Selecting Slabs with Cosentino

Cosentino Group is a global, Spanish, family-owned company that produces and distributes high value innovative surfaces for the world of design and architecture.

At Cosentino, they are always innovating and pushing the envelope to develop materials that answer the needs and wants of their clients and partners. With pioneering and leading brands such as Silestone®, Dekton® or Sensa by Cosentino®, their products create unique environments for home and public spaces.

Cosentino was an obvious choice when Laura was looking for a hard surfaces partner. Not only does our team select Cosentino brands for the homes we design, but Laura is a huge fan of their technologically advanced surfaces that are innovative, sustainable, and of course beautiful!

We sat down with our friends at Cosentino to chat about Laura’s selections and the service they provide.

Cosentino Silestone applied to the kitchen counters and wall. Designed by the Laura U Design Collective. Photography: Jack Thompson

A CONVERSATION WITH COSENTINO

Laura U Design Collective (LUDC): There are many different brands under the Cosentino Group, including Silestone and Dekton which will be used throughout the Mountain Lane Show House (MLSH). Can you talk us through the main differences between the brands and what end-users and industry folks can expect from each brand?

Cosentino (C): Cosentino prides itself on offering a variety of different materials through its brands to fit the needs and expectations of the market and its customers. Silestone and Dekton are two of Cosentino’s most popular brands, each with a unique value proposition.

Silestone is Cosentino’s hybrid quartz surface which has led the countertop market for over 30 years. Silestone offers an incredibly wide assortment of colors and finishes fitting for every taste and it is the perfect solution for kitchen projects for its durability, low absorption, and resistance to scratches and stains. Ethereal Haze, from the newest Silestone collection was selected for the kitchen of the MLSH, bringing the delicate beauty of the sky into the space.

Dekton, on the other hand, is Cosentino’s Ultracompact surface, a completely new category of surfaces. Cosentino has been able to recreate nature’s million-year evolution into a 4-hour process at over 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit with 25,000 tons of pressure to create this virtually indestructible material. Dekton’s unmatched technical properties - such as resistance to extreme weathers and temperatures - makes it the perfect solution for outdoor and high traffic areas, such as the flooring.

LUDC: Laura and Michael are super excited to be using Ethereal by Silestone in the kitchen, butler's pantry, and utility room. Ethereal takes the concept of marbled colors and pairs it with sustainability. Can you tell us about the innovative HybridQ+ technology?

C: HybriQ+ represents a leap forward in Cosentino’s commitment to sustainability. The result of years of R&D&I resulted in the cutting-edge patented HybriQ+ Technology for the manufacturing of Silestone, which makes the material more beautiful and more sustainable than ever, while keeping the properties and warranty that have made it a market leader for decades.

HybriQ+ brings about a new generation of surfaces created from a high-performance blend of premium minerals, quartz, and at least 20% recycled materials in its composition. Additionally, it is manufactured sustainably using 100% renewable energy and 99% recycled water.

Cosentino’s newest collection, Ethereal, is manufactured with this innovative technology, setting a new standard of beauty, innovation, and unprecedented sustainability.

Laura selected Cosentino Silestone Ethereal Haze for the kitchen and butler’s pantry. Image provided by Cosentino.

LUDC: In the kitchen and the butler's pantry, Laura selected the Ethereal Haze in for the countertops and the backsplash for a continuous wow-look. Can you tell us about other applications you are seeing with the Ethereal products?

C: The beauty of Silestone lies in its versatility and the boundless opportunities it provides. Colors such as Ethereal Haze - a white canvas with subtle gray gradients - is the perfect solution for kitchen countertops and backsplash, but that’s only the beginning. All four colorways in the Ethereal Collection are also being used as wall cladding in different spaces to create visual harmony in the space, furniture, such as coffee tables and table tops, bathroom vanity tops, and even floating shelves, and more!

LUDC: Dekton is a blend of raw materials to produce glass, porcelain, and high-quality quartz work surfaces. What are the advantages of working with Dekton?

C: Dekton is a truly impressive material and a unique proposition for the architecture and design world. Dekton is an ultracompact surface known for its unmatched technical properties, durability, and high aesthetic values. The material is able to mimic the look and feel of natural stone, cement, and even wood, without any maintenance. Additionally, the way the material is heated and pressed makes it virtually indestructible, perfect for high traffic areas and spaces exposed to strain. For instance, specifiers can select Dekton for outdoor kitchens, wet pool areas, showers, flooring, cladding, and even facades without having to worry about maintenance and damage.

Dekton is resistant to scratches, stains, graffiti, and unaffected by the freeze/thaw cycle, extreme temperatures, and all weather conditions, without losing its color fastness or technical properties.

Dekton Keyla was selected for the hearth in the great room at the Mountain Lane Show House. Image provided by Cosentino.

LUDC: In the MLSH, Laura selected the Dekton Kelya Natural Collection for the hearth in the great room. This black marble with soft veins will definitely create a show-stopping moment. What other applications is Dekton suitable for?

C: Dekton is an extremely versatile and resistant surface, which allows it to be used in varying applications with ease. It is a popular flooring application, because it can withstand heavy foot traffic, but it is also great for kitchen countertops and backsplashes - you can put scorching pots or pans directly on Dekton! It can also be used as wall cladding, furniture, and even facades.

LUDC: Since the pandemic, have you seen any new trends emerge in your industry?

C: Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic our industry has been experiencing a tremendous impact on logistics. This is not a ‘trend’ but it is definitely something impacting the building, design, and construction industry overall.

Designers have been expressing the need to create more closed spaces such as home offices and other multi use versatile areas as well as fully functional outdoor spaces.

Dekton Sky. Image provided by Cosentino.

LUDC: How often do you release new collections and what is the inspiration behind them?

C: At Cosentino, we are always innovating and pushing the envelope to develop materials that answer the needs and wants of our clients. The amount of collections launched by year averages 2/year and they are determined by extensive market research and brought to life by our R&D&I team. Our collections draw inspiration from all sorts of things, but a recurring theme is always nature. Nature is the best artist and it is always our North Star and inspiration when coming up with new and innovative concepts to introduce. One important aspect of our new collections over the last few years has definitely been focused on greater impact in sustainability and the safety of our employees and customers.

LUDC: Do you have any advice for people wanting to install Cosentino brands in their home?

C: Home renovations are exciting and an opportunity to make spaces truly your own. We encourage everybody to take full advantage of all the resources Cosentino offers them and do their research on the wide variety of colors, finishes, and applications to select the perfect one for their space.

Cosentino has a wide distribution across North America including 45 Cosentino Distribution Centers and eight Cosentino City immersive showrooms. Here, you will be able to get personalized support and experience Cosentino’s materials in person.

LUDC: How can people get in contact with Cosentino?

C: For the latest on Cosentino visit our wbsite www.cosentino.com and follow us on social media at @CosentinoUSA.