cosentino ‘dares to play’ with limited-edition capsule collection of furniture & accessories

cosentino reveals capsule collection

Crafted by renowned designers, Cosentino‘s second edition of the Capsule Collection has been revealed. The company gave Nadine Kanso, Omar Nakkash, Rabah Saeid, Omar Al Gurg and Thomas Trad the brief: to push the boundaries of their creative practice and ‘Dare to Play’ with a new, carbon-neutral material. As a result, the designers came up with a floor lamp, a bench, a modular assortment of multi-purpose furniture, a dinnerware carrier and an office desk. 

all images courtesy of Cosentino Group

from an eye-blinking floor lamp to a dinnerware carrier

Cosentino Group (see here) produces and distributes high value sustainable surfaces for architecture and design, known for its technologically advanced brands, Silestone®, Dekton® and Sensa®. Each, adds value and inspiration to people’s lives by enabling the creation of special designs for the home, commercial and public spaces. The Group bases its development on international expansion, a research and development program, respect for the environment and sustainability, and its ongoing corporate commitment to society and the local communities where it operates. 

In 2024, the family-owned company revealed the much-awaited second edition of its Capsule Collection at an exclusive event held at SKOONI Art Foundation & Residence. The limited-edition furniture and home accessories series has been crafted by five pioneering practitioners and founders of eminent design houses: Nadine Kanso, Omar Nakkash, Rabah Saeid, Omar Al Gurg and Thomas Trad, is both playful as it is inventive. 

Dared to Play with a new material

The five-month journey from the drawing board to the finished products came to an incredible close with the reveal of a collection that comes together to tell myriad stories of home, culture and modern living. The open brief from Cosentino asked the creators to ‘Dare to Play’ with a new material – Dekton Slim Protek, a revolutionary 4mm carbon neutral, ultra-compact and mesh reinforced stone created for use in architecture and design. The pieces were brought to life by Dubai-based bespoke furniture craftsmen and luxury fit-out contractor Cherwell. Having worked on the first edition of the Capsule Collection in 2021, Cherwell was well-equipped to deal with the complexities of the designs, production challenges and delivery of the prototypes.

‘This edition is a surprising assortment of pieces by some of the region’s brightest minds, highlighting the possibilities of Dekton Slim Protek for product design. From the paper-thin office desk that shows off the material’s ultra-thin profile to the bench that highlights its large format, its versatility as illustrated in the design of the flexible table mats and finally its beauty as a cladding material as seen in the modular furniture and floor lamp, this collection is truly a dream made in the UAE for the world to see,’ says Eddy Abou Khalil, Regional Director, Cosentino Middle East.

Founder of radical jewelry brand Bil Arabi, Nadine Kanso, created the bespoke piece ‘Blink,’ reflecting her inimitable style that celebrates the essence of modern Arab identity. The floor lamp is a playful re-interpretation of the iconic eye motif from Nadine’s hugely popular Ya Ein jewellery collection inspired by the ancient concept of Evil Eye. The product creates the illusion of a winking eye as it toggles between light and dark with the flick of a switch. With its shiny brass lampshade, exposed bulb, and cuboid base clad in Paonazzo stone inspired Dekton Awake, the piece adds a whimsical touch to any space. 

Drawing from his Palestinian heritage and a deep appreciation for the traditional cross-stitch embroidery form of ‘Tatreez,’ Omar Nakkash, Founder and Design Director at Nakkash Design Studio, envisioned the Oli Bench as a functional piece that is also serves as a symbol of connection and hope. The main elements of the bench are the sleek terracotta coloured Dekton Umber slabs and the hollow solid oak timber bases that double up as planters for the olive trees, Palestine’s symbol of resistance and resilience. Adding a deeper layer of meaning to the design, the olive trees proudly assert Omar’s roots and stands as a testament to ancestral presence. The slab is decorated with motifs of olive branches using square stainless-steel mosaics, in a Tatreez pattern that traces its origin to the city of Ramallah in West Bank.

Pronounced Connect, ‘kəˈnɛkt’ by Styled Habitat introduces a series of playful furniture pieces that blends sculpture with functionality. Featuring modular units that can be taken apart and reconfigured as needed, the versatile pieces lend itself to be used as tables, stools or even as pedestals. The collection highlights the sleek Dekton surfaces that contrast the brushed bronze, radiant iridescent glass, and textured Alpi veneer to create a captivating interplay. This collective form, resembling the silhouette of a cityscape, invites individuals to explore dynamic and interactive design possibilities.

Derived from the British English pronunciation of the word dinner, ‘Dinna’ holds emotional and functional value as a product of our times. An interactive and playful object from the house of MODU Method, designed by the brand’s Founder Omar Al Gurg, the modular product is a space-saving dinnerware carrier designed for small homes, a hangover from his time as a university student in Belfast when space was premium. The design is comprised of four placemats, one high tray and a low tray, combined to form a cabinet to store crockery for a small family. The stand out elements are the double-sided placemats. Made from thin strips of Dekton Slim Protek glued on linen fabric, the flexible placemats slide in and out of grooves on the dark solid Ash wood trays to create the doors of the cabinet.

Inspired by the desire to challenge traditional furniture design, ingenious Beirut based creator Thomas Trad’s office desk ‘Kimiko,’ is takes a rationalist approach with engineering and materials as main protagonists. Highlighting the durability, versatility, and ultra-thin profile of Dekton Slim Protek, the minimalist design is unique for the use of Dekton slab as a desktop that appears to float above ground, balanced by the minimalist use of a single, curved, thin stainless-steel support leg.  The French oak veneer cabinet with swivel drawers add weight and a touch of warmth, enhancing the desk’s functionality and aesthetic appeal.

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project info:

collection name: Capsule

brand: Cosentino | @grupocosentino

products: Blink; The Oli Bench, kəˈnɛkt; Dinna; Kimiko

material: Dekton Slim Protek 

collaborators: Nadine Kanso; Omar Nakkash; Rabah Saied; Omar Al Gurg; Thomas Trad

manufacturer: Cherwell