--- title: "Case Study: Reviving a 1930s kitchen with modern elegance" description: Caesarstone 5151 Empira White and 5100 Vanilla Noir worktops bring a striking contrast to this family kitchen blending 1930s style with modern living. image: https://blog.caesarstone.co.uk/hubfs/caesarstone-oh-so-kel-empira-white-01.webp --- ##### Menu Enter a keyword - [ Choose Your Surface ](https://blog.caesarstone.co.uk/reviving-1930s-kitchen-modern-elegance#) - [ Colour Catalogue ](https://www.caesarstone.co.uk/catalogue/) - [ Black Quartz Worktops ](https://www.caesarstone.co.uk/black-quartz-worktops/) Find your ideal black quartz worktop - [ Grey Quartz Worktops ](https://www.caesarstone.co.uk/grey-quartz-worktops/) Find your ideal grey quartz worktop - [ White Quartz Worktops ](https://www.caesarstone.co.uk/white-quartz-worktops/) Find your ideal white quartz worktop - [ Kitchen Workshops ](https://info.caesarstone.co.uk/kitchen-worktops) - [ Concrete Worktops ](https://info.caesarstone.co.uk/concrete-worktops) - [ Marble Worktops ](https://info.caesarstone.co.uk/marble-worktops) - [ Design and Specification ](https://www.caesarstone.co.uk/design-and-specification/) - [ Design Inspiration ](https://blog.caesarstone.co.uk/reviving-1930s-kitchen-modern-elegance#) - [ Design Style Quiz ](https://www.caesarstone.co.uk/personal-style-guide/) Design Style Quiz - [ Inspiration Gallery ](https://www.caesarstone.co.uk/gallery/) - [ View in Room (AR experience) ](https://www.caesarstone.co.uk/caesarstone-ar/) AR experience - [ Design Resources ](https://info.caesarstone.co.uk/resource-page) - [ Style Stories ](https://www.caesarstone.co.uk/style-stories/) - [ Project Checklist ](https://www.caesarstone.co.uk/project-checklist/define-your-dream/) Project checklist - [ Visualization Tools ](https://blog.caesarstone.co.uk/reviving-1930s-kitchen-modern-elegance#) - New [ View in Room ](https://www.caesarstone.co.uk/online-visualiser/#roomvo-visualizer) Our user-friendly visualization tools help you choose the perfect surface for your home.Leave the guesswork behind, and start exploring! 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CAESARSTONE COST: £4,511.26 5151 Empira White Pricing based on approximate cost of supply, fabrication and installation of Caesarstone product(s) when priced as a direct to consumer installation. May not reflect actual price paid. [Get a quote ](https://info.caesarstone.co.uk/get-quote-recommended-fabricator) Pricing based on approximate cost of supply, fabrication and installation of Caesarstone product(s) when priced as a direct to consumer installation. May not reflect actual price paid. [Get a quote ](https://info.caesarstone.co.uk/get-quote-recommended-fabricator) ![caesarstone-oh-so-kel-vanilla-noir-costings-preview](https://blog.caesarstone.co.uk/hubfs/caesarstone-oh-so-kel-vanilla-noir-costings-preview.webp) APPROX. CAESARSTONE COST: £4,511.26 5100 Vanilla Noir Pricing based on approximate cost of supply, fabrication and installation of Caesarstone product(s) when priced as a direct to consumer installation. May not reflect actual price paid. [Get a quote ](https://info.caesarstone.co.uk/get-quote-recommended-fabricator) Pricing based on approximate cost of supply, fabrication and installation of Caesarstone product(s) when priced as a direct to consumer installation. May not reflect actual price paid. [Get a quote ](https://info.caesarstone.co.uk/get-quote-recommended-fabricator) Kelly, her husband Dan, their two daughters Isla and Emmie, and their Goldendoodle pup Cosmo live in a 1930s house that has been lovingly transformed into a warm, welcoming, and highly functional home. The kitchen, which serves as the heart of their family life, is a masterpiece of thoughtful design and careful planning, featuring [Caesarstone’s 5151 Empira White](https://www.caesarstone.co.uk/catalogue/5151-empira-white/) and [5100 Vanilla Noir surfaces](https://www.caesarstone.co.uk/catalogue/5100-vanilla-noir/). From the beginning, Kelly envisioned a kitchen that would allow the entire family to be together, even while doing their own things. The open-plan layout was designed with dedicated zones for cooking, entertaining, and relaxing. This setup allows for seamless interaction, making it possible for cooking and preparing drinks whilst guests relax at the island and the kids watch TV - all whilst still feeling connected. ![Close-up of Caesarstone Empira White kitchen worktops and splashback](https://blog.caesarstone.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/caesarstone-oh-so-kel-empira-white-02.webp?width=1440&height=960&name=caesarstone-oh-so-kel-empira-white-02.webp)The kitchen’s design is both functional and beautiful, with a modern organic style that pays homage to the 1930s origins of the house. Traditional white Shaker-style cabinetry is paired with an oak slab island, and both elements are topped with the classic Empira White surface, which ties the whole space together. Featuring elegant marble-like swirls, the worktop showcases intricate veining in soft shades of grey over a pure white base, creating a luxurious look. Empira White extends into a matching splashback and floating shelves above the back run of cabinets, ensuring a cohesive look throughout the scheme.  Kelly explains: “We absolutely love the marble-style swirls that run through Empira White. It’s a classic design that has its own personality and makes a bold enough statement without clashing with the rest of the kitchen elements.” ![caesarstone-oh-so-kel-empira-white-03](https://blog.caesarstone.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/caesarstone-oh-so-kel-empira-white-03.webp?width=1440&height=960&name=caesarstone-oh-so-kel-empira-white-03.webp)In the hidden walk-in pantry that’s adjacent to the kitchen, Kelly opted for a different look, matching a Vanilla Noir worktop and shelves with inky black cabinets. Bold and dramatic, Vanilla Noir has a rich ebony base, washed with creamy vanilla veins. The dark and moody tones of the surface create a striking contrast against the light and bright main kitchen, whilst still harmonising with the overall design. Kelly notes “We chose Vanilla Noir for our walk-in pantry because its style and veining are reminiscent of Empira White. We adore the gold-toned swirls and the black-on-black look works so incredibly well without being flat because of these details.” ![Caesarstone 5100 Vanilla Noir kitchen surfaces in a walk-in pantry](https://blog.caesarstone.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/caesarstone-oh-so-kel-vanilla-noir.webp?width=1440&height=960&name=caesarstone-oh-so-kel-vanilla-noir.webp)Looking back on her choice of Caesarstone surfaces, Kelly shares: “Non-porous, low-maintenance and beautiful surfaces were key priorities for us, and Caesarstone offers such quality and service that we never wanted to look elsewhere.” She continues: “When we ordered samples, the difference in design and quality of Caesarstone was evident. It was clear that Caesarstone are the experts in this area and it was so easy to fall in love with their designs.” Since 1987, Caesarstone has been at the helm of surface innovation, continually setting the standard for excellence in the industry. The [company’s commitment to research and development](https://blog.caesarstone.co.uk/the-unique-design-story-behind-caesarstone) ensures that every surface not only meets but exceeds contemporary demands for durability, beauty, and functionality. Plus, Caesarstone’s extensive range of designs - from [classic marble-inspired veining](https://info.caesarstone.co.uk/marble-worktops) to bold, [contemporary textures](https://info.caesarstone.co.uk/concrete-worktops) - reflects its ability to anticipate and shape trends in interior design. By marrying aesthetic appeal with practical performance, Caesarstone continues to transform spaces into sophisticated environments where timeless design meets functionality. Are you embarking on a kitchen renovation and looking for more inspiration? Why not browse [Caesarstone’s catalogue](https://www.caesarstone.co.uk/catalogue/) to find your perfect surface or continue reading the blog to discover endless design possibilities.   Photography by Kelly Harmer, @ohsokel  ## Caesarstone available from £2,000 incl. VAT Get a quote from a recommended fabricator in your area [Get a quote ](https://info.caesarstone.co.uk/get-quote-recommended-fabricator) ![caesarstone-ocean-foam-cs-rectangle](https://blog.caesarstone.co.uk/hubfs/caesarstone-ocean-foam-cs-rectangle.webp) ![caesarstone-white-attica-cs-rectangle](https://blog.caesarstone.co.uk/hubfs/caesarstone-white-attica-cs-rectangle.webp) ![caesarstone-calacatta-stillstorm-cs-rectangle](https://blog.caesarstone.co.uk/hubfs/caesarstone-calacatta-stillstorm-cs-rectangle.webp) ### Topics - [Kitchen design](https://blog.caesarstone.co.uk/tag/kitchen-design) - [Case Study](https://blog.caesarstone.co.uk/tag/case-study) ## Related Articles ![](https://blog.caesarstone.co.uk/hubfs/piqu-empira-white-04.jpg) [ Read more ](https://blog.caesarstone.co.uk/case-study-family-home-meopham-kent) Piqu choose Caesarstone quartz kitchen worktops for renovation [ Read more ](https://blog.caesarstone.co.uk/case-study-family-home-meopham-kent) ![](https://blog.caesarstone.co.uk/hubfs/tylsley-01.jpg) [ Read more ](https://blog.caesarstone.co.uk/case-study-susan-and-clive-tyldesleys-kitchen) Case Study: Susan and Clive Tyldesley’s kitchen [ Read more ](https://blog.caesarstone.co.uk/case-study-susan-and-clive-tyldesleys-kitchen) ![](https://blog.caesarstone.co.uk/hubfs/henrik-ritzen-empira-white-01.jpg) [ Read more ](https://blog.caesarstone.co.uk/case-study-chef-henrik-ritzéns-caesarstone-kitchen) Michelin-starred chef Henrik Ritzén choses Caesarstone worktops [ Read more ](https://blog.caesarstone.co.uk/case-study-chef-henrik-ritzéns-caesarstone-kitchen) ##### Accessibility Menu Contrast Grayscale High Contrast Default Contrast Other Settings Highlight Links Pause all motion Cancel Accessibility ##### Search * * ##### Select your region and language Continue Can't find your local site? 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