Asia Major
European minimalism mixes nicely with Asian styling in the Equility bath furniture line. The modular vanity console can be mounted on the wall or combined with a base for a standing installation. Measuring 24 inches wide, the unit features oak veneer in a gray finish and a fold-down front panel that hides storage space. Cost: $995 to $2,995. Porcher. 866-455-6118. www.porcher-us.com.
Studio Line
Inspired by color and design trends from around the world, Studio Collection is a line of home-technology devices with attractive price points for the production-home market. Easy to install and seamless to integrate, the collection includes intercom, audio, and camera systems and other accessories. Wall plates are available in 17 colors. Cost: $7.29 (wall plate) to $1,378.64 (whole-house audio system). On-Q/Legrand. 800-321-2343. www.onqlegrand.com.
Quiet Time
With the growing popu-larity of home theaters, traditional doors don’t provide enough sound insulation. QuietHome soundproof doors do. Ranging in thickness from 13/4 inches to 3 inches, the acoustic doors offer sound transmission ratings up to 51 and reduce noise by 70 percent to 85 percent compared with solid-core doors. Cost: $1,495 to $2,495. Serious Materials. 800-797-8159. www.seriousmaterials.com.
Straighten Up
Cutting sheet metal in weird angles can get tricky with traditional snips. But not with the M8R and M9R Vertical Snips. The tools have user-friendly angled blades that increase maneuverability in hard-to-reach areas or on table tops. They are designed to cut up to 22-gauge steel and feature long handles for better leverage. Cost: $20. Cooper Hand Tools. 919- 362-1670. www.cooperhandtools.com.
Water Stopper
LiquiDAM limits the transmission of moisture from concrete to the finished floor. Applied to the substrate, the two-part epoxy prevents moisture vapor from damaging flooring. The product is free of VOCs and solvents and can be applied with a trowel or squeegee.Cost: $1 to $2 per square foot. TEC. 800-832-9002. www.tecspecialty.com.
Disappearing Act
Let’s face it: Drains are ugly but necessary. The Con-cealed Waste Slab Basin has no such issues because its drain is hidden behind a vent in the back of the unit. Decidedly modern, the unit is crafted from fire-clay and comes in two sizes: a 215/8-inch-wide unit and a 2913/16-inch version. Cost: $855 or $985. Deca. 603-890-3349. www.deca-us.com.
Mass Appeal
System b1 is an alternative to the manufacturer’s pric-ier offerings. Listed at 35 percent to 40 percent lower than the company’s signature b3 product, b1 offers carefully considered design features such as central islands, full-height cabinets, and overhead shelves with optional sliding doors. Other options include lacquered doors, ash or walnut veneer drawers, and solid wood and stainless steel tops. Cost: $18,000 and up. Bulthaup. 800-808-2923. www.bulthaup.com.
Ready and Able
You no longer have to worry about moisture or rain when it’s time to paint outside. Resilience premium exterior paint cures in half the time of most other paints and can be applied when rain or dew is approaching. Low in VOCs, it withstands peeling and blistering and can be used on a variety of surfaces, such as masonry, steel, stucco, and wood. Cost: from $46.99. Sherwin-Williams. 216-566-2000. www.sherwin-williams.com.
