Kitchen & Bath
by Dave
HolbrookSquare Deal.
Available in
single-hole and double-hole-mount models, the Integrity
Widespread Lavatory Faucet features a bold geometric design and
solid brass construction with quarter-turn ceramic valves. It
comes in polished chrome and brushed nickel finishes for $695
and $825, respectively. Graff, 800/954-4723,
www.graff-faucets.com
Industrial Design.
This minimalist
lavatory faucet from the Urbane Collection — a suite of
coordinated bath accessories — comes in widespread and
monoblock models in 35 finishes. Suggested retail prices run
from $770 to $990. Watermark, 800/842-7277,
www.watermark-designs.com
Look Ma, No Hands.
So maybe the
Pascal Culinary Faucet doesn't automatically wash the dishes,
but it comes close. A hands-free proximity sensor turns the
water on and off (a light tap of the finger works, too); the
pull-down spray head activates when extended and shuts off when
retracted. A manual valve controls flow rate and temperature.
As shown, the faucet lists for $932 in chrome and stainless
finishes. Brizo, 877/345-2749, www.brizo.com
Sink-Side Simplicity.
Side-mounted
valves have long been popular in Europe; now they're catching
on in the U.S. Take the sleek Parma Pull-Out Kitchen Faucet,
for instance: It packs a single handle and a pull-out spout
that delivers both an aerated stream and a spray. I found it
online for $185 in chrome and $240 in stainless steel. Danze,
877/530-3344, www.danze.com
Bath Countertops
Comes in Quartz.
Countertops in
the Mountain Series — Black Canyon, Sienna Ridge, and
Giallo Quarry (shown) — pay homage to the natural beauty
of solid stone. Unlike stone, however, these quartz surfaces
never have to be sealed to prevent staining. Plus they have
four times the flexural strength, minimizing cracks, chips, and
breakage. The series — available in October — costs
$65 to $105 per square foot installed, says the maker.
Silestone, 800/291-1311, www.silestoneusa.com
Faster Fabrication.
Here's a
solid-surface countertop that costs only slightly more than
high-pressure laminate. Unlike conventional 1/2- and
3/4-inch-thick solid-surface products, 11/4-inch-thick Eos
doesn't require labor-intensive lamination, making it more
affordable, says the manufacturer. It comes in 17 colors; price
varies by region from $45 to $70 per square foot. Eos,
800/719-3671, www.eos-surfaces.com