Red Hong Yi’s new, personalised kitchen

Artist and influencer Red Hong Yi has taken her creativity to a whole new level with the renovation of her kitchen in Kuala Lumpur, transforming it into a welcoming, functional and visually relaxing space, all with her signature playful touch. For this project, Red relied on the excellence of Cosentino materials, choosing the ultra-compact Dekton Marmorio surface for the kitchen island, worktop and splashback, and Silestone Ffrom02 for a shelf with a unique design.

In collaboration with kitchen specialist Bofi, Red was able to overcome the challenges of this project, where light and space are very limited. “Our home is a semi-detached house with limited light and space, so I wanted to exaggerate the flow from the kitchen to the back of the house to create the illusion of a larger space,” she says. This vision has resulted in a design that enhances visual continuity and creates a sense of spaciousness through the use of clean lines and materials that subtly reflect light.

Red knew from the start that the kitchen would be the heart of her home and allocated a significant part of the budget to choosing high-quality materials and working with specialists who would be able to guarantee both aesthetics and functionality.

“I had never worked on a renovation project before, but I knew from the start that the kitchen would be the focal point of my home, so I allocated a larger budget to achieving high quality materials and experienced specialists with a focus on practicality; these were the factors that influenced my choices,” she says.

The result is a kitchen in neutral tones that conveys serenity. “I wanted it to be welcoming and relaxing, with soft neutral tones and a warm colour palette. I also knew that I wanted dark woods rather than light ones,” says Red, reflecting her desire to create a space that was both elegant and functional.

Red was looking for a surface that combined durability with impeccable aesthetics, which she ultimately found in Dekton Marmorio. “I wanted a kitchen worktop that was both durable and beautiful. I looked at a lot of different stones, both natural and synthetic, and after talking to various people, many of them recommended Cosentino,” she says.

The selection process was meticulous. “I got some samples from Cosentino and tested them at home with kitchen utensils and turmeric juice to check for scratches and stains. They turned out to be stain and scratch resistant and I love the look of Dekton Marmorio, so I chose it for the worktop and island.”

“I chose Dekton Marmorio for the kitchen because I love the look of travertine and have used it in several places in my house. However, travertine is a porous material, so I chose Dekton Marmorio because of its very similar appearance. I like that it has horizontal patterns that emphasise the linear shape of my kitchen,” says Red, demonstrating her attention to detail and the importance of every little decision.

In addition to the kitchen, Red also designed a very special corner in her home, using Silestone Ffrom02 to create a very personal shelf, which she has named ‘Totem Shelf’. Situated in her studio, it has become a focal point where she keeps her favourite books and small objects of great sentimental value. “It is a place I go to relax and I love being able to unwind, read and see a piece I have designed become a special part of my home,” she concludes.