When asked to picture a luxury kitchen, one material is likely to spring to mind: marble immediately. This feature, in all its good looks, continuously impresses designers who are working with an ultra-luxe brief – but arguably, nothing looks quite as beautiful as veined marble. It is perhaps unsurprising, therefore, that this very feature is the basis of Giada De Laurentiis's kitchen.
With her show Giada at Home, Italian-born chef De Laurentiis has created her career from her kitchen, so of course, the space is among the most beautiful in the country. Adorned with veined gray marble (including on the backsplash and countertops), the room is a masterclass in how to bring luxe materials into a domestic setting – but as designers explain, there's more to this feature than its good looks.
While decorating with marble will always be beautiful (especially when used in such excess as in De Laurentiis's space), Oliver Webb, the director at Cullifords, explains that veined options are perfect for disguising any small discolorations that may occur on our surfaces over time.
'We would recommend marble to any homeowner looking for something that is timeless and elegant and exudes a ‘wow’ factor. Marble can enhance the look and feel of a home with its intricate veining, and with regular care, there is no reason why your marble surface cannot last for many years to come,' Webb begins.
As with most things, this luxury kitchen feature comes with some concerns – one of which is that stains and discolorations will emerge over time. However, if we opt for a veined option, like De Laurentiis's, we can enjoy a cleaner aesthetic for longer.
'Choosing marble with busy veining and breakouts of color can help to disguise any small discolorations that may occur over time,' Webb says.
'As a softer stone, marble could scratch and we would always recommend a chopping board, never cutting directly onto the surface, being mindful of what is placed directly onto the stone. Selecting a honed or textured finish rather than polished can help to make marks less visible, especially when in direct sunlight.'
Plus, whether we choose veined marble or one solid hue, Webb reassures us that there are some preventive measures to keep this material looking new.
'A common concern is the potential for stains. Due to the propensity to etch, extra care should always be taken to clean acid-based spills as quickly as possible. We would advise using coasters and mats to help prevent direct contact with the stone's surface,' he recommends.
Shop the marble kitchen edit
Investing in a marble countertop, backsplash, or island will impress through the years, but these more accessible accessories are also sure to stand the test of time.
From $54.95 at Williams Sonoma
Made of natural Arabescato white marble, this trivet adds elegance to any countertop.
Allow candles to be enhanced by these magnificent alabaster marble holders.
From $139.95 at Williams Sonoma
The ideal surface for rolling out dough, marble looks just as pretty sitting in the kitchen.
