Oxfordshire Kitchen Stone Worktop
Located near Henley-on-Thames in Oxfordshire, this project uses stone worktops to quietly define and connect an open-plan kitchen, utility and boot room.
Working in collaboration with Griggs and MacKay, AFJONES developed a surface design in contrasting Silestone quartz that balances practicality with a welcoming, timeless feel.
STONE WORKTOPS FOR AN
OPEN-PLAN KITCHEN
CONTRASTING QUARTZ TO
DEFINE ZONES
The kitchen and adjoining spaces are arranged around two complementary quartz finishes: dark Silestone Charcoal Soapstone for the breakfast surface and Silestone White Carrara for the surrounding worktops.
The contrast in tone and texture helps to define different functions within the open-plan layout while keeping the overall scheme calm and coherent.
CIRCULAR BREAKFAST SURFACE
AS A FEATURE
The breakfast top is a 50mm-thick circular installation in Charcoal Soapstone, cut to wrap a structural steel column at the centre of the space.
What could have been an intrusive element is absorbed into the design and turned into a feature, with the curved stone providing a soft counterpoint to the otherwise clean, linear geometry of the kitchen.
COMPLETE SERVICE FROM DESIGN TO INSTALLATION
AFJONES provided a complete service from early material selection and surface design through to templating, fabrication and installation.
Detailed mark-ups of the stone cuts were prepared for review and sign-off, giving the client and design team clarity from the outset and ensuring the finished worktops matched the agreed intent.
MATERIAL SELECTION AND SURFACE DESIGN
PRECISE TEMPLATING AND
FABRICATION
A key focus of the project was choosing stones that would both complement the joinery and stand up to daily use.
The selected Silestone finishes offer a balance of visual depth, stain resistance and ease of maintenance, making them well suited to a busy family kitchen, utility and boot room.
COORDINATION WITH DESIGNER
AND CONTRACTOR
Accurate templating and careful fabrication allowed joints, corners and cut-outs to be handled with precision, including the circular breakfast top around the column.
Installation was sequenced to coordinate with the kitchen contractor, ensuring a smooth fit with cabinetry, appliances and flooring.
EVERYDAY DURABILITY WITH
QUIET LUXURY
The finished worktops give the kitchen a sense of quiet confidence: surfaces that feel solid and considered, with subtle material contrasts that help organise the space without overwhelming it.
The result is a practical working environment that still reads as calm and welcoming day to day.
This project demonstrates how thoughtful stone selection and detailing can elevate a contemporary kitchen.
By acting as both technical partner and fabricator, AFJONES helped Griggs and MacKay deliver a scheme in which every surface feels integrated, durable and in keeping with the wider character of the home.
RESOURCES &
Education
Stone has shaped architecture for centuries, and it continues to define the most ambitious projects today
At AFJONES, we make stonework possible at the highest level by combining artistry, engineering, and generations of craft knowledge.
Our integrated process covers every stage, from early consultation and design input through to workshop production and on-site installation. This ensures that projects are delivered seamlessly and with absolute precision.
