A villa in Jumeirah Islands where Cosentino takes centre stage

Dubai has already seen projects of all kinds, so turning a private home into a true design statement and standing out requires more than just square metres. Interior designer Rana Al Kassim, founder of The Design Address studio, decided that her own home in Jumeirah Islands would be the place to test her vision: a space capable of naturally blending the classic and the contemporary, where materials do not merely dress the surfaces but define the identity of the home.

The result is an elegant and functional villa where contrasts coexist in harmony. The clean lines of the architecture interact with warmer finishes, natural textures are complemented by cutting-edge technical surfaces, and details become bridges between different styles. The key lies in the selection of Cosentino materials, which span the house from top to bottom with applications as sophisticated as they are durable.

The kitchen is the most striking example. Here, Dekton Khalo, inspired by the natural stone Patagonia, covers the island, the worktop, and the walls to create a sculptural block that combines opulence and precision. The shine of brass and metallic accents further elevate the true heart of the home.

Nearby, the pantry takes on unexpected prominence thanks to the dramatic veining of Dekton Awake, transforming a secondary space into a corner with character. The flooring is completed with Dekton Taga and Dekton Arga, surfaces that reinterpret quartzite with a timeless and elegant finish.

One of Al Kassim's obsessions was to test how these surfaces performed in high-wear areas, and the experiment worked. The so-called 'dirty kitchen' is equipped with Silestone Stellar Blanco13, designed to resist stains and continuous use without losing any of its aesthetic appeal.

The staircase is clad in Sensa Taj Mahal, providing continuity and solidity to an architectural element of constant transit.

Beyond their structural role, Cosentino surfaces also appear in unique pieces. Two twin consoles, custom-designed in a combination of Sensa Taj Mahal and wood, demonstrate how natural stone can be integrated into furniture with surprising results. This detail perfectly encapsulates the designer's philosophy: to experiment, mix, and find new ways to apply materials that initially seem reserved for kitchens or floors.

Al Kassim acknowledges that this project has also been a personal exploration. 'I have always worked with natural stone for my clients, but lately, I was interested in trying technical surfaces. My home was the perfect place to do it. Cosentino's surfaces are versatile, durable, and so realistic that it's hard to distinguish them from natural stone. Moreover, their carbon neutrality is fundamental to me: it's the ideal combination of innovation and sustainability. And the ability to custom-cut each piece allowed me to experiment with uses that go beyond the usual.'

What is interesting about the villa is that it cannot be categorised into a single style. There are classic nods in certain finishes, but modernity is present in the clean lines and the choice of cutting-edge surfaces. The transition between spaces is smooth, thanks to attention to detail that avoids abrupt breaks and maintains a cohesive thread throughout the home. The house exudes luxury, but not in an ostentatious way.