A soft luxury kitchen with Silestone as the main feature

In Dublin 4, an affluent area in the south of the Irish capital, a minor issue with the roof turned into the perfect opportunity to completely rethink a home and adapt it to a new way of living. What started as a simple repair ended up leading to a complete renovation that allowed the owner to open up the house, gain light, and create a kitchen designed for everyday use but also for enjoying without compromise.

The project was developed alongside Adrian Hill from Wilson Hill Architects and builder Paul Sheeran from Cluna Construction, in a process marked by listening and collaboration. The idea was clear from the start: “I wanted the garden to come into the house and the house to open up to the garden.” This pursuit of continuity between interior and exterior defined both the layout and the choice of materials.

After visiting Cosentino City in Fonthill, the client was immediately drawn to one of Silestone's latest shades: Versailles Ivory. It is the warmest colour in the collection, featuring delicate bi-colour marbling and subtle gradients illuminated by golden flecks integrated into the surface. A tone that exudes elegance and evokes the classic opulence of the Palace of Versailles, reinterpreted through a contemporary lens.

The Silestone Versailles Ivory slabs, cut by Stone Ideas, were used both for the kitchen worktops and for a striking continuous cladding that connects the wall, ceiling, and worktop, becoming the most distinctive architectural feature of the space. This decision enhances the sense of continuity and amplifies the natural light, making the kitchen feel spacious, bright, and serene.

The selection was completed with a custom-made golden sink and matching tap, which directly complement the golden veins of the material and emphasise its sophisticated character. “I’ve always admired the Cosentino brand and knew about the product’s durability, which was exactly what I wanted for my kitchen. If something is going to spill, you can be sure it will happen to me,” the owner jokes.

Another great success of the project was avoiding visible sockets on the main front, a key suggestion that allowed the continuous Silestone surface to remain intact. “My brother told me not to ruin the wall with power outlets, and he was absolutely right. I love what that complete surface brings and how the golden vein reflects in the speckled glass splashback, which in summer brings the garden’s colour into the house.”

The kitchen, designed and custom-made by Shane Kelly from Kelly Design, features clean lines and a highly controlled aesthetic. Bosch appliances, along with the integrated fridge and dishwasher, and the absence of visible handles, reinforce the sense of order and continuity. The furniture colour was specifically mixed for the client, a shade she describes as “a soft moss green that, now that I live with it, suspiciously resembles my old school uniform.”

A skylight above the kitchen provides additional light throughout the day, while wide ash planks, supplied by The Hardwood Floor Company, add warmth and balance to the overall design.

The result is a serene luxury kitchen, where Silestone Versailles Ivory serves as the visual and functional centrepiece.