I have several clients that love the look of white marble. They want to use it in their kitchens so badly, but are afraid of the stains.

We all know what can happen to white marble with a glass of red wine, orange juice, tomato sauce - eeeeek!

It makes me cringe!

Yes, the Europeans don’t care. And we try to feel the same.

But when your whole country has been built in the last several hundred years, you worry more about brand new, expensive finishes than those who have inherited an 800 year old stone cottage or villa with a few red wine stains on the white marble. You kind of expect that in old places like that.

Well, I'm here to provide some alternatives...

One material I’m currently using on several projects is Taj Mahal quartzite.

It has a soft look, a very light color of a white marble, and it's also just as dense and durable as a granite. Not to be confused with quartz countertop material, this is a natural stone product.

It doesn’t go completely white, it’s a little creamier, with a touch of warm grey. What I love about it is how you can see into the stone, which is a quality of quartzite material. There’s a beautiful richness and depth to it.

And best of all... No speckles! You know what I mean by "speckles": that stipple visual effect that most granites have that we are soooo over now.

It’s flying out of the stone yards around here, and it’s quite pricey because of that.

If you’re looking for an alternative to a white marble that will wear much better with a similar look, Taj Mahal is a great option.