A leathered finish that brings out every ounce of character in this beautiful natural stone. Here is a closer look at a recent installation at a manor house in Alston, on the edge of the North Pennines.
Request a Free Quote Call 0191 258 1540This recent installation shows exactly why. At a beautiful manor house in Alston, on the western edge of the North Pennines, our team fitted stunning Taj Mahal Quartzite finished with a sophisticated leathered surface. The result is a worktop that brings out all the rich, natural character of the stone while giving it a soft, tactile feel that sits perfectly in a countryside home.
Alston sits where Cumbria meets Northumberland and County Durham, so although our showroom is in North Shields, projects like this are well within reach for our team. Here is a closer look at the stone, the finish, and why the two work so beautifully together.
Taj Mahal Quartzite is a natural stone quarried in Brazil, prized for its warm, creamy base and soft golden veining. It has the calm, elegant look of marble, but the hard-wearing nature of quartzite, which makes it a favourite for kitchens that need to be both beautiful and practical.
Because it is a natural material, every slab is unique. The gentle movement through the stone means no two worktops are ever quite the same, and in a setting like this manor house it gives the kitchen a genuine sense of warmth and permanence. You can see it alongside our other options on the materials page.
A leathered finish is created by brushing the surface of the stone, which softens the shine of a polished slab into a low-glare, matte texture you can feel under your hand. That soft, tactile quality is exactly where the name comes from.
Beyond the feel, a leathered finish deepens the natural colour of the stone and is brilliant at disguising everyday fingerprints, smudges and water marks. For a busy family kitchen, or a country home that is lived in rather than just looked at, it is a finish that stays looking its best with very little fuss.
A leathered finish brings out the rich character of the stone while giving it a soft, tactile feel that fits perfectly into a countryside home.
Tap any image to view it full size. Every one is from this Alston project.
A few things come together to make this installation feel so at home in its setting.
Whether you are upgrading your surfaces or starting a full renovation, we would love to help bring your ideas to life. Start with a rough plan of your kitchen, bring it to our North Shields showroom, and we will talk through materials, finishes and budget all in one visit.
When you are ready to go ahead, we template your kitchen digitally to the millimetre before fabrication. See exactly how it works in our worktop installation process, or read our quick guide on how to create a kitchen plan.
Taj Mahal Quartzite is a natural stone quarried in Brazil, known for its warm, creamy base and soft golden veining. It has the elegant look of marble combined with the hard-wearing nature of quartzite, which makes it well suited to kitchens that need to be both beautiful and practical.
A leathered finish is created by brushing the surface of the stone, which softens the shine of a polished slab into a low-glare, matte texture you can feel under your hand. It deepens the natural colour of the stone and helps disguise everyday fingerprints, smudges and water marks.
Yes. Quartzite is a hard-wearing natural stone that stands up well to daily use. With a leathered finish, marks and fingerprints are even less noticeable, so the surface stays looking its best with very little fuss.
We do. Our showroom is in North Shields, but Alston sits where Cumbria meets Northumberland and County Durham, so projects like this are well within reach for our team. Get in touch with your location and we will be happy to help.
Care is straightforward. A leathered surface is wiped clean in the same way as polished stone, and because the texture hides smudges and water marks, it tends to look fresh between cleans. We will talk you through looking after your worktops when they are fitted.
Bring a rough plan of your kitchen to our North Shields showroom, or call us, and we will give you a clear, honest estimate with no obligation. Once you place an order, we template your kitchen digitally to the millimetre before fabrication.
Worktops, islands, splashbacks and sink cut outs, fitted by our team.
View kitchensGranite, quartz, quartzite, marble and ceramic, side by side.
View materialsAn honest, side by side comparison to help you choose.
Read the guideFrom template to fitting, exactly what to expect.
See the processA simple guide to putting together a plan for your quote.
Read the guideNatural granite, its character and why it endures.
View graniteThinking about upgrading your surfaces or starting a renovation? Bring a quick plan to our North Shields showroom and we will help you choose the right stone, talk through finishes and budget, and give you a clear, honest estimate, with no pressure to commit.
Request a Free Quote Call 0191 258 1540