GRAFF®
is now offering a continuing education unit course that focuses on the
many facets of bathroom design for architecture and design
professionals. Titled "The Evolution of the Bathroom,"
the course is directed by four core objectives: to explore the
bathroom's new position of importance in a residential or hospitality
setting; to observe the bathroom's gradual evolution into a luxurious,
spa-like oasis; to inform of the various features found in the
contemporary bath; and to forecast the plumbing industry's emerging
trends. The goal is to help professionals develop a broader
understanding of the social and environmental influences that have
continued to impact bathroom innovation. Through interactive
programming, staff and attendees will have the opportunity to gain
education credits while networking with other industry professionals
communicating opportunities for industry growth. GRAFF's course provides
CEU credits in conjunction with the Interior Design Continuing
Education Council (IDCEC) and will be presented throughout the United
States to interior designers and architects.
California Faucets now offers the Corsano Series Pull-Out Kitchen Faucet.
The pull-out faucet is a more petite version of the series' larger
professionally styled pull-down faucet, making it perfect for kitchens
where space between overhead cabinets and countertops may be limited.
The Corsano Pull-Out model offers handle options, coordinated
accessories, and 100-percent brass construction. Choose from stick or
blade handle options. Coordinating accessories include a soap dispenser,
air activation switch for disposer, and air gap. Plus, the faucet and
accessories are all made of solid brass, including the Pull-Out spray
head-an often cheapened element by many manufacturers. Additionally, the
spray head allows for seamless toggling between single stream and spray
modes-a feature only seen in a few other brands. Like all faucets and
accessories in the Kitchen Collection, the Corsano Pull-Out comes in a
selection of more than 30 artisan finishes, including 15 PVD finishes
with a lifetime guarantee against tarnishing. For those looking to
coordinate with popular stainless steel appliances, the newly introduced
Ultra Stainless Steel™ (PVD) finish is a perfect match. And because
it's a physical vapor deposition (PVD) finish, it offers unrivaled
durability. And for designers and homeowners seeking a departure from
shiny stainless steel and chrome finishes, California Faucets introduces
carbon (PVD). A unique take on matte black, the carbon (PVD) finish has
the color of a number-two pencil. It features a slightly lighter ray
nuance and more depth of color.
Franke Kitchen Systems
continues
to focus on supporting their core distribution partners. In order to
drive value in supporting the Franke and KWC brands, they have made
revisions to the MAP policy which was implemented in 2016. As part of
the implementation feedback received from their core distribution
partners, Franke provide unilateral compliance monitoring and
enforcement Friday, April 28th, 2017. In addition to the MAP Policy
update, Franke Kitchen Systems has launched an Authorized Online
Reseller Policy. Under this policy:
- Resellers are required to submit all websites and seller names for authorization.
- Distributors are required to submit all websites, seller names and resale partners for authorization.
- Distribution
partners should not provide support to online resellers who have not
registered and received authorization to sell Franke / KWC products
(contact Franke for the list).
- If a distributor or
supported resellers have not registered via the Franke registration
portal for authorization review, please do so or contact Franke for more
information.
In 2017, the Hansgrohe
Group once again ranks among the ten best companies in the world in the
field of design. In the current "company" design rankings published by
the renowned International Forum Design (iF), the taps
and showers specialist based in Schiltach, Germany, ranks sixth among
some 2,000 listed companies. With 1,040 points, Hansgrohe improved on
its 2016 position, moving up four places and surpassing Audi to become
the top-listed German company. The iF "company" ranking combines the
overall results of the iF awards received by a company over the past
three years. In 2017, eight AXOR and Hansgrohe products were awarded,
and moreover, the international jury of 58 experts distinguished the
AXOR Uno taps with a Gold Award. This year, a total of 5,575 products
from 59 countries were submitted for consideration.
Infinity Drain recently announced a new partnership with USG Corporation (NYSE:USG), and unveiled the USG Durock™ Brand Infinity Drain™ Shower System.
This completely waterproofed, linear drain shower system is easier and
faster to install than traditional shower construction. Together, the
USG Durock™ Brand Infinity Drain™ Shower System pairs high-performance
USG Durock™ Brand Shower System components with decorative linear drains
from Infinity Drain. This innovative system offers architects,
designers and contractors one complete waterproof shower installation
made easy. The USG Durock™ Brand Infinity Drain™ Shower System offers a
bonded waterproofing system made for tiled shower installations that
eliminates many traditional application challenges. The USG Durock™
Brand Infinity Drain™ Shower System is comprised of:
- USG Durock™ Brand Infinity Drain™ Linear Drain Kit
- USG Durock™ Brand Infinity Drain™ Shower Floor
- USG Durock™ Brand UltraLight Foam Tile Backerboard (Wall)
- USG Durock™ Brand Waterproofing Membrane and Accessories
Victoria + Albert introduces the Rossendale Collection,
a beautiful duo of trough basins that bring a spacious luxury to the
bathroom. The clever rim design of the Rossendale basins means the
installer can choose between a drop-in or undermount application. Long
popular in kitchens and mud rooms, trough sinks are becoming
increasingly in demand for the bathroom as consumers and designers
appreciate their sense of spaciousness and industrial simplicity. In
contrast to sinks with traditional round or oval shapes, the trough
basin combines generously sized double-width sinks to form a single
sleek rectangle. Trough sinks are a smart choice in bathrooms where
tight quarters prohibit a double vanity. And because their depth from
front to back is fairly narrow, the Rossendale basins offer even greater
design flexibility. The Rossendale 122 measures 47-7/8" long by 15"
wide and 5-5/8" deep. It is long enough to easily accommodate two
faucets if desired, giving a modern twist to the idea of a double
vanity. Its sister basin, the Rossendale 91 (pictured), is slightly
smaller at 36-1/8" long and is ideal for spaces with less countertop
area. Both basins feature gently sloped sides and a stylish modern edge
on the drop-in design. As with all Victoria + Albert designs, the
Rossendale basins are crafted from their signature ENGLISHCAST® material
and hand-finished to a glossy shine that is both durable and easy to
maintain.
The new Elkay vandal-resistant water filter kits
are an ideal retrofit solution to add a lead filtration system on
existing non-filtered water coolers, fountains and bottle filling
stations, and can be applied to Elkay or non-Elkay manufactured
products. Kits are available with or without a filter status monitor and
alert. Key features include:
- WaterSentry VII Filter: 1,500-gallon capacity filter
certified for reduction of lead, chlorine, taste, odor and Class 1
particulate.
- Filter Status Monitor and Alert: LED filter status monitor and audio alert indicate when replacement is necessary.
- Vandal-Resistant Box: Made from 20-gauge stainless steel to protect filter and discourage tampering.
- Versatile Mounting: Box can be mounted virtually anywhere near an accessible water line.
- NSF 42/53 Certified: Filters are certified to reduce Lead, Chlorine, and Class I Particulate.
- Dimensions (L x W x H): 16-3/8'' x 1-1/4'' x 4-5/8''
- Models:
- #EF1500VRBMC (includes filter status monitor and alert)
- #EF1500VRBC
- Availability: Q2 2017
ICERA introduced the Malibu II 10" Rough-in Toilet,
offering an elegant design for remodels and compact bathrooms. Most
toilets are designed to fit a standard 12" rough-in, but smaller
bathrooms require something different. ICERA created this chic
space-saving solution with a smart blend of form and function. Featuring
simple, clean lines and EcoQuattro flushing technology, the Malibu II
is a reminder that form and function can occupy the same space quite
harmoniously. This newly redesigned model features a compact-elongated
bowl - all the comfort of an elongated toilet with space-saving in mind.
The bolt cover tiles provide a sleek, fully skirted look that is easy
to maintain. The Malibu uses only 1.28 gallons per flush and is capable
of clearing over 1,000 grams of solid material in independent MaP
testing (as compared to an industry average of only 350 grams), and with
an oversized 2-1/8" trapway (larger than industry standard), clogging
is virtually eliminated. Best of all, the flush mechanism is quiet and a
premium soft-close, quick-release toilet seat is included.
BLANCO joins DIFFA for a fourth year as a Specify with Care partner. Each time BLANCO's new LIVEN™ Laundry Sink
is specified, BLANCO will make a donation to DIFFA. The LIVEN Laundry
Sink comes in 8 trending SILGRANIT® colors with a deep, functional bowl
that resists heat, stains and chips. The LIVEN Laundry Sink is made of
BLANCO's patented SILGRANIT® material and features a generous radius on
each of its corners; making it as easy to clean as it is durable. This
innovative laundry sink is 25x22 inches - a perfect fit for compact
laundry areas. An extra-deep 12" bowl, perfect for soaking, and space
saving basket designed to fit on top of the sink make any dirty job a
breeze. Since its founding in 1984, DIFFA has granted more than $41
million to support hundreds of nonprofit organizations across the
country combating HIV/AIDS through preventive education, treatment,
direct care and advocacy.
AD Waters USA announced the appointment of Louis Steed
as its Western Regional Sales Manager, handling most states west of the
Mississippi, effective March 27th, 2017. Louis comes to AD Waters with
over 30 years of experience in both retail and project sales. Based in
Houston, Texas, he will be traveling on a regular basis throughout his
territory, visiting showrooms, architects and designers. Louis can be
reached at "lsteed@ad-waters.com".
A sprinter, all-rounder or leisure cyclist, Hansgrohe USA is inviting its social following to engage in a new campaign that explores cycling and shower styles. Named "Shower Like A Pro," the sweepstakes celebrates the brand's international title sponsorship of the BORA-Hansgrohe team. Running from March
27 - April 22, it serves as a fun countdown to the Tour de France style
Amgen Tour of California race in May. Enter through Hansgrohe USA's
Facebook page. Five winners will receive a stylish Hansgrohe showerhead,
and one grand prize recipient will win a special VIP trip to Stage One
of the Amgen Tour of California, Sacramento, May 13-15. To enter, visit
the Hansgrohe USA Facebook page and access the "Shower Like A Pro" tab,
which features a fun quiz through which users can find out what kind of
"cyclist" describes them and what shower product best suits their needs.
Each of five winners will receive a Hansgrohe Croma Select E 180
Showerhead. The grand prize winner will receive a Croma Select E 180
Showerhead and a trip to Stage One of the Amgen Tour of California in
Sacramento, May 13-15, 2017, consisting of the following:
- Round-trip coach flight for winner and one guest to Sacramento, CA
- Ground transportation to and from the airport and hotel
- 2-night accommodation (standard room) at a hotel selected by Hansgrohe
- Wine tour at Stag's Leap Winery (dinner included) on May 13, 2017
- All day access to the Hansgrohe VIP Hospitality tent at the Stage 1 Amgen Tour of California on May 14, 2017
- A $100 Visa Gift Card for meals and entertainment
Infinity Drain announced Kimberly Frechette has
been added to its sales team She will be spearheading efforts in
multi-unit sales as Commercial Sales Director. Kim has been in the
decorative plumbing industry for more than 25 years and brings a great
deal of experience in both the U.S. and Canada with many types of
plumbing products and different areas of market sales. Her
responsibilities include fostering relationships with developers,
architects, hospitality designers, and mechanical contractors. She will
work with specialty markets such as healthcare facilities and custom
pool installers, among other specification driven activities. Kim will
also be focusing on ongoing education efforts highlighting decorative
shower drains and their many applications. Kim has a deep affection for
the plumbing world and especially the decorative segment. She has been
closely involved in the Decorative Plumbing and Hardware Association
(DPHA) in education and marketing for the past 10 years, and she enjoys
talking about the importance of plumbing in our everyday lives and
highlighting how "pretty plumbing that functions smoothly can change
your life".
Taking inspiration from the natural iridescence of Mother of Pearl, a gleaming new Pearlescent White finish lends an opulent and luminous beauty to the Pop collection of vessel sinks from luxury brand DXV.
Mother of Pearl, the traditional name for the blend of minerals that
creates a delicate glimmer on the interior of oyster shells, has been
used since ancient times to beautify home decor. This same opalescent
sheen now adds an exquisite allure to DXV lavatories in the high-style
bathroom environment. This gleaming finish is showcased in the
rectangle, round and square DXV Pop collection of vessel sinks, which
are also available in canvas white, black, matte black, and chenille
gray finishes. These refined lavatories can be complemented with the
sophisticated styling of DXV vessel bath faucets; selections are
available in polished chrome, brushed nickel, platinum nickel and matte
black finishes.
Americh recently introduced their new Sawyer Smooth Bright Copper 7131
(pictured) and Sawyer Smooth Dark Copper 7131
bathtubs. These new extraordinary, modern and simply remarkable designs
have beauty along with perfection stamped all over them. The Sawyer
tubs are part of the Americh freestanding collection, include an
integral waste and overflow, and are compliant with both UL and cUL
standards.
Nantucket Sinks is launching a new series of designer collection hand finished fireclay sinks from Italy.
This is from the same factory that offers the exclusive designer
collection of Regatta fire clay lavatories and vessels! In this new
series, there are three different finishes, which are available on all
three different size sinks. If you have a chance to look closely at the
finishes, you will be amazed at the work that the artisans of Italy can
do!
- Sink types and sizes are:
- 30" x 20" single bowl (pictured)
- 33" x 20" single bowl
- 33" x 18" double equal
- The hand applied finishes that are then re-fired for durability are:
- Unique crackle pattern
- Faux stone look like concrete
- A shabby, chick vintage distressed look (pictured)
GRAFF® promoted Chris Kulig
to Director, Business Strategy and Development. Previously holding the
title of National Sales Manager, Kulig has more than a decade of
experience managing sales initiatives across North America and promoting
new business developments for GRAFF. In his new role, Kulig will be
focusing on product development and identifying new business strategies
and opportunities worldwide. He will continue to work closely with
numerous GRAFF departments to set corporate and business-unit
strategies, develop cross-functional operational plans, identify
critical success metrics for the business and lay the groundwork for
their implementation. As director of business strategy and development,
Kulig will oversee engineering, technical support, inside sales, outside
sales and merchandising at GRAFF.
Franke's new and improved waste disposers
are energy efficient and environmentally friendly, offering superior
pricing and performance. They range in size from 1/3 horse power to
1-1/4 horse power. Because these disposers will be replacing Franke's
current line, the company is preparing a package to retrofit any Franke
disposer displays you may have in your showroom. Please watch for an
email that explains that process, and for more information, please reach
out to the Franke representative in your territory. Some new features
include:
- Bio Shield Antimicrobial agents molded into the
internal components of the disposer to inhibit the growth of bacteria
which helps to reduce odors
- A removable splash guard for ease of cleaning
- All disposers grind to septic system compatible levels of fineness while using less energy
- Silver Guard, which is a magnetic rim that keeps metal objects from falling into the disposer
Ronbow® announced that its Arden vanity
was selected for Architectural Digest's AD Great Design 2017 award.
This new annual award selects products throughout the year that
represent best-in-class design and offer a unique curation for AD's
audience of tastemakers, influencers and design enthusiasts. The Arden
vanity is one of five exceptional vanities chosen from hundreds of
products as the perfect twin vanity addition for the bathroom to
maximize space and style, and the vanity is featured on
architecturaldigest.com in "AD's Guide to the Perfect Bath." The simple
design of the Arden vanity is enhanced with modern features like
soft-close wood doors, soft-close, easy-to-access, full-extension
drawers and striking dovetail construction. As a final touch, this
eco-friendly masterpiece is sealed with a detailed black finish. Made of
durable, water resistant, and renewable strawboard material, the Arden
vanity naturally brings together function and style to create a peaceful
and serene bathroom. An optional drawer bank and drawer organizer are
also available and Arden is also offered in glossy white.
BLANCO launches its innovative dual mount LIVEN Laundry Sink
- the perfect sink for a design-inspired laundry room. LIVEN comes in 8
trending SILGRANIT® colors with a deep, functional bowl that resists
heat, stains and chips. The LIVEN Laundry Sink features a generous
radius on each of its corners, making it easy to clean. This innovative
laundry sink is 25x22 inches - a perfect fit for compact laundry areas.
An extra-deep 12" bowl, perfect for soaking, and space-saving basket
designed to fit on top of the sink make any dirty job a breeze. With
multi-purpose installation, the dual mount LIVEN can be installed under
or over the countertop for added convenience. LIVEN Laundry Sink
details:
- Dual Mount
- Open Radius
- Rectangular Shape
- Bowl Depth 12", Dimensions 22x25 inches
- Available in all 8 SILGRANIT colors:White, Café Brown, Anthracite, Metallic Gray, Cinder, Truffle, Biscuit and Biscotti
AD Waters will open a new Florida warehouse
this month (April) that will exclusively serve AD Waters clients on the
East Coast as well as the expanding Florida market. The opening of the
Florida warehouse reaffirms the company's dedication to logistic
optimization and commitment to providing efficient order processing for
clients. Notably, AD Waters' primary Distribution Center, located in
Phoenix, AZ, will continue to manage all orders, customer service and
technical support for the United States. Orders will continue to be
processed in Phoenix, while East Coast orders will ship out of their
Florida warehouse. This new platform will allow AD Waters to reduce
transit lead times for all East Coast clients.
Franke's new and improved waste disposers
are energy efficient and environmentally friendly, offering superior
pricing and performance. They range in size from 1/3 horse power to
1-1/4 horse power. Because these disposers will be replacing Franke's
current line, the company is preparing a package to retrofit any Franke
disposer displays you may have in your showroom. Please watch for an
email that explains that process, and for more information, please reach
out to the Franke representative in your territory. Some new features
include:
