This Design Influencer’s White Marble Countertops Are Not From Where You Think
Kitchen design is personal for Kirsten Grove. As co-founder of We Three Design studio and the creative force behind Simply Grove, she understands how these spaces shape family life. Her latest masterpiece? A stunning renovation featuring white marble countertops that turn an ordinary kitchen into an extraordinary gathering space where design and daily life seamlessly merge.
The renovation transformed not just the footprint of the space but reimagined how a kitchen could function. At its heart is a dramatic installation of figured white marble that serves as both backsplash and countertop, its distinctive veining creating a natural work of art.
Breaking Convention: A New Take on Kitchen Design
“When we bought the house, I had pinned a certain layout of a kitchen over and over again,” Grove recalls. The inspiration came from an unexpected source – an Australian kitchen that challenged traditional design rules.
So, rather than following the conventional kitchen work triangle between sink, stove, and refrigerator, Grove designed floor-to-ceiling cabinets along one wall housing the pantry, refrigerator, and ovens, creating a seamless look. The opposite wall features a Fisher & Paykel 48″ range and drawer storage, while a generous island topped with Pearl Grey™ anchors the space.
“I saw this layout, and I was just obsessed,” she explains. “And I still am obsessed. It’s not the traditional triangle — I don’t have that, but I don’t need that at all. We don’t find it annoying. It feels like we can flow throughout the kitchen.”
A Vision Years in the Making
Grove and her husband Shane drew on their previous renovation experience to achieve this ambitious design. “We knocked out the back of our house about eight more feet,” she explains. Having tackled renovations before, including creating a focal point soapstone fireplace, they approached this project with confidence.
Shane again took on the role of contractor: “We were going to hire someone to install our cabinets, but my husband’s like, ‘I can do this. Why are we spending so much money doing this?'” He worked night and day for nine months to bring their vision to life.
Natural Stone as a Design Foundation
The selection of Polycor’s GEORGIA MARBLE™ – PEARL GREY™ for the white marble countertops was a carefully considered choice. “They sent me pictures of my slabs before we pulled the trigger,” Grove notes. “I approved the ones that I loved.”
What makes this marble special? With its distinctive veining and dense crystalline structure, this architectural-grade stone carries a unique pedigree, allowing it to tell a story of American history and family life while maintaining a superior structural integrity. Its natural variegations tell a story of use and life. Adorning such iconic buildings as Saint Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City and the Utah State Capitol building in Salt Lake City, this stone is truly American in every respect.
“Just like any slab of marble, you’re going get your little imperfections,” Grove explains. “But for me, that makes a slab that much more beautiful. I go into a home with quartz, and it’s just too sterile. It doesn’t express living life to me at all.”
Art Gallery Meets Family Kitchen
One of the most distinctive features is Grove’s innovative approach to the marble half backsplash on the range wall. Running the length of the wall, it creates a powerful backdrop that showcases the stone’s natural beauty. The dramatic veining in the marble creates organic patterns that flow across the surface, adding movement and depth to the space. The three-inch marble ledge above the cooking area provides a gallery-like display space while maintaining a safe distance from any cooking splatter. The ledge appears to float against the marble backdrop, creating an elegant solution for displaying her rotating collection of artwork.
“I didn’t want to hang art. I wanted it to be movable,” she notes. This flexibility allows her to regularly refresh the space with new pieces, treating the kitchen as a living gallery that evolves with their family’s tastes and seasons.
Custom Details That Make the Space
The custom range hood, another example of her husband’s skillset, makes a bold statement with its unique color of Twinberry by Behr Paint.
“We wanted something extra large,” Grove says. Initially considering dark green or blue, they ultimately chose a rich cranberry that complements the vintage-inspired Sandberg wallpaper from Sweden.
For the cabinets, they chose StarMark Cabinetry, painting them in a carefully selected palette that works harmoniously with the marble.
“It feels like we have a statement stone, so everything else comes a little bit easier because it doesn’t need to take the design to a second level.”
The Power of Local Sourcing
For Grove, choosing Georgia Marble wasn’t just about aesthetics — it was about connection to place. “When someone comes over, I want them to ask me where it was sourced and confidently say it was quarried in Georgia.” This commitment to American-quarried stone reflects a growing trend toward sustainable, locally sourced materials in home design.
A Living, Gathering Space
Four years later, the kitchen remains the heart of their home. “That’s where our teens gather when we have friends over,” Grove says. With multiple stools around the island, it’s become their primary dining and socializing space.
“I’m proud of our finished decisions,” she reflects. “They are very timeless and will take us very far. It didn’t feel trendy to me. I’m happy that we picked the materials we did, because it feels very timeless to me.”
Design Tips for Your Marble Kitchen
Consider these key elements from Grove’s design:
- Challenge Traditional Layouts: Don’t be afraid to break from the conventional work triangle if it suits you and your lifestyle
- Draw Global Inspiration: Look beyond local trends for unique design ideas
- Embrace Natural Character: Let your marble’s unique patterns and variations tell your family’s story
- Create Flexible Spaces: Design for both cooking and gathering
- Add Unexpected Elements: Incorporate art and personal touches
- Think Long-Term: Choose materials and designs that will remain timeless
Ready to start your own kitchen transformation with Georgia Marble? Contact our stone experts today to learn more about bringing this timeless material into your home.
