Kitchen & Bath Products

Staff -- Interior Design, 9/1/2005 12:00:00 AM

CaesarStone

True to their name, Quartz Surfaces countertops are 93 percent crushed quartz. Resistant to heat, stains, and scratching, these 3/4-inch-thick nonporous composite slabs measure 56 by 120 inches. The 40 standard colors range from understated Concrete to jewel-toned Ruby Reflections, with some available in a new honed finish. 11830 Sheldon Street, Sun Valley, CA 91352; 877-978-2789; caesarstoneus.com. circle 343

Elmira Stove Works

The Northstar range satisfies retro cravings without sacrificing technology such as radiant electric elements or sealed gas burners, programmable bake/clean modes, and halogen oven lights. One of five in a line that also includes vent hoods and refrigerators, this model measures 30 inches wide by 28 1/2 deep by 49 high. It comes in nine colors. Or pick a custom paint job. 232 Arthur Street South, Elmira, Ontario N3B 2P2, Canada; 800-295-8498; elmirastoveworks.com. circle 344

Price Pfister

The Avalon collection won't transport you into Arthurian myth, but the flowing lines of the self-cleaning rain-can showerhead, Roman tub hardware, and arc faucet will complement real-world bathroom decor. Pieces are finished in polished chrome or brushed nickel. 19701 DaVinci, Lake Forest, CA 92610; 800-732-8238; pricepfister.com. circle 346

Tubes

With Add-On, Satyendra Pakhalé transforms the humble radiator into an objet d'art. The system comprises ingenious modular units that join together in infinite ways. Available in 39-inch-square, 39-by-59-inch, and 39-by-79-inch sizes, all pieces are aluminum for superior heat distribution, and color choices are extensive. 32 Via Boscalto, 31023 Resana (Treviso), Italy; 39-0423-7161; tubesradiatori.com. circle 345

Hering Berlin

Displaying the characteristics that define Stefanie Hering's work, this graceful limited-edition bowl is hand-turned and made of paper-thin semi-glazed bisque porcelain. She also produces dinnerware, vases, decorative objects, and lighting. 303 Königsweg, 14109 Berlin, Germany; 49-30-80-60-40-05; hering-berlin.de. circle 348

Lea Ceramiche

Creating inventive geometric floors in virtually any setting is a cinch with Midtown porcelain tile. The line offers four neutrals with a choice of honed or natural finishes, plus unique wood or skin textures—all in a wide assortment of sizes. 21 Via Cameazzo, 41042 Fiorano Modenese, Italy; 39-0536-837-811; ceramichelea.com. circle 347

Sub-Zero Freezer Company

Given the formidable specs—two compressors, three evaporators, four temperature-modulated drawers—it's hard to believe that the 800-pound all-stainless Pro 48 refrigerator-freezer consumes less energy than a 100-watt lightbulb. Available freestanding or built-in, with dimensions of 48 inches wide by 25 7/8 deep by 84 high. Glass doors optional. 4717 Hammersley Road, Madison, WI 53711; 800-222-7820; subzero.com. circle 349

GranitiFiandre

With its abstract linear pattern, Project 7 may suggest jazzily engraved quarried stone, but this ceramic floor and wall tile boasts the superior consistency, greater wear-resistance, and lower absorbency suitable for all architectural applications. The muted four-color palette includes Ardesia Blue and Crema Europa. 1159 Bryn Mawr Avenue, Itasca, IL 60143; 888-903-4263; granitifiandre.com. circle 350

Angelo Orsoni

Hand-cut glass mosaic tile from this manufacturer, founded in the 19th century, adorns the Sacré-Coeur in Paris and the Sagrada Família in Barcelona as well as the Domus Orsoni, a Venice hotel that doubles as the company showroom. This hotel shower is tiled in Aureo 24-karat gold-leafed tesserae. Trend Group, 8 Piazzale Fraccon, 36100 Vicenza, Italy; 39-0444-338711; orsoni.com. circle 353

UltraGlas

Like the fabric that inspired Taffeta's subtly embossed surface, this cast-glass design looks delicate but is impressively rugged. The thin-set architectural field tile is suitable for both floors and walls, and full customization is available—if the standard 31 colors and eight sizes don't suffice. 9200 Gazette Avenue, Chatsworth, CA 91311; 800-777-2332; ultraglas.com. circle 352

Newport Brass

The Rustic Suite of bath fittings and accessories turns "distressed" into delighted with four rusticated finishes: antique copper, rubbed bronze, weathered brass, and nickel. The line includes everything from towel rings and robe hooks to shower sets and lavatory faucets. 2001 East Carnegie Avenue, Santa Ana, CA 92705; 949-417-5231; newportbrass.com. circle 351

Franke

Witty Manor House reinterprets the country-estate kitchen sink in functional commercial-grade stainless steel. There are three variants: 24-by-23-inch and 33-by-21-inch single-compartment models and a 39-by-23-inch double-compartment version, all 9 inches deep. Extras include an integral shelf for a draining grid, cutting boards, colanders, baskets, and trays. Jeeves would be chuffed. 3050 Campus Drive, Suite 500, Hatfield, PA 19440; 800-626-5771; frankeconsumerproducts.com. circle 354

James Nowak

Puget Sound inspired the wavy pattern and blue-gray color of this cast-glass tiled staircase—you can almost hear water cascading over the treads. The glass steps, also produced in other colors, are supported by a steel framework and lit from below. By commission only. 550 12th Avenue, Seattle, WA 98122; 206-329-3914; james-nowak.com. circle 355

Whirlpool Corporation

For time-challenged aqua-philes, the Fast Fill dispenser—now available on this company's side-by-side refrigerator—delivers chilled filtered water at twice the rate of previous systems. The rotating faucet, which accommodates containers of any size, will shut off automatically after the preselected amount has been delivered. Let it pour. 2000 M-63 North, Benton Harbor, MI 49022; 269-923-5000; insideadvantage.com. circle 356

Aga Ranges

Scion of the classic British gas-burning radiant cooker, the Electric 4 Oven Aga operates from a standard 240-volt, 30-amp circuit and doesn't need venting. This cast-iron model features four function-specific ovens and three cooktop plates, which are always on. Finished in gleaming vitreous enamel in 15 colors, from pewter to pistachio. 110 Woodcrest Road, Cherry Hill, NJ 08003; 800-633-9200; aga-ranges.com. circle 357

Altro

If the Antonio Miro Bath Collection shows a couture attention to detail, that's because the line was created by a fashion designer. Porcelain washbasins are housed in stained-iroko vanities with integral components—drawers, shelves, and mirrors with clever clocks—that can be combined in multiple configurations. Coordinating accessories complete the stylish suite. 18 La Coma, A1 Poligon Industrial, Plaza de Santa Ana, 08272 Sant Fruitos de Bages, Barcelona, Spain; 34-93-878-98-90; altro.es. circle 358

RoSan Imports

The Fantastiques collection draws on sea-tossed materials—handcrafted glass, stone, shell, metal, and even mother-of-pearl—to create marine-infused mosaic tiles suitable for walls and floors. Colorways include oceanic blue, umber, forest green, primrose, and Beach Glass. 110 Main Street, Chatham, NJ 07928; 973-701-7350. circle 359

Chillichilly

The silhouetted trees that encircle each By the Lake porcelain cup are mirrored in the platinum-plated surface of the matching saucer. What's more, the miniature images change with the light and point of view—a tiny visual tempest in an exquisite teacup. 98-104 San Fung Avenue, Sheung Shui, New Territories, Hong Kong; 852-9022-5553; chillichilly.net. circle 360

Avonite Surfaces

Still need proof that "green" looks great? With the Recycled Collection, particulates from reclaimed materials create handsome solid-surfacing patterns such as Kaleidoscope, Cottonwood, Cozumel, Crushed Lava, White Sands, and Palm Desert. The 36-by-120-inch sheets, certified to contain at least 40 percent recovered content, are rugged enough for commercial applications. Beautiful. 7350 Empire Drive, Florence, KY 41042; 800-428-6648; avonitesurfaces.com. circle 361

Gaia & Gino

Ottofamily salt and pepper mills are Karim Rashid's whimsical take on traditional Ottoman motifs. The charmingly anthropomorphic pieces are made of lacquered white or pink beech, with tops of laser-cut brass, sterling silver, or 24-karat gold plate. The grinder mechanisms are stainless for pepper, ceramic for salt. Ameico, 1 Church Street, New Milford, CT 06776; 860-354-8765; gaiaandgino.com. circle 362

Rohl

Install this good-looking Pot Filler over your stove, and lugging large stockpots will no longer be an Olympic event. Choose a 9-inch or 11-inch solid-brass swivel arm in one of five finishes: polished chrome, polished or satin nickel, and Tuscan or Inca brass. Coordinating faucets and accessories available. 1559 Sunland Lane, Costa Mesa, CA 92626; 800-777-9762; rohlhome.com. circle 363

Samsung

Suitable for kitchen and bathroom counters in residential, hospitality, health-care, and educational settings, Staron solid surfacing is 100 percent acrylic, and the 30-by-145-inch nonporous sheets can be thermoformed into almost any shape. The six terrazzolike pattern categories and three solid-colored groupings add up to a total of 58 choices. 14251 East Firestone Boulevard, La Mirada, CA 90638; 800-795-7177; getstaron.com. circle 364

Paris Ceramics

The Semi-Precious Stone Mosaics collection—which includes lapis lazuli, malachite, red jasper, and tigereye—seriously ups the opulence quotient for tiled surfaces. The hand-cut tesserae are mounted on mesh or stone and supplied as interlocking 12-inch squares for seamless vertical applications including wet spaces. 150 East 58th Street, New York, NY 10155; 888-845-3487; parisceramics.com. circle 365

Villeroy & Boch

If Pure Stone resembles a river rock polished smooth by flowing water, that's intentional. The surface-mounted lavatory comes in a choice of three shades of white ceramic glaze—one of them incorporating antibacterial agents to boot. Select small or large: 21 5/8 or 23 5/8 inches across. 3 South Middlesex Avenue, Monroe Township, NJ 08831; 877-505-5350; villeroy-boch.com. circle 366

Julien

A paragon of culinary concision, the Aquacentre packs an entire kitchen, minus stove and fridge, into a stainless-steel module 54 inches wide by 25 3/4 inches deep. It features a sink, an integrated cutting board and work surface, a colander, and a dishwasher. The under-sink storage has a hinge or pull-out door offered in stainless or with custom panels. There's a curve-fronted model, too. 935 Lachance Street, Quebec City, Quebec G1P 2H3, Canada; 800-461-3377; julien.ca. circle 367