FINEHARD is a leading processor of innovative surface materials made of quartz, ceramic, and high-tech materials for room architecture in the kitchen, bathroom, and living area. The company is part of Fraefel AG, one of the largest manufacturers of bathroom furniture in Switzerland. With innovative production methods, the company also works on kitchen construction with architects, interior designers, and carpentry workshops like BISAG which focus on creating individual solutions.

For the new kitchen for a customer in Wängi in the canton of Thurgau, centrally located between Zurich, St. Gallen, and Lake Constance, BISAG SCHREINEREI was looking for something very special. A combination of European walnut wood with a pronounced grain and uniformly dark surfaces was planned. FINEHARD recommended Dekton by Cosentino for the homogeneity and design options. In order to draw on the colour of the existing natural stone floor, the graphite black Dekton Domooos was selected for the 12 mm thin horizontal shelves.

“The central cooking island should stand out visually. For this purpose, we used Dekton Keranium, which creates an abstract connection to the colour of the wood with its strong technical dark brown,” explains Durak Fazliji, Production Manager at FINEHARD. “The door elements should be designed with the same surface, but without being bulky or complicated. We had to test how thin we can produce the fronts without jeopardizing stability – and how we can secure the fittings in the long term.”

Dekton Keranium from the Cosentino Tech collection is available in 20, 12 and 8 mm thickness – too much to apply the ultra-compact surface to a carrier plate if you want to create the slimmest possible profile. “We were therefore looking for a solution to connect the hinges directly with Dekton,” says Fazliji. “We did not want to just use adhesive. However, in order to set screws, we needed a fastening system that had the shortest possible anchors, and we had to find a way to set precise and resilient bores without the material experiencing too much stress and tearing.”

Sophistication on all levels, that’s what defines chef Wouter van Laarhoven and his partner Malou Hagenaars. In 2019 they realized their dream and opened restaurant/bodega ‘Alma’ in Oisterwijk (The Netherlands). In this they found the perfect location with an unmistakable charm and history. The building called ‘De Lind’ is known in Oisterwijk as ‘De Swaen’ (the Swan) since 1631. Top chef Cas Spijkers used to cook the most beautiful dishes here.

On the top floor of the building a fine dining restaurant was created which can seat 48 people. It includes a balcony with a beautiful view over De Lind, perfect for outdoor dinners in the Summer. In restaurant ‘Alma’ everything comes together and the cuisine brings true meaning to the frase ‘soulfood’. Alma means soul in Spanish, a refferal to the high level experience the couple offers their guests.

In 2017 the Milanese architect, Maurizio Barbotti, was looking for a material that was more than plain ceramic and with high resistance both indoors and outdoors. Barbotti had just started his most personal project: the building from scratch of a private villa in the small town of Legnano, located a few kilometres from Milan.

It was during this research process, while walking around the Salone del Mobile, that he discovered Cosentino. It was certainly love at first sight. Cosentino had just launched the Industrial Collection at the Milan Design Week, and Barbotti found in it the perfect choice for the flooring and cladding of his new house, which he used in different colours, thicknesses and formats.

The ultra-compact surface Dekton has once again proven to be the surface brand of choice for professional chefs due to its superior technical properties and stylish designs, with its specification throughout the Vanderlyle restaurant, Cambridge. Led by chefs, Alex Rushmer, a former Masterchef finalist, and Lawrence Butler, Vanderlyle prides itself on working closely with local suppliers, serving up a truly seasonal menu that celebrates simple, unfussy food. Open four days a week, the restaurant also offers select diners a unique chef’s table experience. Additionally, up to four guests are able to be seated at the Dekton pass with views directly into the kitchen, watching their dinners be prepared and served in an intimate setting.

During the process of renovating the establishment prior to opening, Alex and Lawrence discovered a multitude of paint layers on the walls, created collaboratively by generations of previous occupants. This inspired the interior design of the restaurant, which juxtaposes the raw, stripped back walls with modern painted joinery and brass elements for a minimal, industrial edge which reflects the relaxed atmosphere of the restaurant.