I have to admit, I absolutely hate cultured marble. I have no problem with quartz, and I even like some Corian. But cultured marble? Not even in the least.
Yesterday I went to a home that hasn’t been completed yet, but the house is absolutely incredible. It’s massive (the couple’s dream home), and they’ve been working on it for 2 1/2 years so far. They’ve overlooked no detail, and it will certainly be a fabulous home when it’s completed. However, they chose to use cultured marble in the tub, sinks, and shower of the master bathroom. The countertops will be granite.
I just can’t even imagine building my dream home, and including cultured marble. But I see it being used quite a bit. So is it just me? Do I have too much of a narrow view of this material? Am I just being a design snob?
I’ve just never seen cultured marble that even remotely resembles real marble. It just looks like plastic (probably because it IS plastic). So what’s the draw? Do people really think it looks good? Do they buy it because it’s cheap? Do they purchase it because they see the little samples (which look decent) and can’t picture it on an entire shower wall?
So what about you? Cultured marble…do you love it or hate it?
Happy decorating,
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I totally, agree, cultured marble does not look as good as natural marble. But I also think that the color of the cultured marble has an affect on how “real” it looks.
I’ve also heard from a number of people that cultured marble is easier to care for.
Hmm, from your Wikipedia link, I see nothing but disadvantages for cultured marble. The only disadvantage I can see is that it’s not REAL marble. We had a Playa del Rey interior designer design our place about a year ago, and they suggested using cultured marble because it was less expensive. I can’t say I don’t love it, just as long as it doesn’t get damaged too easily.
Do I think cultured marble belongs in a dream home? Perhaps not. But do I think cultured marble is just fine for the vast majority of Americans living everyday lives? Absolutely. In plain white, it’s practical, durable, and affordable.
In fact, I would much prefer to see cultured marble used over the granite that’s in every home across the country now. When granite falls out of style, and it already has in some places, our landfills will be the new homes for this natural material. It’s a shame to subject Mother Nature to the whims of the interior design world.
Diana, I couldn’t agree more with you about granite. I’ve been saying it for months…I’m soooo tired of seeing granite in every home I go into. It used to be something really special, but when it becomes so commonplace that it’s in every single home, it’s nothing special anymore. I get so excited when I see a home published in a magazine that uses something other than granite.
I agree with several things from the comments before me. I do think that the cultured marble depends on the color with solid colors being the best. However, I wouldn’t say that granite has been thrown under the bus just yet. I think that colors such a baltic brown or venican gold are overused. But their are so many different exotic colors of granite, and stil more to be found which still keeps granite trendy.
We have a marble table in the backyard and I love it so much, I like marbles, that is real marble. But I’m afraid I’m not into cultured marbles especially those that looks really plastic.
We recently bought a house with cultured marble all over the master bath. It’s about the same color as your sample up there and makes up the bath, surrounds and shower enclosure. I agree it just looks tacky. We are facing an entire bathroom remodel just to get rid of that look
I agree some colors of granite look tired right now. I quite like some of the quartz products like silestone which don’t necessarily pretend to be marble or granite. Although they too are sure to date badly.
I don’t like marble period, cultured or natural. It all looks blah to me, flat and fake looking, all of it.
I have granite in my kitchen and after 4 years I wish I would have installed some kind of stone and tile combo. I see a new project coming on.
Hmmmm…I have never even seen cultured marble. I am trying to imagine it. As we speak, we have guys installing carrera marble in our kitchen. I think it is very pretty and subdued looking. In another pavilion kitchen we are installing Zimbabwe black marble counter tops — this will be the second time we install it b/c the first time the installor did such a terrible job.
I think people in the US are very lucky to have so many choices when it comes to stone/marble/etc. surfaces. I personally would have preferred other alternatives, including those with recycled materials, but they simply don’t exist here:-(
I don't like marble period, cultured or natural. It all looks blah to me, flat and fake looking, all of it.
I have granite in my kitchen and after 4 years I wish I would have installed some kind of stone and tile combo. I see a new project coming on.
We recently bought a house with cultured marble all over the master bath. It's about the same color as your sample up there and makes up the bath, surrounds and shower enclosure. I agree it just looks tacky. We are facing an entire bathroom remodel just to get rid of that look
I agree some colors of granite look tired right now. I quite like some of the quartz products like silestone which don't necessarily pretend to be marble or granite. Although they too are sure to date badly.
Yep. Having witnessed the cultured marble, I too hate it. In my previous home we had such beautiful real marble all over the home (floors) and even used as accents in the backsplash and with what is known as “kota” stone!
We are faced with the problem that we are buying this brand new home and the builder has used cultured marble in all the bathrooms and such (thankfully not master afa I remember) and it is all white and as some of the comments mentioned it looks plastic:(
What I am looking for is how can I dress it up somehow…decals? stencils? any other idea? or can we paint the walls a different way so it does not look as bad? Any ideas appreciated! Thank you.
If you use the cultured marble and don’t have the shiny look to it the honed look is so much richer and a more realistic marble.
It is just as durable … the shine tends to cheapen the lkook.