K&B Products

Karen D. Singh and Jen DeRose -- Interior Design, 9/1/2007 12:00:00 AM

Light as a Feather

The look may be airy, but that doesn't mean the Pli sink by Burg isn't weighty. As with any successful design object, the grace belies the effort behind. Here, the subtle center groove, which serves as the drain, was made possible by an extremely pliable material: a cast composite of natural minerals and polyester resin. The dimensions are 15 inches high by 47 wide by 24 deep. 135 North George Street, York, PA 17401; 717-718-8900; burg-northamerica.com. circle 385

Pattern Recognition

They may be two-dimensional, but the bursts of pattern and color in Dominic Crinson's floor and wall tiles read as practically 3-D. That may be because Crinson studied fine arts at the U.K.'s Leicester University and worked for 10 years as a ceramist before founding his company in 1999. "Having trained and practiced as an artist allowed me to think outside the limits of functionality and rationality," he says. "Ceramic colors are not like Pantone colors."

His commissioned work appears in restrooms at London's Big Chill bar and New Delhi's Park Hotel, in massage and relaxation rooms at Heathrow Airport's Terminal 1 Luxury Class lounge, and on Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines's Freedom of the Seas, one of the world's largest ocean liners. As varied as those commissions, his inspirations include everything from cut vegetables, as seen in the Cabbagescape tile mural, to a trip to South America, as evidenced by Junglish 21 floor tiles. An update on Victorian wall coverings pops up in Lotos 3. Bollywood influenced Jantar Mantar B11. Mosaic Glitz wall tiles are like a peek into a 1960's kaleidoscope. And the Marmarous tile mural's seashell design represents the peacefulness of nature. "My work will always be rooted in strong pattern," Crinson says.

Wall tiles come in 4-, 6-, or 8-inch squares, while floor tiles are available in squares of 8 or 12 inches. Those for walls are offered in glossy or matte finishes. The floor versions, which come only in matte, boast a 23 percent recycled content. Tiles being unveiled during the London Design Festival will feature unusual combinations, such as matte and glossy glazes or pearlescent and metallic finishes.

Clearly, for this designer, creative combinations are simply waiting to be discovered. 27 Camden Passage, London N1 8EA, U.K.; 44-20-7704-6538; crinson.com. circle 386

The Heat Is On

Why should radiators be an eyesore? With looks ranging from minimal-sculptural to chic-industrial, Bisque Radiators is smoking-hot. Begun as a plumbing company 25 years ago, it turned up the heat by rethinking radiators as products distinctive enough to be shown at London's Design Museum and the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

Introductions for 2007 include the Outline by Paul Priestman, who recently designed the interiors for both Airbus and Virgin Trains. His flattened oval loop of coiled steel tubing comes in a horizontal version (two sizes) and a vertical one (three). Each can be finished in aluminum or metallic white.

With the Pillow wall-mounted radiator, Stephen Newby transforms a typically soft object into rigid steel. Damian Evans's DNA radiator in tubular stainless steel mimics the shape of the double helix. Philip Watts's Echo brings the gleam of cast aluminum to organic-looking blades.

A 25-year-old graduate of Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design in London, Daniel Ashley won this company's design competition with his electric Silhouette, a transparent update of an Edwardian cast-iron column radiator—a clunky (and often clunking) object. It finds new grace as a scrolling heating element printed directly on ceramic glass. 23 Queen Square, Bath BA1 2HX, U.K.; 44-1225-478500; bisque.co.uk. circle 387

Stone Source

Here's to Bubbles, an effervescent addition to the bathroom. These back-painted glass mosaic tiles come in 59 solid colors, such as Evergreen, and eight medleys, among them Bubbles Blend M05. For either, choose a clear or satin finish. 215 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10003; 212-979-6400; stonesource.com. circle 388

Kallista

One is certainly a singular sensation. Solid brass construction allows the wall-mounted pot filler to withstand thousands of durability cycles, and the 26-inch extendable arm retracts neatly to the wall. Standard finishes are polished chrome, nickel silver, or brushed nickel. 1227 North Eighth Street, Suite 2A, Sheboygan, WI 53081; 800-525-5478; kallista.com. circle 389

Zucchetti Rubinetteria

With a 20-inch diameter, the XL showerhead by Ludovica and Roberto Palomba is unquestionably extra-large—not to mention extra-relaxing, thanks to its 400-plus nozzles. The stainless-steel fitting comes with chrome or satin finishes. LEDs are optional. 29 Via Molini di Resiga, 28024 Gozzano, Italy; 39-0322-954700; zucchettionline.it. circle 390

Inda

Whether you're designing a home gym or there's just enough space for a yoga mat, one of the dozen Praia 1000 shower enclosures will probably suit your requirements. Create different configurations by combining fixed panels with pivot, sliding, or double doors. Then choose from three frame and glass finishes. 53 Via XXV Aprile, 21032 Caravate, Italy; 39-0332-608111; inda.net. circle 391

Schiffini Mobili Cucine

The name Pantry may evoke the quaintness of times past—but not in this racy red, one of the colors of laminate standard for this component of the Emporium Collezioni. Doors are also available in three oak finishes, lacquers, or stainless steel. 206 Via Genova, Ceparana 19020, Italy; 39-0187-9501; schiffini.it. circle 392

Vitraform

Festive Peach Confetti transforms the bathroom into the most celebratory room in the house. The freestanding sink is offered in round or oval shapes. Specify the matte glass in 13 colors. 3500 Blake Street, Denver, CO 80205; 888-338-5725; vitraform.com. circle 393

Stone Forest

With pedestals and basins of honed basalt or marble, Wave is sure to make waves. Dimensions are 32 inches tall by 14 wide by 18 deep. 213 South St. Francis Drive, Santa Fe, NM 87501; 505-986-8883; stoneforest.com. circle 394

Interstyle Ceramic& Glass

The fused glass strips of Barcode tiles are worth a serious look. Striated orange Koi is among the 16 color options. But rest assured, purists. There's also black-and-white. 3625 Brighton Avenue, Burnaby, British Columbia V5A 3H5, Canada; 604-421-7229; interstyle.ca. circle 395

Domani

Take a walk on the wild side with zebra-patterned Domani Radiance, a UV-resistant laminated glass. Suitable for vanity tops, the sheets measure up to 4 by 8 feet and come in Demi White, Turquoise Wave, and Burgundy Wave. 7135 Madison Avenue West, Minneapolis, MN 55427; 877-786-8300; domaniusa.com. circle 396

Ann Sacks

Not content with mere allusions, this manufacturer handcrafts its Iznik tiles in their namesake Turkish city, using techniques perfected in the 16th century. The 18 patterns owe their translucence and satiny sheen to a composition of 85 percent quartz paste. 8120 NE 33rd Drive, Portland, OR 97211; 800-278-8453; annsacks.com. circle 397

UsTogether

The Ebb collection's Basin Bath System, Single Basin, and Shower Basin System are made with two thermoformed skins of LG Hi-MACS acrylic—concealing the pipe between—and a front panel of glass. Vola fittings or COM complete the look. 18 Ballynahomemore Road, Armagh BT60 1ED, U.K.; 44-7801-863838; ustogether.eu. circle 398

Laufen Bathrooms

When Ludovica and Roberto Palomba conceived this collection in 2005, the washbasins garnered attention for their biomorphic shapes—and received multiple awards. The newest addition, the asymmetrical Palomba ceramic bowl, took home this year's Red Dot Design Award, conferred by Germany's Design Zentrum Nordrhein Westfalen. Dimensions are 6 inches high by 35 ½ wide by 16 ½ deep. 11190 NW 25th Street, Suite 100, Miami, FL 33172; 800-321-0684; laufen.com. circle 399

Alice Mara Ceramics

A recent graduate of London's Royal College of Art, this designer treats each ceramic surface like a canvas. For Bathroom and Kitchen Tiles, she photographed sinks, cooktops, and toilets, digitally enhanced the shots, and fired them onto 4-inch squares. The imagery will never scratch or fade, because it's part of the glaze. 410 Haven Mews, 23 St. Paul's Way, London E3 4AG, U.K.; 44-20-8925-1706; alicemara.com. circle 400

Grohe

VelvetBlack is the new black. This smooth monochromatic finish appears on the stylish Ondus three-hole lavatory set, detailed with chrome rings. The other fashion-forward finishes are MoonWhite and StarLight Chrome. 241 Covington Drive, Bloomingdale, IL 60108; 630-582-7711; grohe.com. circle 401

Terra Acqua

Susan Hugo's Miramar, part of the Montecito Stone collection, is cut from a single piece of Queen Onyx. As a result, each basin is unique. Dimensions vary from 13 to 18 inches wide and 4 to 5 inches high. 3463 State Street, 148, Santa Barbara, CA 93105; 805-899-8888; terracqua.net. circle 402

Canac

Give kitchen cabinetry a chic makeover with Cosmopolitan accent doors of aluminum-framed back-painted glass. For high drama, select Vapour Blue, Vapour Orange, and Vapour Green. Or choose red or brown to complement traditional wood stains. Sizes are custom. 360 John Street, Thornhill, Ontario L3T 3M9, Canada; 800-226-2248; canackitchens.com. circle 403