Let’s Talk about Marble Part Deux

OK so I have been working with a great “new to me” contractor..Daniel White of Superior Exterior in Houston..he does a lot of work in the outer Memorial/Energy corridor area of Houston and he knows the neighborhood homes backwards and forwards.  I will be featuring a project we are working on soon for one of my fave (and very first) clients.  For today’s post though I  want to tell you about an interesting marble option that he is introduced me to…Dolamite..also wrongly called “Super white granite.” Its really marble according to Dan but it performs like quartzite. I believe him..this guy has his cell phone strapped to his forearm, he is serious about construction..he knows his stuff!

What do we think about this dolamite look?

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And what is dolamite really??

    It is categorized as a marble because of its properties.
And we know marble is a “non-foliated ( no layers) metamorphosed (change of mineral and chemical arrangement) limestone (is the pre existing rock)
This soft rock is changed by heat, pressure and introduction of chemically active fluids. A typical marble is calcite CaCo3. Dolomite is Camg(co3)2

The difference is magnesium which makes really hard marble. Hard marble is good for hard-working kitchens…making dolomite a good choice huh??!!

And look-wise its busy but it is pretty..basically its a pretty workhouse if that is what you are looking for!

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I think it looks great with white cabinets.  Dan and his guys build some great cabinets!

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Another look at dolamite from Amber Interiors

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Dan is also the one to first tell me about porcelain counters…apparently that is going to be the next big thing..they can be gorgeous but install is tricky..its like installing glass apparently.  When I was in New Orleans at stone yards they echoed “porcelain is coming..so popular” its swept florida headed west apparently! Dan told me to think of porcelain counters as huge porcelain tile. No grout lines. It is man made but very fragile to handle because of its size. And just like porcelain tile will not stain and you can use abrasive cleaners.  I feared it was only available in shiny and apparently the most popular finish is shiny (polished). But it is also available in matte (honed). But it takes approx  6 week delivery time for matte in Houston area. Dan the man says that in theory any look or finish available in porcelain tile can be cast to slab size. But in reality they only cast what sells which is predominately marble look. Yes we love our marble look don’t we ladies!

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Above is a kitchen Daniel of Superior Exterior did using porcelain counters! Nice huh?!!

So dolamite or porcelain are great options but there is not just one perfect option for every situation. Just yesterday I was in a client’s home that had used Danby marble and it was so good y’all.  So. good.  Just the cool touch and the edge..and it was 2 cm and not thick but still so so pretty. And satiny. She said it was from Arizona Marble and she said that they carry two levels…a higher end thicker more “streaky” dramatic Danby like “some” believe we have on the counter at TRUE BLUE HOME.

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Look its WHITE SOAPSTONE ABOVE?!

My client’s “lesser” Danby (she said the price wasn’t that bad) from Arizona.  Arizona apparently carries two kinds. Interestingly enough, the Taylors (owners of True Blue Home) did not get their slab for our counter at Arizona but somewhere else and they were told its SOAPSTONE. Like the dealer said “it truly has properties of soapstone” but its white!  Now the Taylors know their soapstone, they have had it in two homes and are informed about it and love it so they were intrigued because of course they have the dark kind (the only kind I knew existed). But the place they bought from insisted its white soapstone! However, several of my design friends and clients that have seen the mysterious TBH soapstone counter think its Danby MARBLE.  Maybe the confusion happened somewhere along the way because Danby comes from New England and soapstone also comes from New England? Not sure.  It is gorgeous so that is what matters I guess;

Do any of you have Danby marble?  Porcelain counters?? Dolamite?? Tell us about the care? Is it honed or shiny? Would love to hear.

AND if you need help in the Houston area with a kitchen remodel or going to Arizona Tile and Granite or any other stone yards to see the slabs and choose (always recommended and the best thing in my view) contact Superior Exterior (713.785.6926) and moi (via holly@hollymathisinteriors.com) and we can make it happen!

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Comments

  1. In the Boston area this is called Super White or Wicked White and is categorized as a quartzite. So confusing because everyone calls it something different. But it’s been very popular with my clients who love the marble look but can’t deal with the maintenance. Definitely more gray than white but it looks great with white cabinets. Pricey – around $140/sq ft around here but worth it. And I just used the slab porcelain tiles in a master shower. Seriously the perfect application because there’s no grout lines to mildew and mold. It’s brilliant BUT the installer cracked one of the corners on install. Once it’s up it’s super hard (I wouldn’t put it on a counter I don’t think) but delicate when fabricating so you really have to work with someone who knows there stuff.

  2. Have you seen or used the Polarstone Quartz? It is really pretty and looks more like marble than any Quartz I have seen I would be interested in any information or opinions. Thank you!!

  3. I saw an episode of Kitchen Crashers (DIY Network) recently that used porcelain counters. They appeared solid white on TV. It peaked my interest & I started Googling it. I couldn’t find much info on them but I came to the conclusion that they’re probably pricey.

  4. Holly,
    We have granite but next time (if there is a new kitchen in my future) I would love to find a black counter surface to go with white cabinets. I’ve read a lot about soapstone but it makes me nervous because I’m not sure I’d be happy with the little chips it can develop. Your post is helpful to me since more information on this subject is what most of us need to make an informed decision.
    I always look forward to new posts from you.
    Happy Valentine’s Day.
    Karen

  5. Love the dolamite – it’s so pretty. Right now, I am doing only marble or quartz and occasionally black leathered granite or quartzite. As far as the porcelain counters go, from my experience, it’s REALLY expensive. I priced out Neolith a few months ago, and because there is a special way that it needs to be fabricated, it came out to $200/sf!!!! It is strong and looks great, but other than the price, the thing that concerns me is the edges – you basically would have to mitre the edges. I think the big porcelain sheets work best in a bathroom where there aren’t many outer edges. Thanks for talking about these different surfaces – I am going to look into dolamite some more!!!

  6. I looked a lot at the Super White Dolomite but ultimately decided against it after reading many reviews that it truly does etch like marble. We got Quartzite in white macaubus. We love it! It has literally been indestructible! We have had all kinds of foods, and stains left on it (including mustard and sharpie) and all of it wipes right off!

  7. I have Danby marble! Love it, but as with any marble, it etches and there are chips if something falls on it (particularly around the sink). It is honed, and I have had a $500 application of stain blocker (which has a 5 year guarantee). No stains in the past 3 years

  8. I’ve had Vermont Danby marble in my kitchen for about a year and a half now. I must say that it is gorgeous and really goes well with the white cabinets and white oak floors. I have honed “Olympian White” which is predominantly white with a slight grey veining. It was sealed by the installer and I have NO STAINS. at all. I do however have etching all over it, which is impossible to avoid. Now I love it, but my husband and daughter are not fans, they think it looks like it needs cleaning. It also has chipped from being hit with a glass wine bottle, so you can see it’s very brittle. All that being said it can be refinished (rehoned) but then the process starts all over again. I’m actually considering a new finishing product called “clearstone” that coats the stone so that nothing penetrates. Just FYI.

  9. Hi Holly,
    I emailed you a while back about helping me with my new house but never heard back. Do you still do that?
    Thanks!
    Traci

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