In the heart of Hobsonville, Auckland, this new house is a prime example of how contemporary design can accommodate the needs of a multi-generational family. Architectural interior designer Michelle McIlroy of Inherent Co. has skillfully transformed this suburban home into a space that caters to both the young and the old, using Dekton throughout the home to ensure longevity and ease of maintenance.

An  impressive entrance floor, fabricated in Dekton large format tiles, creates a dramatic first impression that is both visually stunning and functionally sound, ideal for a home bustling with family activity. 

“From the moment you walk into the house, it's an instant ‘wow factor’, due to the size and scale of the slabs,” says McIlroy. 

Continuing the theme from the entrance way, the powder room also utilises Dekton flooring.

Central to the home is the kitchen, designed to support the culinary adventures of a family that loves to cook. Dekton, Laos provides a stain-resistant and durable workspace. 

“We needed a surface that wouldn’t stain,” explains McIlroy. “It needed to look as good as the day it was installed.” The use of Dekton Laos extends into a charming bar area. 

The scullery complements the kitchen’s robust functionality, featuring Dekton, Sirus for the benchtop and Zenith for the splashback, illustrating Dekton’s adaptability in different settings. These areas are designed to be just as resilient as the kitchen, ensuring consistency throughout the home.

The decision to use Dekton was driven by its unmatched durability and the flexibility it provides when it comes to design. The advantages of Dekton, Cosentino’s ultra-compact surface that is carbon-neutral throughout its life cycle are countless: it resists abrasion better than granite and porcelain tiles; it remains unaffected by scratches and impacts; it is non-porous, so it is also resistant to liquids and residues; it withstands extreme temperatures and even fire; and it is unaffected by UV rays. No wonder it comes with a warranty of up to 25 years. “Dekton is so flexible in its different thicknesses that I was able to create a design that adhered to cabinetry, bench tops, walls, and floors,” explains McIlroy. 

The thoughtful design ensures the home meets the contemporary preferences of its younger residents while remaining accessible and comfortable for older family members. By striking a balance, the home is poised to be a welcoming home  for generations to come.

Explore the full range of Dekton® surfaces here. 

Photography by Helen Bankers.

Accessories loaned by A&C Homewares.

When renovating a 1930’s bungalow, Yellowfox designer Andrea Burney wanted to preserve the essence of the house’s history, but modernise the rooms so they were practical and up-to-date. That meant reconfiguring the layout of the kitchen and dining rooms to flow better, and choosing beautiful, but hardwearing finishes and surfaces that worked with the mid-century aesthetic.  

For Burney, Silestone quickly became the first choice when it came to benchtops, thanks to its innovative composition, toughness and eco-friendly production process. The interior designer specified Desert Silver in the kitchen and laundry benchtops. The neutral colour paired perfectly with both the pink finger tiles that cover the kitchen island, and glossy green tiles chosen for the laundry splashback. 

“Desert Silver toned in beautifully with the island cabinetry, splashback tiles and walls, and we loved the beautiful luxurious feel of the suede finish. The muted veining of Desert Silver added subtle interest without being overpowering,” explains Burney. “The kitchen benchtop is designed with a softened bar overhang and harmonises effortlessly with the Tile Warehouse Zellige splashback tiles and Resene Merino walls.”  

It also complements the kitchen’s timber shelves inspired by mid-century design, Dezignatek and Bestwood cabinetry, Archant handles and Robertson tapware. In the laundry, it’s paired with Zellige tiles and Bosch appliances. And thanks to its 25-year warranty, it’s the perfect surface for a busy household with two energetic boys.  

“There were already plenty of colours and textures in the interior design scheme for the house, so I didn’t want to introduce a new one with the benching,” says Burney. “By using Desert Silver in two rooms, we were able to colourblock the base units with the benchtop and create a neutral backdrop to the feature tiling for a functional yet stylish touch. And I love that Silestone is such a cost-effective option.” 

See the entire Cosentino collection here. 

A home bar is the last word in interior sophistication, and in this recent renovation for home-owners who love to host parties and dinners, it was top of the dream decor wish list.  

Phil Judd of Workshop Designs responded to the brief by creating a beautiful and timeless built-in bar for the clients. It needed to withstand regular use, spills and scrapes, so he specified Dekton, Sirius, in 12mm thickness, for both the bar top and the splashback.  

“The bar is a very special piece,” says Judd. “It sits in the same room as the kitchen but needed to have its own presence. We used Sirius for the look and the texture, which was so important to this project. The tall splashback gives the bar a luxurious look and feel, and the depth of Sirius elevates the lighting and brass we chose to go with it.” 

The carbon-neutral, black surface also complements the existing flooring in the open-plan living area, which has a lovely golden hue. “It’s the mix of materials, texture, lighting and tones that make this project stand out,” says Phoebe Clinton-Baker, designer at Workshop Designs. 

In the adjoining kitchen, Judd and Clinton-Baker specified Sirius for the back splashback, around the cooktop, and for a lovely coffee nook. It creates a seamless aesthetic in the open-plan area. “The owners are a busy and growing family, so Sirius was perfect because it has the practical elements – its heat-resistant, easy to use and has no maintenance,” explains Clinton-Baker.  

The clients also wanted a butler’s pantry that could be shut away, hiding clutter and small appliances. In there, the light and pretty Dekton, Aeris was specified for the benchtops, to complement the white sink and walls.  

“Domoos was the perfect hard-wearing surface to ground the high-gloss bathrooms,” says Burney.  

“This choice was driven by colour,” says Clinton-Baker. “The warmth to this stone worked perfectly, softening the space and keeping it clean and modern. It was also important to use Dekton in the scullery as there is an oven on one elevation. and we wanted a practical surface that the clients could prepare food and cook on.”  

To round out the trio of Cosentino products chosen for the project, Clinton-Baker specified 20mm Silestone, White Storm, a sustainable surface made with 100% recycled water and electricity, for the laundry. “The laundry has a lighter and brighter aesthetic,” says Clinton-Baker. “White Storm is a cost-effective stone, resistant to staining, and it sits perfectly in the space.” 

Explore the full range of colours across Dekton®, Silestone® and Sensa® here.

When renovating an apartment, it can be impossible to move walls and change room configurations. Modernising the aesthetic relies instead on new surfaces and textures to make a transformation. This was the scenario with an Auckland apartment revamped by Yellowfox designer Andrea Burney: the concrete walls could not be altered, which meant working with the existing spaces, while creating an interior that felt warm, modern and luxe.  

Burney began in the kitchen, where the flow was improved and storage space was maximised with ample cabinetry under the benchtops and hidden storage in a set-back veneer unit. Kitchen benchtops in 20mm Dekton by Cosentino’s Aeris were fabricated in an irregular U-shape and paired with an integrated timber diner bar. Inspired by white limestone, Aeris lightened up the space. 

“Aeris’ muted pattern created a neutral backdrop and helped to reduce the visual impact of the wall angles and numerous benchtop joins required,” explains Burney. “The matte finish is tied in with matte lacquered cabinetry by Marton Lee Cabinetry and wall paint in Resene Albescent White. Dekton has amazing durability in that it won’t absorb food spills or liquid splashes like natural stone would.”  

The result is a kitchen that feels spacious and seamlessly multifunctional. Archant handles add modern glamour to the aesthetic, as does a stunning Creative Flooring herringbone engineered timber floor. The petite diner bar lends interest to the space. 

“The angles turned out to be an opportunity for a design feature with the dining nook and the chance to bring in a traditional turned table leg,” says Burney. “The high stud and keeping colours neutral mean the stunning views are not detracted from.”  

The two bathrooms are a dark and moody counterpoint to the light and bright kitchen. Graphite black Dekton Domoos, in 60mm thickness, was chosen for the vanities and paired with Grohe and Zucchetti fittings and stunning circular mirrors.  

“Domoos was the perfect hard-wearing surface to ground the high-gloss bathrooms,” says Burney.  

In the laundry, Burney returned to Aeris for a high-end feel. “The laundry needed to be a design feature in itself, since it is the thoroughfare to the main bathroom,” she explains. “Aeris is hard-wearing for a work surface, but attractive and neutral enough to colour-block with the base cabinetry and contrast with the other finishes.”  

Explore the full range of colours across Dekton®, Silestone® and Sensa® here. 

Photography by John Williams.

When starting work on a kitchen in an architectural new build for a busy young family, Annika Rowson of Rowson Kitchens knew she wanted to use Sensa’s White Macaubas, a striking surface that brings the wow factor to any space. 

“I hadn’t used it in a project before, but the homeowners requested texture and natural stone, and I knew White Macaubas was the perfect product, so I brought it up as an option very early on,” explains Rowson. “I had to design a functional kitchen that could withstand their needs, but also one that sat beautifully in the space, and having worked with the owners before on their previous kitchen, I knew the surfaces had to be practical and beautiful.” 

Rowson came up with the idea of a mitred, 3400mm White Macaubas kitchen island that is curved at one end and angular at the other. It was fabricated by AGB Stone Waikato in the Sensa surface, with just one centre join. The pattern of the Sensa stone adds natural texture and drama to the open-plan space and the result, Rowson says, is “immaculate and very minimal.”  

White Macaubas is paired with dark oak veneer cabinetry, which she says, “enhances the darker veins of green and blue in the granite, anchors the kitchen in the generous space and allows the island to stand out”. A hob is integrated in the island, with an induction downdraft that removes the need for a rear riser or suspended hood; the sink is a custom granite piece for seamless integration with the Sensa surface. 

“A real bonus with Dekton is that there is a variety of thicknesses to choose from for all types of applications, including 4mm which we used for our drawer fronts and 12mm for our splashback. It’s great to be able to use the thinner product, which makes a big difference and gives you a lot more options and space for your benchtop.” 

In the powder room tucked behind the kitchen, a vanity top in Kelya and a concrete basin reference the aesthetic in the kitchen and creates a moody, contemporary space. Outside, Kelya gave the designer the durability she needed in the outdoor cooking area. Because it is scratch- and stain-resistant, the Dekton surface, which is carbon neutral from cradle to grave, could stand up to the harsh exterior elements. 

“Sensa is stain resistant which is important for longevity in these rooms and it also has a 15-year warranty which is reassuring to clients selecting benching,” says Rowson. “Selecting a natural material is also a lovely option, as it is completely unique.” 

Explore the full range of colours across Sensa®, Dekton® and Silestone® here.  

Photography by Gina Fabish.