A Work Of Art: CRL Stone’s Venetian Grande Worktop Takes Centre Stage In This Stunning Kitchen Renovation

Galway-based artist Ciara O’Neill’s new kitchen was always going to be something special. With a degree in Interior Design, the contemporary artist has a real eye for colour, which features in many rooms throughout her house. So, when it came to designing her new kitchen, she knew a more muted, neutral palette would provide the perfect balance. 

“I wanted to create a relaxed neutral space because the other areas of my home have vibrant pops of colour,” Ciara explains. However, she also wanted to introduce an eye-catching feature to her new kitchen. “I wanted the space to have an added element of surprise with the unique countertop.”

Working with Irish-based interior architecture and design practice Dubh House Studio, she set about creating a chic kitchen featuring a cleverly concealed breakfast pantry under the stairs, a sliding door on the back wall and hidden storage under the navy peninsula, which is topped with a simply stunning quartz worktop from CRL Stone. “I went for bleached oak and white cabinets with white pendants and a polished concrete floor to tie in with my quartz countertop,” Ciara continues.

The beautiful, natural oak cabinetry was meticulously manufactured by Kevin Butler Joinery, and a visit to Not Just Granite’s showroom provided the inspiration for the worktops, which Ciara wanted to take centre stage in her new kitchen. “The most important element was to incorporate an item that was a focal point, which is my quartz countertop because of all the different quartz stones within it.”

Part of CRL Stone’s quartz collection, Venetian Grande features and unmistakable Terrazzo design and is the perfect partner to pale woods and neutral colours. “It literally jumped out at me in Not Just Granite’s showroom,” Ciara remembers. “I knew I wanted white in my countertop but everything I was looking at I had seen before until I saw this. I’m instantly drawn to things that stand out and look different and this quartz was the right match for my space.”

“I love how you can see each chunk of stone is different with different shades, especially at the edges of the counter where you can see the quartz stones in full.” Ciara loved CRL Stone’s Venetian Grande so much that she even used it to create an eye-catching light box, which she uses to display some of her artwork. With a reduced depth, which increases the translucency of the stones and lets the light shine through, this backlit surface makes a striking addition to any interior.

The installation of the worktops was quick and seamless with the team from Not Just Granite taking only a day and a half to install CRL Stone’s stunning Venetian Grande on the worktops, splashback and peninsula. “Every detail was perfect from the waterfall edge to the backsplash to the draining board. Once everything was in place it just brought the complete look of the kitchen together,” Ciara says. www.crlstone.co.uk

Gold Standard: With Its Subtle Metallic Accents, CRL Stone’s Messina Gold Quartz Was The Key To Bringing The Colour Scheme Together In This Refreshed Kitchen

As you step into the beautiful, light-filled kitchen within this Cheshire home, you can’t fail to notice how well every detail works together to create a truly cohesive design. For the homeowners, it is all thanks to the natural elegance of CRL Stone’s exquisite Messina Gold quartz, which has effortlessly tied the scheme together to give their kitchen a fresh new look. 

When the family approached LM Stone Creative, which specialises in providing bespoke stone worksurfaces, they were looking for help in refreshing rather than completely re-designing their open-plan kitchen. Large windows and doors flood the space with natural light and the homeowners wanted to inject a more modern and luxurious feel to their kitchen.

Previously, the surfaces, including the splashbacks and worktops, were clad in three different materials, which didn’t create a very cohesive design. So, LM Stone Creative knew that helping the homeowners pick one single surface that could be used throughout the kitchen was key to transforming the space. 

The homeowners were introducing warm metallic accents to complement the colour scheme in their existing utility room and wanted a quartz surface that would accentuate them. They had opted for brushed gold handles and pulls to match their brushed metallic mixer tap, pendent lights and range cooker and needed a surface that would really tie the whole look together.

Although CRL Stone’s comprehensive quartz collection incorporates a variety of stunning gold- as well as bronze-veined quartz worktops, it was Messina Gold that really stood out to the homeowners.

Combining delicate gold veining with a crisp white background, CRL’s Messina Gold quartz is effortlessly elegant. Incredibly versatile, this stunning surface is designed to make a subtle design statement and work in harmony with any décor, from classic to contemporary. And, most importantly when it came to this kitchen, it’s the perfect partner for brushed metallic sinks, taps and accessories. 

Not only was CRL Stone’s Messina Gold used for the worktops, upstands and splashbacks, but it also proved to be the perfect top for the custom dining table. “We previously had a glass table at the end of our island that we were keen to replace,” explains the homeowner. “So, LM Stone Creative made us a table slab as an extension of the island and recommended EliteHouse Maintenance who made us a table base that matched our existing wooden island – we are delighted with the result!”

The kitchen cabinetry was resprayed by Cheshire Transform and the Sage Green paint used on the island brings a splash of subtle, sophisticated colour to the space. It was continued on the adjoining table, extending the visual link between it and the island.  Although the table looks as though it is part of the island, it has been made so that it can be moved away from the island as and when required.

The homeowners couldn’t be happier with the end result. “We love it. It’s now had the facelift it so desperately needed and we really love the fresh, modern vibe that the Messina Gold surfaces have given the kitchen.” www.crlstone.co.uk

Effortlessly Elegant Verona Gold Joins CRL Stone’s Growing Quartz Collection

CRL Stone has added a stunning new surface to its growing Quartz Collection following the launch of Verona Gold. Featuring delicate gold veining set against a creamy white background, Verona Gold exudes an air of quiet luxury. Ideal for homeowners looking to embrace the timeless trends for marble-inspired surfaces and warm metallics, this exquisite new quartz surface will bring subtle sophistication to worktops, islands and splashbacks.

A seamless match for brushed metallic sinks and taps, the versatile Verona Gold is also the perfect partner to darker colour schemes. Its gentle gold patterns create a soft floating effect that effortlessly captures the enduring elegance of marble to enhance classic and contemporary interiors.

Expertly engineered to provide a practical, durable and stylish alternative to natural materials, CRL Quartz exceeds all the requirements of modern living. Scratch-, stain- and heat-resistance, this strong, non-porous material is ultra-hygienic and also benefits from being easy to clean and maintain. Verona Gold has a polished finish and is available in slabs measuring 1600mm x 3200mm and thicknesses of 20mm or 30mm. For more details call CRL Stone on 01706 863600, or visit www.crlstone.co.uk