Marble Topped Tables - Ideas and Inspiration

I have to give myself a pat on the back because I've kept in check my childhood obsession with rocks.  My family would dread bringing me to the beach because I'd stuff my pockets, and theirs, with smooth stones.  I think my parents asphalted the driveway of my childhood home because in its gravel state it was too vulnerable  - I'm sure half of it ended up in my rock tumbler.  As an adult, though, I've played it cool - even as gems cycle in and out of favor as popular decor items.  Sure, this rock collection is on display and another rock collection adorns the mantle.  And then there was the framed agate art project - oh, and the agate necklace tutorial - but that's it!  So restrained.  In planning our looming bathroom reno, I've been visiting a lot of tile shops and stone yards.  I've been spending an extra long time loitering in the scrap piles, because I've been on the hunt for marble to replace the water damaged tops of our teak side tables.  The legs are solid wood, but the veneered tops have seen better days.  I can't replace the tops without risking damage to the legs, but I can add a larger, round slab of marble on top of the wood, which would have the added benefit of a larger surface.




Sadly, I found out that even leftover marble is charged at the same per foot price as a beautiful, brand new slab (at the few places I tried, anyway), which means table tops would ring in around $400!!  I'm going to keep shopping and hopefully find a bargain.  I don't want to spend a lot of money on this project, but I can't get this idea out of my head:

1st Dibs

West Elm

Meanwhile, poking around a stone yard, this hunk of labradorite stopped me in my tracks:

It may or may not have my name scribbled on it, for a side table project.  Welded legs, square stone top?  But, seriously, it's spendy too, so I might just ogle this photo from time to time and keep my eye on the prize.  Although scraps of stone aren't a bargain, did you know there's garbage bins full of free, smaller hunks?  My mother-in-law uses pieces as trivets on her table and it looks so beautiful and earthy.  I've been told I can raid the garbage bin at one stone yard, so now I'm seriously trying to find my rock tumbler...