Some background here. The two companies (they are both part of American Standard Brands) have long specialized in the “total bathroom” concept of bathroom fixture design. If for example, you like the looks of the American Standard Tropic Collection (and who doesn’t?) you’ll have a choice of co-ordinating counter tops, washbasins, pedestal sinks, faucets and showers, storage units, mirrors, towel rails and three toilets.

Correction – four toilets – there is now also an LXP Toilet in the Tropic style. The key word is luxury. I asked Gary Uhl, design director for American Standard Brands, about the “style” element here. He surprised me.

“Our design inspiration came from furniture, which is interesting”, he said. “During the Renaissance chamber pots were often disguised as furniture.”

So, these luxury one-piece toilets have personality and presence, but

how about performance? “The less water a toilet uses, the harder the water has to work,” explains Graeme Lennox, marketing manager for American Standard in Canada. “Our engineers have developed multiple ways to boost efficiency, and they all come together to put the Performance into LXP.”

Graeme also counted off a number of ways that the LXP toilets make life easier and more comfortable – an anti-bacterial surface treatment, EverClean, over the entire fixture, a choice of elongated bowls and extra height for greater comfort, and a slow-close seat that keeps things quiet, much appreciated in the wee small hours of the morning.

American Standard offers one-piece Luxury Performance Toilets in their Antiquity, Boulevard, Savona, Town Square and Tropic Collections, while from Porcher come LXP toilets in their Archive, Chapeau, Ovale (two versions ) and Veneto Collections. Most models are available in both 6 and 4.8 lpf, and therefore qualify for rebates. You can find price, availability, and a nearby supplier online at www.americanstandard.ca.

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I’d say you can make a substantial difference for a lot less than that. And do it without a plumber entering your home. My suggestion delivers top-of-the-line style, unbeatable performance, with installation a freebie – providing you, or someone in your family, knows how to put Tab A into Slot B.

First, a confession. I’m not talking a complete upgrade for the holy-of-holies, that’s a family bathroom, I’m talking a freshening. A small change will make a big difference.

My strategy is based on a personal observation, that perhaps the most important items in a bathroom are the taps. That’s where the water comes from, that’s where you put your hands to get what you need; they are your interface with the joyful world of water.

So, I’ll make a simple suggestion. Whatever faucets you may have right now, on your washbasin, your tub, or your shower, your bathroom will be 1000% more enjoyable if you replace them with smart, stylish, super-efficient beautifully designed faucets from the American Standard Studio Collection. You’ll love the look: they are sleek with an edginess, and easy to use. Studio is more than just basin faucets: you can splurge on tub fillers and shower systems and all kinds of fittings that co-ordinate completely.

American Standard is not the only manufacturer to offer Euro-styled, minimalist faucets such as Studio. But there is an overwhelming clincher that makes my recommendation irresistible. I’ll get to that shortly.

An alternative to American Standard Studio is their newBoulevard Collection. The idea is the same – one style offering, a full range of co-ordinating fittings. But the style is rectangular, rather than square, and the water is delivered in a wonderful way. Most faucets force the water through an aerator, which means that it arrives in an untidy mess, all pumped up with air. In Boulevard, there is no aerator, and the water is delivered in an endless flat ribbon. Water now has style… No bubbles, no splashing, just solid, lovely, water. It has to be seen, and felt, to be believed.

Now for the clincher. These American Standard faucets come with a unique feature, Speed-Connect technology. Compared with old-fashioned faucets they need one-third the number of parts, and can be installed for life by a designated member of your family, in one-third the time using only one third the tools.

If new faucets don’t satisfy you craving for change, may I also suggest a modern new sink that is a perfect match for Studio or Boulevard? It’s called Carré, the newest addition to the popular Studio Collection it’s rectangular with a gentle swoop down to the drain.

Learn more about Studio, Boulevard, Speed-Connect and the location of a nearby supplier at www.americanstandard.ca.

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(NC)—Warm colours continue to be a strong trend in 2010 especially in the kitchen, where homeowners want a more relaxed, less formal approach.

“One of the top trends in 2010 for the kitchen is a more classic, formal style but with a soft touch,” says Alexandra Marshall, marketing director with premium kitchen sink and faucet manufacturer, Blanco Canada. “For colour, this means that classic colours like white and grey are popular for cabinetry and countertops, but in a warmtone. In 2010 we’ll see increased use of creamier whites, like vanilla or biscotti, and warmer greys that are a blend of both brown and grey,” she adds.

Looking at the newest paint colours shows the softer approach. Grey isn’t just grey, but “putty” while the selection of warm whites continues to grow. Quartz countertop manufacturers offer an increasingly wide range of colours with several new greys now available.”

Even kitchen sinks and faucets are now available in alternative finishes to the cold metal chrome, stainless steel or nickel options. This spring, Blanco will expand its line of Silgranit sinks, a durable granite composite available in seven natural colours. The largest expansion of models will be in their recently introduced new Biscotti shade, a warm buttery natural colour and in their grey shade called Silk. As well, the manufacturer has introduced matching coloured faucets for all their sink colours, including the new Biscotti.

Switching to coloured sinks and faucets can be a practical solution as well. “Our Silgranit sinks offer a warmer, but also more practical alternative to stainless steel,” notes Ms. Marshall. “Made of 80 percent natural stone and a special patented acrylic formulation unique to Blanco, Silgranit sinks are scratch-proof and highly heat and stain resistant. So even with these new pale, light shades you don’t have to worry about stains or other damage to the sink..”

With the new selection of countertop, paint, and sink and faucet colours, warming up the kitchen is easy. Instead of stark white or metal finishes, consider a pale grey or warm biscotti for any of these elements, and the result will be classic elegance with a softer touch.

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Forums offer advice, suggestions and tips for how to hide those dirty dishes when company comes—in the oven, under the sink, in the laundry basket—to name just a few. Some write to vent their frustrations—“how can so many dirty dishes pile up so fast when there are just two of us?” one woman asks. A highly-rated video shows three young men dealing with their angst when the kitchen is overrun by an unsightly pile of dishes and cookware. The problem is solved when one waves his hand and the dishes magically disappear, no doubt accounting for the popularity of the movie.

Some pose more disturbing questions, like “will dirty dishes in your sink cause roaches to appear,” while one professional photographer has elevated the topic to an art form and a philosophical inquiry. His published book of images captures dirty dishes from his worldwide travels, illustrating the “often thoughtless, wasteful ways in which food is treated in consumerist societies.”

The lack of a satisfactory solution for what to do with dirty dishes, short of the unpopular answer to just wash them, is perhaps what prompted one manufacturer to introduce a new kitchen sink. The Crystalline sink, designed by German sink manufacturer Blanco, features a sleek and striking glass cover, which also serves as a cutting board, that when in place, allows the busy cookto hide the sink and everything in it when company comes over. Designed for the smaller, urban kitchen, the sink is compact in size with one large bowl and smaller prep bowl made of premium stainless steel. The faucet ledge and sink cover are both made of safety glass and consumers have a choice of white or black for the glass components.

“The Crystalline sink is ideal for the homeowner who loves to entertain,” says Alexandra Marshall, director of marketing for Blanco Canada. “Just place the beautiful glass cover over the sink and you have an extended workspace you can use,” she adds. “This makes it particularly ideal for the smaller kitchen with limited countertop space.”

Not only that, but you have yet another place to hide those dirty dishes when company drops by unexpectedly.

More information can be found online at www.blancocanada.com.

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Latest trends in “Green” home décor

(NC)—Every year concerns for the future of the planet grow greater and more consumers are seeking eco-friendly alternatives to reduce their carbon footprints. One trend that is leaving a “green” mark in homes across the country is the choice of recycled material countertops over more conventional surfaces.

Green countertops are recycled or renewable surfaces that minimize impact on the environment during their production. They are comprised of different combinations of natural and man-made materials and often include some form of recycled glass. Many are attractive and viable alternatives to conventional countertop materials.

The latest entry into this category, Elements by Durcon, is creating quite a buzz as it’s a “green” countertop surface that also offers unmatched durability, cleanliness and aesthetic qualities.

Durcon, the leading U.S. manufacturer of epoxyresinquartz countertops and sinks for the last 35 years, recently launched an eco-friendly surface variation – Elements by Durcon for the residential and commercial markets. Stone fabricators, dealers and architects across North America agree that the product’s unique qualities and highly durable characteristics set it apart from first generation eco-friendly surface products currently available.

Molded from a proprietary blend of fine quartz, epoxy resin, and recycled glass (ie. clear beer bottles), the material is solid, non-porous, never requires sealing, and is homogenous in consistency.  Its unique manufacturing process produces an incredibly silky smooth and durable countertop surface.

“Elements is ideal for the discerning customer who desires a unique eco-friendly product for kitchen countertops, vanities, fireplace surrounds, and commercial applications,” explained Mark Hanna, President of Montreal-based Leeza Distribution Inc., one of North America’s leading distributors of premium countertops such as Elements by Durcon.

Elements is an incredibly safe and durable countertop surface ideal for kitchens as it is certified by NSF, is a very low VOC emitting material and boasts the highest heat resistance rating available.

“Elements is stylishly sleek with a distinctly silky feel that works beautifully with any décor,” Hanna added. “From Old World to ultra-modern it provides a look that is very unique, timeless and clean.”

Its versatility is its strongest attribute.  In addition to custom colours, Elements by Durcon is available in two alternate design variations – “Titanium” and “PUR”.  Titanium features a dramatic metallic flecked surface.  The highlight of the PUR line is Pristine that is “already a hit with designers”, said Hanna, due to its rare, deep, and absolute white quality that is in high demand in today’s décors.

Elements surfaces are so durable that unused and old countertop material is recycled by Durcon for use in road construction.  More information on these eco-friendly countertops is available at leezadistribution.com.

- News Canada

When it comes to kitchen cabinets people want simple, clean, yet stylish lines, says Kathy Lussier, sales manager at the family’s Mid-Island Cabinets Ltd. “Dark colours and dark stains, such as different tones of black and brown, are very popular,” says Lussier. “When it comes to the size of cabinets, people are taking them to the ceiling. “Homeowners prefer no gaps at the top, so we install three-piece crown mouldings… it looks stunning!

In terms of wood used in today’s kitchens, the hottest look for cabinet doors is maple or cherry. Maple is a great hardwood and it holds up really well in the kitchen,” says Lussier, adding Mid-Island proudly designed the kitchen cabinets in this issues H&L’s ‘Feature Home’ utilizing maple. Homeowners are also going for slab doors – a modern looking veneer door with no line… just like a flat book. In addition, instead of installing a Lazy Susan, today consumers are going for custom-made corner drawers. “Customers love the ease of use and they look fantastic”, says Lussier. “The trend in cabinetry this year is to marry style with functionality,” says Lawrie Milne, cabinet designer and sales representative at Tom Doll Cabinets Limited in Qualicum Beach. “Shaker doors are much more popular here on the island … people don’t typically build high tech kitchen cabinets.”