By Susan Kelly
Marble and its look-alikes remain a hot trend for those wanting to make a grand statement in their spaces, and a passion for this richly veined noble material is the lifeblood of Better Marble, a North York company that offers clients hand-selected stone surfaces from around the world. A passion for marble is also what prompted Jason Marticho to leave a career as an airline pilot and sign on to the family business as Better Marble’s account manager. “The name sums up what we do: offer very good quality marble at a very good price,” he says. “It also reflects our commitment to exceed, to always provide better products and service.” Better Marble’s clients (mostly interior designers, architects, contractors and fabricators, but also the occasional homeowner) come for not only superior stone products but also excellent customer service—as a family-owned business, the company strives to make clients feel like part of the clan.
“LIKE FINE WORKS OF ART, EVERY SLAB IS DIFFERENT, EACH CAPABLE OF MAKING A UNIQUE DESIGN STATEMENT. WE WELCOME THE CHANCE TO HELP YOU FIND THE PERFECT ONE.”
Besides marble, the 22,000-square-foot showroom features exquisite examples of quartzite and granite, plus the newest technology and innovation of manmade quartz and porcelain. Each of the thousands of slabs has been painstakingly selected by Marticho or his father, Eli Marticho, who founded the company in 2020 and serves as COO. The elder partner brings more than 25 years of expertise gained through working in many aspects of the industry, including quarrying marble in Italy, and exporting between Europe and Middle Eastern countries. “You could say marble is in my veins,” says his son with a laugh. The pair now mine an extensive network to keep on top of the latest industry trends and developments. Because natural stone is best selected in person, they travel the world to source the highest-quality products, with frequent forays to Europe. The soaring popularity of prized natural stone quartzite has put Brazil, where it’s mined, on the itinerary. The result: Better Marble has a vast selection of quartzite, with more than 1,000 slabs to choose from. No two are exactly alike—some slabs emulate marble or precious onyx and others cut a unique and striking contemporary look.
With its timeless appeal, natural marble remains the most sought-after stone here. Topping the A-list is high-end calacatta marble, originating in Tuscany and distinguished by its incomparable veining. But, of course, with such a vast inventory, there is no shortage of other marble options to choose from in the showroom, from sedate and classic to dramatic and fashion-forward. “I’m struck by the inventive ways marble is used today,” Marticho says. “We’ve helped clients find the ideal stone to apply to ceilings or on furniture frames and television surrounds. The possibilities for reinvention are endless.”
There is also an impressive collection of manmade stone surfaces at Better Marble. Whether the stone is real or faux, the duo behind the curated selection have seen firsthand how finding the perfect stone can turn a project from ordinary to exceptional. “Like fine works of art, every slab is different, each capable of making a unique design statement,” Marticho says. “We welcome the chance to help you find the perfect one.”
