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.

Usually when you get side panels you automatically have space on the sides. If you have a full depth cabinet on the top, you automatically have space at the top and in most cases you will have leave at least 1 inch of extra room for the back of the refrigerator, so there is always air circulation since everything is enclosed. In the 70's they use to make a small recessed space behind like Fred said, today you don't have to do that, most Ref have flat backs, recessed wiring, not to mention the supply for ice-maker also comes in a flush mounting kits for the wall... so pretty much everything is recessed and only space you need is for air circulation and 1" is more then enough. In addition, if you make recessed area now and you push ref to far you will never get your doors open so doing all that is a waste of time, in addition most manufacturers starting to make 30" side panels.

great place to put your pots and pans on hooks or little shelves for the spice collection, inset fridge so it is counter depth, a cabinet or counter with a lovely mosaic, look at these cool examples. just cool little village, my restaurant is the bldg on the end, no? my raft is on the horizon splashing your feet in the pool hang a ladle by it so guests can sing while you cook that chair is just calling you yeah, well just cause they goofed and put it in the bath. Sorry, Just did not understand the pic. You can also put ikea bars with various utensils hung from them.

Panth, Frankly speaking , it doesn't sound a great idea. If it's a professional advice by your architect then surely they must have a plan in mind but if it's just a wishful thinking.. then please avoid it. The top and bottom of the windows are getting covered as per the 3D plans. Not a great functional approach. And hanging wall cabinets is something new... Thanks, Nitin CORNERSTONE DESIGNS Bangalore