The Kitchen and Bath People's "Product of the Week" - Wall Mounted Faucets

One of those spots I hate cleaning the most is that tiny sliver of counter between the back of my faucet and the backsplash. It's a tight spot that gets gooey and grimy every time I wash my hands or do the dishes. Wouldn't it be nice to be able to cleanly swipe that surface without any obstacles? Well friends, that is one of the beautiful things about a wall mounted faucet! Paired with an undermount sink, even better.

Photo Credit: House Beautiful, Design by Ruthie Sommers, Photo by Don Freeman

A recent client of mine has opened my eyes to this... why didn't I think of this before?? Well, here are some great looking designs I've found for the kitchen and bathroom:

For a clean and modern look in the kitchen, here is Kohler's Torq faucet.Or, go with Danze's Opulence faucet for a more vintage, cottage look.But if you're feeling a bit daring and want ultimate flexibility, how about Kohler's Karbon faucet, available as a wall mount.
For your bathroom, here is a beautifully classic yet modern faucet; Showhouse by Moen's Solace faucet.

And for the traditional home, here is Brizo's Tresa faucet.
There are also single handle wall mounted faucets. I like Jado's IQ faucet...

Now, for a word to the wise. In case, heaven forbid, something were to go awry with the faucet, it's good to have an easy way to get to the source of the problem. Plan ahead by placing these types of faucets on a wall that's shared with a closet or somewhere you can strategically place a removable panel. Or, incorporate a detail like what's shown in the photo above. Notice that the faucet is actually mounted on a bulk coming out from the wall. It creates a clever little shelf; but I imagine perhaps the top slides away, allowing access behind. Great design can be practical and look great!

Thanks for stopping by! Give us a call at 919-933-7855 if you're thinking about updating your bathroom, or even just your faucets, and live in or around the Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill triangle. - The Kitchen and Bath People

The Kitchen and Bath People's "Product of the Week" - 3Form

What can I say, I love 3Form! Though it's seen and used more often in commercial design, it certainly has its place in the home. 3Form's product line has grown more and more extensive over the years, from simple, colorful resin panels to pressed glass, then exterior materials, lighting fixtures... all using the same basic idea. 3form will take their base material, be it resin or glass, and press various materials and or objects within the material to form interesting, translucent, textures and patterns. The material is flexible and can be bent or heat molded into various shapes if desired. 3Form also, conveniently, has an entire line of mounting hardware, addressing the more popular ways their product has been used. This material is SO flexible, I can't even begin to list all its uses... but here are some ways people have used 3Form in their kitchens and bathrooms.

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As a Kitchen Backsplash

Resource: 3Form Online Porfolio; Varia, Ecoresin, with Birch

Resource: 3Form Online Portfolio; Varia, Ecoresin, with Beargrass

Resource: Kitchen and Bath Ideas, Designer: Barbara Enberg, Photography: Ed Gohlich
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As a Counter Top

Resource: 3Form Online Portfolio; Chroma, Sea
Designer: GSBS Architects and Light Spot Design

Resource: 3Form Online Portfolio; Chroma
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As a Light Fixture

3Forms Light Art designer Kevin Smith has developed several "stock"fixtures like the one above.

Or, they are happy to take on commissions like this one pictured above.
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As an Accent on the face of a Bar or Island

Resource: 3Form Online Portfolio; Designer: King and King
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As a Privacy Panel or Room Divider

Resource: 3Form Online Portfolio; Varia, Ecoresin with Beargrass
Designer: Living Homes, Tom Bonner

Resource: 3Form Online Portfolio; Varia, Ecoresin, Bios, Mango
Designer: Adrienne Gamba

Resource: 3Form Online Portfolio; Varia, Ecoresin, Thatch
Designer: ADH
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As a Cabinet Inset

Resource: 3Form Online Portfolio; Varia, Ecoresin
Designer: Mitzi Sullivan and John Kendrick
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As a Door

Resource: 3Form Online Portfolio; Chroma, Lagoon
Designer: GSBS Architects and Light Spot Design

Resource: 3Form Online Portfolio; Varia, Ecoresin, Tempo Copper
Designer: Jacobi Interiors
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As a Feature Wall

Resource: O Magazine; Varia, Ecoresin, Tea Party
Designer: Danny Seo

So, as you can see, 3Form is fabulous! Your imagination is the limit with this product. Click here for more ideas from 3Form.

The Kitchen and Bath People's "Product of the Week" - Linkasink

The "Magic Sink" by Linkasink is a fun way to add some panache to, say, your powder room! Crafted with your choice of granite or travertine, a tray of mosaics covers the bottom of the sink and hides the drain. Waste water runs off the face of the mosaic tray to the drain below. The mosaics come in a variety of styles; scroll down to see a few...

Linkasink also has some nice stainless steel mosaic looks for your kitchen sinks. These are available in the farmhouse look or for a drop in installation.

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The Kitchen and Bath People's "Product of the Week" : Exquisite Surfaces

Using salvaged materials in any room in your home is a beautiful and environmentally responsible choice when renovating or building. Not only are you keeping great resources out of a landfill, but you are also saving the pollution and depletion of natural resources associated with fabricating brand new products.

Elle Decor, Designed by Cavlert Wright, Photography by Roger Davies

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Exquisite Surfaces' antique lines include salvaged materials from all over the world. Beautiful wood patterns pulled from French homes. Salvaged stone from France, Spain, and Jerusalem. Fireplaces hand carved by french artisans hundreds of years ago. There are certainly other sources for salvaged products, hopefully one in your very own town. Take a look at these beautiful rooms using salvaged materials from Exquisite Surfaces.

Beautiful antique wood in a herringbone pattern.

Jerusalem Stone

The variations in this antique Terra Cotta tile simply brings the floor to life!
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So, next time you're doing a remodel, think about incorporating some reclaimed components. This not only applies to floors, think about ceiling beams, wall paneling, stairs, furniture. Get creative, like re-purposing old doors for wall paneling. The fact that these materials have survived wear and tear for hundreds of years certainly speaks to their quality, "they just don't make things like they used to." Weathered and worn by our ancestors, giving salvaged materials a second life in your home will add warmth, texture, character, charm, color, variation... the list goes on!

The Kitchen and Bath People's "Product of the Week" : Tile-Tattoos

Here is a fun and inexpensive way to update your wall tile in the kitchen or bathroom... Tile Tattoos by Jane2!

These waterproof decals come in a variety of patterns and colors, from classic to contemporary, and in a range of sizes to accommodate 4"x4", 6"x6", and 6"x3" tiles.

No commitments necessary. Give your tiles a makeover today!

If you're ready for a more dramatic kitchen or bathroom renovation, check out our website, or give us a call at (919) 933-7855. We can't wait to meet you!
-The Kitchen and Bath People

The Kitchen and Bath People's Product of the Week : Semi-Precious Stone Slabs

If you're going for a real WOW feature - back-lit, semi-precious, semi-translucent, stone slabs have an incredibly interesting appeal.

Design by Lori Carroll, Product Source Unknown

This product can be used in a multitude of applications... counter tops, windows, accent walls, your imagination is the limit.

Photo Courtesy of Cosentino, Prexury Collection

Bathroom Ideas "Outside the Box"

Lately, I've spent a lot of time on bathroom design. It's been really fun! Looking through idea books, getting great inspirational images from my client, and shopping through catalogs has truly opened my mind to the versatile possibilities for the bathroom. There really is a solution to everything, sometimes you just have to think a little "outside the box!" Here are some great ideas I've found along the way...

Window-Mounted MirrorsRyan Associates General Contractors via Houzz

If you have a window in a seemingly inconvenient location, say, right where you want to mount a mirror, no problem! Just suspend the mirror in front of your window. It will just glow! Natural light is best for applying make-up anyway. With this solution, your face will be bathed in the sun. Here another installation :

Beall + Thomas Photography, Blackberry Farms design team

Bathroom Island

Better Homes and Gardens Bath Design Guide 2008

Islands are no longer just for the kitchen or closet. If you're running out of wall space and have enough room in your bathroom to float an island in the middle then go for it.

This Old House, Photo by Alan Shortall

You can anchor pretty much anything to your bathroom island. It can house your sink, bathtub, storage... whatever your imagination allows.

Faucet Location

Lori Carroll and Associates, William Lesch Photography

If you are working with a tight space, perhaps in a powder room, have you ever thought to mount your faucet to the side of your sink? This can save you the extra counter depth needed to otherwise fit the fixture behind the sink. I think it also suggests an edgy appeal. Here it is again:

Better Homes and Gardens Bath Design Guide 2008

A Twist on the Tub/Shower Combo

Design by Terry McGinnity for the Strings Hotel in Tokyo, Photo via Duravit

Here's an idea I'm applying to my current bathroom project. Having a sort of tub/shower "zone" in my situation was the best use of space but it really seems practical for other applications where you want a nice, large soaking tub with a separate, luxurious shower. It's nice to rinse of before or after a bath, why not have the shower right there? I think this solution is stunning and clever. Here's another take on that idea but still leaves the tub open to the rest of the bathroom:

Rhodes Architecture via Houzz

Below, another example of this tub/shower zone application. This is most similar to how I'll be applying the idea.

Feldman Architecture via Houzz

I am always looking for new ideas! How have you thought "outside the box" lately?

www.thekitchenandbathpeople.com

Tax Credits Encourage Green Remodeling as part of The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act

Did you know that "spending $10,000 to retrofit a 1960's home with energy efficient features could save 8.5 tons of carbon... by comparison, increasing the energy efficiency of a new home 35% over current state requirements would cost $5,000 and would only reduce emissions by 1.1 tons."* In conclusion, "retrofitting existing homes with energy efficient features is 4-8 times more carbon and cost efficient."* I guess this is due to the waste and pollution caused by new construction as well as the further diminishing of our ever shrinking, precious green spaces.

Well, there is good news for you home owners out there who want to reduce your carbon footprint as well as save dollars on your water and energy bills. If you've been watching or listening the the news lately you've probably heard a lot of talk about the United Nations Climate Change Conference currently under way in Copenhagen. Then adding to that, there's still constant chatter on the economy. To both combat climate change and stimulate the economy, through The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, our states have been given money (our tax dollars) to provide tax incentives for purchasing and installing certain Energy Star appliances. This is being detailed and carried out by each individual state. You can find more information about these rebates by clicking here. North Carolina will begin phasing the rebate initiative in April of next year! If you happen to be in New York City over the holidays you can view Fagor's green kitchen installation at the Wired pop-up store through December 27. So far, the types of appliances that will qualify (that are of a particular interest to me) include Energy Star clothes washers, dishwashers, and refrigerators/freezers (there are of course others).This is Electrolux's front loading washing machine. Not only does it have the Energy Star label for its energy and water efficiency, my favorite feature is its 18 minute wash cycle!! AND it partner drier.... 18 minutes too! "Ready before you are."

All Miele dishwashers qualify for the Energy Star Program. The G 2002 Series uses only 5.1 gallons of water in the normal cycle, and a measly 1.2 gallons in the economy cycle. Above, take a look inside.

GE has a whole slew of Energy Star refrigerators. Above I've pictured there Profile model.

With the new year approaching, now is a good time to begin thinking about ways to decrease your carbon footprint. If you decided to do a complete kitchen or bathroom renovation, here are a few more green products (that do not qualify for the tax rebate) to give you "feel-goods" and maybe even lower some bills...

This is TOTO's Eco Promenade toilet and one of MANY water efficient models out there. The EPA has partnered with WaterSense to develop third party testing for water-efficient products. Toilets with the WaterSense-label use 32% less water and perform as well or better than non-labeled products. These save the average household 11 gallons of water per day!

Faucets can also earn the WaterSense label. This RSVP faucet by Brizo has earned the label due to it's laminar flow.

This beautiful surface is from the ECO line by Cosentino (makers of Silestone). These products incorporate recycled bottles, mirror, cystal ash and ceramic; they are non-porous products that will never need to be sealed; and installing it can contribute to 5 LEED points.

Not only can bamboo add beauty and visual interest, it is a highly renewable (aka. green) resource. Bamboo can be used for countertops, floors, accents, accessories, and much more!

If you are interested in a kitchen or bathroom remodel or addition, please visit our website at thekitchenandbathpeople.com


*Nations Building News Online; Expanded Energy Tax Credit to Boost Demand for Renovation Jobs; February 16, 2009