Three favorite kitchen sinks

Gold Notes is celebrating its third birthday all month. In honor of that milestone, I’m featuring fabulous, fun, favorite “threesomes” throughout July. Here’s the latest, my favorite kitchen sinks.

This is the sink I want for Chez J’s kitchen. Blanco’s Performa in Silgranit II is one of the most indestructible sinks you can buy and it looks darn good, too. (I’ve been a fan of this series for years – long before they made me a Design Council member or brought me to Germany for a fabulous, sponsored trip.)




This is a new favorite that I discovered at this year’s Kitchen & Bath Industry Show. Lenova's Entertainer Sink is pretty, practical and loaded with features. One of my favorites is the PermaClean drain, that eliminates the ugly ring for seamless, easy-maintenance style. You can read more about it in my Molten Gold feature on Affluence Seamless Sinks. Lenova uses the Affluence system.




I really like this update on a classic farmhouse sink in durable, sleek stainless steel. I would use this Verity Sink by Kohler in a transitional kitchen when the surrounding appliances are paneled. (My alternate pick if the appliances were stainless would be Rohl’s Shaw classic farmhouse sink.

KBIS 2011 - Top Trends

I just came back from the latest Kitchen & Bath Industry Show, held in Las Vegas last week. It was the smallest I've seen it since I started attending, both in terms of attendees and exhibitors. More significantly, fewer brands brought game changers to the show.

Nonetheless, there were some interesting trends to share, and that's what this first of multiple KBIS posts will cover.

My dear friend, colleague and Gold Notes architectural contributor Dean Larkin, AIA, accompanied me to the show again this year. As an LA-based architect of luxury residences and commercial projects, Dean is a great trend setter/taste maker to have along. Some of the elements shared in this post and upcoming KBIS entries were pointed out by his expert eyes.


Sliders

I spotted some really nifty sliding mechanisms throughout the show, many contributing to the un-kitchen look that's growing in popularity. Hafele was showing mechanisms to slide countertops open on islands, as they did at LivingKitchen in Germany a few months back. This makes it possible to hide a sink, storage or TV out of sight when they're not in use.

NanaWall, famous for its accordion-style patio sliders, introduced a window-door combination that slides open to remove all barriers between indoor kitchen and outdoor living spaces.

Innovative Products showed off the S-Box system they're distributing in the US. It slides up from below a countertop, bringing a knife holder, iPod dock, electrical charging station, mini TV screen, key or spice holder into use when needed, and out of sight when not. Right now, they're showing it only in stainless steel, but it will be available as an integrated product later this year.




Hardware manufacturer Salice had several terrific sliders to share. One automated doors to slide open like the passenger doors on a mini van. A light touch opens a pantry, entertainment cabinet or other large storage space, and closes it again. The system is available with automation or manual opening mechanisms. Both include soft close operation.

The final element that illustrated the slider trend was Brizo's new Solna faucet. Its pull-down nozzle slides completely out of view, into its gracefully-curved neck, when not in use. Sleek!






iStyle

Another trend that's not new, but showing up in more places, is tech-oriented personalization. You can now get a shower system that lets users pre-set features before they step in at a cost in the $1K range. Kohler introduced this capability in their affordable DTV Prompt system.

They also debuted a high-tech, high-line toilet called the Numi that does everything short of zipping your fly. You can choose your personal wash settings, accompanying music from your iPod, and about a dozen other features.

Another iStylish entry from Kohler brand Robern was the customizable medicine cabinet. Need refrigeration for your medicines or water? Build it in. Need a charger? Build it in, too? Need to watch TV while you brush and floss? You can build that in, too.

Technology for personalization was widespread at the show, and not just for the kitchen and bath. Lutron's technology now lets you automate most of your home from your iPad.




My favorite techno entry was by Hettich, which was previewing the kitchen of tomorrow at their booth. More on this in a KBIS post to come.


Warm and lustrous

On the decorative end, I saw a trend toward more decorative styles than I've seen at recent shows. Finishes got warmer and darker. Hardware and even faucets showed jewelry-caliber style. Cabinetry warmed up a bit - walnut has especially grown in popularity.

I particularly enjoyed seeing Native Trail's entry into the cabinetry sector. I've always loved their copper sinks. This year, they were showing off vanities and mirrors made from wine barrels... Not for everyone, but nifty for someone wanting a warm, casual old world look.




Rohl and Brizo showed off beautiful new faucet styles. Rohl's featured crystal-inspired knobs. Brizo's brought a matte, cocoa finish to the show, pairing it with polished nickel for a super-rich stylish look.

Everywhere I turned, decorative faucets and hardware were showing off more detailed, decorative, bejeweled embellishments - like the Top Knobs Passport Collection shown below - a noted, welcome departure from the more modern looks that have dominated recent shows.





Check back next week for more KBIS 2011 coverage.

Go-to Gold: Fixtures and Faucets - Part I

All designers have their core brands - their go-to-first sources for consistently great products that fit their style and needs. That's where a product search typically starts for most of us. I like XYZ Company, so let me see if they have a blankety-blank that fits this project.

This new Go-to Gold series will bring you some of my top go-to brands on a periodic basis. They all embody my Sensible Style approach, which means they make practical sense while looking really pretty!

It's not that I shun the original or unique. If you're a Molten Gold reader, you know that I enjoy discovering innovations and original styles. It's just that there are brands that I go to first, and I thought I'd share 'em with you...

Let's start with some of the bigger plumbing companies, just because I feel like it. (Don't worry, I'll be covering the smaller guys, too!)


Blanco

I love the Performa series with its Silgranit II material. It's an incredibly tough, durable sink that can take on whatever pots, pans and knives you can throw at it - literally! - and its ultra-practical accessories make clean-up so much easier.

Blanco Silgranit II Performa - From the school of hard knocks

Disclaimer: Knowing that I like the brand and write about it in this blog, Blanco asked me to join their Design Council. There's no payment involved; I just give my professional opinion on product development ideas and am available for press comment when requested.



Brizo

Brizo is Lexus to Delta Faucet's Toyota, with a great fashion forward kitchen and bath faucet collection. I like the practicality of their hands-free technology and love many of their styles, which you've seen in this blog before and, I'm sure, will see again!

Virage series by Brizo - fashionista faucetry

Disclaimer: Brizo paid all of my travel expenses to see their newest product offerings and attend their Fashion Week festivities in New York in February 2010. They are also giving all of the participants a Talo Faucet, valued at more than $700. I had already specified Brizo in projects previously, and will continue to do so in the future, I'm sure.


Kohler

I think Kohler is one of the most innovative fixture firms in the industry. They are continually developing game changers that look great and work well, and they do it across the full kitchen and bath plumbing spectrum, an impressive feat. Even though the industry has been economically challenged for the past few years, Kohler has continued to bring new products to the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show while other brands have stayed home. Kudos!

Expanse Curved Apron Bath by Kohler - More Style and Space in a Standard Size

Rohl

Rohl combines classic styling with great technology. I'm particularly partial to its integrated faucet series, especially the lav tap that gives you filtered water to brush your teeth and wash your face with. I keep hoping they'll expand the series to the shower!

Sleek new Vincent Series by Rohl brought Italian inspiration to KBIS

Details #2 - The Faucet Edition

This is the second of a five-part, first week of the month series with The Decorating Diva. Each of the five Details editions will focus on a single room detail that can make a huge difference in the success of that space's style.

Last month we looked at lighting. This segment focuses on faucets. Never underestimate the power of a terrific tap to up the style quotient in your kitchen or bath. To see what I mean, try to imagine this bathroom with a plastic-handled, builder basic faucet.

Bathroom designed by Jamie Goldberg, AKBD, CAPS

Such a tacky, outdated fixture would totally downgrade the elegance of this traditional, remodeled bathroom. I visited the remodeled master bath of an acquaintance who had spent her whole budget on custom cabinets, stone tops and new floors, but opted not to replace her builder grade faucets. What do you think got noticed first? Yep, the out-of-place plastic knobs stuck out like a sore thumb.

Here are some great faucets to consider for your kitchen and bath, even if you're not planning a remodel.

This Traditional Triflow Faucet from Rohl features integrated water filtration. There's also a bathroom version available so you can brush your teeth with filtered water, too.

This is Brizo's Talo faucet with SmartTouch Technology. One lucky Gold Notes and Decorating Diva reader will win one of these on Friday!

Kohler's Karbon Faucet offers flexibility and funky style

This strikingly-unique Italian-designed Wolo faucet has American (Elkay) and European (Webert) lineage

The handsome Virage faucet, also by Brizo, can work in contemporary or traditional bathrooms.

This graceful modern Stance Faucet by Kohler showed up at this year's Kitchen & Bath Industry Show



I've long delighted in the breezy style of Danze's South Sea series, which may show up in one of my own bathrooms one day.




I like wall-mount, rather than countertop-mounted, faucets with raised sinks, especially this contemporary Sirius, also from Danze.

Here are three essential points about kitchen faucets that you should consider:

* If the faucet is the only kitchen component being replaced, consider how many holes you have in your sink or countertop and don't exceed that number.
* If you're planning on upgrading your countertops later on, look for a faucet that can be mounted without a deck plate, and find out whether an extension will be needed to accommodate thicker tops. Buy it now while the part is available and keep it in storage for your eventual remodel.
* If your sink is tucked behind a raised bar, consider the height difference if you don't want your faucet to be seen from the next room.

And a couple for the bath:
* If you're considering replacing shower or tub faucets, you will most likely have to replace the valve behind the wall and below the deck, too, which means a larger project. If you stay within the same brand family, you may not have to. Check with a plumbing sales specialist for assistance.
* Bathroom sink faucets come in various configurations. Four-inch spreads are probably the most common. Be sure you know what you need before you order if you're not replacing your sink or countertops.

If you're limited by a four-inch spread configuration, consider this transitional Kohler Archer style for your bathroom.

Enjoy the entire Details series!

Details #1 - The Lighting Edition
Details #2 - The Faucet Edition
Details #3 - Fabrics and Fibers
Details #4 - The Hardware Edition
Details #5 - Finishing Touches

Color Notes: The White Album

Welcome to the second Color Notes posting. The purpose of this series is to share inspiring products and helpful ideas for the many hues you might want to incorporate into your home's design scheme.

Given America's 233rd birthday this coming Saturday, I thought I'd kick off this new feature with Red, White and Blue. Yesterday brought you Red. Tomorrow will bring you Blue. Today, we focus on White.

There are hundreds -- maybe even thousands -- of shades of white you can design into your home. There are whites lightly tinged with yellow, gray, green, brown, blue, pink or orange. I'm probably leaving out a few, but it's important to identify the right tone when selecting paint. Shown above right is Benjamin Moore's basic 01 White.


Why white?

White is often associated with purity, cleanliness and innocence in American culture. It's a wonderful hue for a kitchen or bath, lending a crisp brightness to those spaces. It's also a perfect color - and commonly used - for moldings, window trim, shutters and fireplace mantels. White enhances whatever color is put next to it, as sparkling teeth enhance a gloss-lipped smile.


Where not to go white

I try to avoid white in kitchen tile grout, as it can be a maintenance headache. I also like to see ceilings painted something other than white, as they so commonly are, so that the room looks more finished, and the crown molding stands out against it better. There are many, many wonderful all-white bedrooms and living rooms. What makes those succeed as welcoming havens, rather than feeling institutional or sterile, is a warm blending of textures and tints.


I love white with...

Green shutters on Cape Code homes or, as shown here, in summery prints
This one is Pierre Deux's Aventine - Herb for Kravet

Metallics, especially in tile designs, fabric or wallpaper
Shown here is Robert Kuo Cloisonne tile for Ann Sacks


Soft blues, shown here on
Pottery Barn's luscious Lucca Single Sink Console


Crisp borders in black or red contrasting with the creamy background

The White Album - Side One:
Icons and Updates

There are so many iconic white design objects that we've all grown up with, and I'm delighted to share them here. I'm also sharing some interesting updates that those of you who enjoy a more contemporary style may enjoy.

Iconic

White subway tile, shown here with Kohler fixtures

Update

Convesso series from Nemo Tile C0mpany

Iconic

Pedestal Sink
This one is Kohler's Memoirs

Update

Also by Kohler,
The new Reve in Honed White

Iconic

Classic Clawfoot Slipper Tub being sold on E-Bay

Update

Eloise Tub by MTI Whirlpools

Iconic

Apron-front Shaw Sink by Rohl

Update

Alcott Sink by Kohler

The White Album - Side Two:

Great Whites

CB2's Big Dipper Arc Lamp is on my "Must Have" List

I've always loved the casual cottage style of
Rachel Ashwell's Shabby Chic

I consider Jonathan Adler's white pottery to be new classics...
These are his Helix Bath Accessories

Here's another nifty white light from Ballard Designs
This one is their Coral Chandelier

'The White Bed' is so crisp and welcoming!
This one lives at the Goodstone Inn & Estate in Middleburg, Virginia

Can't wait to use this beautiful white and gray tile in a bath design!
Marabel by New Ravenna Mosaics and Stone

I'm a sucker for schoolhouse-style pendants, especially in vintage kitchens
This one comes from Schoolhouse Electric

My Mid-Century Mom always admired the Barcelona Chair
This reproduction is at DesignerSeating.com

Enjoy the entire Color Notes series...

Color Notes: A Red-time Story
Color Notes: A Room Full of Blues
Color Notes: The White Album
Color Notes: Purple Haze
Color Notes: Orange Crush
Color Notes: Green Day

KBIS 2009 - Bathroom Spotlight

Every year, the National Kitchen & Bath Association hosts the Kitchen/Bath Industry Show. At this trade-only event, manufacturers show off their new wares to kitchen and bath designers, dealers, builders, architects, reporters and remodelers.

Here are my favorite KBIS products for the bath. Last week, I posted my kitchen favorites.


HONED WHITE HEAVEN

Kohler has introduced a new white to the market. Unlike the shiny brights we're used to, the brand's new Honed White whispers in quiet elegance. It's available in many of their contemporary bathroom sinks and toilets, and would make a perfect finish choice for a spa bath. Also notable is the brand's new Moderne Brushed Gold finish. Like honed white, the new gold finish is soft and rich, not at all like the brassy golds of past years.




WHO'S THE FAIREST OF THEM ALL...

A Best of KBIS product award winner, Seura’s mirrors lead a secret life. When they’re not reflecting your visage, they’re broadcasting your favorite channel. Yes, Seura makes those clever televisions-concealed-in-mirrors you may have encountered in a hotel room. Now you can have one in your home, too, with contemporary or traditional frames, or frameless, as shown.



MOTIVO MOTIVATED

Caesarstone is well known for high-style stone countertops. Last year, they introduced their exquisite jeweled Concetto series. This year, they’ve outdone themselves with Motivo, a delicately-embossed surface that tops cabinets or resurfaces walls and furniture. It still brings the durability and easy-maintenance of quartz, but now it looks like nothing you’ve seen before and can’t get enough of. Can’t wait to use this in a client’s home!



MASTER SWEET

Normal 0 Now your master bath sinks can offer you filtered water, without the ugly filter! Rohl has introduced a line of traditional lavatory faucets with integrated filters. I'm hoping the shower faucets they're working on aren't far behind! This collection offers great taste in every respect!


VERY UPLIFTING!

Here's another innovation we didn't know we needed -- and now wonder how we did without it for so long. Robern has invented the Uplift, a medicine cabinet whose door slides upward. There's room within for a small television and all your med cab goodies. But it also leaves room for pendant lighting in front, and offers incredible capacity along with sleek style.



SMOOTH SWOON!

If it's possible to have a crush on a sink, this new Waza Noir Rectangular Lavatory by Toto is mine! I love its sculptural lines and velvet-like texture. It is so rich and smoothly-finished, it should be illegal to touch!



HOW VERY ILLUMINATING

Toto also earned my respect with its new series of Luminist lavs. Made of a translucent resin, the Luminists work with lighting you select and install to create a color-rich environment. I can see these working in a powder room or master bath, and recommned eco-friendly LED lighting.



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You may also enjoy these postings:

KBIS 2009 - Kitchen Spotlight
Style List #1 - The $150 Max Bath Edition
Smart & Stylish Storage for the Bath