Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/255439
Go With The Flow Plumbing products embrace technology and personalization by Stacey McLachlan It's incredible what we've managed to accomplish with technology, and even more incredible that technological innovation has infi ltrated some of our most intimate spaces: the bathrooms and kitchens in our homes. This year, plumbing products are more forward thinking than ever as they consider user interaction in bold new ways. "Consumers want to add their own personal touch to refl ect their style," explains Donna Church, marketing and communications manager for Kohler Canada. The company's mix-and-match collection, inspired by turn-of-the-century design, offers homeowners a chance to customize the perfect look. But Kohler isn't just looking to the beauty of the past; they're looking to the conveniences of the future. "Homeowners and commercial buyers are both looking for ways to integrate technology into their renovations to achieve the best possible design and make everyday routines more effi cient," says Church. Technology upgrades have been applied to a number of products: the Numi toilet is now enhanced with a Bluetooth receiver and colourful ambient lighting, while the VibrAcoustic bath features built-in underwater speakers. Then there is Kohler's Moxie Showerhead + Wireless Speaker that brings connectivity right into your shower. Customers are willing to splurge on high-tech plumbing features, says Maria Bosco of Grohe. "We never expected our Minta touch faucet to be so popular, but they fi nd the touch feature a benefi t despite the $450 retail price." Convenience is key for homeowners, and this extends into the shower, too. Dual function shower kits and thermostatic values offer the user instant control over the temperature and are available in head or handheld spray options. "There's no water wasted as you fi nd the right temperature," points out Bosco. "We've got several products that are water conscious and meet LEED standards." In small spaces, innovative products are even more vital to living comfortably. Rubinet's smartly designed handheld bidet is an invention that is perfectly suited to a bathroom with limited square footage. "In a lot of condos, it's impossible to add another feature," says Domenic Luisi of The Rubinet Faucet Company. "We originally designed this for the obese, but we introduced it at the Interior Design Show and everyone loved it. We should get a Nobel prize," he laughs. The company's line of recessed stainless-steel shelving is another space-saving creation, equally adept at stowing shampoo in the shower or spices in the kitchen. The stainless steel, leak-proof cabinet itself isn't a new invention for Rubinet, but the latest version gets an update with a sliding, concealing door to keep items tucked neatly out of sight. Rubinet is getting experimental with fi nishes, too; the maroon faucets are popular among clients looking to match the knobs of their Wolf gas ranges, and purple is coming soon. Split-fi nishes are a big draw and make up 80 per cent of Rubinet's business, Luisi estimates. Linear lines rule the kitchen and bathroom as homeowners and architects look for a clean, minimalistic look at home. This modern style is the perfect accompaniment to the high-tech spaces being created by plumbing innovations. "People are into that square look. And everyone loves white," explains Astrid Bergstrom, showroom manager for Robinson Lighting & Bath Centre. The exception to the minimalist esthetic, says Bergstrom, The Numi toilet and remote from Kohler. february 2014 /13 Plumbing Products BA Robinson.indd 1 14-01-13 12:12 PM p14-15PlumbingProd.indd 13 14-01-22 10:18 AM