Faucet frenzy: a multitude of finishes and pullout styles rules the kitchen - Kitchen Products

Building Products, May-June, 2003 by Stephanie Herzfeld

Anything goes in kitchen faucets these days, from contemporary single-lever models, to traditional two-handle styles, to sleek, modern pullouts. And there is a plethora of finishes at all price points to satisfy every taste.

According to builders and remodelers, the beauty of the "anything and everything" trend is that it's easy to please homeowners nationwide.

"You see darker finishes, like Venetian bronze in the West, pearl and satin nickel finishes in the Virginia and Maryland area, and some of everything in the East, but you can find these finishes anywhere," says Mike Smith, assistant vice president of purchasing and product standards for Toll Brothers builders in Huntingdon Valley, Pa.

Dark finishes look wonderful on vintage-style faucets, which are growing in popularity, notes Kate Schwartz, an editor at Kitchens.com, a Chicago-based Web site that provides kitchen product information to pros and homeowners.

Although traditional shiny chrome is an old standby, professionals point to a brushed metals trend. "I'm seeing lots of brushed chrome in all styles," says remodeler Mark Brick, president of BNE General Contractors in Glendale, Wis.

Lee Ottenbreit, a designer with Winans Construction in Oakland, Calif., says that brushed finishes are wonderful because they have a softer look that blends with most appliance finishes.

However, one finish you probably won't find much of anywhere is brass. "I can't remember the last time I put in brass. Even with [tarnish-resistant] PVD coatings, brass is just out," says Don Sever, owner of Oakton, Va.-based Sever Construction, which specializes in plumbing installations.

No matter where you live, economic factors often dictate what finishes your clients choose, notes Jay de Sibour, president of the Alexandria, Va.-based Color Marketing Group, an association of professionals from various trades who predict what colors will be popular in all markets each year. Right now, "People are looking toward long-term value so they're looking for subtler and universal colors" like brushed chromes and silvers, de Sibour says.

POPULAR PULLOUTS

As far as style goes, pullout faucets are a common favorite across all finish preferences because homeowners recognize their functionality, says Angie Coffman, director of marketing for Delta. The manufacturer recently introduced the Saxony line of pullouts being offered as an upgrade by Toll Brothers. "People like the extra mobility, the side-to-side motion, and the spray" says Coffman.

What's more, pullouts can be easily integrated into the work area, says Schwartz. "All the pieces of the kitchen have to interact with each other," she says. "The whole sink area is becoming more practical, and you have to be able to [multi-task]."

But some builders and remodelers are concerned about callbacks with pullouts. "The head came off a $400 to $500 faucet I had put in three years ago," says Sever. He also says the hoses tend to get stuck under the sink, and that water may flow after the fitting is turned off as the hoses empty.

Others contractors point to "faucet droop," a phrase used to describe the way a pullout looks slack at the base. Delta's Saxony line guards against droop, Coffman asserts, with a tight wand connection and a reinforced steel hose. Faucet droop isn't a result of improper installation and won't necessarily cause performance problems, manufacturers and pros say.

Manufacturers also are making pullout installation easier. To help speed setup, Grohe offers stainless steel braided flexible supplies that won't twist, while Delta's newest pullout makes an easily heard click when the water supply valve is attached to the spout.

With all the benefits they offer homeowners, advocates predict that pullouts will to grow in popularity. "Many people do like them," says Smith.

HANDY DETAILS

If your client's budget allows, you can complement the kitchen with a variety of specialty faucets and handy accessories. Here are some suggestions offered by Lee Ottenbreit, staff designer for Oakland, Calif.-based Winans Construction, and Katie Schwartz, an editor at Chicago-based Kitchens.com.

[] Pot-filler faucets over the stove or the cooktop alleviate the need to lift heavy pots from the sink and help keep the kitchen cleaner.

[] Soap and lotion dispensers keep necessities typically found in the bathroom close at hand.

[] Side sprays aid with cleaning and maneuverability.

[] Bar and prep sinks with matching faucets offer extra room to work. --S.H.

KWC. The stainless steel Primo soap/lotion dispenser was the inspiration for the Suprimo faucet. The faucet's sleek design complements modern kitchens, says the maker. The faucet features a pullout spray and comes in a choice of five spray head colors. 877-592-3287. www.kwcfaucets.com. Circle 275.

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Watermark. Available in more than 33 finishes, including variations of nickel, brass, chrome, copper, and gold plating over brass, the pot-filler kitchen faucet has an expandable-retractable design and a single-lever handle for easy maneuverability, says the maker. Numerous other faucets, lighting fixtures, and door hardware also are available. 800-842-7277. www.watermark-designs.com. Circle 276.