UKIYO, the new collection by Claudia Afshar for Dekton that is sweeping the interior design industry

The Japanese word “ukiyo” is commonly translated as “floating world” or “ephemeral world”. Delving a little deeper into its meaning, it could be summed up as “living in the moment, detached from the bothers of life”. The use of this concept in interior design and architecture allows for the creation of spaces that promote serenity, contemplation and appreciation of the ephemeral beauty of everyday life within a visually attractive and functional environment.

We talk to Claudia Afshar about Ukiyo, the new collection she has designed for Dekton and which is inspired by the textures of nature. This was her process of inspiration and conceptualisation to bring this collection to life.

Claudia Afshar and her reinterpretation of the UKIYO concept

The Japanese imagery and architecture have inspired the new UKIYO collection by Dekton, designed by Claudia Afshar, who brings us her reinterpretation of grooved textures. This collection is an invitation to enter a world where time passes leisurely and the present moment is the only thing that matters, enjoying the beauty of natural textures.

Claudia is a self-confessed lover of Japandi style, which combines Japanese minimalism with elements of Scandinavian design. These influences can be clearly seen in this collection, which aims for a minimalist and quiet luxury.

“With UKIYO we want everyone to feel that they can design spaces of timeless beauty, connecting the inside of the house with the outside. We want to reach the general public”.

By using grooved textures, depth, volume and richness can be added to spaces. This collection allows you to play with the same colour in different textures, and this is exactly what minimalism design is all about: using neutral colours in different textures to add a touch of complexity.

Claudia says that when she thinks of UKIYO, she pictures herself standing outside a spectacular architectural structure, contemplating its beauty.

The importance of texture in design

Texture has always inspired Claudia Afshar, so she tries to incorporate different layers in all her designs.

Although she assures us of her love of minimalism, she tries to give a romantic and feminine touch to all her projects, a hint of warmth that makes them more welcoming. And she achieves this to a large extent thanks to the use of different textures.

Indeed, this collaboration was born out of the need for Claudia Afshar’s studio to find a product that would allow them to add grooved textures consistently throughout a project. “Now all designers can enjoy a surface that is highly resistant, sustainable, timelessly beautiful and which comes in different textures”.

Neutral colours rich in texture

The colours in the collection were carefully selected to be as versatile as possible and to be combined with each other. These are neutral colours with their own texture that also go very well with other materials. The five chosen colours are as follows:

• Rem is a refined and minimalist colour with a delicate veining that gives it a romantic touch.
• Nacre is a warm and soft shade that brings colour and texture to the space without loosing any of its minimalist character. It is perfect for façades, floors and, in short, any other surface.
• Umber is a more daring colour, without being overwhelming. It is a warm and cosy colour that reminds Claudia of the handmade ceramics typical of Mexico and Spain.
• Bromo is a dark grey shade with a natural random pattern that feels very organic and real. It is a very elegant colour which can be combined with other materials to add many nuances.
• Kreta is a grey shade which, according to Claudia, is perfect for contemporary architecture. She usually uses it for floors, bathrooms, non-slip shower trays… and combines it with woods and metals.

How does Claudia Afshar use Dekton colours?

Claudia Afshar has used Dekton for many of her projects, knows the product very well and has witnessed first hand its strength, versatility and beauty.

The designer recommends using the Ukiyo collection for façades, kitchen fronts, bathroom claddings, furniture, fireplaces… In short, any vertical cladding can be enhanced through texture.

As for the original Dekton version, Claudia praises its excellent properties for floors, swimming pools, shower trays… There are not many materials that can be used in such a variety of ways, from shower trays to swimming pools. “With Dekton, I am confident that I will never receive a complaint from a customer for wear and tear due to the passage of time”.

Be inspired by Cosentino to add texture to your home décor

Come to one of our Cosentino City Showrooms to discover this new collection. You can also visit our website to discover all the colours, applications, spaces and projects created with our Silestone, Dekton, Sensa and Scalea surfaces.