Cosentino City Dubai launched the second edition of Capsule Collection

Following the successful debut of the Capsule Collection in 2021, Cosentino City Dubai launched the second edition, a collaboration with of 5 pioneering practitioners and founders of eminent design houses in the region: Nadine Kanso, Omar Nakkash, Rabah Saeid, Omar Al Gurg and Thomas Trad.

The cohort embarked on the project in October 2023 with an open brief to push the boundaries of their creative practice and “Dare to Play” with Dekton Slim Protek. The 5-month journey from the drawing board to the finished products came to a spectacular close on February 29th at with the reveal of a limited-edition furniture and home accessories collection that comes together to tell myriad stories of home, culture and modern living.

The eclectic collection comprises of a floor lamp, a bench, a modular assortment of multipurpose furniture, a dinnerware carrier and an office desk.

The pieces were brought to life by Dubai-based bespoke furniture craftsmen and luxury fit-out contractor Cherwell. Having worked on the first edition of the Capsule Collection in 2021, Cherwell was well-equipped to deal with the complexities of the designs, production challenges and delivery of the prototypes.

The Cosentino Capsule Collection is envisioned as a bi-annual initiative that engages not only with well-known and emerging talent from the Middle East to create the products but also inspires the next generation of designers. This year, the collective will involve students of prominent design schools in the UAE on the practice of product design. The first edition of the Capsule Collection will also find a second life on campus as a case study tool.

Founder of radical jewelry brand Bil Arabi, Nadine Kanso’s bespoke piece “Blink”, reflects her inimitable style that celebrates the essence of modern Arab identity. The floor lamp is a playful reinterpretation of the iconic eye motif from Nadine’s hugely popular Ya Ein jewellery collection inspired by the ancient concept of Evil Eye rooted in the Arab culture. Transforming illumination into a delightful game, the lamp creates the illusion of a winking eye as it toggles between light and dark with the flick of a switch.

With its shiny brass lampshade, exposed bulb, and cuboid base clad in Paonazzo stone inspired Dekton Awake, this statement piece adds a whimsical touch to any space.

"Through this project, I discovered another side to what I do by creating for the first time this Blink lamp. It was exciting to translate my evil eye jewellery into product design.”

Drawing from his Palestinian heritage and a deep appreciation for the traditional cross-stitch embroidery form of "Tatreez”, Omar Nakkash, Founder and Design Director at Nakkash Design Studio, envisioned the Oli Bench as a functional piece that is also serves as a symbol of connection and hope.

The main elements of the bench are the sleek terracotta coloured Dekton Umber slabs and the hollow solid oak timber bases that double up as planters for the olive trees, Palestine’s symbol of resistance and resilience. Adding a deeper layer of meaning to the design, the olive trees proudly assert Omar’s Palestinian roots and stands as a testament to ancestral presence.

The slab is decorated with motifs of olive branches using square stainless-steel mosaics, in a Tatreez pattern that traces its origin to the city of Ramallah in West Bank.

“The bench is not just a piece of furniture. It is a work of art that embodies my cultural heritage, celebrates the beauty of Palestinian artistry, and invites people to connect and share their stories.”

“kəˈnɛkt” (pronounced Connect) by Styled Habitat, introduces a series of innovative and playful furniture pieces that seamlessly blends sculpture with functionality. Featuring modular units that can be taken apart and reconfigured as needed, the versatile pieces lend itself to be used as tables, stools or even as pedestals.

The collection boasts sleek Dekton surfaces skillfully juxtaposed with brushed bronze, radiant iridescent glass, and textured Alpi veneer to create a captivating interplay of contrasts. This collective form, resembling the silhouette of a cityscape, celebrates the harmonious fusion of artistry and utility, inviting individuals to explore dynamic and interactive design possibilities.

"We understand design as a personal expression, nurturing intimate bonds between physical elements and emotions. Through kəˈnɛkt (connect) we invite the user to express, create and give each piece its unique story.” Rabah Saeid, Founder, Styled Habitat.

An interactive and playful object from the house of MODU Method, designed by the brand’s Founder Omar Al Gurg, “Dinna” is a space-saving dinnerware carrier designed for small homes, a hangover from his time as a university student in Belfast when space was premium.

The modular product that individually comprises of four placemats, one high tray and a low tray, combines to form a cabinet to store crockery for a small family. The stand out elements of the design are the double-sided placemats. Made from thin strips of Dekton Slim Protek glued on linen fabric, the flexible placemats slide in and out of grooves on the dark solid Ash wood trays to create the doors of the cabinet.

Derived from the British English pronunciation of the word dinner, “Dinna” holds emotional and functional value as a product of our times.

“Having a meal together is the most sentimental activity that binds us as humans. “Dinna” pays tribute to this need while also being a product that is true to our contemporary lives in cities where both time and space are scarce.”

Inspired by the desire to challenge traditional furniture design, ingenious Beirut based creator Thomas Trad’s office desk “Kimiko”, is takes a rationalist approach with engineering and materials as main protagonists.

Highlighting the durability, versatility, and ultra-thin profile of Dekton Slim Protek, the minimalist design is unique for the use of Dekton slab as a desktop that appears to float above ground, supported on by a single, curved, thin stainless-steel support leg. The French oak veneer cabinet with swivel drawers add weight and a touch of warmth, enhancing the desk's functionality and aesthetic appeal.

“Kimiko not only highlights my vision for blending form and function but also celebrates Cosentino's commitment to innovative and sustainable material solutions, making Dekton an ideal choice for modern, enduring designs.”