarstone's Calacatta Nuvo #5131 (we just installed this in a client's two new bathrooms, see photo below), or their Statuario Nuvo #5111. The former is a bit less veiny--more subtle.