The island is the surface everyone sees first and uses most. It is where you prepare food, eat breakfast and gather with friends, so the stone you choose has to look right from every side and cope with daily life. Here is how we help clients choose island worktops, from the material to the way the veining runs down the sides.
We work in three ranges: Terra natural stone, Elorā 0% silica engineered stone and Sinterra sintered stone. Each one suits a different kind of island.
| Terra (natural stone) | Elorā (0% silica engineered stone) | Sinterra (sintered stone) | |
|---|---|---|---|
Material | Marble, quartzite, travertine | 0% crystalline silica engineered stone | Ultra compact sintered stone |
Character | One of a kind; every slab is different | Consistent colour from slab to slab | Very dense and hard-wearing |
Best for | Statement islands | Busy family kitchens and long islands | High-use islands, indoors and out |
Thickness | 20mm or 30mm, by stone | 20mm and 30mm | 20mm |
Care | Seal periodically; wipe acidic spills promptly | Low maintenance | Low maintenance |
In our Calacatta Monet marble kitchen in Hove, the worktops, island, full-height splashback and 20mm shelves are all in honed Calacatta Monet Marble with a pencil edge, so the whole room reads as one stone. See our marble colours and prices in the marble worktops guide.
Calacatta Monet Marble · Honed · 20mm
If you love the look of marble but want a calmer, more predictable surface, Elorā is made for islands. The colour stays consistent from slab to slab, so long runs and large islands read as one surface. Elorā is made with 0% crystalline silica and resists scratches, stains and heat, which makes it a strong choice for a busy family kitchen. It comes in 20mm and 30mm. Compare it with traditional quartz in our quartz worktops guide.
For a statement island in Lancashire, we used Calacatta Viola from the Elorā collection for the island, a full height splashback, a floating shelf and a wine display, with a 60mm mitred island edge.
Palermo · Polished · 20mm
In our South West London loft kitchen, the island is wrapped in a single natural stone, 30mm Taj Mahal quartzite in a brushed finish, so the veining runs down each side. The same stone carries on to the worktops, an open storage niche and a display shelf.
On Sinterra, the pattern sits on the surface and the cut edge shows the base colour of the slab, so we plan mitres and edge profiles with that in mind. Ask us which colours work best for a waterfall island.
We always recommend reading the whole slab, not just a sample. Movement that looks lovely on a small piece can be very different across three metres. You choose your exact slab in person at our gallery, and we plan the layout with you.
Square, pencil-round and bevel edges keep an island crisp and modern. Bullnose, ogee and scotia profiles add softness and a more classic detail. A mitred apron makes a 20mm slab read as a solid block, which is why it is popular on islands. Finishes include polished, honed, velvet and brushed. Not every finish or profile suits every stone, so we confirm the options with you before anything is cut. See all edge profiles and design options.
Ask us for current lead times, or get a quote for your island.
Yes, if you are happy for it to age and change. Choose a honed finish, which is more forgiving of everyday marks, seal it periodically and wipe acidic spills promptly. If you want a lower-maintenance surface with a marble look, consider Elorā.
Yes. Walk-ins are welcome at all our locations, although we recommend booking an appointment. We encourage every client to choose their exact slab in person. Find your nearest showroom.
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