Silestone Le Chic range - Launch at Cosentino Hook
Everything about the launch of the new Le Chic range says that Silestone regards this set of engineered stones – quartz worktops – as special. Company pride is written all over the collection, and I have to say that it’s understandable. Making materials that stand out and say something different is increasingly difficult in an ever-more-crowded market; Silestone has achieved that with the Le Chic range.
Not every quartz launch has a party – not even every Silestone launch. In fact, their Urban Crush collection came out to almost zero fanfare just a few months ago. But Le Chic was launched in a proper bash – with gin bar, great canapes and (a Silestone trademark) dry-cured, Spanish ham being carved expertly off the bone. At the heart of event is the presentation – a brief word from Jose, the Cosentino Hook General Manager, and as well-put-together a set of marketing videos as you are likely to see in our industry. Nobody does it quite like Silestone, and when they turn on the style, you are bound to be wowed.
Silestone Le Chic - The Range
Our rep, Claire, had already dropped in a batch of small samples, so we knew what the materials looked like on the small scale. Here is a photo of them, taken on the AG premises.
Walking into the Hook Cosentino Centre I got my first glimpse of the stones on a larger scale:
First sight of the whole Silestone Le Chic Range standing side by side at Cosentino HookÂ
The Silestone Le Chic range is a collection of quartz materials (engineered stones) which have in common:
- a veined marble-look pattern
- an element of sparkle
- some real colour
Silestone Le Chic is not the only – or even the first – quartz material that combines a marble look, sometimes with veins, and sparkle. From economical materials like Bloomstone’s Carrara Glacier through to very high-end stones from Cambria, sparkling marble is out there. But the execution of the veining and sparkliness in the Le Chic collection really is very good and sets it apart. I also liked the full-on embracing of colour; the trend back towards colours from the more clinical black/white/grey over the last few years is to be welcomed.
All the Le Chic materials come with the Hybriq+ label – Silestone’s commitment to reduction of the crystalline silica content (unsafe for worktop fabricators like us) and use of ever more recycled material – their quartz worktops have an ever smaller environmental footprint. See their Hybriq+ page for more info.
Let’s take a look at the new materials individually. In my photos I have pushed the colours a bit so as give a clearer indication of what these stones can do – you need to see samples or big slabs to get a clear impression.
Silestone Le Chic Range - Bohemian Flame
Taking the stones in alphabetical order leads me to start off with the one I happen to like the least. Bohemian Flame is a “warm black” – a very dark brown – with dark reddish-brown veining. The veins have small gold “nuggets” of sparkle. The overall look is warm and distinguished, and would certainly suit any kitchen where, for instance Black Galaxy Granite is also being considered.
Le Chic: Riches in the dark!
My slab image from the launch
Closer in
Moodboard
Close-up
Bohemian Flame – Official Silestone Slab View
Silestone Le Chic Range - Eclectic Pearl
Eclectic Pearl is eclectic in the sense that it brings together two looks which are both on trend at present: veined marble and terrazzo. Veined marble is a very familiar concept on this site, but we have not discussed terrazzo much. This traditional material is composed of chips of marble, quartz, granite or glass, embedded in some kind of binder, like cement or polymer. Terrazzo-style quartz materials were quite widely available a few years ago, but then died away a bit. Recently there has been renewed interest in this look. What is unusual in the Eclectic Pearl is that the terrazzo effect is combined with a veined marble. Again, I am not a fan of materials which couldn’t possibly be natural, and yet I know that this stone is going to sell well in the current market.
Le Chic: For terrazzo fans!
My slab image from the launch
Closer in
Moodboard
Close-up
Eclectic Pearl – Official Silestone Slab View
Silestone Le Chic Range - Parisien Bleu
Parisien Bleu (which will certainly end up being called Parisian Blue) is my favourite of the Le Chic collection. The blue (or blues – there is a lot going on!) is wonderful, and the little golden nuggets of sparkle are scintillating. This material looks opulent through and through and I love it.
As with other materials, it is interesting how different people perceive the colour of Parisien Bleu. Under the lighting at Cosentino Hook, I saw the stone as very strongly blue – colleagues looking at the sample under neutral lighting see it as grey! It just shows that you need to look for yourself – you can’t beat seeing physical samples and especially big slabs.
le Chic: Allez les Bleus!
My slab image from the launch
Closer in
Moodboard
Close-up
Parisien Bleu – Official Silestone Slab View
Silestone Le Chic Range - Romantic Ash
Romantic Ash has a night sky feel for me. Deep black background with sparkles and tiny nebula-like smudges, this is a lovely material and the very hardest kind of thing to photograph well. (Check out my reflection looking like a dark oil-stain in these pics!) I am not a huge fan of black quartz, but in terms of marble-look materials, this gets away from the very bold patterning of the Marquina-type stones and into something far more subtle yet interesting. Really worth a look if you want a dark quartz worktop.
Le Chic: Star-spangled worktops!
My slab image from the launch
Closer in
Moodboard
Close-up
Romantic Ash – Official Silestone Slab View
Silestone Le Chic Range - Versailles Ivory
Versailles Ivory has a beautifully marbled white background and a strong, sparkling golden vein. Like the Parisien Bleu, the result is luxurious and opulent. I think that there are already other products in broadly the same market space, but what the Versailles Ivory gives you (and they don’t) is that lovely warm, sparkle. Very impressive!
Le Chic: Palatial splendour!
My slab image from the launch
Closer in
Moodboard
Close-up
Versailles Ivory – Official Silestone Slab View
Silestone Le Chic Range - Victorian Silver
Victorian Silver does for silver what Versailles Ivory does for gold. More refined, less in-your-face opulent, this is my favourite of the three white-based materials. While Terrazzo isn’t really my thing, and I would be sparing with the golden glitter, Victorian Silver really floats my boat with its classic elegance and stunning marbling. When you look closely, though, you realise that the sparkles are actually slightly golden, which just keeps the whole slab on the warmer side and not merely clinical. Superb stone!
Le Chic: Classic elegance!
My slab image from the launch
Closer in
Moodboard
Close-up
Victorian Silver – Official Silestone Slab View
Silestone Le Chic Range - The Launch
Cosentino are rightly proud of the Silestone Le Chic Range. Here is a set of quartz materials for kitchen worktops which really are bang on trend – colour, marbling and sparkle ticking all the boxes. Everyone will have their own favourite: I have said which ones I like most, but I am sure that you will have your own opinion.
The launch party was as good as the Le Chic materials. I was glad to be along with my camera. Here are a few images from the Le Chic launch.
If you are looking for quartz worktops which really stand out from the crowd, then contact us for information about the Silestone Le Chic Range. Better still, if you have a kitchen already planned and are looking for worktops, use our quotation form. And for samples, we have a quartz worktop samples form that could be your first point of contact with the Le Chic materials!
We are Affordable Granite, the leading installer of granite and quartz worktops in Surrey, Sussex and across the South East. We try to keep ourselves in touch with all the latest in granite and quartz worktops – and especially with major launches from the biggest suppliers. For samples, quotes and any questions connected with any aspect of worktop installation or kitchen design, please don’t hesitate to contact us on 01293 863992 or by email on sales@affordablegranite.co.uk/ .
Images copyright © Cosentino UK / Silestone, Andrew King Photography
