Anova 5555

A dark, near-black charcoal with a dense swirled texture running across the whole slab, threaded with the finest muted gold and cream lines that catch the light from certain angles. From across the room it reads black; up close there is warmth in it.

This is the alternative to a solid black when you want depth rather than a blank wall. The texture also works in your favour: it hides dust and crumbs far better than a smooth black. It sits well against brass, walnut and deep green cabinetry.

Anova Quartz is an Israeli maker and importer based in Be'er Sheva, supplying engineered quartz with a high quartz content and a twelve-year warranty (registered online after installation). The quartz is non-porous — it will not absorb wine, lemon or oil, it never needs resealing, and soap and water handle the daily clean. Like all engineered quartz it is not heat-proof, so a hot pan goes on a trivet rather than on the worktop.