K&B Products

edited by Karen D. Singh -- Interior Design, 9/1/2006 12:00:00 AM

Meritalia

Massimiliano Adami's Fosillli Moderni makes negative space positively charming. Polyurethane-foam reverse casts of found objects, such as bottles for water coolers, are housed in painted particleboard with aluminum edges, resulting in a cabinet that measures 90 inches tall by 38 wide by 16 deep. It can't stand up to direct sunlight, water, or solvents—so consider this art for the kitchen. Moss, 146 Greene Street, New York, NY 10012; 212-204-7100; mossonline.com. circle 325

Brizo

Pascal is certain to be flooded with compliments. With a solid-brass body, finished in chrome or brushed nickel, this culinary faucet features both hands-free activation and touch controls, including a push-button water diverter that can be set to spray or stream. Available for both two- and three-hole applications. 55 East 11th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46280; 877-345-2749; brizio.com. circle 326

Lisa Capone

When there's a chicken in the oven, what could be more decorative than a wishbone on the shelf? Finished in silver, bronze, or gold, this sculptor's life-size Accretion wishbones are available individually or in a heap of 100. 401 Washington Street, Studio 6, New York, NY 10013; 917-407-5365; lisacapone.com. circle 327

Julien

Don't let the name fool you—the Vintage is anything but old-fashioned. Part of the Urban Edge collection, this kitchen sink in 16-gauge stainless steel is offered with single or double bowls. Depths range from 6 to 10 inches. 935 Rue Lachance, Quebec City, Quebec G1P 2H3, Canada; 800-461-3377; julien.com. circle 328

Juju Design Party

Seven home-accessories designers formed this collaborative in 2005. Among the products offered are Maija Puoskari's Frozen serving dish in glass or porcelain, her porcelain Swing bowl, and her stoneware OO salt and pepper shakers. 5 A 3 Vääpelinkatu, 45130 Kouvola, Finland; 358-4-56-6552; jujudesignparty.com. circle 329

Fuego

With the release of the 01, a 42-inch-wide outdoor cooking island, hibachis may become an endangered species. Grill-masters can choose charcoal, gas, or infrared heat sources by simply changing the side drawers. Additional perks include a cast-iron cooking surface, a slate-and-wood prep counter, a retractable lid, accessory storage, and optional castors. 221 King Street, 206, San Francisco, CA 94107; 415-558-7151; fuegoliving.com. circle 330

Effeti Cucine

Giancarlo Vegni created L'Evoluzione, a minimalist kitchen kit with maximum options: seven finishes in wood and plastic laminate, 10 lacquers, and three polycarbonate accents. The range hood is always aluminum. 72 Förrlibuckstrasse, 8005 Zurich, Switzerland; 41-43-205-2512; effeti.ch. circle 331

Four-Course Meal

At this year's Salone Internazionale del Mobile in Milan, Alessandro Mendini spearheaded La Cucina Alessi, a collaboration between Alessi itself and fellow manufacturers Foster, Oras, and Valcucine, which teamed up to produce four kitchen vignettes. Foster contributed the sinks, cooktops, and one hood, Oras the fittings, and Valcucine the remaining hoods, plus appliances and cabinetry.

With Sinuosa, curvilinear meets straight and narrow. A free-form lacquered prep counter pivots above the unit's stainless-steel fixed top, which incorporates five gas burners and a sink. The latter is paired with Mendini's 8535 stainless-steel fittings.

At a compact 9 feet long, the stainless-steel Agreste features an ebonized-wood counter and Stefano Giovannoni's 8520 faucet. The unit comes with a glass-and-steel hood, too.

Wall-mounted Trasparente is all about light and color. The heathered-lavender counter is a composite solid surfacing, while the semitransparent cabinet fronts are glass encasing stainless-steel latticework. An etched-glass panel defines the stainless hood above the 7261 039 cooktop.

Geometrica is alive with laminated-glass doors in emerald and grass green. The work surface, a salt-and-pepper composite, is punctuated by the black glass surface of Piastre Vetro's gas cooktop as well as a three-part sink in porcelain, stainless steel, or resin. The hood, also stainless, features a glass panel with an undulating profile. Valcucine, 66 Crosby Street, New York, NY 10012; 212-253-5969; valcucinena.com. circle 332

Live/work/shuffle

"The idea was complete flexibility," says Christoph Kicherer, a photographer who recently settled into a live-work duplex in Paris. To make almost everything in the narrow 1,130-square-foot space interchangeable and adaptable, architect Philippe Boisselier turned to the Bulthaup Corporation's paneling systems. The result, which Kicherer photographed right away, has already evolved significantly.

That's possible because of the system's steel skeleton. It fastens to both the wall and the floor and can support up to 2,000 pounds per 3 linear feet—allowing shelves, benches, and appliances to be bolted to it. Long horizontal panels can then be attached to the grid, with 1/2-inch reveals between. Aluminum rods, inserted into the grooves, accept hooks for smaller items; larger accessories come with integral hooks. Any of these options may be suspended at any point along a channel—and can be removed or replaced at will or whim.

In Kicherer's downstairs work-cum-dining space, Boisselier installed Bulthaup's B3 natural-oak panels and floating bench. A matching table and Hans Wegner chairs completed the ensemble. At the far end of the room stood Bulthaup's modular system 20 storage workbench in aluminum and stainless steel; the unit was designed for kitchens but transforms effortlessly into a file cabinet that's office-ready.

The lower level's flooring, a polished granite, continues up the staircase. At the top is the kitchen, where Boisselier chose Bulthaup's B3 white-lacquered panels—and fitted them with the company's sink and cabinets, plus accessories such as a knife holder.

A bathroom and closet line a passage connecting the kitchen to the living area. With its two large windows facing the street, the sparsely furnished space is really more of a palatial bathroom, with a custom granite freestanding sink and Alape's freestanding Japanese-style tub clad in laminated wood. Next to the tub, B3 paneling lacquered an off-white can support shelves for shampoo and hooks for towels.

Farther along the wall, Kicherer says, "I do almost anything—slip in a bookshelf, take down a picture." The TV, hooked onto a lower rail, plugs directly into an outlet built into the paneling. And all he needs to do is open a futon for the space to morph into a big, bright bedroom. —Judy Fayard

101 Eisenhower Parkway, Roseland, NJ 07068; 800-808-2923; bulthaup.com. circle 333

Gino Cenedese

This 60-year-old glass company is celebrating its birthday with Riflessi, a whimsical collection of washbasins and tiles that look like they're straight out of a candy store. The exuberant Rubi 28 basin could be a giant blue LifeSaver. 48 Fondamenta Venier, 30141 Murano, Italy; 39-041-739877; cenedesegino.it. circle 334

Villeroy & Boch

The wall-mounted Liaison sink is the segue between subtle and scene-stealing. It's all in the contrast of shape and material: the gently curved blue glass basin against the solid block of white porcelain. The block also hides plumbing, meaning no complicated hookups. 3 South Middlesex Avenue, Monroe Township, NJ 08831; 877-505-5350; villeroy-boch.com. circle 336

AF New York

These hot and cold water controls take their inspiration from industrial meatpacking sinks in the 1920's and '30's. Available in polished chrome and satin nickel. 22 West 21st Street, 5th Floor, New York, NY 10010;

212-243-5400; afnewyork.com. circle 335

Jane Hamley Wells

Chromium-plated legs support the Jit stool's seat, offered with or without a back. For kitchen use, the company offers upholstery of handwoven water hyacinth in natural, brown, gray, or blue. If you prefer to move the party outside, choose a synthetic wicker seat in hazelnut, blueberry, nougat, or coffee. 1512 North Hoyne Avenue, Chicago, IL 60622; 773-227-4988; janehamleywells.com. circle 337

Diamond Spas

Create an oasis of Eastern tranquillity with the Japanese soaking tub in stainless steel or copper, custom-made for one or two bathers. Choose from four interior shapes, including contoured or traditional flat bottoms. 760 South 104th Street, Broomfield, CO 80020; 303-665-8303; diamondspas.com. circle 339

Kohler Co.

The freestanding Escale draws its inspiration from Japanese ceramics, combining a Zen aesthetic with integrated lumbar support. Roomy dimensions, 72 inches long and 36 wide, make for the perfect soak. The tub itself is acrylic—available in white, biscuit, or almond—while the slim single-control Symbol faucet completes the streamlined effect. 444 Highland Drive, Kohler, WI 53044; 800-456-4537; kohler.com. circle 338

Colombo Design

The three-piece Portofino collection, this company's first line of brass bathroom accessories, references the ancient Mediterranean world. For finishes, choose chrome or gold. 22 Via Baccanello, 24030 Terno d'Isola, Italy; 39-0354-949001; colombodesign.it circle 341.

Crossville

Tile in the Palais series replicates three types of French limestone in earth tones including gray-green, light gold, and light beige. Sizes and formats range from sheet-mounted 2-inch squares to individual 18-inch ones. All are resistant to scratches, stains, and fading. And none ever need sealing or waxing: Simply clean with hot water. P.O. Box 1168, Crossville, TN 38557; 931-484-2110; crossvilleinc.com. circle 340