Many of the market's newest plumbing fixture options are made to "break the mold" in one way or another, whether in function, design, or ease of use. Here are eight examples of fixtures designed to solve a pain point, add a new convenience, and deliver beauty as well as performance:
Elkay
The newest iteration of Elkay’s commercial ezH20 bottle fillers is the ezH20 Liv, made for residential use. It is designed to fit between two wall studs, and may be placed anywhere in a new or existing home with access to water and electrical hookups. The dispenser is sensor-activated, with an automatic, timed shut-off to prevent accidental spills. Its long-lasting filter is NSF-certified to reduce lead and other harmful contaminants. Optional features include a drain connection from the drip tray and a safety lock preventing unsupervised use. elkay.com
Kohler
The Betello two-piece toilet is equipped both with Kohler’s Revolution 360 flushing technology, which rinses the entire bowl surface, and ContinuousClean, which dispenses a small amount of toilet bowl tab cleaner during each flush. The CleanCoat surface treatment repels water and dirt, and prevents the formation of bacteria, mildew, and mineral deposits. The toilet is WaterSense labeled, and features a separate skirted trapway that enables the same installation process as a non-skirted toilet. kohler.com
Lenova
The FST01SS Freestanding Tub Faucet is crafted from 304 stainless steel and features a bold, angular transitional design that is at once sculptural and modern. The spout stands 40 inches tall, with an 11 7⁄16-foot reach, and requires a minimal footprint, recommended for small spaces. The faucet has zero lead content, and includes a ceramic cartridge to prevent drips. The fixture offers both a tub spout and a handshower attachment. lenovasinks.com
Isenberg Design Lab
The Infinity Wall Mount Faucet breaks from traditional bath faucet placement with a wall-mounted spout designed to frame a bathroom mirror on either the left or the right. The full fixture measures 34 inches high with dual mounting brackets, separate wall-mounted flow and temperature controls, and a 9-inch spout projection from the wall and into the sink. The faucet features a hidden aerator for cleaning, and operates at a flow rate of only 1.2 gpm. isenbergfaucets.com
Hansgrohe
The Metris and Talis faucet collections now include a combination of two functions in the Select 2-Spray configuration. Users can pause the faucet’s water flow using the Select button on the faucet head, or control and switch between spray modes—traditional and laminar—using another button on the faucet head side. Both are available in HighArc or Prep configurations, and feature Hansgrohe’s QuickClean surface coating, which allows limescale and dirt to be easily removed. hansgrohe.com
KOVA
KOVA Select, Katerra’s new premium building product line, includes a total of 24 new plumbing fixtures and modular system components, which allow installers to arrange KOVA products in a variety of configurations. The line’s fixtures—including a tub spout, kitchen and bath faucets, wall- and ceiling- mount shower arms, and showerheads and handles—feature a slim, cylindrical design aesthetic. All are CALGreen certified and are available in a polished chrome, satin nickel, or matte black finish. kovaproducts.com
TOTO
The GO faucet series, winner of the international REDDOT “Best of the Best” Award in 2017, features sleek lines and organic forms inspired by refinement and grace in the natural world. The ultra high efficiency fixtures are WaterSense labeled, operate at only 1.2 gallons per minute, and feature TOTO’s COMFORT GLIDE technology. The faucets are constructed from brass, and available in a well as a polished chrome, polished nickel or brushed nickel finish. Single-handle, wide-spread, semi-vessel, vessel, side handle and wall mount configurations are available, as well as a tub filler with optional handshower. totousa.com
Moen
The Hydro Roller Massaging Combination Showerhead’s handshower features six massaging roller attachments, which move freely whether the water is on or off, and three spray settings: full coverage, massage and relaxing massage. The handshower features a long handle and 72-inch metal hose, while the rainshower offers a 7 1/2-inch spray face, and may be used in conjunction with the handshower. Both showerheads are WaterSense certified and finished in Moen’s Spot Resist brushed nickel. moen.com
