WOW! for the home

KWC Ava Coolfix Basin Faucet

2011-08-23T12:32:54-04:00

The KWC Ava single-lever basin faucet with CoolFix technology offers a simple way to save energy without sacrificing comfort or convenience.

The standard setting of the operating lever of a single-lever faucet is straight ahead; that is, in the “six o’clock” position. With most such faucets, lifting the lever brings a mix of hot and cold water, even if the user neither needs nor wants warm water. If the consumer prefers only cold water, he or she must rotate the handle to the far right, potentially wasting water and energy in the form of heated water going down the drain, unused.

With KWC’s CoolFix technology, the six o’clock middle position has been designed “full cold,” so that no hot water is delivered in this setting. This, in turn, saves energy each time the faucet is activated. The only way to draw warm water — and use energy — is to rotate the lever clockwise and away from the middle position, which is where most consumers — for aesthetic reasons — prefer to keep the lever when the faucet is not running.

The KWC Ava basin faucet incorporates KWC CoolFix and the Neoperl Caché aerator, which reduces water flow to 1.5 gallons per minute (gpm), a 40 percent savings over conventional 2.5 gpm faucets, but — once again — without sacrifice to user comfort.

The basin mixer with CoolFix and ceramic disc technology is part of the KWC Ava faucet and shower range for the bathroom. The comprehensive collection also encompasses a tall basin faucet for vessel sinks, as well as a bathtub spout, overhead showers, a hand shower and a sliding wall bar; shower trim kits for either thermostatic and pressure balance valve applications; and an assortment of rough-in components and complementary accessories.

Designed for contemporary and transitional décors, KWC Ava offers slender geometric forms and surfaces that make a striking impression while operating in a smooth and graceful fashion. But the slim proportions and cubic contours of the faucets are also equipped with the latest technology and designed to offer years of reliable service with minimal maintenance.

Among the many captivating features of the two KWC Ava basin faucets are their flat handles, each based on a unique and innovative lever-operating principle with a concealed lifting mechanism. The handle lifts and turns in a single movement, delivering a completely new and different feel to activating a faucet: effortless, harmonious, and logical.

For more information visit KWC.

BR111 Kingsbridge Oak Wood Flooring

2011-07-22T08:45:00-04:00

Regardless of your needs, when updating a single room or starting with a clean slate on an extensive project, is the industry's choice for craftsmanship and class across a range of wood flooring options. When compared with other floor coverings, wood floors are the cost-effective investment, paying dividends in usefulness and beauty over years of enjoyment.

BR111 Kingsbridge Oak from the Reserve Collection is a beautiful combination of contemporary and rustic that will add a modern, sophisticated feel to any room. With 8" wide planks and a brushed texture, BR111 Kingsbridge Oak is the perfect choice for the consumer. Kingsbridge Oak is oxidized oiled finish, and white washed, French Oak. It measures 3/4" thick x 8" wide x 30"- 84" length, with a 5mm wear layer and retails for $12.73 per square foot.

Wood floors can offer a classic, timeless look, and hardwood flooring from BR111 is the most modern, practical, and durable flooring solution available.

For more information visit BR111.

Ukinox Stainless Steel Sinks

2011-07-16T08:11:26-04:00

In addition to European craftsmanship and more than 30 years of manufacturing expertise, Ukinox has introduced a high-polish European-style finish unlike any other in its price point to the United States. Manufactured in Istanbul, Turkey since 1979, Ukinox has found the perfect combination of quality and style with a limited lifetime warranty for peace of mind. Other features include:

three-piece construction. All Ukinox double sinks are made in three pieces with the bowls welded to the deck. This creates a much stronger sink than those that are stamped out of one sheet of stainless steel.

Durable heavy-gauge 304 stainless with the industry’s highest percentage of chromium (18%) and nickel (10%) for an resistance to corrosion and stains.

thick undercoating material that is specially formulated and applied along with multiple extra-large sound pads to reduce sink noise while also insulating the sink to keep water at the desired temperature.

Choose from multiple styles, bowl configurations, shapes, sizes and depths. From petite one bowl sinks perfect for a bar to spacious double bowls made to accommodate almost any sized bowl or pan, Ukinox has a sink that will fit your needs. Ukinox also makes a variety of accessories to enhance the look and functionality their sink line –– from cutting boards that allow for prep work to bottom grids that protect the finish of your sink. The Ukinox line was created with quality and value in mind. The D759 is sized at 30 1/2" x 18 1/2" x 9" to accommodate almost any large bowl or pan. The enhanced sized bowl highlights the sleek high-polish European finish to make the sink a focal point of your kitchen. The D759 includes basket strainers, mounting hardware, a countertop template for easy installation.

For more information, visit Ukinox.

Atlas Homewares Dream Glass Collection Decorative Hardware

2011-07-15T08:43:11-04:00

Atlas Homewares Dream Glass Collection of glass decorative hardware that will add vibrant color and character to any kitchen and bath. With names like the Milky Way, Galaxy and Eclipse this collection is sure to have a celestial presence in the home.

Whimsical, swirling patterns of fused glass mix with cool metals for a look that will transform simple cabinetry into assertive expressions of style. These fabulously functional knobs are 1.5” in diameter and are available in either Round or Square with an oil rubbed bronze or polished chrome finish for the ultimate in contemporary chic.

For more information, visit Atlas Homewares.

Tania Johnson Design Reflected Light Collection of Rugs

2011-07-11T10:12:28-04:00

Tania Johnson Design Reflected Light Collection of rugs consists of four striking designs will in which founder and designer Tania Johnson continues with her exploration of natural light and shadows. Each made-to-order piece combines wool and silk fibers in vibrant contrasts of color to create an interplay between matte and shine. Different shades of color are mixed in a single knot to achieve the intricate gradations.

Each rug is hand knotted in Nepal and is produced in the company’s low 3mm pile height at 150 knots per inch.

Reflected Light Collection includes:

Blur - Indigo/Flame
Radiance - Crimson/Flame
Glow - Indigo/Lime
Haze - Charcoal/Citron

As with all the Tania Johnson Design rugs, the new designs are customizable.

For more information, visit Tania Johnson Design.

Trove StoneGround Wallpaper

2011-07-11T09:57:52-04:00

Trove StoneGround is a silky-smooth wall"paper" made from stone. Stoneground wall"paper" combines mineral powder (> 80% calcium carbonate) with a small amount (< 20% PE) of non-toxic resin to create an environmentally-friendly wall"paper" unlike any other.

StoneGround production process uses no wood products, meaning not a single tree has been cut down for its sake. It requires no water to produce, safeguarding the environment from additional wastewater pollutants. Thanks to StoneGround‘s fiberless make-up, printed images stay crisp and clean. Adding to its eco-friendly appeal, StoneGround requires 20-30% less ink than regular paper.

To create StoneGround, calcium carbonate, which is found in marble and limestone, is ground down into a fine, chalk-like powder that is sprayed onto a non-toxic resin base where it binds to create the "paper." Its construction refines previously coarse and raw materials to create a more delicate feel than paper, yet more durable than paper because it is water and tear resistant. At the end of its life, StoneGround can be recycled.

All of Trove's designs are available for application on StoneGround.

For more information, visit Trove.

Think Fabricate Brooklyn Plates

2011-07-11T09:08:41-04:00

Originally produced as a limited edition to coordinate with Think Fabricate’s display at 2010 BKLYN DESIGNS, Brooklyn Plates is a set of transfer printed coup style dinner plates featuring aerial views of Brooklyn from the late 1800s.

Each of the three transferware plates features a portion of a lithographic print by Currier and Ives dating back to 1879, showing a “balloon view” of Brooklyn with its south and west waterfront in the foreground. The three details from the map used on the plates illustrate the Brooklyn Bridge, Brooklyn Heights, and the Navy Yard with Walkabout Bay in the foreground. The reverse side of the each coupe-style plate depicts the Think Fabricate logo – a composition of two overlapping heads forming a light bulb.

The color of the plates is the same blue that is featured in the Think Fabricate logo. Susan Doban, co-founder of Think Fabricate, explains, “It’s a bit more intense and rich than a traditional Wedgewood blue, giving the historical imagery on the plates a more modern appearance. In our interior design and architectural projects, we often find that the right color can make an important impact and breathe new life into a historical space.”

Transfer printing can be traced to mid-eighteenth century England where consumers called for an affordable alternative to labor-intensive, costly, hand-painted china. The traditional transferware process involves engraving a decorative image into a copper plate, which is inked with ceramic ink and printed onto special tissue paper. The paper is then transferred to the ceramic piece, which is then glazed and fired to permanently set the design. During the height of its popularity in the late 19th century, the process of transferware printing was brought to America. To this day, it remains an accurate way to create multiple ceramic pieces but the process has evolved to include digital printing.

For more information, visit Think Fabricate.

American Standard FunBath Tub Conversion

2011-07-10T08:50:33-04:00

American Standard FunBath is a bath conversion kit fits over an existing standard 60” bathtub to make bath time safer, more comfortable and even uses less water. And best of all, its fun!

Easy installation gives parents the freedom to bathe their children in comfort, while eliminating common bathroom hazards such as slips and falls, as well as injuries to parents caused by stooping and lifting little ones over a traditional bathtub.

The kid-friendly acrylic tub deck fits atop a strong powder-coated aluminum frame that is concealed by a decorative apron front. Parents can decorate the FunBath with removable wall decals from RoomMates, featuring popular children’s characters: Little Mermaid, SpongeBob SquarePants, Elmo, and Lightning McQueen. Fire truck and princess castle fronts are also available for the FunBath. The FunBath collection is a perfect solution for bathing small children, from toddlers up to age 5.

The reduced tub volume saves thousands of gallons of water annually. The unit comes complete with an adjustable aluminum frame that resists rust and corrosion, padded anchors to protect the existing tub, and a chrome hand-shower with an integral on/off switch that ties into existing plumbing. There are no plumbing additions required because the FunBath ties into existing plumbing with little effort and can be removed without damage to the existing tub.

For more information on the FunBath visit American Standard.

SpongeBob SquarePants, © 2011 Viacom International Inc. All rights reserved. Nickelodeon, SpongeBob SquarePants and all related titles, logos, and characters are trademarks of Viacom International, Inc.
Little Mermaid, © Disney
Elmo, TM/© 2011 Sesame Workshop
Lightning McQueen, © Disney/Pixar

Aquatic A2 Composite Showers and Tubs

2010-10-04T09:23:27-04:00

Aquatic A² Composite is a line of sheet molded compound (SMC) showers and tub-showers that are ideal for new construction and remodeling projects, particularly those with space constraints and/or when builders and people remodeling prefer later installation.

A four-piece, caulk-free, molded sectional product, the A² Composite shower system is an outstanding option for those seeking a stylish, high gloss, smooth wall design that is extremely durable, lightweight and easy to install quickly. In fact, a single installer can manage the whole process. Despite the shower’s lightweight, it is superbly engineered for the long haul and includes a 10-year residential limited warranty.

The A² Composite products are perfect for remodeling projects where it is difficult, if not impossible, to maneuver through small spaces and/or around tight corners. They also are a smart choice for the builder who prefers to install later in the construction process to help avoid possible damage (nicks, scratches, staining, etc.), which is more likely to occur with earlier installation.

Available in a range of sizes, the A² Composite showers and tub-shower also feature:

Patented shower base design with corner weep channels, extended flange and raised front profile for improved water drainage, and a stepped perimeter to aid in finishing
Leak-proof, tongue and groove, right-angled joints
Pre-leveled bases
Multiple integral shelving for storing soap and other items
Left, right and center drain configurations
Low thresholds for easy entry/exit
Slip resistant, textured bottoms

For more information, visit Aquatic.

Linkasink Cloisonne Bath Sinks

2010-09-29T10:46:26-04:00

Linkasink has made the 14th century Chinese craft of cloisonne relevant in today’s bath market with its handcrafted sinks.

To create the vibrant and intricate cloisonne designs, wire and powdered glass are fused to a copper bowl. First, individual ribbons of copper wire are soldered to a copper bowl. The voids between the wires are then packed with powdered glass and then fired to fuse the glass to the metal. The process is repeated several times to accomplish variations of color. The sink is ground and polished smooth to create a resilient surface as hard as porcelain that requires no special care.

The art of cloisonne was perfected by the Chinese, but can be found in use with the ancient Egyptians. Based on these traditions, Linkasink continues to expand their handcrafted line of cloisonne sinks in numerous styles and color variations of cloisonne. These sinks are handcrafted in China exclusively for Linkasink.

This functional piece of art requires no special care and can be a vessel or undermount installation. Linkasink recently introduced an oval shaped cloisonne sink in addition to the popular round bowls in the line.

For more information, visit Linkasink.