Barclay's Harmony Basins Introduce Four New Fashion Hues

Barclay’s Harmony Basin line introduces four new fashion hues (matte black, matte light green, matte tan and matte cream).  White is also available now in both gloss and matter finishes.  Drains with matching ceramic covers can be purchased separately.

Kraus USA Adds Three New Styles of Bathroom Accessories

Based on popular demand, Kraus USA has added three new families of bathroom accessories in a range of styles:

• VENTUS™: Elegant Transitional Style (pictured). With clean lines and subtle curves, Ventus™ accessories add a beautiful transitional touch to any master bath or powder room. 
• ELIE™: Clean Contemporary Style. With simple styling and subtle details, Elie™ accessories bring a refreshed contemporary look to any bathroom. 
• STELIOS™: Ultra-Modern Style. Kraus USA's newest line of accessories, Stelios™ adds a modern edge to any style of bathroom. Available in a range of finish options suitable for different designs.

Laufen's Sonar Wave Bowl Receives 2018 Interior Design BoY Award

In December, Laufen’s Sonar Wave Bowl was honored in Interior Design’s “Best of Year Awards 2018” in the Bath:Fixtures category. The award marks the second consecutive year Laufen was recognized in the magazine’s famed BoY awards. In 2017, Laufen won in the Bath:Cabinetry category for the Katrell Floorstanding Washbasin. Expressive yet minimalist, Sonar’s formal language plays with arcs and angles, emphasizing the slender lines of SaphirKeramik. To emphasize the lightness of the objects even more, designer Patricia Urquiola and Laufen developed a fine, three-dimensional texture for the washbasin bowls’ external surfaces. The textured version can be selected as an optional alternative to the traditional smooth surface and is reminiscent of sound waves propagating in water.

Lenova's New TKO Touch Kitchen Faucets

Lenova makes a messy kitchen a little neater with their new TKO Touch Kitchen Faucets. Today's busy cooks will appreciate the easy operation of this elegant contemporary faucet line that allows water to flow with just a simple touch. It's perfect for those times when you're mixing a meatloaf or kneading dough and don't want to touch the faucet handles to wash your sloppy hands. Not only does this ingenious design help keep your kitchen cleaner, it fosters improved sanitation by reducing the potential spread of bacteria from raw foods. A touch of your wrist or forearm on the body of the faucet is all that's needed to activate the water stream. And when you've finished, another short tap turns it off. The TKO Touch Faucet line is constructed in high-quality, no-lead brass and is coated with a state of the art PVD finish to withstand years of use. Exceptionally beautiful with sleek sophisticated designs, these faucets stand out for their smart features such as automatic shut-off and integrated sensors with LED lights to indicate water temperature for your safety and comfort. And because they are powered by four standard AA batteries, faucet operation will not be impeded by any power outages. The TKO line is available in brushed nickel or polished chrome and includes a pull-down adjustable sprayer and a single lever handle. 

  

California Faucets' New "Bath Time" Video

Singing in the bath is now more fun than ever. "Bath Time," California Faucets' first-ever video to combine CGI with live-action, features faucets and fittings from their new Descanso® series that magically come to life and sing. The third in a trilogy of groundbreaking Pixar-like productions, "Bath Time" gives an amusing glimpse into what can happen when you take a relaxing bath accompanied by California Faucets fittings.  Their first two CGI videos, "Tub Filler Fever" (aka "Dancing Faucets") and AquaPella (aka the "Singing Single-Holes") went viral in the industry, and have since been featured on television, on the internet and in showrooms across the country. Video credits go to:

• Created and Written by:  Noah Taft (Senior VP, Marketing & Sales), California Faucets
• Producer:  Alex LaFlamme and Noah Taft
• Acapella music:  Bradley Hampton, "Pitch Perfect" consultant

GRAFF Launches Two New Brass Finishes

GRAFF just launched two new brass finishes, which are part of the brand's expanding portfolio of customizable details.  Offering a timeless feel, the two new offerings, Unfinished Brass and Finished Brass, accentuate bath fixtures, including the gracious lines of GRAFF's Camden Collection (pictured). A fresh interpretation of a classic finish pairing, GRAFF has reimagined what it means to select a brass finish. Considered living finishes, Unfinished Brass and Unfinished Brushed Brass are intended to age and change in appearance over time. The surface texture on the Unfinished Brushed Brass finish allows for a smoother, subtle tone to emerge over time, creating a unique look.  

 

Kraus USA Expands Thier Kitchen Faucet Offerings

Kraus USA recently announced the arrival of their newest kitchen faucets, as well as upgrades they've made to some of their most popular models:

• Artec PRO™ (pictured) - the Artec Pro™ kitchen faucet features heavy-duty all-metal construction with an open-coil spring spout for an in-demand industrial look. The multi-functional design includes a rotating pot filler for filling tall pitchers and large pots, and a pre-rinse sprayer that blasts away tough residue.
• Ansel™ - their newest pull-down faucet, Ansel™ features a beautifully balanced transitional design with an ergonomic dual-function sprayhead that offers an aerated stream and powerful rinsing spray. A flexible nylon hose with swivel adapter offers unparalleled range of motion and effortless movement all around the sink.
• New Finishes - Kraus has started offering some of their most stylish kitchen faucets in an on-trend matte black, brushed gold and premium Spot-Free all-Brite™ stainless steel finishes.
• Nolen™ - a sleek contemporary kitchen faucet now available in striking two-tone combinations for a uniquely modern look, as well as in Spot-Free all-Brite™ stainless steel finish.
• Esina™ - now available in a trendy Matte Black finish, Esina™ is an elegant transitional faucet that suits any style of kitchen, with a dual-function sprayhead that offers an aerated stream and powerful rinsing spray.
• Sellette™ - Kraus has expanded their popular Sellette™ family with a bar/prep faucet for a great way to complete the look of a kitchen or entertainment area.

Barclay's Alma Cast Iron Wall-Hung Kitchen Sink

Go back in time with this rugged cast iron wall-hung kitchen sink form Barclay.  The Alma is 42" wide with a generous drain board and backsplash pre-drilled for a faucet with an 8" spread (shown in the attached picture with Barclay's Kate Wall Mount Faucet). Alma is also available in a 60" width with a drainboard on each side.

MTI Baths' New Configurator Software

MTI Baths takes the stress out of ordering Integrated counter-sinks with an online interactive program that is simple to use and provides a "final look" rendering at the end for extra peace-of-mind.The new  MTI Configurator uses ingenious software to walk users through a straight-forward process to ensure the end design is perfect in every way. The Configurator is great for designers but is so easy that anyone can use it. Its step-by-step procedure keeps users from making mistakes and generates a summary with all part codes and retail pricing for easy ordering. The Configurator lets users establish a personal account and then directs them through a series of choices. Counter dimensions are carefully recorded by length, height and depth, and then other options are offered, such as installation mode (vanity or wall mount), the shape and position of the bowl, and faucet configuration. The Configurator prompts users to consider factors they may not have thought of, such as drain types, edge treatments, and bowl colors and finishes. It also offers a variety of finishing touches such as a backsplash, sidesplash, and a matching cover to protect the bottom of the sink. There's even an optional sink tray made of genuine teak for displaying toiletries and accessories. MTI also plans to expand the Configurator to other MTI products, such as a simple counter, a counter with holes cut out for MTI semi-recesssed sinks and vanity sinks.

Sterlingham Company's New Cascades Collection of Single Rail Towel Warmers

Sterlingham Company Ltd. neatly combines luxury and nimble design with its exciting new line of single rail towel warmers. The Cascades Collection features beautifully crafted towel warmers that are exceptionally versatile in configuration and style. Their sleek design consumes less wall space than traditional warmers, allowing them to be hung alone, paired, stacked or arranged in nearly any formation. They are a welcome addition to upscale bathrooms for their exceptional looks as well as their wonderful warming effect. The Cascades Collection offers a range of styles to suit contemporary baths, transitional spaces and those inspired by a vintage motif. The Stourton, Park Lane and Wollaston lines make use of classic and flared ball joints to bring a traditional elegance to the bathroom. The Churchill incorporates 38 mm tubes and casted wall mounts to achieve an oversized opulent aesthetic. On a more modern bent, the Tura and Wolverley have a sleek minimalist look with clean lines, while the Craft Master features geometric planes and angles for an edgy vibe. All are painstakingly crafted from solid brass and available with electric, hot water or dual fuel heating systems. Each line may be ordered in bespoke sizes and dimensions to suit the needs of individual customers. The collection comes in a variety of hand-polished finishes to complement existing bathroom fixtures and create a beautifully cohesive design space.  

Kimberly Frechette Named Americh's National Sales Manager

Americh Corporation appointed Kimberly Frechette as its National Sales Manager. With more than 25 years of experience in retail and wholesale plumbing, focusing on higher-end products, Kimberly's background is well suited to Americh's market approach. Kim's career has included positions in national and regional sales, in both showroom and commercial capacities, for several manufacturing companies. Kim's work in showrooms as well as her experience with architects and designers throughout the country will greatly support Americh's ongoing efforts and future plans. "We have known Kim for many years, said Dino Pacifici, Vice President of Americh. "She is very well respected within our industry and we are excited to have her as part of the Americh team." 

 

BLANCO's PRECISION R0 DURINOX Super Single Bowl with Apron a 2018 BoY Honoree

BLANCO announced that the BLANCO PRECISION® R0 DURINOX® Super Single Bowl with Apron has been named a 2018 Best of Year honoree in the Kitchen Fixtures and Kitchen Fittings categories at the 2018 Interior Design's Best of Year (BoY) Awards. Now in its thirteenth year, the 2018 BoY Awards received over 160,000 votes for 2,000 of the year's most renowned products. Scratch and fingerprint resistant, DURINOX® is the latest innovation from the artisans at BLANCO STEELART® featuring a completely unique look and feel with two times the strength of traditional stainless steel. Tailored to a hard-working and sophisticated kitchen, the PRECISION R0 modernizes a classic style complete with a velvety, matte finish and sleek silhouette. Featuring crisp, zero radius seams and an on-trend farmhouse style, the PRECISION R0 combines superior strength and unsurpassed resilience in its design. Created using technology inspired by the aerospace industry, DURINOX® is an exclusive patented material by BLANCO and is extremely resistant to scratches and impervious to fingerprints.

Brizo Expands Their Brillance Luxe Gold Finish Offerings

Offering a lustrous finish for various styles and spaces, the Brilliance® Luxe Gold finish by Brizo is now available across additional collections, following the success of the finish in the Litze kitchen and bath collections. Brizo has now extended this rich finish to the Virage Bath Collection, the Rook Bath Collection, the Odin Bath Collection and the Artesso Kitchen Collection, providing additional options for customers looking to add gilded warmth to their aesthetic. The embodiment of timeless luxury, the Brilliance Luxe Gold finish blends modern sophistication and lavish warmth for an elegant finish that adapts to almost any style.

BainUltra's New VIBE Collection

BainUltra's new VIBE™ is inspired by city skylines and architecture to provide a restful oasis of relaxation for those weary in body and spirit. With a refined sophistication and sleek profile, the VIBE is perfectly at home in a chic loft or high-rise condo. Its ergonomic design was engineered to fit the smaller bathrooms common in urban living spaces without impacting the quality or comfort of the bathing experience. Its clean lines and minimalist style combine with artfully sloped walls to form a tub that looks and feels purely fabulous. VIBE offers indulgent therapies to help bathers recharge tired bodies, restore focus and relieve stress. Hydro-Thermo Massage® can ease muscle pain and increase circulation, while Illuzio® chromatherapy uses colorful lighting to soothe, energize and balance. Together, they create an extraordinary ritual that allows bathers to reflect and temporarily disconnect from a demanding world. The brand's new VIBE Collection has a tub to fit every installation. The beautiful freestanding version measures 58" x 28" x 21", and is offered in a glossy white, Ultravelour matte or an eye-catching black-and-white finish for a truly dramatic statement. The VIBE is also available as a drop-in with undermount option (pictured), measuring 60" x 30" x 19" or an alcove model which is 60" x 30" x 19". All are crafted of durable acrylic that comes in a gorgeous glossy white finish. 

Linkasink's New Artisan Glass Sinks

Linkasink's new Artisan Glass Sinks are a perfect example of Linkasink's hand-crafted artistry. These elegant glass sinks are individually created through a meticulous process that involves many hours of painstaking labor. The glass is heated and cooled during three trips to the kiln to form the basic shape of the sink that ensures the strength of the glass, and creates a satin finish. Work also takes place afterwards when diamond bits and sanders are used to create the drain hole.  Each sink is gilded by hand. In total, it takes five days to create these spectacular glass sinks. The sinks are embellished with gold and brass leaf that is hand-applied to form patterns such as Stripe, River, Window, Églomisé, and Banded Églomisé. These feature different amounts of metal leafing - with the Églomisé having a fully gold or brass appearance. Églomisé (ay-glo-mees-ay) is French for gilded glass - a decorative technique in which metal leaf is applied to the back side of a piece of glass.  Decoration of this type has been made since the Roman Empire. Glass sinks are available in a variety of shapes and sizes which include rectangular and square undermount sinks as well as round vessel-style sinks.  The glass itself is available in white, black, or Églomisé.  Variations in the finish of the glass are also available and include a Crackle finish and a Bubbles finish. 

 

GRAFF Featured in San Diego's Pacific Gate Development

GRAFF® was recently selected to outfit San Diego's latest luxury residence, Pacific Gate. Developed by Bosa Development and boasting an iconic downtown address, the collection of luxury condo residences provides homeowners with the very finest in-house amenities created and curated by KPF and HBA design. Pacific Gate's residences include stunning bathroom suites that epitomize both decadence and luxury with top of the line fixtures installed throughout. Fitted with GRAFF's striking Immersion (pictured) system, each bathroom suite features the collection's faucet, shower set, and wall-mounted bathtub filler and trim in the dynamic polished chrome finish. This concept is continued into the residence's kitchens, where the sleek Oscar Collection is mounted as the central water source. Finished in chrome and complementary to the space's gray, textured tile and rich wood cabinetry, the curvilinear faucet offers a soft, yet impactful aesthetic. Met with a pull-down spray head and two spray and stream water flow functions, the Oscar kitchen faucet is a standout focal point.

Danze by Gerber's New Draper Collection

Danze by Gerber introduced the Draper Collection. Thoughtfully crafted with an inspired aesthetic, the Draper collection features vintage coin-edge details for a modern take on a classic design.  The soft-industrial influence gives a refined elegance providing an interesting and eye-catching mix of curved lines and geometric details. The Draper collection features tub and shower trim kits that are fully compatible with the powerful Gerber Treysta valve, the latest innovation in valve technology. Showerheads included with the tub and shower trim also feature air injection technology. You can choose from a single handle, two handle widespread or two handle center set faucet designs, depending on your preference for the bathroom.

• All bath faucets feature:
• Drip-Free Ceramic Disc Valve
• Laminar Water Stream
• All-Metal, Durable Construction
• Water Efficient Flow Rate
• In the kitchen space, there are two pull down faucet options (chrome and stainless steel) available. Features and benefits of the kitchen faucets, include:
• DockForce® Magnetic Docking Technology
• SnapBack® Retraction System
• Dual Function Sprayhead
• High-Quality Finish
• Limited Lifetime Warranty

Brian Danielson Joins ACS Marketing

Brian Danielson recently joined the ACS team, where he will be concentrating on the project market in Los Angeles and Las Vegas. Brian began his decorative plumbing and hardware career in 1998 with OSA, a German multi-regional representative agency and member of the GEA Group.  Initially handling administrative duties for OSA's trade with the Hong Kong, Malaysian and Singapore markets, Brian expanded his focus to Russian and Eastern European markets in 1999, representing several leading German manufacturers including Dornbracht, Alape, Bette and FSB, building their sales in those regions from the ground up. In 2006, Brian moved to Moscow and took on additional duties as head of the OSA representative office in Russia, establishing the office and directing a team of sales, marketing and technical service professionals, where he personally led their commercial and hospitality project business. During the global financial crisis in 2008 and the years that followed, Brian directed his efforts to additional and growing market segments including SPA and Wellness. Working directly with some of the world's leading architect and design firms, as well as hospitality brands, Brian secured numerous notable properties across Eastern Europe, continuing through the 2012 Asia-Pacific Economic Forum and the 2014 Olympics. Brian currently resides in the Los Angeles area.