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.

Cabinets by Design LLC if there is no room there, where would you consider placing the refrigerator? I would need some dry area (counter top) as well to keep my mixer/blender etc. also some space in the bottom for cabinets to keep all those big vessels for cooking. How to make use of the corner portion well? side - d? I have to think about the possibility Sativa Jaeger Designs LLC mentuioned , about moving the kitchen opening up further north. I also don't want want the kitchen door to be just opposite to toilet door . the kitchen door should start at the point where toilet door ends. I know this is a huge challenge, as it is really small and thats the only drawback of this house which we had to compromise considering all other aspects.

acc to ur kitchen cabinet pic, I would request u to get stone ( kadapa ) vertical base frame and on top before granite fitting and then wooden panel can be done for drawers n shelves. this will eliminate wood to get wet and start to fall apart. looking forward to modular version need to know it last few years only. wherever water is concerned only wooden panels won't work for longer n steady use. for counter tables or side working space that will work but not where the sink will be placed.

Many thanks for your valuable comments. 1. My intention of raised cabinets was to clean it daily, as cabinets that touch floor accumulate lot of dust and food particles below. If we rule out steel legs, any inputs on raised floor only of cabinet area and then cabinets?(Just like plinth in modular cabinets- but this will be permanent and of tiles) I have not seen such structure anywhere, so curious if it will work. Otherwise I will go with traditional ones. 2. Moving pooja out of kitchen is very difficult as other rooms are just enough for their function. Currently a small Mandir is attached on wall where Fridge is shown in layout. I thought the new area could be little extra for all pooja related things. Will like to know the reason of your recommendation, is it odd in whole design, or not suitable in area .. or anything else? How about moving it to corner of dining area?