Kitchen & Bath
Countertops
by Scott Gibson
Natural Choice. Kitchen-and-bath remodelers
who'd like to offer wood countertops in something other than
basic maple butcher block can choose from more than 20 wood
species in Craft-Art's Wood Countertops collection. Choices run
from standards like maple, oak, and black walnut to exotics
like wenge, teak (shown), zebrawood, and iroko. A range of
styles is available, including end-grain counters. Shapes can
be customized; sink and cooktop cutouts are made at the
factory. The maker says its counters are waterproof and
food-safe. Prices vary by thickness and wood species: 1
1/2-inch-thick hickory is $75 per square foot, for example, and
1 3/4-inch-thick end-grain teak is $160 per square foot.
Craft-Art Wood Countertops, 404/352-5625,
www.craft-art.com
Bug Killer. The addition of an antimicrobial
treatment to Silestone quartz composite countertops may
resonate with customers worried about mold and bacteria.
According to the manufacturer, the Microban treatment is unique
in the countertop market and won't wear off with use. The
counters resist stains and odor but not food-borne illness, the
company says. Silestone comes in dozens of colors with both
gloss and matte surfaces; Sonora Gold from the River Series is
shown. Prices range from $45 to $105 per square foot.
Cosentino, 866/268-6837,
www.silestoneusa.com
Virtual Stone. Although stone endures as a
popular material for kitchen and bath countertops, not everyone
can afford it. If you've got clients with big ideas but small
budgets, consider steering them toward Formica's high-pressure
laminates, which now include two stone look-alikes, the
Etchings Finish (shown in Perlato granite) and the Honed
Finish. Both mimic the texture of stone, the company says, with
tiny fissures, cracks, and crevices. Or, if it's the look of
concrete that the homeowners want, suggest the company's
Riverwash laminates, designed to look like cast concrete
burnished by flowing water. Prices for Riverwash and stone-look
laminates range from $20 to $25 per square foot.
Formica Corp., 800/367-6422,
www.formica.com
Kitchen Faucets
Reaching Out. Wall-mounted pot-fillers are
great for busy cooks who get tired of lugging pots of water
from sink to stove. Take, for instance, Danze's deck-mounted
filler. An articulating arm that extends 22 inches from the
base makes filling up pasta pots a snap. Unlike a wall-mounted
filler, this faucet is plumbed from below, so walls don't have
to be ripped out for a new water supply. The design also allows
installation in a kitchen island. Part of the Opulence
Collection, the pot-filler costs $500 to $675, depending on
finish. Danze, 877/530-3344,
www.danze-online.com
Touch-Free Tap. Faucets that turn on
automatically when hands get close are standard fare in public
restrooms. Now Kohler has introduced its first version for
residential kitchens. The company says the Wellspring Touchless
faucet uses the same technology as an autofocus camera to
trigger the flow of water at just the right time. Touchless
faucets are handy when your hands are full, and Kohler says
they'll also appeal to homeowners who want to minimize the risk
of cross-contamination from food. The Wellspring costs $740.
Kohler Co., 800/456-4537, www.kohler.com
Blending In. Stainless steel is a key design
element in many an upscale kitchen; for customers who want a
faucet with the same commercial aspirations, the Vela L from
MGS Designs may fit the bill. It's equipped with a hand-held
spray head at the end of a flexible stainless steel hose; a
push button controls two spray options — needle spray and
aerated flow. MGS says the fitting's all-stainless-steel
construction (as opposed to the stainless-plated brass of many
other faucets) enhances its appearance, durability, and
recyclability. The Vela L costs $1,500 to $1,600, depending on
finish.
MGS USA, 323/908-7618, www.mgsdesigns.com