This is Rhino White marble.
We renovated our kitchen about 12 years ago, and chose a speckly brownish/grey/black granite for the countertop.
Granite is a super durable surface, but I am not loving the speckly warm tone.
This week I headed to Elberton, Georgia which is a hub for stone in the Southeast to peruse my kitchen countertop options.
Chances are if you live in Elberton, you live next to a stone warehouse–they are everywhere!
First off, I need to tell you that I am not a shopper–at least not one to waffle about choices.
I generally know what I like and get right down to making decisions.
Ellen(our architect) and I decided to head to 3 different stone warehouses.
Our mission was to find a soapstone slab for our island, and narrow down a choice for the perimeter countertop.
Our first stop was at SLABCO where we found what we call a “wicked” piece of soapstone.
The veining in the slab is tone on tone instead of white veining which you may or may not see in soapstone.
This veining resembled a spider web gone wild! I’ll chat more about that one later.
Our third stop was Best Cheer Stone warehouse. I put my backsplash sample up to White Rhino Marble (as in pictures above & below) and knew this one was at the top of the list. The White Rhino brought out the sparkle in the backsplash –the iridescence –whereas the other slabs had too much veining which overpowered the backsplash.
Side note–Robert has a strange fascination with rhinos- even has a collection of wood and ivory rhio figures…It was meant to be!
This is the slab we chose. Will need two for the perimeter of the kitchen.
The fabricator who installs the marble will cut one slab in half longways–so one large slab makes two nice size pieces.
The slabs will also be honed which means they take off the shiny surface.
OK that is my report for today. Next up, a chat about soapstone. and other kitchen countertop options.
ML
I love honed marble – used it as the coiuntertop in my guest bath. But be prepared for stains etc. As the stone people told me – whatever protection is present in the shiny marble is gone in the honed. I also made the trip to Elberton. I was fascinated and loved the experience.
Thanks Mary Wallace! Using the marble around perimeter and using soapstone on our island prepared for wear and tear in that area. Excited about the process! Demolition in progress!