It's no surprise that marble is popular right now: This popular countertop material is pricey, but it's classic in look, comes in a variety of natural colors, and is always a favorite among kitchen designers and homeowners. new The trend this year is for designers to step back (just a little) from pure white marble and dive into high-contrast, dramatic marble patterns. The Brownstone Boys, who are designing the living room floors for 2024 REAL SIMPLE HOME, will be adopting this style for the large kitchen island in their space. “You can't beat the natural veining of marble,” says Barry. “So if you're going to use marble, go for it and make it the focal point of your kitchen.” And the best part is, marble isn't just for kitchens. It can be used for bathroom countertops, fireplace surrounds, or anything else. “Marble is beautiful and gives off such interest and depth,” says Barry.
If you want to add this bold look to your kitchen (or bathroom or fireplace), follow these easy tips.
Color Match
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We're not saying to go for a bright green or blue marble to match your cabinet colors, but it's a good idea to look at the colors around your home when choosing your marble slabs. The Brownstone Boys recommend looking at the tile, art, and architectural details around your home to find the right type of marble veining. That's exactly what they did at REAL SIMPLE HOME. “We were inspired by the green tile and the original fireplace, so when we were sourcing the marble, we incorporated those colors and tones into the marble.” The marble they use has a hint of green in its dark veining.
Let's look at it from a few angles
Marble's incredible patterns make it look different from every angle, from above, from the side, and more. When you're shopping, take the time to look at it from every angle to make sure you like it. “Marble looks completely different from the front than it does when laid flat,” says Jordan.
Be polished
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Marble is beautiful in all its forms, but the Brownstone Boys believe that polished marble with a matte finish is the best way to showcase the natural patterns. “I think it brings out the veining in the marble,” Jordan says. “The colors are smaller and have more depth.” Polished marble appears almost translucent. “It reflects the light, so it feels like you're looking into the stone,” Jordan says.
Try it on your backsplash
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“I love it as a backsplash and use it a lot,” says Barry. In REAL SIMPLE HOME, the marble extends from the countertop to the backsplash wall, creating a seamless effect — no tile required. “Less is often more,” he says. “We want to keep it simple, not more.” While this marble countertop and backsplash is definitely on trend right now, it's likely to remain popular for years to come thanks to marble's classic look.
