'The biggest mistake that people make with marble is playing it too safe' – Jeremiah Brent on why statement marble countertops are the best way to add character to your kitchen

Kitchen countertops can really divide opinions. For some people, it's better to keep things simple and prioritize a material that is durable and stain-resistant, while others want something that looks striking and adds a sense of luxury.

And one of the most controversial is marble. This natural stone beholds much luxury and beauty, boasting strong veining that aids a truly unique design, but its vulnerability to staining, chipping, and everyday wear and tear really puts people off.

But for Jeremiah Brent, embracing imperfections and daring to go bold with your kitchen countertops is the perfect way to add character to your scheme. Here, he explains why he chose such a bold marble in his kitchen, and why the imperfections make him love it that much more.

When it comes to a strongly veined kitchen countertop, few people are better qualified to talk about it than interior designer Jeremiah Brent, who made the bold and incredibly successful decision to use Calcutta marble throughout his scheme.

'It is hands down one of my favorite marbles and something that I really had to advocate for with my husband because it's too busy for him. But for me personally – and I know this is very controversial – marbles are never too busy,' he explains in the reel.

Even though marble has been a staple in popular kitchen designs over the years, most people tend to lean towards the simpler, quieter options with minimal veining. But alone, it can feel less interesting and lack personality.

'The biggest mistake that people make with their marble is playing it too safe,' says Jeremiah. 'Everything is so simple and quiet and it's really beautiful, so if you're going to go quieter with your marble, play around with an etched detail, play around with a double OG edge, or do something around the trim so it adds just enough personality.'

But it's not just the aesthetic elements that can make people wary of introducing natural marble countertops. There's no denying the fact that it's not so durable, which is why so many people prefer to use a marble-like material that's made of something more hard-wearing.

For Jeremiah, though, it's those imperfections and the way the marble becomes stained and chipped over time that gives it character. 'I think marble gets a bad rap for not being as durable as most people would like, but for me, the most beautiful stones are the ones that show the history of the people who live there,' he says.

For him, introducing marble to a kitchen is a lesson in embracing imperfections, rather than creating a scheme that remains spotless and loses that sense of lived-in style.

'I like the stains and I like the wine spills and I like the way the lemon stays that you cut making a margarita that one time you had everybody over and laughed and stayed up too late. So for me, it turns into a tapestry of your family.'

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If you're redesigning your kitchen, this is your sign to embrace a beautiful marble countertop with prominent veining. Adding character to your scheme and growing and aging with your family, you'll grow to love all of the imperfections you create over time.