"Marble looks so down-market" said no homeowner ever.Virtually every interior designer would agree that stone surfaces, be they marble, granite, or semiprecious gemstones (yep, they're a thing), are surefire bets to make a statement in a kitchen. But increasingly, design-conscious homeowners have another message they'd like their kitchen to deliver: that it's been mindfully constructed, using socially and environmentally responsible materials wherever possible. Sustainable-surfaces maker Cosentino has made it a mission to bring such materials to the marketin forms that preserve all the magic of natural stone.Having introduced the enduringly popular engineered-stone surface Silestone some 30 years ago, Cosentino has not been resting on its laurels, continually refining its original manufacturing process. This is part of the company's stated commitment to "sustainability in all its dimensions to leave a footprint on people's lives, but not on our planet."The latest breakthrough? A process called Hybriq+, which drastically reduces how much crystalline silica is used to manufacture the materialby as much as 90 percent in some cases. Silestone Hybriq+ surfaces also contain at least 20 percent recycled materials, thereby diverting those waste products from landfills. The company recycles 99 percent of the water used in production and relies solely on renewable electric energy.And the new low-silica Silestoneso transformed that a new product category, mineral hybrid surfaces, has been createddoesn't sacrifice aesthetics in the service of this sustainability. Along with the impressive technical improvements, Hybriq+ technology has in fact allowed Silestone to up its game in the verisimilitude department, advancing the art of replicatingand sometimes riffing onthe signature veining of natural stone. A look at the four surfaces in the new Le Chic Bohme collection shows why this new 21st-century Silestone is a standout. Courtesy of Cosentino Blanc lyse, even in its very name, evokes the classic beauty of grand Parisian edificesthe lyse Palace is the official residence of the French presidentand then gives that old-world glamour some modern gloss. The bright cream background is threaded with delicate gold, copper and gray veining, a restrained look that is entirely at home in this contemporary kitchen.Courtesy of Cosentino While Rivire Rose has a warm white background similar to Blanc lyse's, its veining goes in a different direction, with a dynamic swirl of taupe and blush pink. The distinctive pattern, meant to echo ocean waves (the name is an homage to the French Riviera), is full of movement and variation up close, then diffuses into a sophisticated, rosy glow when viewed from across the room.Courtesy of Cosentino Of Le Chic Bohme's four colorways, Chteau Brown has the most understated veining. The dominant hue, a deep chocolate, grounds the room and makes this kitchen's smooth, hard surfaces feel warm and tactile, while reflective copper and bronze streaks lighten up the earthy effect with a subtle shimmer.Courtesy of Cosentino If you're looking for drama, Jardin Emerald is just the ticket. Green is one of the rarer colors of natural marble, and designers tend to use it sparingly. But with Silestone, restraint is in the eye of the beholder. In this no-surface-spared kitchen, it theatrically wraps the island, countertops, and backsplashbut its veins of cream and gold keep the color from becoming overwhelming, even in large expanses.