Award

FEBRUARY 2015 | 15 Plumbing Products T High-tech plumbing products add personality to a home by STACEY MCLACHLAN Today's homeowner has no excuse for living with a boring bathroom or kitchen. With a plethora of options in terms of style and product, incredible technological advancements and easy access to designer inspiration and DIY tips, the design possibilities are endless. Homeowners and designers alike are taking cues from architecture and design magazines. "They want clean, simple and square. Everybody's looking for that modern look," says Christina Kempinski, Edmonton showroom manager for Robinson Lighting and Bath. Sleek, minimalist designs are popping up every- where. The Delta Faucet Ara collection features square, modern lines with some models including an open channel spout design. "It's a response to the recent demand for industrial style fixtures," explains Krystin Lee, public relations and media specialist for Delta. "Bold, clean lines are preferred, which correlates with the condo boom where consumers are living in smaller spaces, designing in ways that keep the look of smaller rooms clean and simple," notes Simone Abele, VP of marketing at American Standard. "Innovative products are on the rise, moving the industry in a more modern direction in response to consumers wants and needs." "White is still a classic for major fixtures," adds Corey Klassen, an award-winning interior designer and National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) member. "It's the colour of cleanliness. That hasn't changed much since the black plague!" Warm metals are working their way into the kitchen and bathroom as well, from champagne bronze to rose gold. Domenic Luisi, president of The Rubinet Faucet Company, has also noticed the trend towards warm metals. "We're seeing a lot more in gold coming back, satin brass, even natural brass." But for homeowners or designers looking to make a statement, there are plenty of colourful options to choose from too. "I think you're seeing a big growth there," says Luisi. "Matte black for fixtures. We're seeing red and bold colours for faucets." Ultimately, says Klassen, "eclectic is the overarch- ing style right now. It's a mix of modern and traditional; a much more personalized style." Diana Schrage, senior staff interior designer at Kohler, agrees: "With the introduction of product lines like the Tailored Vanity and Artifacts faucets collections, we're acknowledging the trend of indi- vidualism and the desire to customize. By offering product lines that you can make uniquely your own, people can really put their fingerprint on their home," says Schrage. Customization doesn't stop at esthetics, however: sound therapy, heated back surfaces, bubble massage and integrated jets are all features that a consumer can now incorporate into their bathroom to customize a space to meet their needs. In 2015, technology has made its way into the bath- room and kitchen. "Anything that has a touchless compo- nent or a technological component is very popular, like a multi-function toilet that's a bidet, has a seat warmer and changes colour," laughs Klassen. Delta's Faucet Proximity sensing technology, for example, forms a four-inch field around the body of the faucet; the faucet is turned on once a user enters a hand into that field, and turns off again within two seconds once the hand is removed. Exposed thermostatic shower systems have long been popular in Europe, and now they're making their way to the North American market, too. "After plumbers install their first unit, they understand how easy they are to install," says Maria Bosco, director of marketing and training for Grohe Canada. "These new exposed valves are great for residential use and also hospitality applications." The company's own Euphoria model (complete with a tub filler) launches this year. "The Euphoria 26177000 provides three shower outlets in one convenient shower column: showerhead, hand shower and tub spout at an eco- nomical price point," explains Bosco. Bold As Brass Brizo Artesso from Delta Faucet; Brizo Sotria from Delta Faucet; Veil toilet with C3 toilet seat from Kohler. Trinsic single handle pull-out from Delta Faucet.

• Cover