Kitchen & Bath
by Dave
HolbrookOff the Wall.
Vessel-style lavs
are all the rage nowadays, and they demand special
consideration when it comes to the faucet. Deck-mounting a high
gooseneck is one option, of course; another is to really raise
the bar by installing a wall-mounted faucet. The LK6156
coordinates nicely with this maker's vanity basins; the
pared-down design is bound to work well in other contexts, too.
It costs $634 in a chrome finish and $856 in brushed nickel.
Elkay, 630/572-3192,
www.elkayusa.com
Euro Tap.
This kitchen faucet from
the Bali Collection has enough personality to stand on its own,
but probably ought to have a sink nearby to do it justice. The
maker touts the spout's "European craftsmanship," citing its
high design, solid feel, and thoughtful engineering. It retails
for $465 to $581, depending on finish — polished chrome,
oil-rubbed bronze, or brushed nickel. Graff
Faucets, 800/954-4723,
www.graff-faucets.com
Lever Action.
Individual hot and
cold levers make faucet use as intuitive as it gets.
Color-coded supply lines for faultless hookup don't hurt,
either. The Appleton I comes in stainless steel, brass, copper,
pewter, and chrome finishes. With a side spray, it costs $420
to $620; without one, $325 to $525. Blanco,
800/451-5782, www.blancoamerica.com
Dandy Deck Mount.
In high-design
circles, a deck-mount three-hole lavatory faucet seems almost
like a rarity. The Square Vogue's clean, updated lines,
however, should appeal even to the minimalist-minded. The
attractive faucet comes in polished chrome or matte platinum
for an equally stunning $967 and $1,267, respectively.
Villeroy & Boch, 609/409-6792,
www.villeroy-boch.com
Glass & Ceramic Tile
Glass Snippers.
Glass mosaic
tile is a current hot item that invites at least one question
from the installer's end: How do you cut it? Try a pair of
Glass Mosaic Pliers, which allegedly cut tile of up to 1/4 inch
thick as easily as a pair of scissors. The tool costs $28.
Karl Dahm, 866/463-9590,
www.dahm-tools.com
Make Your Own Mosaic.
Each of the 17 colors in the
glass-mosaic Ashland Series can be custom blended onto sheets
for a highly personalized color scheme. Individual sheets cost
between $8.40 and $15.20 per square foot, depending on color
selection; custom blending involves an upcharge. The company
encourages customers to view options and make choices online;
there is no minimum order requirement. Hakatai
Enterprises, 541/552-0855,
www.hakatai.com
Graphic Relief.
Use these way-cool
tiles to bust out of the blahs, but do so sparingly. It's not
just the prospect of eyestrain; at $22 to $35 per piece,
restraint seems only prudent. The Angela Adams floor and wall
tile collection includes decorative borders and nominal 6x6 and
8x8 sizes. Ann Sacks, 800/278-8453,
www.annsacks.com
Glass Floor.
Radiance Glass tiles
are cast with a texture on both the front and the back,
resulting in a surface that refracts the light for greater
visual depth. They come in 3x3, 3x6, and 6x6 sizes and are 5/16
inch thick, making them suitable for floor applications. The
series contains nine "water-inspired" colors; prices —
$2.50, $5, and $9 per tile — correspond to size.
Crossville Ceramics, 931/484-2110,
www.crossvilleinc.com