Our head to head of the week in an illusion of surfaces

From the clay textures of stoneware to the rock grit of Dekton, the (magical) effects of materials

In the sleight of hand between industry and nature, it’s the sector imagining and producing surfaces and coverings that seems to be having the most fun. In the face of marble-effect ceramic floors and stone-like countertops, visual illusions abound, blurring truth and imitation with tricks of the trade: increasingly subtle industrial techniques shorten the distance between what exists in nature and what can be reproduced on a large scale in the form of building materials. And while on one hand, this week’s head to head challenge recounts high-performance blends looking to the world of stone with Cosentino, on the other, Marca Corona embraces ceramics referencing the sincere spaces that surround us.

Vicenza stone, travertine marble and Ceppo di Gré: Daniel Germani’s project for Cosentino begins from the allure of natural stone. The new collection of ultra-compact, high-performance surfaces — Pietra Kode Dekton — mixes and rethinks limestone textures and rock grits, ushering in a family of slabs with a flair that’s both Neoclassical and Palladian. “I spent a lot of time decoding the history of each stone of Italian architecture and reinventing it into a contemporary design with all the advantages of Dekton,” explains the designer. “Pietra Kode is a collection that enhances luxury in small, understated details. It is designed with the future in mind and complements any space in a way that won’t go out of style.” While the ornamental side draws strength and grace from the patterns of marble and stone, the practical sense is measured with a completely inorganic material that doesn’t deteriorate, suited for the most extreme conditions and any application, from façades, floors and walls to countertops for bathrooms and kitchens, both indoors and outdoors. The project includes three series — Vicenza Kode, Travertine Kode and Ceppo Kode — articulated, in turn, in seven different shades.

The new Terracreta collection by Marca Corona also plays on nuances and incisions, placing ceramic at the center of its sculptural and decorative reflections. “A tactile exploration of clay,” as the Sassuolo-based company defines it, the family of tiles reproduces the features and imperfections of the raw material while maintaining all the irregularities of the natural version. Textural and reassuring, the colors chosen for the stoneware draw heavily from the natural world, with earthy shades that pass from burnt brown to ultramarine blue and into a trail of calm whites and grays. Hallmarks of the collection include its reliefs — decorations achieved through a handcrafted touch, and the glazed finishes that recall the chromatic exuberance of majolica between foliage motifs and dual-color inlays.

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