Cosentino® North America, a nationwide leader in natural stone and one of the world's largest producers of quartz surfacing, is sponsoring the "Ugly Kitchen" contest to correspond with Cosentino's recent addition of seven new designer colors to its Silestone® offering.

The contest categories include small, medium and large, so that interior designers have an opportunity to enter a project of any residential size as long as it incorporates any of the colors from the Mountain, Life, Zen, Platinum or River Series of Silestone. The winner in each of the three categories will receive an "all expenses paid trip" to Spain for two where they will have an opportunity to take an up-close look at how Silestone is made. The value of each winning package is approximately $5,000 per person. The second and third place winners will receive a cash prize of $2,000 and $1,000, respectively. The "Ugly Kitchen" contest runs from July 1 through October 30, 2009. Winners will be announced on November 15, 2009. Further information and details about the contest are available at: www.silestoneusa.com/contest.

The "Ugly Kitchen" contest color options include Silestone's newest color additions that are represented in the Silestone Platinum Series™, which offers four distinctive metallic color choices that integrate the performance of Silestone's antimicrobial properties and the chic look of stainless steel. Colors available in the Platinum Series are Chrome, Zirconium, Carbono and Steel.

In addition to launching its Platinum Series, Cosentino has added three new colors to its Silestone lineup: Magenta, Tao and Kenzo. Designers can obtain free samples of the colors required to qualify for entry in the "Ugly Kitchen" contest by visiting www.silestoneusa.com and using promo code "UGLYK2009," according to Cosentino North America.

"These colors are ideal for designers who are looking to incorporate the latest design trends with the functionality of a surface that is scratch-, stain- and scorch-resistant," said Lorenzo Marquez, Vice President of Marketing for Cosentino North America. "The idea behind this contest is to recognize designers for their talent as they focus on transforming dated kitchens through beautiful, elegant and state-of-the-art design. We have selected a panel of expert designers who will evaluate kitchen remodel entries to ultimately select a winner for each of the three categories we defined."

Nancy Braamse, Bath and Kitchen Buying Group president, and owner of Olde World Cabinetry out of Tampa, FL, has more than 20 years of experience as a kitchen designer and is one of the panel of judges for the "Ugly Kitchen" contest.