SFGate

EB Interiors How about pretty glass bottles of infused oils for cooking.... or you can bring out the charcoal color of your marble with assorted mini vases all same color

mel24ody I think I would go with beautiful spice jars and cooking oils.

Carolyn Albert-Kincl Design On the top shelf I would place a round tray, almost as big as the space. Under the top shelf I would install a magnetic knife rack such as is shown below. Another option would be a spice rack.

decoenthusiaste Top for bottles of herb-infused cooking oils. For the bottom, I'd custom fit a piece of material painted with black chalkboard paint for quick grocery shopping notes or memos.

nevadan If you cook, the area - too close to stove - will get filthy. Eliminate alcove as soon as pssible. Don't make it worse by sticking stuff in there, it will just look silly.

nevadan If you cook, the area - too close to stove - will get filthy. Eliminate alcove as soon as pssible. Don't make it worse by sticking stuff in there, it will just look silly.

orangecamera Hm, I think you can think of these spaces more like frames than shelves. I'm thinking you could get B&W photos/posters, laminate and cut to fit into the back of these "frames". I'd do a large picture on each side of your cooktop, and let the shelf sort of disappear in the middle of each one.

Carolyn Albert-Kincl Design Nevadan, perhaps you should not judge the cleanliness of other people's kitchens by the standards of your own.

feeny I agree it is a perfect place for bottles of oil, spice jars, and other often-used cooking materials.

nap_sd I would add intermediate glass shelves at the lower section. You can drill (or have someone drill) into the stone for pegs to support the shelves and, as noted before, add your infused oils, vinegars, and spices. Add the large tray or decorative vessel at the upper section. I love having everything right at hand while cooking. Yes, you will need to wipe down periodically, but to me that is worth the look and accessibility.

Madeline Caroline Albert-Kind, whatever would make you say that? That's downright nasty and certainly it is uncalled for. Besides, what Nevadan said has a kernel of truth to it. All of those infused-oil bottles will need to be cleaned regularly.
madeline

greenthumb2 Maybe it could house all tall skinny implements behind a glass door. You can see them, open the cabinet and grab what you need. close the door and voila; master chef. I first thought of a collection of pepper mills from all over the world in different materials. I thought: tall and skinny and colorful. But, how much pepper can we use? Let us know how your kitchen develops. I love how much marble you have in there. Wow. Very Italianate.

greenthumb2 http://shannoneileenblog.typepad.com/.a/6a0120a5c8d9a9970c0168e4ece204970c-pi
a pretty great collection. not colorful, but beautiful.

or you can bring a little humor into your kitchen, which is usually appreciated.

Can take the shelf out and place a menu board up there. Or, write on wipe off for list of ingredients as you deplete them - list of possibilities, endless.

Stacy Johnson spice rack, fancy oil bottles, maybe apothecary jars with rice, pasta, or even fill them with your own favorite spices instead of buying a spice rack. Maybe hang pot holders up?

Stacy Johnson Maybe some basil, mint, etc. growing in one as an idea...

mel24ody I wish I could find the photo but I remember seeing something similar but it had a sliding door to match the rest of the tile hiding the little alcove. The handle was built into it so you hardly noticed it at all. You would not have to worry so much about the look of the spice jars or bottles matching. If I find the photo, I will try to post it. I hope this made some kind of sense :)
And I really like the idea of a chalk board on the lower shelf as previously mentioned. It would add character :)