A kitchen with Silestone® in osmosis with nature

The French journalist Anne Valery, specialized in home décor has chosen the quartz surface Silestone, in the colour Charcoal Soapstone and Suede finish, for the central kitchen of the barn she has restored in central Burgundy, France. Her curiosity and keen eye has led her to discover new brands and new materials, with which she loves to work. A skilled chef, Anne wanted to put in a kitchen in the centre of the space, a genuine family retreat where uncomplicated meals can be shared at weekends or holidays in the country. The aim behind restoring this barn located in the heart of Burgundy was to bring back life to this structure adjoining Anne Valery's 19th-century country house. The old farm building needed to be fully insulated before work could begin on creating the kitchen and decorating. True to the design of old farm buildings, it had small windows and few openings, which made the space cold and allowed in very little light. Anne Valery's intention was to make the barn habitable by creating a central kitchen in the middle of the large space, and to bring in natural light. The volume had to be well insulated and warmed, to protect against the cold and damp winters typical of the region. Inside this single-level space, on the same level as the garden, the existing walls were retained and materials chosen to reflect the memory of the place and its natural setting. A poured concrete floor enhances the raw and authentic character of the place. The choice of a wood finish for the kitchen units and green tiles for the splashback are a reminder of its closeness to the garden and its lush greenery. The choice for the central island worktop was Silestone® quartz surfaces in its Charcoal Soapstone finish. On the advice given by mason Sébastien Carrara, the sides of the island were also done in the same material, waterfall-style, to create visual continuity. The breakfast bar, also in Silestone® Charcoal Soapstone, creates a contrast with its greater thickness,  made by mitring the edge of the 2-cm-thick slab (to give it the appearance of a 5-cm thickness against the 2-cm thickness on the rest of the island). This is a family space for relaxing, no matter what part of the room you are in, thanks to the open, light-filled space and the simplicity of materials and colours. Project details:

• Project: Barn conversion in Burgundy
• Look: Osmosis with nature
• Style: Natural colour palette, simplicity of materials and simplicity of lifestyle.
• Influence: Garden colours

Cosentino materials: 2 slabs of 2-cm-thick Silestone® Charcoal Soapstone Suede were used to for the sides and worktop of the waterfall island. Anne Valery regularly contributes to the design magazines Art & Décoration, Maisons ? Vivre and Maisons ? Vivre Campagne. She specialises in home décor and is the author of several books on decorating and colours, including Savoir tout faire: Maisons bio (Knowing How to Do Everything: Organic Homes) and Couleurs & mati?res (Colours & Materials). She often lectures for Art & Décoration, particularly in Japan.     Click here for High Resolution Photos - photo credits Philippe Danjou Download here the complete Case Study - Anne Valery Kitchen with Silestone_EN