Upscale. 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
