'I love marble with bold veining – Calacatta Viola or Arabescato – for their timeless elegance. Limestone, with its soft texture and earthy hues, offers a quieter kind of luxury, making the ...

Longevity: With proper care, butcher block countertops can last 20 to 30 years or more, but there's a catch. "Due to its softer nature compared to stone, they're more susceptible to scratches, dents, ...

See, for example, the chunky, wine-colored Calacatta Viola bathroom in this Melbourne penthouse, or a Brutalist home in Sydney, which features an unforgettable marble bar.