Dekton Dreams Do Come True: An Interview with HGTV’s Anthony Carrino

During my fabulous trip for BlogTour Milan with Modenus, one of the exciting new products I learned about was Dekton by Cosentino.  Dekton is “an ultra-compact surface with advanced technical properties”.  Basically, Dekton is a revolutionary new product…with superpowers!

Dekton features:

• high uv resistance
• resistant to stains
• high resitance to fire and heat
• resistant to abrasion
• resistant to ice and thawing

Whew, pretty amazing!

Dekton is available in a variety of colors and textures

You may recall my blog, Dekton My Deck, Please.  I designed the perfect outdoor bar area for my oceanside deck ~ which would of course be surfaced with durable Dekton.  Here’s my sketch:

While I would love to turn my Dekton dreams into reality on my own deck, that just isn’t in the cards right now.  Nationally however, homeowners are investing in outdoor design like never before.  The outdoor kitchen is fast becoming a must-have luxury space for outdoor living.  Of course when building outside, it is of the utmost importance that products that will weather the elements and last for many years ~ particularly here in New England!

Today I am thrilled to share with you an interview with  Design Expert  Anthony Carrino of  HGTV’s “Kitchen Cousins”, “Cousins Undercover” and “Cousins On Call”.   Anthony is currently renovating his New Jersey roof deck using Dekton to create his own “urban outdoor oasis” and he has some great advice to share!

Q: What advice would you give consumers embarking on designing an outdoor space for cooking and entertaining?

Anthony Carrino:  Take your surroundings into account, I always like to do something complementary to respect the neighborhood and/or building. Think of the space as an outdoor living room and space plan! Figure out your total square footage and consider as many layout configurations as possible, weighing all your options to ensure the space has a nice flow.

Q:  Why does investing in outdoor spaces add value to a home?

AC:  It is additional square footage that when designed well, is a natural extension of the home.

Q:  What should consumers consider when selecting materials and products for outdoor projects?

AC:  Consider the elements above all else. Look for UV-protected materials and fabrics that can stand up to rain and if you are in the Northeast like me — the products need to be able to survive our harsh freeze/thaw.

Q:  As recently reported by the Associated Press, the traditional, stand-alone grill is being replaced by the modern outdoor kitchen. Have you noticed this in your business?

AC:  I absolutely agree. In fact, I’m building an outdoor kitchen on my roof deck. As I mentioned, if planed and executed properly, your outdoor space should be an extension of your home, so why not build out an 8 or 10-foot run of outdoor cabinets with a built-in grill, outdoor refrigerator, pizza oven and more.

Q:  For the budget conscious consumer, which elements are essential in an outdoor kitchen and which are bells-and-whistles you can live without?

AC:  The reality is, an outdoor space is a luxury. If you’re not ready for that level of investment, I would say splurge on a fancier stand-alone grill with a smoker, a rotisserie and a side burner for sautéing and grab a cooler for your drinks. You can always build from there.

Q:  What outdoor projects can consumers take on their own, and which ones require a contractor and builder to create? What should they know before selecting a contractor?

AC:  When you are talking about a roof deck space like mine, you absolutely want to hire a contractor and a structural engineer. You need to confirm that your structure can support the additional load of a roof deck. For a back yard, I would say homeowners can tackle a lot of their own projects, but the outdoor kitchen is not one of them. Making sure everything is set in place level and square so you don’t have future issues is a job for the professionals. If you are doing a true outdoor kitchen, it requires gas and electric, so you want to make sure you are hiring licensed trades to install it properly.

Q:  What is the biggest misconception about creating an outdoor kitchen?

AC:  It isn’t easier or less complicated because it is outdoors. The same care, design and layout still needs to be applied to create a fun, functional and great-looking outdoor kitchen. Take the time to do it right.

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I strongly agree with Anthony that if you are considering adding an outdoor kitchen you will want to work with a contractor and a designer with kitchen experience, such as Pamela Copeman Design Group. Along with materials selection, space planning is of the utmost importance.  With the right design and the right materials, a stylish outdoor kitchen and entertainment area provides pleasure for many years to come ~ and will increase the value of your property.  Win-win!

For all of the latest information about Dekton and to follow Anthony’s deck project, take a peek at The Dekton Chronicles and follow #DektonOutside on social media!

Now I just need to work on getting my own HGTV show!

xo,

Pamela

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