Marble countertops are timeless, refined, luxurious. But budget-friendly? Not really. That is until you employ this genius design trick. This isn’t some hack found on the depths of the Internet; it’s something respected Los Angeles–based firm Consort does all the time. The strategy: Fake the thickness of any countertop so it looks a hefty three inches tall, but is, in fact, just 3/4 of an inch. “We love the look of a thick, substantial stone top, but it can often be cost-prohibitive. This is an elegant solution to achieve a chic look on a budget,” explains cofounder Mat Sanders. You won’t be saving pennies here—we’re talking cutting the cost of your countertop in half. “It depends on the size of the surface,” says Sanders, “but you could be looking at a savings of up to 40 to 50 percent on material costs.”

Start with a plain old marble slab that’s slightly longer than you planned for—you’ll need the extra room in a bit. “If you have a 24-inch countertop, you’re looking for an extra six to eight inches of width to work with,” says Sanders. Once you’ve got everything measured out, hire a stone fabricator (or ask your contractor to connect you with one) to add a “mitered book-matched edge” to the slab. Literally, tell her exactly that phrase. “Be sure to let them know if you want the marble’s vein to continue seamlessly from the edge of the surface down the side. You do not want to stack the slab or you’ll get an unsightly seam,” warns Sanders. Thinking you can DIY this bad boy, no problem? Be sure you’re comfortable with heavy machinery. “The process involves cutting stone with a water saw and precisely mitering edges—it’s not a project for the casual DIYer,” Sanders says.
Even if your kitchen or bath renovation is still in the hidden Pinterest board stage, this trick can be of use. Sanders says you can do this with any other type of stone in tons of other places. Think coffee tables, dining tables, and vanities. Now, off to the slab yard.

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