Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/177297
Sinking into Form and Function Multi-purpose and innovative, natureinspired sink and vanity designs are on the rise heading into 2013 by John Atkinson M ulti-tasking sinks, nature-inspired vanities and eco-friendly innovations are taking the stage in the kitchen and bathroom as we near 2013. In the kitchen, workstation-type sinks – and matching accessories – are hot. "We've seen a trend towards more of a workstation-type kitchen sink – one that offers a variety of features, such as a cutting board, sink grate, bowls for placing cut vegetables, and even colanders," says Matt Robinson, business development manager at Robinson Lighting & Bath Centre. "Kohler's Stages sink– designed in collaboration with a top executive chef – is a good example. And we've been selling a lot more sinks incorporating drain-boards; a place to clean your fruit or prawns. Features like Julien's unique drop-down drawer are also popular. The compartment, which is perfect for storing scrubbing brushes, slots seamlessly into the wall of the sink." Franke Kindred Canada also has a multi-purpose focus. The firm has refined its kitchen sink range to sync with a customer need to do more in less time – and often less space. "People are looking for value- added sinks which include accessories, such as the Kindred Cuisinette and Kindred Designer Series sinks," says marketing supervisor Charlotte Sprague. "We also offer an array of custom-fitted add-ons – such as a pull-out spray faucets, soap dispensers and waste disposers." Sprague says stacking accessories that fit inside the sink bowl and slide along integrated ledges, such as wooden chopping boards, baskets and colanders, are popular. When it comes to design, the growing trend is for more streamlined, commercial-looking, and often hand-made sinks, says Sprague. "These have a sleek, modern look and feature a large bowl capacity, with straight walls and trim corners." The latest addition to the Kindred family of handmade models are dual-mount sinks, which can be installed either above or below the countertop. Sprague says germ-busting functions are also important. Copper and silver both have natural bacteria-fighting properties, and Franke Kindred obliges with its Kindred Copper vanities and sinks – plus the Kindred Granite line, featuring sanitized® silver. Sunshine Coast interior designer Sharon Charboneau, who runs Upstaging Your Homes, says kitchens – and sink designs – are changing to reflect the kitchen as the 'heart of the home.' "No longer is the cook/host banished to another room to prepare the meal," says Charboneau. "Kitchens are a gathering place for family and friends and are being designed in a more openplan fashion. As a result, the fixtures need to be attractive, eco-friendly and easy to use." Kohler sees the apron-front sink trend picking up speed as 2013 comes into view. The firm has updated and adapted the iconic style with a variety of fresh materials, from Enameled Cast Iron to stainless steel. "Although the original apron-front design reflects a hard-working history, we're seeing this clean-lined, slick style become more popular in contemporary spaces," says Donna Church, Kohler's marketing and communications manager. Enameled cast iron embodies more than 130 years of North American craftsmanship, she notes. "North Americans are experiencing a cultural shift regarding their awareness of how a product is made and where it comes from," says Church. "Kohler's Enameled Cast Iron sinks are crafted from at least 80 per cent recycled material." The casting process gives every Kohler Enameled Cast Iron piece a unique handcrafted fingerprint, while homeowners can also personalize from a choice of more than 20 colours. Popular models include the Whitehaven, Wheatland and Lawnfield. Quirky accessories are leading the way for Blanco Canada, who recently unveiled a new line of premiumcoloured strainers, optional extras to sync with its line of Silgranit kitchen sinks. Made of premium 304 series stainless steel and featuring a durable PVD colour finish, the strainers are designed to blend with the company's four top-selling Silgranit sink colours, Anthracite, Café, Biscotti and Truffle. The Italian-made strainers are constructed from rust-proof materials and feature parts that are both scratch- and heat-resistant. They include high-quality rubber gaskets to prevent leakage – and use a post and ball-bearing system for improved function. Blanco is also keeping on the cutting-edge of technology, recently launching a new Apple smartphone app. Available for the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch, the Blanco Silgranit Sink Selector helps designers and consumers identify the right granite sink and colourcoordinated countertop for their kitchen. The app lets consumers choose from more than 150 models of Silgranit sink and also includes images of top-selling quartz, granite and laminate countertops, and is available for free download from the Apple iTunes App Store. In the same family as the strainer, Novanni Stainless Inc. is focused on promoting Elkay's Perfect Drain, which recently hit the market. The edgeless drain blends seamlessly into the base of many Elkay stainless steel sinks and ensures any dishwashing residue flushes straight down the drain. The Perfect Drain can be installed using the drain assembly supplied or with the compatible InSinkErator disposer – featuring Quicklock mounting. Undermount, top-mount and ADA-compliant models are all available. Schock's Cristadur is another Novanni feature product – with three new sink designs set to make a splash in 2013. Novanni is an exclusive distributor Above: Franke Kindred Canada Limited's Kindred Cuisinetter and Designer Series sinks. Left: Pursuade vanity from Kohler Ltd. december 2012 p34-37Sinks.indd 35 /35 11/16/12 3:24 PM