No-Etch Marble Countertops & Other Answers to Your Questions

July 1, 2026
One Comment
Posted in: interior design, kitchens

Hi Everyone,

Thank you again for so many well-wishes. It worked! I’m feeling so much better today. And while the wrist is far from perfect, I have much more function than I had even two weeks ago. Today is the six-week mark, and I just had my first real OT sesh.

Yes, indeedy, it’s an inferno outside. But I have my ways of staying cool.

haha

I hope all of you affected, which is easily more than half, are faring okay.

We will get to the no-etch marble countertops update in a sec, but first, I want to answer a few of your comments from the last two posts about Lori’s kitchen.

They are linked below if you missed them.

Can A Stunning Greek Revival Home Survive A Hideous Kitchen Remuddle? (Parts 1 & 2)

A Tired Greek Revival Family Room is Revived – Big Time!

And now for a few questions from the two posts.

Merri said:

While I thought the orange and yellow were too much, I do not care for the family room. It seems smaller in size with the new colors and finishes. Since it was 2018 for the renovation, I hope the TV on the wall has been replaced with either a cabinet to hold it or even better a TV that looks like a piece of art. LOVE the porch, warm and welcoming.

***

Merri’s comment made me chuckle a bit because she’s right. The after photos do make the room seem smaller in size. However, the dining area is at least 20″-24″ larger.

So, why do the rooms look smaller?

It looks smaller after because the before pics are real estate photos. They used a wide-angle lens that intentionally makes spaces look larger than they are.

Diana said:

Oh, I remember the post you did on the kitchen renovation–it’s just fantastic!!!
The new family and dining rooms are gorgeous as well–love the moldings, they add so much to the rooms. However, while the previous decor was way too orange/yellow/warm, I find the navy/gray/white a bit too cool. I would have added a Persian rug with a bit of red in it, and some more colorful pillows as well. But that’s just me.
Thanks for a great post, and I wish you well with your cold and wrist healing. I broke my wrist last year, just about this time and had to have surgery. It’s healed beautifully, so take heart, it will get better!

***

Diana makes a terrific point. One could certainly add a Persian rug or more colorful pillows, and still keep the furniture just as it is.

This is reminding me of talented Hollie Rich from Stuck on Hue. I don’t believe she lives in the home below any longer, but she graciously shared her home with us for the legendary (haha) pillow post. (below)

Throw Pillows – The Complete Guide + 100 of My Faves! (parts 1 & 2)

I adore what Hollie did in both versions.

Kathleen said:

So gorgeous!! Great job. Love the walnut doors, the warm pantry set off by the white kitchen. Laurel! Please, please do a post about what can be done with ceramic tiles, one hates!!! I’m eager to hear all your ideas. Thank you for being the best decorating blog and interiors inspiration source on the whole Internet! xx

***

This has already been addressed; however, the posts aren’t all that easy to find, but I found them and posted them below.

Of course, one can always change them. Naturally, that’s messy and if there are a lot of them, a bit expensive.

Did you know that you can paint tiles?

In the post below, I did a virtual “painting” of the tiles.

To find more information about this, I would look on YouTube. I know you’ll find numerous tutorials about how to do this. I would definitely hire a professional unless you’re very good at that sort of thing. The ones I’ve seen use a special epoxy paint meant to go over ceramic tile.

Can A Pinky Beige Bathroom Get A Low Budget Update?

The post below is primarily concerned with painting cabinetry. If you scroll down, you’ll find one of the kitchens that also has a painted tile backsplash.

I Can’t Afford A New Kitchen. Can You Paint Stained Wood?

And now for the question asking if it was possible to achieve a no-etch marble countertop.

Kristin said:

Hi Laurel,

Loooongtime reader here, and about to drive down and get my second dining table from Englishman’s!

Wonderful!

My husband and I have bought a second home, and I’m in the middle of choosing between quartzite and marble for the kitchen. We’d settled on marble, and then… the picture above showing the marble island top with soapstone behind- holy moly, the etching on that marble! I know marble etches, but wow. Is that a normal amount of etching one might see on a worktop? How is yours faring? I keep hearing about sealers, but is it actually possible to avoid all etching by sealing every 6 months? [no-etch marble countertops] I haven’t replaced counters since 2014 and have always had granite.

***

Okay, Kristin is referring to this photo. (below)

I don’t see any etching; only a lot of veining, but that’s the marble.

In addition, I can see that this is honed marble. For those who don’t know, honing is a process that, through sanding, makes the finish very smooth, but not polished to a high gloss. Honed marble is a great way to minimize the appearance of etching because it is already dull and not as reflective as polished marble.