Kitchen & Bath

Staff -- Interior Design, 10/31/2006 12:00:00 AM

Schiffini Mobili Cucine

Along with their smart, all-white, laminate cabinetry, designers Ludovica and Roberto Palomba's Spezie 06 kitchen system can be completed with a surprisingly eclectic look. This minimalist system permits an endless mix-and-match combination of door and drawer finishes available in elm, lacquer, white Wilsonart, aluminum laminate with aluminum edging, and bleached or ebonized fir. 206 Via Genova, Ceparana 19020, Italy; 800-965-1677; schiffini.it. circle 705

Blanco America

Perfect for retrofits, the solid-brass Blanco-Mix Professional Deck-mount Pot Filler faucet delivers unheated water to kitchen islands or to a counter near the stovetop. The ceramic-disc shut-off valves ensure a 2.2 Gallons Per Minute flow rate and a guarantee of convenient and safe operation when pots are boiling hot. 110 Mount Holly By-Pass, Lumberton, NJ 08048; 800-451-5782; blancoamerica.com. circle 706

Stone Forest

Simple Japanese elegance informs the 18-inch Round Vessel with Beveled Rim, a monumental stone sink that weighs 60 pounds. Beyond the multicolor onyx, this sink can also be carved from beige, blue-grey and black granites, honey or white onyx, and Crema Marfil marble. 213 South Saint Francis Drive, Santa Fe, NM 87501; 888-682-2987; stoneforest.com. circle 707

AFNY

DaVinci collection designer Bennett Friedman's latest direction marries a very American streamlined 1940s fluidity with his sense of romance. Fabricated in Italy, the solid brass Airstream lavatory faucet is plated in polished chrome or nickel, or in nickel with a satin finish. Companion products include other faucetry, shelves, towel bars, hooks, paper holders, and forthcoming door and cabinet hardware. 22 West 21st Street, 5th Floor, New York, NY 10010; 800-366-2284; afnewyork.com. circle 708

Alno

Using an ink jet, this manufacturer prints the Woodline aluminum-framed natural beech panels with grain and coloration from the likes of book-matched Brazilian rosewood or zebrawood. Designers can also choose among 150 stock graphics—or create new ones. Completed panels resist ultra-violet light scratches, moisture, acids and heat. One Design Center Place, #635; Boston, MA 02210; 888-896-2566; alno.com. circle 710

Waterworks

Phuze handmade glass starts with opaque and translucent strips in combinations of four or more colors, melding them in a 1500-degree electric kiln. After cooling for two days, the fused glass is sliced into accent tiles or squares measuring up to 6 inches. Use them for walls, backsplashes, shower floors and, in tropical climates, outdoor fountains and pools. 60 Backus Avenue, Danbury, CT 06310; 800-899-6757; waterworks.com. circle 709

Sirius Range Hoods

This decade-old Italian manufacturer introduces SIU405, a telescoping sixteen-inch square hood designed for use over islands—or to mount against a wall and flank with cabinets. The aluminum filter is dishwasher-safe, while a wireless remote activates the quiet 600-cubic-feet-per-minute fan and 50-watt halogen lamp. 1051 Clinton Street, Buffalo, NY 14206; 866-528-4987; siriushoods.com. circle 711

Dacor

Innovative Microwave In-A-Drawer from the Millennia V collection unlocks design possibilities beneath island countertops, and in open-plan kitchens where hot containers needn't ever again be lifted overhead. A one-touch button opens the unit, which helpfully doubles as a warming drawer. 1440 Bridge Gate Drive, Diamond Bar, CA 91765; 800-793-0093; dacor.com. circle 712

Hastings Tile & Bath

Catalano's fireclay Verso Contract 100 is 39 inches wide. Deck mount it as six-inch-high vessel, try it semi-recessed, undermount, or hang it directly from the wall. The companion SZ10 is a svelte 39-inch mirror in a 3/4-inch-thick satin aluminum frame. 30 Commercial Street, Freeport, New York, 11520; 800-351-0038; hastingstilebath.com. circle 715

MGS

Abandoning brass altogether in the mid-1990s, this Italian manufacturer began producing ultra-smooth-operating kitchen faucets like the Randa K2, a single-control mixer in solid stainless steel with a polished or matte finish. The rotating spout directs water at almost any angle. Through MGS USA, 20423 State Road 7, #F6-291, Boca Raton, FL 33498; 323-908-7618; mgsdesigns.com. circle 714

Snaidero

Pininfarina Design's Venus kitchen integrates light-emitting diodes for evenly distributed light and reduced heat during operation. The "microtouch" finish of the cabinets is an easy-to-clean microfiber tanned for a texture similar to leather. One bonus feature: a built-in teppanyaki griddle will allow food to cook rapidly without any added fat. 20300 South Vermont Avenue, Suite 125, Torrance, CA 90502; 310-516-8499; snaidero-usa.com. circle 713

Bulthaup

To embellish the B3 kitchen system from this German powerhouse, try the new walnut with a dramatic horizontal grain. Or choose walnut edge-banding to frame dark aluminum fronts. As with all B3 cabinets (excluding islands, peninsulas, and the like), these can be hung entirely from an engineered wall system. 101 Eisenhower Parkway, Roseland, NJ 07068; 800-808-2923; bulthaup.com. circle 716

SIGMA Designer Faucetry

From a collection of coordinates, the 11-inch-high 1600 Series wall-mounted lavatory faucets are solid forged brass. The "panel" handle is standard, though other options are in development. Available looks include: polished chrome, polished or satin brass and nickel, and a gold tone. 3280 Corporate View, Vista, CA 92081; 760-598-5895; sigmafaucet.com. circle 717

THG

Frou Frou, a wide-spread 3-hole lavatory from the Pierre-Yves Rochon Collection, sells in 35 luxurious finishes. Order either "à manettes," to get levers atop the embellished white china cylinders or skip the levers and use the cylinders themselves as knobs. Très fancy. Through THG USA, 6601 Lyons Road, Coconut Creek, FL 33073; 954-425-8225; thgusa.com. circle 721

Miele

The CVA 4070 coffee maker adjusts to accommodate jumbo sized mugs and java cravings. Its integral whole-beam grinder (choose your coarseness) can be bypassed for prepared coffees, while Navitronic controls select among cappuccino made with an automatic quick-frothing feature, regular coffee, or espresso. Attach to water pipes and you'll never fill the pitcher by hand. 9 Independence Way, Princeton, NJ 08540; 800-843-7231; miele.com. circle 718

Jacuzzi

This manufacturer leveraged its expertise with therapeutic hydro-massage jets into the low-flow sprays of its Hydrosphere shower. There are four sprays in the structural metal doorframe alone, and you can upgrade to long-lasting "glide glass" coating on the doors for greater clarity and ease of maintenance. 14801 Quorum Drive, Suite 550, Dallas, TX 75254; 800-288-4002; jacuzzi.com. circle 720

Property

Designer Gianna Farina's Tikappa collection modernizes kitchens. The 84-inch Carrara-topped island TK1-70 sits on dark gray waxed or bleached oak, or on a distressed, reclaimed fir table salvaged from a Hungarian castle. Also available: matching cabinets, stools, benches, and rolling modules. 14 Wooster Street, New York, NY 10013; 917-237-0123; propertyfurniture.com. circle 719

Everpure

The Designer Series faucet is a contemporary shape in chrome, brushed nickel, or satin nickel, of course, along with more exotic antique brass, antique wine, oil-rubbed bronze, bright golden, or bright black. The graceful arched spout rises nearly 13 inches from its cylindrical pedestal. 1040 Muirfield Drive, Hanover Park, IL 60133; 800-323-7873; everpure.com. circle 722

Decolav

Less than eighteen inches wide, the wall-mounted 2640 lavatory console pairs its espresso-finished solid-wood frame with a rectangular mirror. This 66-inch-high unit comes predrilled for a single-holed faucet and can be customized using vessel sinks sold separately, including the 1423-CWH. 424 Southwest 12th Avenue, Deerfield Beach, FL 33442; decolav.com. circle 723

Dada

Ferrucio Laviani's Hi-Line skips old-fashioned handles in favor of integrated aluminum finger-pulls running right across door and drawer tops. Natural or bronzed aluminum pairs with the company's gloss or matte lacquers or horizontal-grain woods in natural, grey, or brown; with laminate, vertical wengé, or with glass. Through Unifor, 149 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010; 212-673-7106; dadaweb.it. circle 726

Perlick

Perfect for those of us living in compact spaces, the Seamless Stacking Kit contains all the necessary brackets, anti-tip hardware, and trim to mount one of the company's cabinets directly atop another—in the process transforming the intended toe-kick region of the upper unit into a sleek continuation of the exterior. Imagine the space savings of stacking two 24-inch units. 8300 West Good Hope Road, Milwaukee, WI 53223; 800-558-5592; bringperlickhome.com. circle 725

Lacava

The white porcelain Light basin's integrated sink backsplash comes drilled with one hole for a wall-mount faucet. Nearly sixteen inches deep, the porcelain can bolt to the wall or sit like a vessel sink atop modular wengé bathroom cabinets that may be expanded over time. 2243 South Throop Street, Chicago, IL 60608; 312-666-4873; lacava.com. circle 724

Duravit

Newly available this fall, Berlin-based designer Jochen Schmidden's Multi-functional Shower boasts a remote-control touch display, colored lighting, and a sound system. Multiple showerheads and jets adjust from sprinkles to cascading rain. For the occasional steam shower, convert the pair of slatted wood seats into a 67-inch bench. 1750 Breckinridge Parkway, Suite 500, Duluth, GA 30096; 888-387-2848; duravit.com. circle 727

Antonio Lupi

Designer Nevio Tellatin's Point basin flows seamlessly into a narrow countertop cast from acrylic resins enhanced with bauxite. Three versions—with the basin to the right, to the left, or centered—range from less than two to almost nine feet. The Fold towel bar attaches without visible screws or hooks. 73-75 Via Mazzini, Stabbia 50050, Italy 011-39-0571-586881; antoniolupi.it. circle 728

VitrA

This Eczacibasi Group subsidiary, which manufactures in Turkey and Ireland, teamed with Ross Lovegrove to realize his Istanbul Collection. The Wall-hung Washbasin includes an integrated trap cover and a built-in mixer faucet, and is available in white, orange, Pergamon, green, M. Grey, and B. Beige. 305 Shawnee North Drive, Suite 600, Suwanee, GA 30024; 877-658-4872; vitra.com.tr. circle 731

Zucchetti Rubinetterie

The hand shower—from designers Matteo Thun and Antonio Rodriguez's Bellagio collection—has five feet of flexible hose, which attaches to a complete slide rail nearly 28 inches in length. Also available is a 3/4-inch built-in thermostatic mixer with stop valve that connects through a wall-mounted supply union. 29 Via Molini di Resiga, Gozzano, Novara, Italy, 28024; 39-0322-954700; zucchettidesign.it. circle 729

Moen

Patented pressurizing technology thrusts water through the eight-inch Velocity Rainshower showerhead. An oversized lever reduces intensity as you increase the total number of the hundred nozzles in use, when switching the flow from a vigorous rinse to gentle rain. Available finishes include chrome, brushed nickel, or oil-rubbed bronze. 25300 Al Moen Drive, North Olmsted, OH 44070; 800-289-6636; moen.com. circle 730

Vitraform

Named using the Japanese word for carving by hand, the hand-engraved Tebori pattern is a technical triumph incised in the company's opaque laminated black glass Freestanding vessel basin. The sink, which sells in standard colors and sizes, sits nicely on a scaled-down Small T vanity in teak veneer, which is available in too many sizes to mention. 3500 Blake Street, Denver, CO 80205; 800-338-5725; vitraform.com. circle 732

Elkay

This 40-inch undermount sink's Integrated Work Surface is a landing pad for pots and pans straight off the burner. The integrated satin stainless steel double bowls have a depth of ten inches and, as throughout the Avado collection, 90-degree radius corners to accommodate larger pots and prevent cracked glassware. 2222 Camden Court, Oak Brook, IL 60523; 630-574-8484; elkayusa.com. circle 733

Danze

Despite an old-world look, this manufacturer conceals technologically advanced, smooth-operating ceramic disc valves in the heart of its Sable wide-spread lavatory faucets. The traditional solid-brass body is available finished in the manner of antiqued brass, oil-rubbed bronze, or brushed nickel. 2500 Internationale Parkway A, Woodbridge, IL 60517; 877-530-3344; danze.com. circle 734

Jane Hamley Wells

With plenty of space in the teak-and-stainless tower for hot and cold plumbing, the stylish and resilient seven-foot-tall JHW Waterfall Shower looks smart outside, at home, or, perhaps, poolside at resorts. It produces an elegantly tapered sheet of falling water that lands in a stainless drain tray beneath the teak slats. 1512 North Hoyne Avenue, Chicago, IL 60622; 773-227-4988; janehamleywells.com. circle 736

Julien

The Vanity Cabinet showcases exotics like zebrawood, macassar, koa, mango, teak—or good old walnut. Drawer inserts are designed for personal grooming items and cosmetics. The concrete counter tops an undermounted stainless steel double basin—though a single basin is also possible. 935 Lachance Street, Quebec City, QC G1P 2H3, Canada; 800-461-3377; julien.ca. circle 735

Viking Range

Countertop-depth Cool appliances can be freestanding or installed in cutouts to replace existing yard-wide models. The side-by-side unit or the two bottom-mount-freezer models—French door or single door—are available with "professional" or "designer" stainless drawers, and with an optional trim kit. 111 Front Street, Greenwood, MS 38930; 888-845-4641; vikingrange.com. circle 737

Walker Zanger

Somewhere between deco and Hollywood regency, the Luxe vanity in espresso-finish oak sports carefully placed accents of brushed nickel. The modern top-mount basin is carved from a single block of stone—either marble or luminous onyx—while removable trays customize the top two drawers. 13190 Telfair Avenue, Sylmar, CA 91342; 877-611-0199; walkerzanger.com. circle 738

Rohl

Grab your rubber ducky and bath brush because nothing says good, clean fun quite like old-fashioned cast-iron in a sparkling white enamel finish. Gently updating the classic form, this distributor's freestanding RT032WH employs substantial feet in polished chrome to hold up a soaking tub that measures nearly six feet long. 3 Parker Street, Irvine, CA 92618; 800-777-9762; rohlhome.com. circle 739

Dornbracht

German precision comes back to the kitchen with Sieger Design's angular Lot, a no-nonsense deck-mounted sink faucet in polished chrome or platinum matte. The spout rotates conveniently as part of a two-hole mixer, or a wall-mounted mixer with a matching cover plate. 1700 Executive Drive South, Suite 600, Duluth, GA 30096; dornbracht.com. circle 741

Estoli

Mario Ruiz's Solid collection is awash in clean-lined universal design. In aluminum and plastic, it's ideal for people who value safety alongside aesthetics. The collection encompasses a stool, a folding shower seat, a bathtub seat, grab bars, and accessories. Pol. Ind. Casanova, 18 Av. Països Catalans, Els. Monjos, Barcelona, Spain 08730; 011-34-93-8983600; estoli.com. circle 740