A pot filler is a convenient feature in a kitchen because it’s…
A pot filler is a convenient feature in a kitchen because it’s able to reach all stove burners for filling large pots. Shown in a stainless steel finish, this wall-mount unit has a double arm for easy use and offers an aerated stream. But it’s for luxury buyers only: The unit costs about $900. ShowHouse by Moen.
www.showhouse.moen.com.
If you’re on a budget, the Melrose is just the thing you need….
If you’re on a budget, the Melrose is just the thing you need. The faucet has a 15-inch arm and features brass construction and ceramic disc valves. It's designed for cold water hook-up and can be ordered in chrome or stainless steel. This double-arm version costs about $175 and a single-arm unit can be bought for around $125. Danze.
www.danze.com.
When a manufacturer says one of its products is the best it’s …
When a manufacturer says one of its products is the best it’s ever made, you have to take notice. Aura is a 100% acrylic paint that features a water-based resin that locks-in color for higher performance and smooth, spatter-free application. Priced at $55 per gallon, it comes in 144 colors. Benjamin Moore.
www.myaurapaints.com.
If Benjamin Moore is not an option, try Premium Plus Ultra, an i…
If Benjamin Moore is not an option, try Premium Plus Ultra, an interior product that incorporates a primer and finish coat in one. NanoGuard technology creates a denser painted surface that is easier to clean, mildew resistant, and durable. Walls never need more than two coats in any color. It starts at about $31 for a gallon or $139 for a 5-gallon bucket. Behr Process Corp.
www.behr.com.
The Original collection vanity features curved wood front doors …
The Original collection vanity features curved wood front doors with in-laid ribs for a distinctive look. Measuring 28 inches long and 25 1/2 inches wide, the piece is deeper than the average vanity for extra storage. It’s priced from $3,400 and comes in Java and white. Vanity top and faucet are sold separately. Kallista.
www.kallista.com.
If you don’t have the money, the Capri vanity is a nice altern…
If you don’t have the money, the Capri vanity is a nice alternative to the pricier Kallista vanity. It’s made with a solid poplar frame that’s covered in a birch veneer and a dark espresso finish that gives it a high-end look. Measuring 36 inches wide, it also has “adjust-a-height” legs that can be easily removed to accommodate vessels or undermount lavatories. Xylem Group.
www.xylem.biz.
The Prestige Plus double-bowl sink is the kind of product you sp…
The Prestige Plus double-bowl sink is the kind of product you specify when buyers have a little money to spend. Made from 18-gauge stanless steel, it has one large bowl measuring about 8 inches deep and another measuring about 6 inches. It’s priced from $814. Franke.
www.frankeksd.com.
This lower-priced alternative, on the other hand, will suit a sm…
This lower-priced alternative, on the other hand, will suit a small budget. Priced at $94, the undermount sink is made from 16-gauge stainless steel and has one large bowl measuring 9 inches deep and one measuring 7 inches deep. Thick rubber pads minimize sound. Mr. Direct.
www.mrdirectint.com.
A buyer with money can opt for the Ultimate Lift and Slide Door …
A buyer with money can opt for the Ultimate Lift and Slide Door to open up the home to the exterior. Available in pocket or stacked configurations, the door comes with tempered LoE insulating glass, wood interior, extruded aluminum clad exterior, 2 3/4-inch-thick panels, and bronze PVD hardware. Marvin Windows & Doors.
www.marvin.com.
These Builders Select sliding patio doors allow you to open…
These Builders Select sliding patio doors allow you to open the house for little money. Available as a one-, two-, or four-panel model, the aluminum-clad wood door comes in widths up to 16 feet and heights up to 8 feet. Eight exterior colors and various interior options are available. The door starts at around $1,200. Crestline Windows and Doors.
www.crestlinewindows.com.
Remember the aughts—the heady days of the housing boom when you could specify almost any high-end product in a house? Those were good times, weren’t they? Well, those days are done. Thrift is in; profligacy is out.
But that doesn’t mean you should be any less discerning about the products you choose in these leaner times. Quite the contrary. You need to provide even more style while keeping an eye on the bottom line. Fortunately, we have done the work for you by assembling five cool, high-end products you might have chosen five or six years ago, and five options that are equally good looking but priced more affordably.
The high-end products will meet the needs of the well-heeled customer, but the lower-priced alternatives allow you to offer some value.
