Building Products

Staff -- Interior Design, 5/31/2007 12:00:00 AM

Cooperativa Ceramica d'Imola

Cork is cool, but on porcelain tile it's red hot. The glaze on Suber porcelain tile suggests a natural wood surface freckled with the markings of cork. The tiles are 3 ¾ by 18 inches, 2 by 18 inches, or 18-inch squares with rectified edges for perfect joints. Italian Trade Commission, 33 East 67th Street, New York, NY 10021; 212-980-1500; italytile.com. circle 825

Ceramica Di Treviso

Tiny Posa Romana tiles by Luca Dal Bò buck the current trend for minimalist grout lines. Unusually wide spacing of the approximately 3/8-inch pieces highlights specialty grouting from Laticrete. The mosaics themselves are available in Bianco Seta, Nero Seta, and Nero Lucido. Italian Trade Commission, 33 East 67th Street, New York, NY 10021; 212-980-1500; italytile.com. circle 826

Du Verre Hardware

From the Clodagh Signature collection, Kuba knobs and pulls showcase sand-cast motifs taken from traditional African fabrics. Available in solid brass or aluminum, they come in such finishes as brushed nickel, polished aluminum, and dark antique brass. 188 Strachan Avenue, Toronto, ON M6J 2S9; 416-593-0182; duverre.com. circle 827

Samsung Staron

Staron Tempest brings the patterns and agglomerated appeal of engineered quartz into the practical world of solid-surfaces. And it bestows benefits only dreamed of with natural stone, including nonporous hygiene, seamless installations, integrated sinks, and fully covered transitions for backsplashes. Available in coffee bean, Milestone, Russet, Horizon, Shell, Sierra, Caraway, Dapple, rattan, and cinnamon. 14251 East Firestone Boulevard, La Mirada, CA 90638; 800-795-7177; staron.com. circle 828

Bryan Kerrigan Art

The giant-button look of this Oval Form architectural tile solves our childhood dilemma: we'll always know who's got it. The high-fired stoneware clay body comes in high gloss and matte surfaces. Custom colors are available. Tiles are 1 7/8 inches thick, measure 14 ½ by 9 inches, and are suitable for indoor or outdoor applications. The joints can be grouted, ungrouted, or silicone-sealed. 457 North Racine Avenue, Chicago, IL 60622; 312-671-7770; kerriganart.com. circle 830

Window Modes

Buntal window sheers—natural shades or panels—utilize a very fine bamboo-like cylindrical filament drawn by hand from the stalks of African raffia (also known as Buri palm). Natural colors compliment these buntal fibers, combining with knotted raffia in seemingly endless variations. 979 Third Avenue, Suite 1615; New York, NY 10022; 212-752-1140; windowmodes.com. circle 829

Providence Artworks

Brushed stainless steel lends durability to the ergonomic Philosophy from Brad Gavigan's Pacific Modern hardware line. The 24 Spanish and Chinese-made pieces divide into a dozen knob-and-pull groups, though certain pieces will mix. 688 West First Street, Suite 2, Tempe, AZ 85281; 877-684-3362; pacificmodern.biz. circle 835

Etruria Design

Tell your story with Digital beveled tiles that lay out according to a six-inch module. Use one of two available finishes—Luxe or Silk—for signage in public places like subways, and airports—or for fun anywhere! Italian Trade Commission, 33 East 67th Street, New York, NY 10021; 212-980-1500; italytile.com. circle 831

Omnia Industries

Any of this manufacturer's lever handles pair with the new Square Rose to cover bores just larger than 2 inches in diameter. As with their other hardware, the solid brass is finished with polished or satin chrome, oil-rubbed bronze, or satin nickel. 5 Cliffside Drive, Cedar Grove, NJ 07009; 800-310-7960; omniaindustries.com. circle 832

Forms+Surfaces

Rugged Architectural Metal Doors are fire-rated in standard sizes up to 4 by 10 feet. You'd never know it, though, thanks in part to decorative skins of stainless steel, fused bronze, or fused nickel silver that match the company's elevator interiors, wall systems, and columns. 6395 Cindy Lane, Carpinteria, CA 93013; 800-451-0410; forms-surfaces.com. circle 834

Waterworks

Precision-cut Safari is nothing less than a suggestion to jump-start the imagination. From the Aqualinea collection, high-tech industrial water-jet technology will create practically any shape in smooth tile, providing mosaic patterns that range from traditional to modern, at virtually any scale. 60 Backus Avenue, Danbury, CT 06810; 800-899-6757; waterworks.com. circle 833

Ultraglas

Using lead-free pigment, Ultralite glass panels fuse shimmering color, and run up to 6 ½ by 10 ½ feet. Dozens of standard colors are available, or custom colors, in several degrees of transparency. Optional finishes include silvering, metallic leafing, frost, etching, and appliqués. 9200 Gazette Avenue, Chatsworth, CA 91311; 800-777-2332; ultraglas.com. circle 836

Lutron Electronics

Five new colors make it that much easier to match these satin-finish switches and receptacles with your decor. Palladium, Plum, turquoise, mocha stone, and Goldstone are the fresh, seductive shades that have broadened the Satin Colors series. 7200 Suter Road, Coopersburg, PA 18036; 877-258-8766; lutron.com. circle 840

Benjamin Moore & Co

A revolutionary new class of colorants permits Aura acrylic interior paint to be readily touched-up or cut-in, as well as to resist rubbing-off. And with low volatile organic compounds, the colorants are also eco-friendly. Next up? An Aura high-gloss for interiors or exteriors, and a semigloss. 101 Paragon Drive, Montvale, NJ 07645; 800-344-0400; benjaminmoore.com. circle 839

Chemetal

Treefrog has engineered four vivid fantasies in new Salsawood, Lapiswood, White Mascassar, and Wengé Gloss. Colored using water-based dyes, alongside stains that are free of chrome and heavy metals, the furniture-grade, plantation-grown poplar composite veneers sell in 4 by 8-foot sheets. And they install just like laminates, thanks to a high-pressure plastic backing. 39 O'Neill Street, Easthampton, MA 01027; 800-830-5448; chemetal.com. circle 837

Spectra Décor

Leilani Norman's Chocolate hardware is kiln-fired glass reminiscent of artisanal sweets. Rich new colors include Rose Brown, Sienna, Woodland Brown, Marzipan, and Cinnabar. Rimless edges for the knobs and pulls reveal stratum of hand-cut opaque and transparent glass layers custom-combined in their Seattle studio. 923 Northeast 120th Street, Seattle, WA 98125; 800-550-1986; spectradecor.com. circle 838

Hafele America

Britannium decorative hardware boasts a lustrous warm-silver toned alloy finish that resists corrosion over time. The collection of six knobs and handles—plus a classic bin pull—includes jumbo sizes perfect for kitchen appliances, oversized doors, or heavy drawers. 3901 Cheyenne Drive, Archdale, NC 27263; 800-423-3531; hafele.com. circle 841

DuPont

Responding to the popularity of figured natural stone, Corian has introduced exotics named Sonora, Lava Rock, Egyptian Copper, Aztec Gold, Clam Shell, Rain Cloud, Cinnabar, and Burled Beach. Lacking the porosity of stone, the surfaces have been judged food-safe. Plus, they promise minimal impact on the environment. 4417 Lancaster Pike, Wilmington, DE, 19805; 800-426-7426; dupont.com. circle 845

Designtex

The world of recycled polyester Fusion panels—encapsulating fabric, mesh, or unexpected objects—arrives neatly packaged in sample boxes that coordinate with this manufacturer's other materials on library shelves. Fusion panels run up to 4 by 10 feet, with thicknesses from 1/8 to 1 inch, and can be used as space dividers, shower doors, ceilings, or furniture. 200 Varick Street, New York, NY 10014; 800-221-1540; designtex.com. circle 844

Campbell Ironworks

The Mira curtain hardware collection offers four brackets and eight finials in brushed aluminum. Companion curtain rods have 1/8-inch walls and diameters of ¾ or 1 1/4 inches, with special notches near the finials that slot into the mounting brackets to lock everything in place. 22 North Norton Avenue, Callicoon, NY 12723; 845-887-6420; campbellironworks.com. circle 843

Walker Zanger

Bamboo can be a symbol of longevity, and its stylish simplicity lasts. Bamboo mosaic tiles from the Sobu collection are available in espresso, natural gold, or Sable. The six mesh-mounted mosaic patterns include Basketweave, Straight, Herringbone, and Random Planking. 13190 Telfair Avenue, Sylmar, CA 91342; 818-252-4000; walkerzanger.com. circle 842

(PIE) Project Import Export

Choosing Bannavis Andrew Sribyatta's Woven Paneling for walls or ceilings is a vote for sensible ecology. Unbelievably, the fast-growing liana that is custom-laced onto the steel frames would probably otherwise be thrown away, thus polluting the forest ecosystem. 19331 Southwest 31st Court, Miramar, FL 33029; 786-543-3037; projectimportexport.com. circle 846

Spark Modern Fires

Six-foot-long Fire Ribbon Direct Vent Six-Foot fireplaces modernize the old gas log—of course, in the process they lost the log. The hearth has been reduced to a sleek powder-coated steel firebox in satin black that can be customized with optional stone, copper, stainless, ceramic tile, or glass surrounds. 53 Chestnut Woods Road, Redding, CT 06896; 866-938-3846; sparkfires.com. circle 847

Lasertron

Wood-grain Stainless Steel Doors are available in more than a dozen wood tones, including burl, birdseye, mahogany, curl elm, and wengé. Try mixing the various faux-bois options for refaced or new kitchen cabinetry, that takes special advantage of clear or frosted glass inserts. 14251 Northwest 4th Street, Sunrise, FL 33325; 954-846-8600; lasertrondirect.com. circle 850

Giaretta Italia

Call it a lifesaver if you like. This manufacturer is sure to make a summery splash with Dynamic'O wall tiles, one of five mosaics that sell in a range of color combinations, including sunlight, and are manufactured using the purest glass. Italian Trade Commission, 33 East 67th Street, New York, NY 10021; 212-980-1500; italytile.com. circle 849

Prototype Design Lab

We've seen the writing on the wall, and it's Scripted Wall paneling from Antonio Tadrissi and Monir Zarnegar's Caprice collection. You can either choose a unique pattern—and/or the antiqued wood can be customized in sepia, black, or white. 22 Enterprise Road, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M9W 1C3; 416-842-0275; pdlab.ca. circle 848

Neoporte Modern Door

Sculptor Kenneth Hepburn's Racerback door adds an armadillo-inspired swathe of embossed dots to a 16-guage stainless skin. It resists rotting, cracking, and fading and does not off-gas, because no VOC's are added as ingredients. Compatible models feature glass inserts or a variety of window options. 1550 18th Street, Santa Monica, CA 90404; 877-711-2100; neoporte.com. circle 855

Knoll

With three new looks for Imago synthetic surfacing, consider the graphic Whisper design—in white, black, or red. Its diaphanous floral-embroidered inner layer is encased in resin that starts at 1/16-inches and proceeds up to ½-inch in thickness. 1235 Water Street, East Greenville, PA 18041; 800-343-5665; knoll.com. circle 851

The Sliding Door Company

Smooth-gliding Interior Sliding Door Solutions lock onto tracks and cannot jump off, supplying dependable safety. Glass door panels are available in an acid-etched, clear, or milky finish that resists fingerprints. The aluminum frame comes in silver or electronically transferred wengé, walnut, or maple prints that should not chip or peel. 7769 Lemona Avenue, Van Nuys, CA 91405; 805-558-5435; slidingdoorco.com. circle 852

Hunter Douglas

Gliding Skyline panels are made for shade or privacy in buildings with expanses of modernist glazing. Sheers, Semi-opaques, Opaques, Naturals, or wovens are available in a variety of colors, textures, and patterns. Of course, the panels—in an 11 ½ or 17-inch width—can also divide rooms. 2 Park Way, Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458; 800-274-2985; hunterdouglas.com. circle 853

New Ravenna Mosaics

Sara Baldwin Design's Metamorphosis collection includes the bespoke Frond 1. Building on the logic of a traditional herringbone, the designer enlivens her version with highly irregular tesserae and an occasional double row of tiles in the accent color. PO Box 1000, Exmore, VA 23350; 757-442-3379; newravenna.com. circle 854