Laurent Brings Luxury & Drama to a Striking New Home

When interior designer Shannon Pepper was asked to create an interior for a new luxury home being built to sell, she decided to create an aesthetic with a clear design direction and a series of dramatic and dazzling rooms, rather than a generic space that would appeal to any buyer. 

The result is a home that channels Hollywood glamour with its gold-and-black colour scheme, moments of luxe detailing, modern furniture, and warm wooden features.

“My design wasn’t going to be everyone’s cup of tea, but it was pitched towards middle-aged empty nesters, who have a busy lifestyle and appreciate a bit of style and edge inside their home,” Pepper says of the high-end Takapuna house, created by Landmark Homes. 

Dekton by Cosentino’s Laurent was chosen for the kitchen’s 3350mm-long waterfall island and splashback; it’s paired with Dekton, Eter* around the hobs and for the adjacent scullery benchtop.  

“Dekton Laurent and Eter* have been my favourites over the last couple of years, as they complement each other so well when used together. I love the punch Laurent gives to simple design, with its rich tones in the vein and the striking pattern. Laurent was the first thing I chose for the kitchen and then I created the colour story around it. With the house being on the darker side, it was a perfect match and added interest to the kitchen,” says Pepper. 

It helped that Dekton is a 100% carbon neutral surface and, in addition to its sustainability, it comes with a 25-year warranty. “I have used Laurent several times in different projects, and I’m using Dekton’s Sirius, Trillium and Liquid Shell in current interior projects,” explains Pepper. “The properties of Dekton are so superior to other benchtop options, with its wear, stain, scratch and heat proof qualities.”  

To match the dark Dekton choices, stained black oak veneer was specified for the cabinetry, a striking gold light fitting was selected, and warm cedar wooden slatted details for the extractor surround and room divider were installed.  

“I wanted to play on the use of natural timber and cedar has some really nice rich tones that fitted perfectly with the warm tones in the veins of Laurent,” says Pepper. “Natural oak also works really well with Laurent, but I wanted to use something a little more uncommon, so I decided on cedar. The slats are carefully positioned for texture and balance.” 

Sirius, another popular Dekton surface, is featured in the bathroom. 

Explore Cosentino's extensive range of Dekton surfaces here.