Kitchen & Bath
by Scott GibsonUpscale. Clients looking for an alternative to
traditional materials and colors might consider this console
from Julien. It combines a 16-gauge stainless steel sink, a
CaesarStone countertop (in any of four colors), and a wood
front in one of several finishes (ebony is shown). Available in
single- and double-sink versions, it measures 35 inches by 24
inches. Such high style doesn't come cheap, of course: The unit
shown costs $11,000. Julien, 800/461-3377,
www.julien.ca
Minimalist. Sonia's City Collection bath
console looks more like an occasional table than a conventional
bathroom cabinet. The manufacturer says the
24-inch-by-181/2-inch unit is made from sustainably harvested
"marine-grade" hardwood that's impervious to high humidity and
long-term water exposure. It comes in several finishes,
including wenge (shown), and costs $2,174 with a white ceramic
basin. Sonia, 888/766-4287,
www.sonia-sa.com
Ahoy. If teak is tough enough to use on boat
decks, it should make an ideal material for bathroom furniture,
right? That's the idea behind Bristol and Bath's line of teak
bathroom furniture; plantation-grown teak is naturally water
resistant, with high oil content. The double-width open storage
cabinet shown is 84 inches long, 24 inches wide, and 34 inches
high — large enough to handle one or two basins. The
company also sells a 43-inch-long single-width unit. The double
costs $1,840; the single $990. Bristol and
Bath, 610/962-9329,
www.bristolbath.com
Eco-Friendly. Bamboo is showing up in floors,
countertops, cutting boards — and now sinks. Stone
Forest's Moso Bamboo vessel measures 19 inches wide, 14 inches
deep, and 4 inches tall, and features the material's
characteristic subtle grain pattern. Because it's a rapidly
renewable member of the grass family, bamboo is a favorite of
sustainable builders. Maintenance involves an occasional coat
of paste wax and resealing once a year, says the manufacturer.
The sink costs $700. Stone Forest, 888/682-2987,
www.stoneforest.com
Deep Blue. Bear Creek Glass's sculptural Ocean
Bowl in cobalt is handmade from molten glass — a process
the company says gives each bowl unique characteristics. When
installed properly, the sink is backed by a lifetime warranty
against wear and breakage. Cleaning should be done with a
nonabrasive household cleaner. Two sizes are available: small
(about 17 inches), for $1,695; and large (about 18 inches), for
$1,795. Bear Creek Glass, 205/324-9339,
www.bearcreekglass.com
Tough as Nails. A hardy bowl made of metal
might be a good choice for a bathroom used by kids. Native
Trails' line of brushed-nickel and copper basins includes the
Maestro Bajo, which is made from a hand-hammered 15-gauge
recycled copper that develops a patina over time. Its outside
dimensions are 16 1/4 inches by 4 3/4 inches. It lists for
$698. Native Trails, 800/786-0862,
www.nativetrails.net