In an era where today's leading kitchen trends embrace nature and natural authenticity, celebrating sustainability, wellness, and serenity through warm neutral and earthy tones, 5100 Vanilla Noir stands as a powerful testament to the enduring appeal of dark drama.
Only a few years ago, the worktop world - and much of interior design in general - was profoundly dominated by neutral shades like white, black, and grey. While the rise of earthy hues and green tints has expanded the design palette dramatically, these staple colours are far from being an outdated option.
Instead of being replaced, colours like the rich ebony base of Vanilla Noir continue to command a huge presence in contemporary design. Their lasting appeal ensures they remain a core choice for homeowners and designers seeking relevant and cutting-edge aesthetics. They represent a fundamental, versatile design pillar that simply doesn't fade, proving to be timeless instead of merely trendy.
Timeless instead of trendy
Perhaps no other Caesarstone surface conveys dark drama like Vanilla Noir, a mineral surface that remains a global favourite years after its first appearance. This isn't your ordinary black surface. Its base is a rich ebony colour that exudes luxury, and splashed across it are creamy vanilla veins that make a bold statement. This dramatic reinterpretation of dark natural stone was groundbreaking when first introduced to the market over ten years ago, becoming an instant classic that continues to stimulate the imagination of designers and homeowners.
With the growing interest in alternative natural colours such as beige and earthy greys, is Vanilla Noir still in high demand? The answer is a resounding yes. First, its unique colour pattern and flow project a timeless beauty and dramatic luxury. But that's not the entire story. Could it be that despite the growing transition towards earthy and green hues, which emanate calm instead of contrast, black worktops are still passionately beloved by many?
“Whilst black has always been a significant surface colour in some parts of the world, homeowners in the UK and Ireland are growing in confidence in choosing from the darker end of the spectrum, finding favour with those wanting a more dramatic appearance”, explains Jon Stanley, VP Marketing at Caesarstone UK and Ireland.
Vanilla Noir's popularity represents the timeless advantages of dark worktops. Their ability to complement every colour in the colour spectrum – including warm wood tones, earthy browns and serene greens – is second to none. Their dramatic effect may be rivalled by current trends that lean more serene, but it is undeniably a statement that many still love to this day. Vanilla Noir has something else going for it as well: its creamy veins radiate warmth atop a cool black backdrop, which creates a balanced yet powerful aura.
Rooted in revolutionary design
"The concept of Vanilla Noir was born when we designed the Supernatural Collection," recalls Mor Krisher, Caesarstone's Head of Design. "We wanted to include a black model, but we wanted it to be special. At that point in time, black surfaces always seemed overly luxurious to me, even regal. I was looking for something different."
Eventually, Vanilla Noir's unique design came to fruition thanks to Krisher and his team's unique vision, aided by a technological breakthrough that paved the way for the surface's unforgettable colour play. It was launched during the second phase of the Supernatural Collection, together with its "opposite twin" – the light grey 5110 Alpine Mist.
"Vanilla Noir is a showstopper because of its colour contrast. The veins, which are almost golden in appearance, give this surface a certain wildness," adds Krisher. "It's not a restrained or reserved aesthetic. It's totally untamed, and that's what we were going for."
This stunning worktop is more accessible than you might think. Thanks to our competitive market pricing, Vanilla Noir is available from our Essentials Group 2, which means you can achieve a truly show-stopping, marble-inspired kitchen or bathroom design without the luxury price tag. Enjoy the bold personality, exceptional quality and easy maintenance of Vanilla Noir, with outstanding value that brings your dream design within reach.
Dramatic and versatile: Vanilla Noir in real life
Due to its versatile nature, Vanilla Noir works well in a wide variety of kitchen designs, so it’s perfect no matter your aesthetic.
Case Study: A sleek entertainer’s kitchen transformed by Caesarstone’s 5100 Vanilla Noir
This dramatic dark surface is the cornerstone of many modern kitchens, including this Southeast London cooking and hosting haven that needed to effortlessly blend durability and elegance. A medley of fresh white cabinets, oak parquet flooring and black steel hardware is paired with Caesarstone Vanilla Noir worktops, which extend into a waterfall-edge island. The surface’s rich ebony base is washed with creamy veining, creating a dramatic effect. This design was chosen to tie the material palette together. The deep colour reflects the matt black detailing throughout the space, grounding the crisp white units.
Case Study: Monochrome mastery: A look into a bold all-black family kitchen
For a dramatic look and feel, a black monochrome kitchen, like this bold, family kitchen, works perfectly with Vanilla Noir. Designed by Kate Feather, the goal was to create a multifunctional space that is as practical as it is stylish. At the heart of this space is a monochromatic open-plan kitchen, where Caesarstone’s Vanilla Noir surface takes centre-stage. The surface delivers a high-impact visual statement, bringing depth, drama and elegance to the design and pairs beautifully with the cabinetry painted in Little Greene’s ‘Jack Black’.
Case Study: Reviving a 1930s kitchen with modern elegance
Creativity has no boundaries, as shown in this 1930s-themed kitchen, which uses 5151 Empira White for the main kitchen and the contrasting Vanilla Noir in its walk-in pantry. 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, thanks to the style and veining being reminiscent of Empira White.
Perfect pairings: Caesarstone surfaces meet Tom Howley’s new AW25 Colours
The bold, dark aesthetic of Vanilla Noir is showcased as a perfect counterpoint for contemporary, richly pigmented cabinetry, as demonstrated by its pairing with Tom Howley's Autumn/Winter 2025 colours. When combined with the grounding brown of Hazelwood, Vanilla Noir’s ebony base and creamy veining create a refined, cosy environment that reflects nature’s warmer, deeper palette. Conversely, when paired with the confident, earthy red of Sumac, the quartz’s striking pattern provides a high-contrast focal point, ensuring the entire kitchen scheme is both dramatic and beautifully balanced.
Order your sample of Vanilla Noir today
We hope the unique dark drama and luxurious creamy veining of Vanilla Noir have inspired your next design project. Unmatched in sophistication, this rich ebony surface can anchor a bold, colourful kitchen or create a timeless, high-contrast monochrome space. To fully appreciate its depth and detail, request one of our samples to visualise Vanilla Noir in your home, or visit one of our studios to see a large-scale Vanilla Noir worktop in person.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some other Caesarstone colours that resemble 5100 Vanilla Noir?
Vanilla Noir is truly one-of-a-kind, but if you’re looking for similar Caesarstone worktops, there are a few surfaces that fit the bill in terms of comparable dark elegance and memorable veining.
The closest matches are 5810 Black Tempal, a moody surface with a slightly softer mineral tone and a layered aesthetic, or 5820 Dacrest, an earthy dark worktop with a veil of organic ochres and brownish greens. From our porcelain kitchen worktop range, other close matches are 511 Smokestone, a dark, sophisticated surface with chalky-white lines that strike like lightning and 503 Impermia, a dramatic dark worktop with slivers of fine veining for a grand, dramatic impression.
Does 5100 Vanilla Noir come with a lifetime warranty?
Yes, absolutely. Like other Caesarstone surfaces, Vanilla Noir comes with a lifetime warranty for indoor residential use, so you have peace of mind that your worktop will look beautiful for years to come. Click here for more information about our lifetime warranty.
