I think the marble naysayers have jumped on the bandwagon without really living with the stone. I have statuary in my bathrooms and love it. Most stains can be removed with a simple baking soda and water poultice. Acid etching is harder to deal with since it removes the polished surface, but its part of having a living stone in your home. If it becomes too bad, you can have it repolished. With a darker stone, you won't have as many issues as a white marble. In order to really know if you can live with it, I suggest you get a small sample of the stone and do some tests. Here is an example. http://www.dohiy.com/2013/04/21/marble-countertops-the-post-acid-test/ Please note that she used bleach and oxyclean to clean the stone after her test. Stay away from both since they can etch the stone just as much as an acidic food. Instead, clean with a ph neutral cleaner like isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol), and for heavy stains, the baking soda poultice mentioned above. You have to remember that marble has been used for centuries as flooring, table tops, countertops, etc. throughout the world and most of these installations are still here and aren't stained and etched to the point that it has been ripped out and replaced. Just think about all of he luxury hotels in Europe and how many times they have been exposed to Hangover type guests without any damage.

I have. I have gone for beige walls and beige quartz countertop. my kitchen will get ready in a week's time. I shall then post pictures and seek feedback from the experts on houzz.com.

I have came across this situation recently, Suggest Builder to install the meter at the (beam lvl) above counter so you can hide it in top lvl cabinate. 2. If it is not above the counter , you can step down with false ceiling and provide a trap door. 3. if the issue is only pipe, do a back splash later in interior stage and hide it behind. Professional interior designer/ architect will resolve this matter for you technically and design wise. Ar. chinmay r nimje aarkin design studio pune www.aarkin.in

@ Rupal shah thanks for your reply. Which other colors would you recommend other than grey and white? What do you think about something like aqua or teal colored laminate with this backsplash and black counter? I want the kitchen to look as fresh as it can.