Cosentino Sponsors the 2019 Junior League of High Point Designers’ Showhouse

Both Dekton and Silestone dazzle throughout the kitchen and bathrooms of the 2019 Junior League of High Point Designers' Showhouse. Located in High Point, North Carolina, the ASPIRE DESIGN AND HOME magazine teamed up with the Junior League of High Point to create this designers' showhouse. Cosentino is proud to sponsor the home, which dates to 1913 and was damaged by fire in January 2013. Believed to be the first example of the Craftsman style in High Point, the house at 1013 Johnson St. stands on the corner of Farriss Avenue and in the heart of the Johnson Street Historic District. We spoke with Stephanie James and Patti Allen of Allen & James Interiors who designed the kitchen, and Kate Hutchison of kate.h.design, who designed the upstairs hall bath, to learn more about their inspiration, expertise and passion for this initiative, as well as their experience working with Cosentino products.  

Stephanie James & Patti Allen

Allen and James Interiors

Cosentino: Why did you decide to participate in this showhouse? Stephanie and Patti: We wanted to support our community and help the Junior League in their endeavors in the community. We love the work that their organization does! Cosentino: Describe the overall aesthetic of your space. What inspired your vision? 

Stephanie and Patti: We wanted to keep some traditional elements to fit with the historic home, but make it feel current to the styles we see now. This meant a more formal in the cabinetry and simple tile work and countertops and bringing new life to the space with color.

Cosentino: Who do you envision living in this space? From both a design and functionality standpoint, how did that inspire the materials you specified? Stephanie and Patti: Any demographic would fit the style of the space, but we mostly see a young family who needs the durability and cleanability of the Cosentino product. Cosentino: We understand you specified a material from Cosentino in your space. What material did you use, and in what application?  Stephanie and Patti: We used Silestone in Iconic White for the countertops. We selected this material because it can withstand so much more wear and still be beautiful! Cosentino: What's are a few design tips you'd like fellow design pros and homeowners to take away from your space? 

• Color in a small space can make a huge impact. Sometimes we don't want to put too much color to make it seem dark, but it gives the visual interest and some fun.
• Speaking of visual interest, we like to keep the materials clean and simple so there isn't too much for the eye to take in. In this space, we are letting the color take the main stage.

Kate Hutchison

Kate.h.design

Cosentino: Why did you decide to participate in this showhouse? What room did you design? Kate: I was actually born and raised in High Point, NC, so this was a particularly special project for me to be a part of! I love the history behind the house and was really happy to hear that it was going to be restored instead of being torn down after the devastating fires it suffered. I designed the upstairs hallway bathroom, and bathrooms are always my favorite transformations. Cosentino: Describe the overall aesthetic of your space. What inspired your vision? Kate: I wanted this space to be inviting, relaxing and calm, like a soothing and welcoming retreat. Since bathrooms mostly consist of hard materials, which can sometimes feel cold and harsh, I wanted to introduce warmer colors and a lot of textural elements to balance out the solid surfaces. That's why I opted for subtle pink accents, a combination of polished nickel and brass finishes, a skirted vanity, a soft linen window treatment, a shower curtain instead of a glass enclosure, and a grasscloth wallpaper on the ceiling. Cosentino: We understand you specified material from Cosentino in your space. Tell us more about the product you used and why. Kate: I used Dekton Opera for the countertop and the shower curb. I am a huge fan of marble countertops because of the unique veining and natural movement found in each slab, but a lot of my clients are nervous to use it because of the maintenance it requires. While some man-made products can look pixelated or fake, Dekton's offerings are by far the most realistic man-made material that I've come across. It looks just like natural stone, but without the worry of etching or staining! I love the Velvet finish which contributes to the overall softness of the bathroom. Cosentino: What are a few tips you'd like fellow design pros and homeowners to take away from your space? Kate: 

• When it comes to more permanent selections, go with what's timeless, and then have fun with color and pattern in the elements that can easily be changed out down the road.
• Consider using a mitered or laminate edge to add interest to your countertop. It's a relatively inexpensive upgrade that makes a big impact. 
• Don't forget the shower curb! A bathroom looks well thought through when materials are re-introduced elsewhere in the space.