Material without borders: 5 ways Malaysian designers apply Cosentino surfaces to varied interiors

Located in Bukit Damansara, the design challenge for Studio Cocokacang lay in balancing the demands of a heavy-duty commercial kitchen with the warmth and approachability of a neighbourhood bakery.

See also: The story behind Croisserie Artisan Bakery

“Chef Ken, the client, has been using Dekton in his heavy-duty pastry kitchen for years, and the material has consistently earned his trust in terms of quality and performance,” shares Amy Liang, founder of the interior design studio.

“For his new kitchen and training studio, he has chosen to continue using the same Dekton series, not only for the kitchen and training studio itself, but we also explored the other potential applications in areas such as the pastry display counter, tailor-made dining table, meeting table and more.”

Chef Ken has chosen the Dekton Nebbia surface to create a seamless design language throughout the entire space, starting at the open pastry kitchen on the ground floor, where customers can witness the entire pastry-making process–bringing transparency and engagement to the Croisserie experience.

“Compared to some quartz and solid surface materials, Dekton is ultra-durable, heat-resistant, water- and stain-resistant–well-suited for the demands of a heavy-duty pastry kitchen,” Liang elaborates.

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“Additionally, Dekton’s natural stone effect closely resembles real stone in both appearance and texture, offering a more refined and elegant alternative to the typical stainless steel in kitchen design,” she continues.

The Dekton Nebbia surface extends to the open training studio on the first floor, where Croisserie plans to host professional and guest chefs; and the adjoining library with a long free-standing double-sided bookshelf and a large communal reading table.

Read more: Damansara-based bakery Croisserie astounds judges by placing 4th internationally at Mondial du Pain awards

Drawing from experience at Skillet 1.0, Chef Raymond Tham envisioned a more refined space for the new Skillet 2.0, when the restaurant relocated to Menara Hap Seng during its nine-year anniversary in 2024.

With the prep kitchen and washing station tucked at the back, and ample hidden storage in the chiller, freezer and dry pantry; the open kitchen features an ultra-minimalist aesthetic that, while compact, prioritises workflow efficiency and minimises unnecessary movements.

See also: Skillet: Where tradition meets tomorrow

“It can be exhausting for the chefs who are already working long hours, so the workstations are arranged to minimise cross-traffic, with designated areas for food preparation–from receiving goods to plating dishes,” Tham says. 

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Designed by Studio TCH, these workstations–the cold section, hot plating section, and the pastry and garnish stations–feature height-adjustable countertops with easy-to-maintain surfaces and durable flooring using the Dekton Marmorio and Danae surfaces.

“Dekton Marmorio functions as a practical work surface. It’s easy to clean, and able to withstand heat and scratches, and the tactile quality of the stone is nice to the touch,” Tham comments.

“Furthermore, the colour blends into our minimalist design,” he adds. “It serves as a visual focal point as guests look into our open kitchen, and complements the beautiful dishes being prepared on the surface.”

Read more: Raymond Tham on the art of designing a successful menu

Over at The Millen in Penang, Blu Water Studio has considered various surfaces from Cosentino to enhance both the guest experience and the hotel’s timeless expression of luxury.

Here, the Silestone and Dekton surfaces in particular were selected for their performance, aesthetic versatility, and suitability for high-traffic hospitality environments.

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Greeting guests at the reception desk is the polished Silestone Et Calacatta Gold countertop surface, providing an elegant focal point upon arrival before the material permeates from the front-of-house to the guest areas throughout the hotel.

The luminous, marble-inspired surface is also implemented in the bathrooms, where its understated veining and premium finish on the vanity tops elevate the spaces with warmth, while its practical qualities include durability and low maintenance.

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Meanwhile, feature surfaces clad in the matte Dekton Somnia are celebrated for their rich, dark organic patterning, adding depth and a contemporary edge to the hotel’s design narrative while delivering exceptional durability to the hospitality setting.

Additionally, the polished Silestone Et Noir is also featured within selected areas of The Millen, where the bold contrast and luxurious dark aesthetic provides resilient visual impact without appearing overtly utilitarian.

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Drawing inspiration from Frank Lloyd Wright’s Usonian homes, Ben Tay of Studio BBB infused beauty entrepreneur and influencer Jane Chuck’s home with mid-century charm and a contemporary touch.

Here, Cosentino’s surfaces played a key role in a strong narrative that ties personal identity, design heritage, and material storytelling; acting not just as a backdrop, but as an active contributor to the sensory experience of the home.

See also: Home tour: Jane Chuck’s Seputeh family home of mid-century modern design

“For this project, we needed surfaces that could echo the refined, natural textures we envisioned, without compromising on durability,” says the co-founder and design principal of Studio BBB. “And, Cosentino’s materials offer a rare balance–visually expressive yet incredibly functional.”

In collaboration with Tay, Jane envisioned the master bathroom as a bright, warm space that felt cheerful during the early mornings yet relaxing and serene in the evenings: “a place where I could unwind and recharge like at a spa,” she shares.

Inspired by Travertino Navona–a natural stone quarried near Tivoli–Dekton Marmorio from the Pietra Kode collection was chosen for the flooring and vanity. While bringing a sense of serenity to the overall space, it also pairs harmoniously with various materials–creating a layered and rich material palette without overwhelming the balance of the space.

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“The striations in the Marmorio slabs contrast beautifully with the mosaic-tiled wall, and the intricate makore pommele veneer of the vanity cabinet,” Tay elaborates. “Besides that, Dekton surfaces are also resistant to heat, scratches, and stains, making them ideal for daily use in a high-humidity environment like the bathroom.”

Meanwhile, the guest powder room on the ground floor is finished with the Dekton Ceppo surface that draws inspiration from the Italian Ceppo di Gré stone–exuding a bold, contemporary feel that complements the overall mid-century charm of Jane’s home.

The blue-gray pebbled pattern on the flooring adds a playful and unique twist that makes the room feel lively and inviting; and under soft, glowing light, the embedded stony fragments add a layer of earthiness and warmth to create a relaxed atmosphere.

Read more: Home tour: A mindful restoration of a mid-century home in Los Angeles with relaxed Palm Springs vibes

For artist and designer Red Hong Yi, the kitchen is the heart of her home, where she’d placed a larger portion of the budget for kitchen specialist Bofi on the design and fabrication, and high-quality materials that focus on practicality.

Working within the constraints of a mid-terrace home, Red focused on elongating the visual flow of the kitchen to create a sense of spaciousness: “I wanted it to be cosy, calming, with soft neutral colours and a warm palette,” she says. “I also knew I wanted darker wood materials instead of light ones.”

See also: How local artist Red Hong Yi crafts a creative haven at home

Complemented by the warm and understated Silestone FFROM 02 surface, Dekton Marmorio was chosen for the island, countertops, and backsplash–its horizontal veining reinforcing the linearity of the space, while echoing the look of natural travertine without its inherent porosity.

“While I love the look of travertine, which I’ve used in some parts of my house, it is porous,” Red says. “Dekton Marmorio not only looks like travertine, it is also stain- and scratch-resistant–durable and beautiful!”

For further inspiration, schedule a visit to the Cosentino showroom at 1, Jalan TSB 8, Taman Sains Selangor, 47000 Petaling Jaya, or explore the collections available at www.cosentino.com

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