Kitchen & Bath Design News is the industry's leading business, design and product resource for the kitchen and bath trade.
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38 | Kitchen & Bath Design News May 2014 Product Trend Report Brizo's Sotria Bath Collection's jet-like appearance was inspired by the streamlined architecture of airplanes to provide a unique triangular take on an angular spout architecture. The collection is comprised of single-handle and widespread lavatory faucets featuring channel or closed spouts. The faucets are ofered in a variety of fnishes, including Polished Chrome, Brilliance Polished Nickel, Brilliance Luxe Nickel and Matte Black. Circle No. 176 on Product Card The new Perrin & Rowe Transitional Wall Mount Tubular Spout Lavatory Faucet, available from Rohl, features slim tapered lever or cross handles and gracefully curved spouts. The faucet is available in Polished Chrome, Polished Nickel and Satin Nickel. Circle No. 177 on Product Card Delta Faucet introduces a contemporary collection of faucets. The Ara product suite was infuenced by the angular silhouettes featured on modern residential architecture and boasts a crisp rectangular shape with a slim profle. This product is ofered in Contemporary Chrome and Brilliance Stainless fnishes. Circle No. 179 on Product Card From DXV by American Standard comes the Landfair Widespread Lavatory Faucet, with classically inspired decorative details and smart, technologically advanced features. The WaterSense- certifed faucet features a water-saving fow rate of 1.5 gallons per minute and ceramic disc valve cartridges. Three fnishes are available: Polished Chrome, Carbon Bronze and Platinum Nickel. Circle No. 184 on Product Card Conceived by Italian designer Prospero Rasulo, Gessi's Goccia collection was inspired by the fuid and natural shape of a drop of water. Goccia faucets terminate in a single suspended droplet. Shown is the ceiling-mount Goccia faucet in Chrome on solid brass, paired with the Goccia vessel sink in Polished Silver. Goccia faucets are also available in top-mount, foor-mount and wall-mount styles, in Brushed Chrome, White and Matte Black. Circle No. 182 on Product Card One of MTI Bath's most recent introductions is the Counter-Sink, an integral sink and countertop manufactured in the company's Engineered Solid Stone in a very clean, contemporary design. The Counter-Sink is available in a variety of bowl shapes, and the sink or sinks can be positioned in various ways, whether centered or ofset to the right or left. The Wymara Double Counter-Sink shown here features an oversized bowl and a concealed drain. Circle No. 181 on Product Card Herbeau's Monarque bath suite draws inspiration from Art Deco design. This photo shows the Monarque lavatory faucet paired with the Monarque washbasin. The faucet is available in seven fnishes. Circle No. 180 on Product Card Gerber Plumbing Fixtures has expanded its suite of bathroom oferings to include the Blaze Suite, a collection of vitreous china products that includes a pedestal sink. Each piece of the collection showcases simple, distinctive lines with a fair. The sink is a clear rectangular shape, with deck space for toiletries. Circle No. 183 on Product Card SINK SHAPES & STYLES While softer lines and rounded curves seem to be trending in sinks, modern geometric shapes also appeal to those who like a more modern look. Alex Bursac, Duravit NYC showroom manager, cites the popularity of "circular, natural shapes as well as more modern geometrics for vessel sinks." He adds, "Undermounts and drop-ins are timeless selections, though, and there's still great demand for that, especially for designers looking for a very clean or minimal aesthetic." Howard notes, "Trough style sinks for the bath are gain- ing popularity, as we've noticed since introducing our two new trough sinks as part of our NativeStone Collection. We are seeing a lot of demand for both single-faucet and multiple- faucet trough style sinks, which ofer a large basin area and really striking aesthetic appeal." Korneluk says vessel-type basins are popular with his company's clientele, including those that are very geometric in style (round, square, rectangular) as well as some that feature more organic shapes. FUNCTION VS. FASHION Fashion remains a key consideration in the bathroom with consumers, yet it's important for designers to address their functional needs as well. Korneluk believes, "Functional benefts have to go hand in hand with great design, otherwise the end user will ultimately be very disappointed." According to Lord, "We know from our research that the number-one priority most people think about when selecting a new faucet is its look and design – this goes for faucets in both the kitchen and the bath. However, when designing a space, it is important to think about how it will be used and who will be using it. If a homeowner wants to keep the kids' bathroom looking neat and tidy, she may want to consider a brushed fnish that helps mask fngerprints and water spots. If a homeowner plans to stay in his home for many years, Universal Design features – such as the ease of water activation – should be considered before making a faucet purchase." Bursac notes that consumers are defnitely looking for lon- gevity when picking bath products, as well as easy-care features. Rohl believes the level of interest in functional aspects re- lates directly to which bath is being designed. As he explains, "In the master bath, form and function take equal attention. If it's a guest or kids' bath, durability and cleanability become key design considerations." He adds, however, that Universal Design continues to gain popularity across the board. Crozier cites a new Spot Resistant Brushed Nickel fnish that is designed to resist water spots and fngerprints, explaining that low-maintenance products remain popular with today's time-pressed consumers. Laufen ofers a unique take on function with the Kartell by Laufen collection, which includes faucets that actually ofer built- in storage through a small removable shelf that sits on the faucet. A PLACE FOR TECHNOLOGY While technology has made strong inroads in the bath in the shower experience, there is some debate regarding whether it has had much impact in bath faucets. As Ng sees it, "Innovations for the bathroom faucet are a fair- ly new concept. After the ceramic cartridge, companies ceased to improve the faucet until there were new water regulations." Uhl, on the other hand, believes, "Technology is having a huge impact on the bath faucet when it comes to construction and performance. Advanced computer tools allow us to develop safer faucets that deliver all the fow and pressure that the user wants, while reducing the water consumption rate by 30 per- The Pebble Undermount/Drop-in Sink from JSG Oceana is fashioned from glass and is shown in Fawn. All of the company's glass sinks are scratch-, stain- and chemical-resistant, thermal shock resistant and made in the U.S. Circle No. 178 on Product Card KBD_34-39_PTR.indd 38 4/15/14 1:47 PM