Who says a beautiful kitchen renovation has to start from scratch? For Chess and her partner, transforming their kitchen was all about seeing the potential in what already existed. The couple purchased an entire kitchen from another homeowner, complete with cabinetry, units and appliances, and gave it a remarkable new look with just two major changes: a fresh colour for the cabinets and ELORĀ Calacatta Viola engineered stone worktops. The result is a kitchen full of warmth, character and beautiful details, proving just how much can be achieved with a little vision.
The ELORĀ Calacatta Viola is known for its distinctive marble-inspired appearance, with a soft white background crossed by dramatic burgundy, plum and grey veining. In Chess's Somerset home, the stone works beautifully against the rich, muted mauve-brown cabinetry, creating a wonderful balance between bold pattern and warm colour. The 30mm thick worktops allow the distinctive veining to be admired along the edges as well as across the surface, adding another layer of detail to the kitchen. The combination feels wonderfully inviting, with the stone bringing brightness and movement to the deeper tones of the cabinetry.
The price range shown is an indicative guide for the stonework, including fabrication and installation. Actual costs vary depending on the material, dimensions and project requirements. Kitchen cabinetry and appliances are excluded.
Perhaps the most striking feature of this kitchen is the beautifully designed cabinetry surrounding the hob. The traditional-style housing incorporates both the extractor hood and additional cupboards, all painted in the same colour as the rest of the kitchen. With its decorative moulding, curved supports and symmetrical design, it creates a lovely focal point without interrupting the overall flow of the cabinetry.
Behind the hob, a full Calacatta Viola splashback fills the space between the surrounding cupboards, allowing the stone’s dramatic veining to be appreciated vertically. The cooking area also features a breakfront design, where the worktop and cabinetry project forward from the adjoining units. This creates additional depth around the hob, providing a little more room while giving the cooking area its own distinctive presence.
The surrounding worktops continue the Calacatta Viola pattern throughout the kitchen, with matching upstands providing a beautiful finishing detail. Around the sink, the richly veined stone pairs particularly well with the traditional Belfast sink, while the 30mm edges reveal more of the pattern from different angles. Even the drainer grooves are carefully integrated into the stone, keeping the sink area practical without compromising its appearance.
Extending out from the main kitchen is a generous peninsula, finished in the same Calacatta Viola stone. With matching upstands and a comfortable overhang, it doubles as a breakfast bar, creating a lovely spot for morning coffee, casual meals or a glass of wine at the end of the day.
Two beautiful upholstered, high-back bar chairs with studded detailing sit beneath the overhang, adding a touch of traditional elegance to the space. Above, a statement pendant light with four glass shades and warm metallic detailing brings a welcoming glow to the peninsula. Together, these elements turn a practical work surface into a comfortable place to sit, relax and spend time together.
The finishing touches are just as thoughtfully considered. Warm brass-toned taps, cabinet knobs and traditional cup handles complement the rich cabinetry, while the wooden herringbone flooring introduces another layer of warmth and texture. The cup handles are particularly well suited to the Shaker-style cabinetry, reinforcing the kitchen’s country-inspired character while giving it a slightly more contemporary feel.
What makes Chess’s kitchen particularly special is knowing how much of its character has come from reimagining an existing space. Rather than replacing everything, she and her partner chose to work with the kitchen they had purchased, allowing the new cabinet colour and Calacatta Viola surfaces to completely transform its appearance.
And it’s remarkable what a difference those choices have made. The dramatic veining of the stone brings life to the worktops, splashback and peninsula, while the rich cabinetry creates a warm, inviting setting for everyday living. Traditional details, brass accents and carefully chosen furnishings bring everything together into a kitchen that feels both personal and beautifully considered.
Templated, fabricated and installed by Mo’s Stonex, the ELORĀ Calacatta Viola worktops and splashback have helped give this pre-loved kitchen an entirely new chapter.
A beautiful reminder that sometimes, creating your dream kitchen isn’t about starting over. It’s about seeing what something could become.
Our team can help you bring your vision to life with the perfect surface.
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