Our cooktop is a standalone cabinet, which enabled me to add two custom columns on either side, which serve to enhance the bespoke design of the marble.
There are design choices that feel trendy, and then there are those that are timeless. As a designer, when I’m asked about my favorite countertop surface for historic and traditional homes, there is only one answer that truly defines enduring elegance: Carrara marble.
My devotion goes beyond its initial beauty; it’s rooted in a deep appreciation for history. Carrara, with its soft white background and feathery grey veining, has been prized since Roman times—a staple in ancient sculptures and grand European country houses. When I specify Carrara, I know I’m introducing a material that immediately respects a historic home’s lineage.
I know what the skeptics say, “It’s porous!” “It stains easily!” To them I say, “That’s the point.”
While many seek a perfectly uniform surface, I cherish the opposite. The “imperfections” others fear are precisely what I adore. An etch from a dropped lemon, a faint ring—these aren’t flaws, they are the beginnings of a patina.
Patina is the honest record of a well-lived-in home. It develops a softer, more matte finish that is rich in character and depth, much like the difference between a pristine, unread book and a cherished volume with dog-eared pages!
I have specified Carrara for all four historic houses we’ve renovated. When we moved into Fox Hall, our laundry room had a handsome, thick Carrara sink, over 100 years old. It’s chipped, it’s stained, and it is absolutely magnificent. Oh, the stories it could tell! When it came time for our kitchen, I wanted that counter to begin its own century-long journey, ready to accept the gentle marks that come with a life well-lived.
What if you do have a wine stain on marble? Easy! I create a poultice by making a paste of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide, applying it thickly to the stain, covering it with plastic wrap, and letting it sit for 24-48 hours. This allows the poultice to draw out the stain, after which I wipe it off. Voila, the stain is gone!
Yes, for Palm Beach, we chose a white quartz, shiny and new, but it works there, where a touch of glamour complements the tropical aura of “Pink Paradise!”
If you are debating what countertop to choose, consider not just the look you want today, but the story you want your home to tell in decades to come. For me, only Carrara has the classic beauty and the grace to age with dignity. I simply adore it!
Xx
Holly
P.S. In my book, The Pretty and Proper Living Room, you’ll find a myriad of classic design secrets to implement in your traditional house, too! I hope you’ll share this newsletter with a friend.