Nate Berkus' Number One Choice For A Kitchen Countertop Is A Lux Showstopper

Interior designer and HGTV star Nate Berkus is no stranger to elegant and contemporary interior design. He's dazzled lovers of home design with his projects on his show, "The Nate and Jeremiah Home Project," in which he co-stars with his husband, Jeremiah Brent, and continues to showcase his immaculate taste on Instagram. Neutral color palettes, bespoke vintage pieces, and timeless aged wood are just a few signature elements of his design style. Since Nate Berkus recommends avoiding countertops trends, his go-to choice for kitchen countertops is luxurious and classic: marble. 

In an Instagram post, the home design pro shared that when it comes to folks asking whether marble is his number one choice for a kitchen countertop, he answers, "Yes. Always yes." And if that's not enough confirmation for you to try marble in your own kitchen, a scroll through his Instagram might do the trick. There's a reason why Berkus always chooses this kitchen countertop material. For one, it's a timeless stone that has been used throughout history as a sign of status and luxury. Swaths of marble embellished ancient Greek temples, and Italian empires once imported the material for their historical structures. Today, they're praised for their elegance, versatility, and being easy to clean. 

With its rich history and different types of marble countertops that can elevate your kitchen, there are things to consider when choosing the one that best fits your needs and aesthetic. For example, you want to think about the different veining patterns, colors, and finishes. In a separate Instagram post, Berkus explained that before considering color, the busyness of the marble should be your top priority. In other words, decide what kind of patterns and movement will complement the aesthetic of your kitchen. "How much veining do you want, how much energy do you want the stone to have?" Berkus asked.

A stone variety that has a ton of dramatic, winding, and webby veins, such as in Berkus' kitchen, can become a statement in the space, immediately drawing your eyes to the stone. Webbed, Arabescato, or branch marble countertops have the level of movement you need to help you achieve this look. Suppose a dramatic focal point isn't what you're going for, and you prefer your countertops to blend seamlessly with the rest of the finishes in your space. In that case, you might consider more subtle veining, such as linear, statuary, or feathered marble. As for the color, you'll want to consider the fixtures and colors in your space. For high drama, consider marble with contrasting colors to your fixtures by mixing cool and warm undertones, like cool tone marble with warm brass or gold fixtures, or warm marble with cool tone fixtures.