HOW Athena Calderone DESIGNED HER 20-FOOT MARBLE FLOATING KITCHEN SHELF

As we mentioned earlier, good design (that appears effortless!) often begins in the construction phase, particularly when structural support is required. That was certainly the case for this mammoth 20′ marble floating shelf. The design work actually began behind the walls with metal stud bracing in the wall 16” apart. Since those studs are essentially hollow, they needed to be further reinforced. In order to withstand the weight of the marble shelf, they adhered plywood blocking between the studs for an additional layer of support. Hardened steel L brackets were then attached to the plywood and into the studs for the heavy marble shelf to slide into. To achieve this, they had the marble fabricated to be 2” thick and slotted at the back so the L bracket can slide within the cavity of the stone.

Finally, drywall was installed before the slab of marble was applied, concealing the entire inner workings. All of this to say, nothing is ever as easy as it seems. This all took some serious thought and engineering by both our contractor and Elizabeth Roberts Architecture to pull off—but boy, was it worth it.

If you do opt for a marble floating kitchen shelf like Athena and choose to eliminate upper cabinets too, then try to maintain that minimal sensibility. This open shelf look can quickly appear cluttered and noisy, so leave it airy up top. Use pale textured plaster or paint as a canvas on which decorative items can pop and functional items, like the hood, disappear. Dark power cabinets will also recede, focusing your gaze on the pieces you’ve chosen to display.

Read Athena’s tips on how to style open kitchen shelves for inspiration, then keep scrolling to see more before and after photos of the marble floating kitchen shelf. We hope this was helpful as you plan your next renovation—happy designing!