This is a longer version of an article that appeared in the May/June 2020 issue of Pro Builder.

In the Kitchen ...

Today's homes favor open floor plans and, as a result, kitchens are no longer separate rooms but an integral part of the overall living space. These kitchen spaces are hard-working, serving a range of functions from family meal prep and dining, to entertaining, doing homework, and more. That openness and spatial integration means kitchens can't hide, and with that visual prominence comes new design challenges.

Whether it's industrial style, updated classics, pops of color, or finishes such as brass and other metallics that offer a way to introduce a little luxe, the products below are handsome and functional options that will elevate the look of any home's kitchen so it can take pride of place as the center of the home's multitasking universe.

Industrial Faucet From Newport Brass

The new Duncan bridge faucet from Newport Brass combines vintage details with a modern silhouette and was designed to be the centerpiece of an industrial-themed kitchen or a transitional space, the manufacturer says. It achieves aesthetic balance “by combining the bold with the refined through an innovative marriage of modern engineering and organic shapes,” Newport Brass adds. Made from solid brass, the faucet is available in 27 finishes.

Hand-Hammered Farm Sink by Thompson Traders

Thompson Traders has expanded its copper product offerings to include a collection of hand-hammered stainless steel sinks. Made from 18-gauge stainless steel, the new collection of sinks is stain and corrosion resistant and is a departure from the traditional apron-front product. The collection includes seven different undermount, drop-in, and apron-front kitchen and prep/bar sinks.  

Scandi-Style Kitchen Faucet by Brizo

Named after a figure from Norse mythology, the Odin Kitchen Collection by Brizo channels a Scandinavian aesthetic, the manufacturer says. The collection offers clean, simple, and functional lines and two spouts: a graceful sweep Arc Spout and a gentle angled Square Spout. Odin is the manufacturer’s first kitchen suite where the handles are sold separately, allowing each faucet to take on a tailored look with a metal or teak handle in a matching finish, or a custom split-finish. A variety of configurations and finishes are available.

Industrial-Style Kitchen Faucet From Isenberg Faucets

Isenberg Faucets’ industrial-style Tanz collection draws inspir-ation from old-timey plumbing mechanics with exposed pipe connectors, but also offers sleek lines and elegant curves. With stainless steel construction and ceramic disc cartridges, the faucet features a rotating projection spout and a side sprayer to handle a variety of kitchen tasks, a water-conserving 1.8-gallon-per-minute flow rate, and comes in traditional metallic finishes plus 20 thin-film ceramic-based colors.

Farmhouse Sink in Metallic Tones From Ruvati

Hoping to inject trendy metallic hues into stainless steel, Ruvati has introduced the Terraza collection of farmhouse sinks in a variety of striking colors. Metallic tones are one of today’s hottest design trends, the brand says, so the collection offers Brass Tone Matte Gold (shown), Copper Tone Matte Bronze, or Matte Black Gunmetal. Each sink is made from 16-gauge stainless steel and given a nano-PVD (physical vapor deposition) colored finish that will never rust or tarnish, the company says. The sinks are available in three sizes: 30, 33, and 36 inches.

Kitchen Faucet by Franz Viegener

The bath faucet manufacturer has unveiled its first kitchen collection, the Franz Viegener Kitchen Collection. Available in a selection of PVD finishes, the collection features all-brass construction, a push-button spray diverter, a tilt-out volume-control handle with forward-motion temperature selection, and a nylon braided pull-down hose with vacuum breaker for sanitary use. The faucet comes in either a 9 ½-inch or a 13 ½-inch spout. Available in a variety of finishes, such as polished chrome, polished or brushed nickel, and polished or brushed gold. (Polished rose gold, shown).

In the Bath ...

Self-care is seeing a healthy amount of attention these days, and with it, spa-inspired elements that promote relaxation and convenience continue to make their way into the bathroom as more homeowners seek to create a sense of the "bathroom as oasis." Deep soaking tubs meet the needs of this design trend, with freestanding tubs seeing an upswing in popularity, offering a chance to pamper, while also elevating the space by introducing a sculptural focal point to the room.

Advances in shower technology add to the at-home-spa vibe, while smart toilets, lead by Japanese toilet tech, are gaining traction, offering features such as seat warmers, automatic lid openers, adjustable air dryers, and built-in deodorizers.

Clean lines continue to be popular in the bath, while black—fixtures, sinks, and vanities—are in favor for adding drama and helping to create a bold look. 

Water-Saving Shower From Nebia and Moen

The result of Nebia’s partnership with Moen in shower design, Nebia by Moen is a spa shower system that boasts the hottest maximum temperatures and best coverage, Nebia says, while using half the water of a standard 8-inch Moen showerhead. The product uses atomization technology to turn water into smaller droplets than traditional showers, creating a hot mist that provides twice the coverage of a standard shower. Two packages are available: an adjustable rainshower head, and a combo rainshower and 10-inch shower wand.

Smart Toilet From Bio Bidet

The Prodigy P770 by Bio Bidet is a smart toilet that costs half as much as comparable high-end units, the brand says. Designed to be accessible to more consumers, Prodigy has a sleek, modern design, a skirted profile, and an all-in-one tankless design that fits space-conscious bathrooms. Other features include dual-flush technology, remote-controlled spray settings and air dryer, an automatic open and close lid, sensor-activated night light, built-in deodorizer, and adjustable temperature controls for the seat and water. 

Elliptical Soaking Tub by Wetstyle

The Mood soaking tub by Wetstyle features an elliptical design and a flat side rim that blends into the tub’s design, creating an integral storage shelf. Wetstyle says the tub is a response to growing consumer demand for Zen-like relaxation. Made from Wetmar BiO, a nonslip composite material with natural heat-insulating properties, the Mood measures 70 inches long.

Space-Conscious Soaking Tub by Americh

The Orleans tub from Americh combines classic French curves with clean, contemporary American style, the brand says. A solution for a space that needs a slightly smaller tub, the mineral cast solid surface unit measures 16 inches deep and comes in Glossy or Matte White.

Sleek Two-Piece Toilet From Gerber

Wicker Park is a new two-piece toilet from Gerber. Offering a concealed trapway, the fully skirted–style unit provides a sleek, simplified look in a toilet that is easy to clean and easier to maintain, the company says. The two-piece fixture's geometric design is a perfect complement to the one-piece option, providing a one-piece look at a two-piece price point, the company says.

Above-Counter Bath Sink by Duravit

Part of Duravit’s new Happy D.2 Plus collection, the above-counter washbasins feature a narrow, flattened rim and three sizes: 15 3/4 inches, 19 5/8 inches, and 23 5/8 inches. The collection comes in new color options of Anthracite Matt (shown) or a two-tone contrast version, with Glossy White on the inside and Anthracite Matt on the outside. 

Space-Saving Medicine Cabinet From Robern

Robern's Uplift Tech Collection is the first bathroom cabinet to utilize vertical opening, the manufacturer says. Offering a range of technological advances and space-saving options, it comes with optional perimeter lighting with consistent accurate color rendering, a defogger, a USB port, electrical outlet ports, and tamper-resistant plugs. Additional features include adjustable shelving, interior integrated cabinet lighting, and an exterior nightlight.

Wood Bath Vanity Cabinet by Kohler

Measuring 48 inches wide, Kohler‘s Marabou vanity cabinet is made from solid hardwood and veneers. The two doors feature three-way adjustable slow-close hinges with 110-degree opening capability, while the four full-extension 18-inch-deep drawers have slow-close undermount slides and solid wood dovetail construction. The collection is available with coordinating vanity tops in an array of finishes, with a wide range of choices for hardware and accessories. 

Modern Bath Collection by Speakman

Created by interior designer Roger Thomas, the Vector Collection from Speakman is a modern bathroom line that celebrates “architectural purity with strong lines,” the company says. The wide-ranging bathroom collection includes Roman tub faucet controls, towel racks, showerheads, and accessories. Its faucets come in three handle styles, while showerheads are available with 2.5-, 2.0-, or 1.75-gallon-per-minute flow rates.