The kitchen of a rental home renovated with Dekton Sabbia

Marietta Kiesling is an Austrian designer and influencer who sees no issue in not compromising on anything in a rental home. And that’s exactly what she did with hers, designing it to her taste despite knowing it wasn’t her permanent home. As she explains: “This project was unique because it was developed in a rental property, a temporary space where we knew we would live for only a few years before moving to our permanent home. Even so, we didn’t want to compromise on anything. We made slight renovations to adapt the property to our standards: we updated some of the flooring, removed old wallpaper, added classic plaster mouldings, and completely redesigned the kitchen, including changes to the layout. The goal was to create a home for now, not for someday.”

The kitchen, the heart of the home, was the space chosen to feature Dekton, specifically in the colour Dekton Sabbia, because “I was looking for softness, warmth, and something that conveyed a sense of grounding,” explains the designer. “Walnut brings richness and serenity, while the worktop introduces light and clarity. It’s a combination that feels both natural and contemporary, a kind of quiet luxury that doesn’t need to impose itself,” she adds. The veining of Dekton Sabbia, inspired by Italian Travertine, runs through each piece in a random and colourful way, filling them with nuances. This attractive chromatic reinterpretation of natural stone enhances the strength of its original design, endowing it with unparalleled beauty and durability.

What makes the project stand out is the way materials and proportions have been used to create atmosphere. “The warmth of the walnut carpentry, the serene lines, and the continuous surface of Dekton combine to create a sense of coherence and everyday comfort. We invested our own time and resources because we value good design, even in a transitional stage. And it makes us happy to know that future tenants will also enjoy a functional and well-cared-for space.”

From a design perspective, Dekton was the ideal choice: it offers visual clarity while meeting the demands of daily life. The matt and smooth finish of Dekton Sabbia, on a technical level, is almost unbeatable: it is resistant to heat, stains, scratches, and requires minimal maintenance. This reliability frees up both design and everyday life. “We wanted the kitchen to feel like a continuous and almost sculptural piece. Thanks to the precision mitred edges and the material’s uniformity with changing light, we achieved this. It functions as a work surface but also has the presence of a design object, which was exactly what this space needed.”

For Kiesling, it was also important that it provided peace of mind, “it’s a surface that looks beautiful but demands nothing. My husband is passionate about cooking, the kind who really gets involved. He kneads pizza dough directly on the worktop, no board, no worries. It’s not just a surface to place things on; it’s where everything happens. And the best part is that I can watch without worrying about stains, scratches, or heat marks. Dekton withstands it all and remains flawless. That durability, combined with a serene and restrained aesthetic, is what makes it truly luxurious.”