Hitting the Right Note: DJ Tiffany Calver on Composing Her Dream Kitchen

The Vision: Crafting a Sanctuary

Like many first-time homeowners, Tiffany and her partner started with a blank canvas. After ripping out the dated 1960s kitchen and plastering over the old magnolia walls, the real challenge began. "Having only ever been a tenant before this, it was equally exciting as it was a challenge to really think about what we wanted to execute now that we had complete freedom," Tiffany shares.

With a background in the music industry, not construction, the couple faced a steep learning curve. But they had a clear vision. "I love to cook and to host friends and family, and the kitchen is a very important space for me to unwind after intense bouts of travelling and touring. I wanted a kitchen that felt like 'home'.” 

The goal? A traditional aesthetic with a modern flare. The wish list included shaker-style units, open shelving, and the timeless elegance of marble worktops. There was just one problem.

 The Marble Dilemma: Beauty vs. Reality

Anyone who has coveted a marble kitchen knows the internal conflict. The look is unparalleled - classic, luxurious, and a statement in itself. But the reality can be a source of constant anxiety. Marble is a soft, porous stone, susceptible to staining, etching, and chipping. For a kitchen designed to be the bustling heart of the home, this was a major concern for Tiffany!

Tiffany pinpointed the dilemma perfectly. She dreamed of "marble worktops without the drama of not being able to actually use my kitchen." She needed a surface that could withstand impromptu hosting, energetic cooking sessions, and the occasional red wine spill without demanding a life of terrified tiptoeing.

The Masterstroke: Why Quartz was the Perfect Choice

This is where the transformation truly began. The solution was found in quartz - a material that offers the best of all worlds.

"Quartz worktops are the ultimate balance between style and convenience," Tiffany explains. And she's right. As an engineered stone, quartz combines crushed natural quartz - one of nature's hardest minerals - with resins and pigments. The result is a surface that captures the stunning depth and veining of natural stone while offering superhuman durability. 

Stone is more than just a surface - it’s a storyteller. Every swirl, vein, and texture holds echoes of the natural world, of time, and of craft. Through our Stonelore collection, we honour these stories — each design inspired by a moment in the history of art, design, and nature.

For Tiffany, choosing quartz was the 'cheat code' to achieving her high-end vision without compromise. "It instantly adds value to the space and enhances the style of a kitchen but does not leave you terrified to use your kitchen unlike marble," she says. The worktop became the unifying element, the crown jewel of the room that tied her dramatic cabinet colours and carefully chosen handles together into a cohesive, breathtaking whole.

It's a surface built for real life. It’s non-porous, meaning it resists staining from coffee, wine, and lemon juice. It’s incredibly hard-wearing and scratch-resistant, which is a blessing after three months of living with nothing but an air fryer and a kettle. "I didn't know I could miss chopping an onion so much!" she laughs. Now, she can chop away without a worry.

Verde Nuvola Was the Chosen One!  

One of the other big dilemmas Tiffany had to face was choosing between Perla Nuvola or Verde Nuvola, from our Stonelore collection to be the perfect partner to the dark heritage green cabinetry to anchor the space with depth and character, and to elevate the timeless brass handles which adds that layer of warmth and understated opulence. The addition of herringbone wood flooring completes the scene — grounding the room in tradition and texture!

The winner…. Verde Nuvola was the chosen one for adding dramatic sophistication. With soft green undertones delicately woven through a luminous white base, Verde Nuvola offers a modern, refined take on classic Carrara marble. Gentle, ethereal, and endlessly elegant, it evokes the stillness of early morning mist and the graceful drift of clouds — nature’s own quiet luxury.

Together, these elements tell a story of balance - between old and new, bold and serene, crafted and natural. A space designed not just to be seen, but to be felt.

Renovation Realities: Tiffany’s Tips from the Trenches

Looking back on the four-month project, Tiffany has some hard-won wisdom for anyone embarking on a similar journey.

• Get Creative on a Budget: "The ultimate cheat code to achieving a bespoke look without the accompanying price tag is to stretch your creativity with the decor," she advises. This includes everything from painting cabinets to choosing unique drawer handles and, crucially, investing in a high-impact worktop that elevates standard units.
• Contingency is Key: If there’s one universal truth of renovating, it’s that costs will mount. "I can absolutely assure you that whatever you think it will cost, it will cost double," she warns. Having a contingency fund is non-negotiable.
• Negotiate and Ask Questions: "I'd ask as many questions as possible without feeling bad about it before doing anything!" Don't be shy - it’s your home and your money. She also recommends negotiating labour costs for the full job upfront, rather than piecemeal.

As the final units arrive this month, the project is nearing its stunning conclusion. "It honestly looks divine," Tiffany gushes. "The service from yourself to the boys who came to install the worktops on the day has been nothing short of incredible."

The result is more than just a kitchen. It's a testament to a clear vision, smart material choices, and the idea that your home's most-used room should also be its most beautiful and durable. With her quartz worktops as the flawless centrepiece, Tiffany has created a space that’s ready for everything - from quiet morning coffees to the biggest after-party. It's a kitchen built to last, designed to be loved and ready for an encore.