Ditch The Granite And Marble: Erin Napier Has An Alternative For Stunning Countertops

Granite and marble get a lot of airtime on HGTV, with countless homeowners describing their dream kitchen as having one of the two popular stones. But on "Home Town," Erin Napier rocks with another countertop choice. Limestone is a sedimentary rock largely made of calcium carbonate, and as the designer acknowledged on the first season of her HGTV renovation series, "It's a really soft stone, so it'll have to be cared for, but it looks so old-world European and simple."

For Napier, the result is a mouth-watering addition to any kitchen. Unlike the more dramatic veining found in marble or granite, most limestone boasts a subtle fossilization pattern. "It doesn't have a lot of movement or color," Napier detailed. "It's just a slab of creamy ivory limestone." And it offers the refined feel she was hoping to achieve. Available in shades of cream and beige, white, yellow or gold, and gray, limestone is a cleaner, more sophisticated choice for kitchen countertops. It works particularly well in a French country or farmhouse aesthetic or for those seeking a more minimalist vibe. It also has a pared-down price tag. The cost to install limestone countertops in your home is generally slightly cheaper than granite or marble.

Napier has often proven she's not afraid to opt for the less-than-expected choice, nor for the more affordable option. For their own staycation spot, she and husband Ben Napier went with a black mist leathered granite that mimics the look of pricier soapstone. And Erin Napier's also obsessed with traditional wooden butcher block countertops, even over the many sleeker options on the market.

Though limestone is certainly an appealing aesthetic choice, it may not be the most practical one. As Erin Napier noted, it's a softer, more porous stone, meaning it's more likely to stain. So for those who go hard in the kitchen or have young kids, it may put you between a bit of a rock and a hard place as you'll have to commit to more maintenance.

To keep your natural stone countertops looking their best, you'll want to tend to spills quickly — particularly acidic liquids like coffee, tomato sauce, or red wine. And since acidic products could potentially etch the surface, be sure to clean using a soft cloth and a pH-neutral cleaner that is purposefully made for natural stone surfaces.

The soft stone can also be easily scratched or chipped, so you'll want to handle knives and heavy pots with care. The good news is it can take the heat, so you can place a hot pan down for a moment or two. It's important to seal your limestone countertops every six to 12 months to protect against stains. Making sure the counters are clean and dry, use a microfiber cloth to apply a penetrating stone sealer. After you've let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes, carefully wipe away any excess and enjoy your pristine limestone countertops.