Kitchen & Bath

Staff -- Interior Design, 10/31/2004 12:00:00 AM

Ann Sacks

Van Gogh-ish spirals of blue and gray add drama to any space, while proving that mosaic-tile patterns need not be tethered to the traditional. This 36-by-72-inch-piece is available as a custom order using any of the manufacturer's colors at any size needed. 800-278-8453; annsacks.com. circle 620

Schiffini

Professional capabilities mesh with Italian high style in the Maxi Spring tap. Standing a whopping 36 inches tall, and finished with a sleek chromium plate, this powerful single-lever faucet includes a decalcifier jet shower and swivel spout. Vivendum, 23-25 Greene Street, New York, NY 10013; 212-334-4544; vivendum.it. circle 621

Vitraform

Airily graceful, the double-decker Console has a white, 3/4-inch-thick integral laminated-glass basin, plus a glass shelf, polished console legs, and a towel bar. Twelve other colors, along with rectangular shapes from 24 to 60 inches wide, are offered. 3500 Blake Street, Denver, CO 80205; 800-338-5725; vitraform.com. circle 622

Urban Archaeology

Hot, tropical colors splash these modern checkerboard and striped tiles, protected with your choice of matte or glossy glaze. Suitable for walls, countertops, backsplashes, and fireplaces, each handmade Colours V56 piece is 4 inches square. 143 Franklin St., New York, NY 10013; 212-431-4646; urbanarchaeology.com. circle 623

AcryLine USA

With backrests and heated neck supports at each end, the new freestanding Mediterranean soaking tub can be fitted with three different warm-air hydro-massage therapy systems. The lower-base skirt is removable for maintenance on hidden blower lines or electronics. 403 County Road, Cliffwood, NJ 07721; 800-441-3990; acrylineusa.com. circle 626

Dai Ichi Arts

Ceramicist Yuriko Matsuda created a 10-inch-tall Pumpkin for her 2004 line of amusing teapots—which also features such newly available vegetable shapes as peppers, eggplants, and gourds, watermelon being the wild card. Teapots arrive nestled inside paulonia-wood presentation boxes, and each ceramic piece is unique. 249 East 48th Street, New York, NY 10017; 212-230-1680; daiichiarts.com. circle 624

Vivendum

Offering an alternative to the traditional vanity, Castiglia Associates has designed the Zenit bathroom components from Rifra. An aluminum structure frames wall panels of mahogany, lacquered fiberboard, or shiny, plasticlike parapan. Completing the look are glass shelves, cabinets, and cubes with precisely mitered corners. 23/25 Greene Street, New York, NY 10013; 212-334-4544; vivendum.it. circle 625

Villeroy & Boch

Graced by a clean and muscular design, the single-lever Hype collection faucet comes in shiny or lustrous-satin chrome. Translucent acrylics or tinted glass accent a coordinating group that includes body sprays, towel bars, shelves, soap dispensers, shower caddies, and shower controls. 3 South Middlesex Avenue, Monroe Township, NJ 08831; 877-505-5350; villeroy-boch.com. circle 627

Crossville

Measuring nearly an inch per side, Water Crystal mosaics are translucent squares of partly recycled glass. Nine colors in clear, frosted, and iridescent finishes can be mixed to your taste in paper-mounted assortments to achieve monochromatic or multicolored looks on walls or floors. Or use them to punctuate fields of ceramic tile. P.O. Box 1168, Crossville, TN 38557; 800-221-9093; crossvilleinc.com. circle 628

Hastings Tile and Il Bagno

Designer Marco Piva's aerodynamic Kea basin is new from Italian manufacturer Rapsel. From its drain, the sloping Cristalplant vessel sink is lifted six inches above the cantilevering wood counter and attached towel bar. A Rapsel tub echoes the same line. 30 Commercial Street, Freeport, NY 11520; 800-351-0038, ext. 217; hastingstilebath.com. circle 631

Viking Range

Not sure how to heat that haut cuisine? In this Convection Microwaves hybrid oven, convection action facilitates baking, broiling, and crisping; meanwhile, microwaves penetrate to cook food from the center. Trim kits to fill gaps are available in widths matching the manufacturer's electric and gas ovens so that products may be stacked seamlessly for a wall installation. 111 Front Street, Greenwood, MS 38930; 888-845-4641; vikingrange.com. circle 629

Duravit

Offering a twist on the master bath's his and hers basins, the 39-inch Vero basin is a single sink with double taps that is drilled for two single-hole faucets. The new vessel-style unit may alternately be mounted on a chrome console framework. 1750 Breckinridge Parkway, #500, Duluth, GA 30096; 888-387-2848; duravit.com. circle 630

Rohl

A clean-lined classic, the 1050/8 is a 6-inch pan-style showerhead offered in five finishes that was recently introduced by this Costa Mesa–based company. The piece is a fine complement to the Michael Berman bath collection. 1559 Sunland Lane, Costa Mesa, CA 92626; 800-777-9762; rohlhome.com. circle 632

Samuel Heath

The sleek new Xenon extended single-lever mixer faucet will easily reach over the lip of just about any vessel sink. As an alternative to shiny chrome plating, this solid-brass fixture can be delivered in a satin nickel finish. 111 East 39th Street, Suite 2R, New York, NY 10016; 212-599-0575; samuel-heath.com. circle 633

Straw Sticks & Bricks

Already common in Europe, Japan, and Australia, Danish manufacturer Uridan's waterless urinals come in five standard colors and in custom hues as well. Double-coated with a nonporous finish, the durable fiberglass units employ a blocking fluid that prevents odors for 7,000 uses. 2324 O Street, Lincoln, NE 68510; 877-435-5176; strawsticksandbricks.com. circle 637

Bodum

Take a shot at perfection with the Granos automatic espresso machine, which uses either coffee pods or grounds. The programmable device has a top dome to enclose its cup-warming plate and a steam wand for frothing milk and hot water. 1860 Renaissance Boulevard, Suite 201, Sturtevant, WI 53177; 800-232-6386; bodum.com. circle 634

Boffi

Designer Piero Lissoni's floor-mounted PH washbasin column is a briefly interrupted glass cylinder. The transparent basin is chemically tempered and then securely bonded to the column with a polyurethane-based agent. If you prefer, opt for the carved-marble version, which features a concealed drain. 1344 Fourth Street, Santa Monica, CA 90401; 310-458-9300; boffila.com. circle 635

Lacava

Offering an updated take on the popular "vessel" look, this Italian manufacturer's Suave series of white ceramic washbasins (in three sizes) and matching tub all appear to drop away, partly through imaginatively cantilevering "countertops." The same series also includes wall-mounted white porcelain toilets and bidets. 2243 S. Throop Street, Chicago, IL 60608; 888-522-2823; lacava.com. circle 636

U-Line

With its maple-trimmed racks and removable wine caddy, the Wine Captain, a glass-front under-the-counter refrigerator, displays up to 43 bottles. Each drawer can be maintained at a separate temperature between 40 and 60 degrees, according to your beverages' requirements; the clever digital readout monitors their progress. 8900 N. 55th Street, Milwaukee, WI 53224; 414-354-0300; u-line.com. circle 638

Masterbuilt

No coals. No gas. The electric Veranda grill burns clean and hot enough to sear steak with just a good old-fashioned 6-foot power cord. The stainless-steel dome covers 200 square inches of heavy-duty stainless cooking grid that sits atop a 1,650-watt heating element and a drip tray. Bon appétit! 450 Brown Avenue, Columbus, GA 31906; 800-489-1581; masterbuilt.com. circle 639

Delta

Despite its sweetly nostalgic, English-inspired look, the Lockwood Teapot tub-and-shower combination is available in fashion-forward polished chrome. But rest assured: The manufacturer's Scald Guard, separate temperature and volume controls, regulates flow to the watering-can showerhead, so your shower will be just right. 55 East 11th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46280; 800-345-3358; deltafaucet.com. circle 642

Varenna/Poliform

Designer Christian Liaigre's minimalist kitchen case-goods system Bacchus cleverly chamfers the top edge of the drawers in lieu of pulls. Manufactured in Italy, these units are offered with an embossed white-lacquer finish as an alternative to the designer's trademark wenge veneer. 150 East 58th Street, 11th Floor, New York, NY 10156; 877-827-3662; poliformusa.com. circle 641

Vintage Grills

Party anywhere with the all-weather, stainless Bartending Refrigerator Combo. Equipped with a stainless handle, reversible door, and optional casters, the versatile unit has adjustable shelves that allow insertion of a standard beer keg hooked to an external (removable) tap. Temperature can adjust from 30 to 60 degrees; unit defrosts automatically. 39740 Garand Lane, Palm Desert, CA 92211; 800-998-8966; vintage-grills.com. circle 640

Miele

From this German manufacturer of 10 million (but who's counting?) fully automatic dishwashers in 75 years, comes the virtually noiseless Platinum model, shining in brushed stainless steel. With room for 14 place settings, the stainless interior has an optional cutlery tray to replace the traditional basket. 9 Independence Way, Princeton, NJ 08540; 800-843-7231; miele.com. circle 643

Waterworks

A crowning touch, the sparkling new special-order metal finish Sovreign, shown here on an Aero lavatory set, is also offered for use on coordinating metal fittings and hardware. Or choose from the 15 other custom finishes now available on special orders. 60 Backus Avenue, Danbury, CT 06810; 800-899-6757; waterworks.com. circle 648

Mixed-Up Mosaics

"Call us. We'll make it," says this can-do team of mosaic mural makers. They'll work with artists like Nelson Carse, then install the result or supply your contractor with templates for easy setup. 29 West 17th Street, Second Floor, New York, NY 10011; 212-243-4417; mixed-upmosaics.com. circle 647

P.S. Craftsmanship

The Logo collection's Big Flowers petal-edged washbasin—a daffodil-yellow crystal bloom with leafy green Azzura glass countertop and brushed or painted aluminum floor-mounted stem support—thrives in any home. 1917 NW 82nd Avenue; Miami, FL 33126; 800-990-5539; pscbath.com. circle 644

Marvel

The new ice-maker combination 6CiM provides cold beverages and a continuous supply of ice—no drain required. And the zero-clearance 24-inch-wide unit won't freeze your drinks. The full-wrap door is stainless steel; or you can choose the overlay door, which accepts paneling. P.O. Box 997, Richmond, IN 47375; 800-428-6644; marvelindustries.com. circle 646

Plain & Fancy Custom Cabinetry

Offering a variety of choices, Practically Basics beech kitchens can be built with mortise-and-tenon joints or assembled with dowels, then hand-rubbed in finishes such as White Frost. The island has wheels, as does the rolling storage unit—a versatile piece that can also be of service in the bedroom or bath. Route 501 at Oak Street, Schaefferstown, PA 17088; 800-447-9006; plainfancycabinetry.com. circle 645

Snaidero

Lucci & Orlandini Design created the fashion-forward Skyline kitchen for our aging but independent population. Rounded corners smooth the way for cooks with disabilities, and the curving, single-piece countertop keeps sink, cooktop, prep area, and undercounter storage within easy reach. 20300 S. Vermont Avenue, Suite 125, Torrance, CA 90502; 877-762-4337; snaidero-usa.com. circle 649

Aquadis

Merging the classic convenience of a pull-out sprayer with a sleekly updated new shape, this manufacturer's deluxe K9925 kitchen faucet boasts a durable construction of chrome-plated solid brass rather than the usual plastic components. 1190 Michele-Bohec Boulevard, Blanville, Quebec, Canada J7C 5S4; 450-433-2210; aquadis.com. circle 653

Dornbracht

Alape's WT.IC. 325 basin is a geometrically rigorous but lightweight wall-mounted glazed-steel cube with a hollowed-out hemisphere basin. Alternate versions of the same design are predrilled for a deck-mounted single-hole faucet—or enlarge the cubes' square counter space into a rectangle. 1700 Executive Drive South, #600, Duluth, GA 30096; 800-774-1181; dornbracht.com. circle 650

Poggenpohl

Offering sleek and stylish connection from your kitchen to the outside world, this manufacturer's +INTEGRATION cabinetry gives easy telephone and Internet access. The style's highboard and bench, in dense Swiss pear wood with bronzed Parsol glass and aluminum, also make an ideal platform for high-quality electronics. 150 East 58th Street, New York, NY 10155; poggenpohl-usa.com; 212-355-3666. circle 652

Kohler

Don't get caught high and dry on your kitchen island. The undermounted Verity stainless-steel sink, with 8-inch apron front, comes deftly to the rescue. Or choose the top-mounted model, with four exposed sides. Both feature a 1/2-inch-thick front wall that lets you get up close and personal with the basin. 444 Highland Drive, Kohler, WI 53044; 800-456-4537; kohler.com. circle 651