Who better than the global leader in performance surface materials and natural stone slabs to make a designer “feel like a rock star”? That’s how Baton Rouge, Louisiana–based Arianne Bellizaire describes her relationship with Cosentino, whose diverse collections help her craft bespoke kitchens and baths that combine a sleek, contemporary aesthetic with incomparable durability. The brand’s technologically innovative—and intricately veined—countertops, flooring and cladding are renowned for resistance to scratches, stains, heat, moisture and more. Beyond the exceptional products, Bellizaire has also come to count on the company for everything from its digital tools to its showroom team. “As designers, we’re managing so much in our heads,” she says. “But Cosentino doesn’t just supply beautiful materials; it creates a supportive community.” On the eve of Fall High Point Market, the designer previews the company’s latest colorways and discusses the unique perks (financial among them) of its trade program.
DEKTON’S DRAMATIC EXPRESSIONS
Maximum durability meets minimalist discretion in Nomak, a serene new expression of Dekton, Cosentino’s ultracompact mineral composite stone. Captured across three palettes—Evok, Keena and Thala—soft gray, gold and ash tones contrast with bright, clarifying ivories and whites, the subtle veining turning the visual volume down and fostering an ambiance of calm that elevates any setting without shouting for attention. Architecture is allowed to speak for itself, light integrates naturally, and surfaces can breathe. Easy to care for, the material maintains its tonal purity over time, making it an elegant presence in modern, open spaces. Complemented by midtone woods and matte ceramics, it engenders a soothing sense of continuity.
The fissures and fractures of Arctic ice are translated into another new Dekton variation, Artik Nodes, delivering dramatic character and three-dimensionality through irregular, intersecting veins. Consider the luminous, glacial white of Inuk; the hints of pink highlighted by sandy streaks across the ivory base of Borealis; or the stone-gray accents against the cool, snowy white of Bering. Each colorway brings the grandeur of Earth’s northernmost landscape to expansive home surfaces where the material’s many nuances can emerge. “Cosentino is such a powerful visual storyteller,” says Bellizaire. “To illustrate the concept behind Artik Nodes, the team produced a video of a frozen lake and the fractal cracking of its icy surface. The way that effect is translated to the Dekton material is different from any other style of veining I’ve seen—more in-your-face bold in the movement of the lines.”
Alongside the two new collections, Dekton also adds the beige-toned Nara colorway as a warm, enveloping alternative. A modern interpretation of Taj Mahal quartzite, its sophisticated veining and silky finish impart harmony and invite touch. “So many clients today want finishes with character, and Nara provides that patina, but with the benefits of performance,” says Bellizaire. Like all versions of Dekton, Nara delivers outstanding durability in residential and commercial applications, resisting scratches, stains, impact and heat in kitchens, bathrooms and even on outdoor facades.
AMAZONIK’S WOODSY APPEAL
While Artik Nodes’ veining enhances the simplicity of modern interiors, Bellizaire’s personal preference from the Dekton portfolio makes a more rustic impression. “Amazonik is my favorite,” she admits. “From the moment I first saw—and felt—the material at Cosentino’s headquarters in Spain, I was smitten.” Mimicking wood grain, textural Amazonik pairs an organic appearance with near-zero porosity that makes cleaning and upkeep a breeze. On top of Cosentino’s characteristic scratch-, impact- and moisture-resistant properties, it boasts UV stability, which contributes to its color longevity and readiness for high-traffic zones, wet areas and outdoor spaces. Three thickness levels expand the possibilities from flooring, cladding and countertops to bespoke furniture pieces.
“I picture it in the most fantastic laundry room, applied vertically and accompanied by a patterned wallpaper,” the designer says. The material reflects the warmth of natural oak in Kedar, a colorway that moves effortlessly between casual and refined room concepts. Taking its cues from bleached oak, Zira’s pale tones are perfect for Nordic, Japandi or Mediterranean schemes that prioritize brightness and a sparse, airy atmosphere. “Customers are drawn to Kedar for more transitional or even traditional rooms, and lean into the lighter Zira for contemporary interiors,” notes Bellizaire. “I can imagine so many applications for both in residential spaces.” Rendered with depth and detail, each palette is pleasing to the touch—like tracing the rings of a tree.
COLORFUL UPDATES FOR ĒCLOS AND SILESTONE
Composed of up to 88 percent recycled materials and near-zero crystalline silica, Ēclos is acclaimed for its extreme heat resistance—withstanding up to 428 degrees Fahrenheit—and its trademark Inlayr 3D technology, which integrates veining and gradient color variations through its entire thickness and edge to edge. “Between the safety of the material, the ability to put hot cookware directly on top of it without causing scorch marks, and the fact that it can be cut and mitered, Ēclos is the game changer,” says Bellizaire. “Don’t miss it.” Expanding the range of Ēclos’s introductory collection, Electric Veins, Cosentino has recently incorporated two new hues. In Legnd, layers of loamy browns are shot through with lightning-like currents, conveying an earthy sophistication. Wondr sets bolts of gray and blue in motion across a white base, provoking moments of awe. “Cosentino’s spectrum of colors is another reason it’s my go-to resource for surface materials,” she continues. “Whether it’s the warmth of Legnd or the cool of Wondr—love the names, by the way!—each is trend-forward in its own right, which differentiates the line and keeps it relevant.”
Following High Point Market, in November Cosentino will premiere a new collection in its signature low-silica Silestone line—the first of the company’s products that Bellizaire used in a project, replicating the look of Calacatta Gold marble at a much more budget-friendly price in a kitchen imbued with all the benefits of the composite’s performance capabilities.
THE C SUITE
Cosentino believes that design professionals deserve to be rewarded for the many ways they use its diverse surfaces—and they’ve got the trade program to prove it. Offering much more than product previews, complimentary samples and discount pricing, C.Top serves as a platform where designers can boost their brand through networking, exclusive workshops and seminars, plus social media promotions for their projects—a noteworthy perk for the stylists, photographers, and furniture and fabric vendors who help the designs across the finish line. Program members can review case studies by peers for inspiration and feedback, download spec sheets, style digital mood boards, and employ visualization tools to experiment with different materials and applications online. Dedicated account managers and technical experts are on call for product details and personalized support. “Before I even bring suggestions to the client or visit the showroom, I can quickly accomplish a lot of high-level information-gathering, culling the options for a confident start,” says Bellizaire. “Before I even make a selection, there are so many ways I can use the program to be more efficient.”
C.Top members don’t just save time; they earn money. Once an order has been placed, members register the products to get a commission. And because designers order the materials directly from Cosentino, not a fabricator or contractor, they can apply a markup to the cost as well. “C.Top is an acknowledgment from Cosentino that designers are the ambassadors on the ground, specifying the material, and it incentivizes us,” says Bellizaire. “I appreciate the continued effort to make sure we not only feel valued but have everything we need in terms of resources, education and experiences.”
Strategic use of resources and ways to leverage relationships are among the topics Bellizaire will be tackling as part of “The Bottom Line: Best Practices to Running Your Design Business,” one of two panels Cosentino is hosting at High Point. “During this tumultuous time in the industry, we’ll be pulling back the curtain and sharing the secrets to staying strong and profitable as design firms,” she says. Check out the panel at 10 a.m. on Sunday, October 18, and explore Cosentino’s latest materials at its immersive lounge in NKBA’s collaborative hub at Broad Hall, where the brand is a primary partner.
This story is a paid promotion and was created in partnership with Cosentino.
Homepage image: Shown in Borealis, Dekton Artik Nodes features veining that dramatically captures the effect of the fracturing surface of a frozen lake | Courtesy of Cosentino
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