Kitchen & Bath

-- Interior Design, 10/31/2009 12:00:00 AM

Kohler Co. Flipside Handshower

The kitchen and bath giant is changing the way we look at multi-stream showerheads with its Flipside Handshower. Instead of filter controls that turn to change the water flow and pressure, this showerhead uses rotation and four different openings to provide a full face spray, a circular pattern face spray, a dense downpour, and a targeted massage spray. It comes in three polished-chrome and two brushed-nickel designs. 800-456-4537; kohler.com. circle 755

Demesure

When thinking of ceramic tiles, we don't necessarily think "energy." But French company Démesure draws on just that for its latest lines. Architect Christian Biecher collaborated with the manufacturer to establish the collections Énergie Colorielle (hue vibrancy), Énergie Urbaine (contemporary architectural textures), and Énergie Graphique (geometry and graphics), to be combined and installed in an infinite number of ways to present a striking work of art on walls and floors. In addition to solid-color tiles, the new designs include: the cloud-inspired Nuage; dual triangle—sporting Diagonale Simple; relief-resembling Sculptures Florales; radiating-square motif Escalier; prism-like Diamant; stone-textured Lumière; and cubism-evoking Neo-Geo. In total, 18 rectangular solids with complementing glass mosaics, 17 patterns, and two square solids are offered; mix and match to create your own kinetic design using the company's online tool. 33-472-13-52-11; demesure.eu. circle 795

Poggenpohl P'7340

The P'7340 is to kitchens what Porsche is to cars: top of the line. With its handle-free fronts and aluminum frame, the Porsche Design modular kitchen offers numerous elements in innumerable configurations. Available with driftwood or dark oak veneers, or in polished or satinized glass in colorways that include Deep Black, Pure White, Platin Beige, and Frozen Green. 800-987-0553; poggenpohl.com. circle 773

Kanera Kanera 1X

Kanera 1X is a stylish entry in a line of 20 wash basins that resemble smooth topographical maps in cool enameled steel. Its cousin, Kanera 1E, won a Red Dot Product Design Award in 2008. The organic, flowing basins are available in any color and can be fitted, supported, or wall- or floor-mounted. 49-251-609-8030; kanera.de. circle 774

Designer Drains

Irked at the lack of detail in everyday items, Panagiotis Papadatos created designer drains that he describes as "jewelry for your shower." And why not? Made from reclaimed solid stainless steel and brass, the patterns range from zig-zag mazes to swirly starfish. 888-957-3944; designerdrains.com. circle 777

California Faucets Jalama

The Jalama widespread faucet, named for a beach in Santa Monica, aims for whimsical simplicity. The chubby cylinders with rounded spoke-cross handles lend the whimsy, while the spare, clean lines of the tall, flat spout provide the simplicity. The set comes in a variety of finishes, including chrome, Mocha Bronze, and satin gold. 800-822-8855; calfaucets.com. circle 775

Nemo Tile Convex

The Vizcaya II collection, a study in textured surfacing, bolsters the manufacturer's popular glass tile line. Convex, which comes on mesh sheets, has the curves covered, creating a wicker-like surface. It comes in Fire Brick, Dodger, Chamomile, Spirit White, yellow green, Bright Sky, as well as Vizcaya's 60-color palette. 212-505-0009; nemotile.com. circle 776

Moen Fina

Green never looked so chic. Who could resist the clean, uncluttered look of the Fina single-handle lavatory faucet, especially when it surpasses LEED requirements for water efficiency indoors? Its high, arching neck and marquise-shaped spout mimic the form that water takes as it spills from natural falls. 877-663-6741; moen.com. circle 778

Rapsel Ofuro Vasca

East meets West in Ofuro Vasca. Interior Design Hall of Famer Matteo Thun puts his spin on the traditional Japanese soaking tub, creating this version in water-resistant beech wood. It defines Thun's take on the eastern aesthetic: a floating world where things are soft, rounded, and organic. Through AF New York, 800-366-2284; afnewyork.com. circle 782

Cermica Fioranese Butterfly

Even heading into autumn, there are still Blooming Lines. The lovely series of ceramic wall tiles blends botanicals with graphic lines and a wavy surface to create a delicate yet modern look. The 8-by-24-inch tiles come in three patterns—Butterfly, Bloom, and Gessato, and four pastels—Canapa, Aloe, Grigioperla, and Lillà. 39-536-993511; fioranese.it. circle 781

Cifial Quadra 25

The WaterSense-certified Quadra 25 faucet packs high performance into a sleek design perfect for small spaces. The 6-inch-tall, single-handle lavatory faucet is eco-friendly with a low 1½-gallon-per-minute flow rate. Available in polished chrome, satin nickel, and weathered finishes. 404-270-1010; cifialusa.com. circle 780

Urban Archaeology Lenox Cabinet

The Lenox Cabinet traces its lineage to Helena Rubinstein's New York apartment. Who better to perfect the bathroom cabinet than a cosmetics queen? The versatile piece's mesh door panel dazzles in a variety of finishes, including polished nickel, chrome, and brass, and green patina. Customize widths, heights, and depths. 212-431-4646; urbanarchaeology.com. circle 779

Duravit 2nd Floor

The 2nd Floor line takes a second bow. Inspired by Michael Sieger's "Private Heaven" architectural study, it opens up the standard bathroom floor plan. The vanity boasts four drawers and measures 62 by 23 by 28 inches. Composition is three-ply chipboard or compressed MDF depending on the finish, which includes white lacquer, ebony, and rosewood. 212-686-0033; duravit.com. circle 794

Caroma Profile Smart

The Profile Smart is super-slim and sleek—perfect for a tight space, or one that demands a minimalist masterpiece. The high efficiency toilet averages nearly 1 gallon per flush, oceans ahead of the old 3½-gallon monsters. It cleverly directs fresh water through the faucet for hand-washing, then reuses the leftover water for the next flush. 800-605-4218; caromausa.com. circle 793

Vitraform Counter Sink with Rectangular Basin

The glass Counter Sink with Rectangular Basin makes a sleek statement, and it's bilingual: Go with one or two integral basins. Coordinate your choice with wall- or deck-mounted faucets. Measuring from 30 to 84 inches wide, it is available in 13 glass colors in polished, satin, etched, translucent white, and mirror finishes. 800-338-5725; vitraform.com. circle 790

Ceramiche Refin

Do you believe in magic? We do, thanks to the multicolor Magic Showerhead. It showers you in seven colors, but is green at heart. LED lights are powered by water pressure alone: no electricity or batteries. The two-minute color rotation reminds you of time, encouraging shorter showers and water conservation. 310-532-1977; memowell.com. circle 792

Memowell Magic Showerhead

Part of Karim Rashid's R+evolution line of ceramics for walls and floors, psychedelic Wall 2a tiles flow groovily and beautifully. Available in three other colorful patterns, the tiles measure 12 inches tall by 36 long and coordinate with other offerings in the line. 39-522-990-499; refin.it. circle 791