Elevate kitchen and bath design with strategic fixtures and fittings.

The most sought-after kitchen and bath design trends are those adding distinction through a varied assemblage of materials and textures to create iconic looks. Details such as patterns, colors and silhouettes are of critical importance in helping to create a style that is both architectural and decorative.

The right fixtures can influence the entire direction of the design, channeling a refined look without fuss and making a bold statement. Carefully chosen architectural elements ground the design by creating a classic look tinged with a modern spirit. Fixtures and fittings focusing on form and function will add instant visual interest while inviting the eye to linger and appreciate intriguing styles.

These trends influence details that capture attention, appearing familiar but also emerging with a fresh twist. Some take their cue from the fashion world, while others are inspired by industrial design — but all impart a chic urban vibe that is sophisticated and endlessly appealing.

Pleated Perfection

The new Bowie freestanding tub from MTI Baths is immediately eye-catching with its luxurious “pleated” exterior. The textured look is strikingly elegant, contemporary and fun — and creates a memorable impression. The tub’s exterior is offered in eight different colors for even more dramatic impact, including sapphire blue, terracotta and storm gray.

Measuring 70 inches by 35 inches, the Bowie is generously sized for up to two bathers with softly sloped backrests for a thoroughly relaxing bath experience. The tub is available as a soaker or air bath and is crafted from MTI’s signature SculptureStone material, with a choice of gloss or matte finish.

This unique tub has the look and feel of molded stone with a seamless, nonporous surface that is incredibly durable and easy to clean. The Bowie was developed in partnership with Source, a leading Atlanta-based design firm.

Super Slim & Linear

No detail is too small to be overlooked, even when it is the world’s smallest linear shower drain. The new Xs Series shower drain by Easy Drain combines high-capacity drainage with a super-slim design. The result is perfect for minimalist spaces and barrier-free showers. The Xs pairs German engineering and Dutch design to produce impressive performance and a sleek, barely-there aesthetic.

Drains are available in lengths of 19 3/4 inches to 47 1/4 inches and feature state-of-the-art technology for easy installation and 100 percent waterproof results. The Xs Series features a subtle frame on all four sides and modern grates in various beautiful finishes, such as brushed gold, oil-rubbed bronze, matte black and chrome-plated stainless steel.

Easy Drain allows design professionals and installers to create shower environments with no limitations and personalize finishes to suit any bath interior.

Tubular Delivery

Go architectural in the shower with the cool new SpotWater Collection by Gessi. Inspired by iconic spotlights of the theatrical stage, these swiveling tubular showerheads are a sculptural choice for the bathroom that deliver big visual impact and impressive performance.

SpotWater showerheads may be installed alone or in groupings and are fully adjustable with flexible joints for precision positioning. With four different types of aerators to choose from — rain, mist, waterfall and multispray — users may mix and match elements and angles to create their own sensory shower experience.

Gessi offers a variety of gorgeous finishes, including copper, polished nickel, antique brass, aged bronze and shades of white, black and gold. SpotWater is the latest addition to Gessi’s line of advanced shower concepts in their quest to transform ordinary bathrooms as part of their signature Private Wellness Program.

Titanium Texture

Viaggio doubles down on trends by combing two of today’s hottest looks into one. It recently unveiled a gorgeous finish option known as titanium gray with warm undertones and an effortless blending of gray and bronze. Elegant yet edgy, this finish is a great compromise for those torn between matte black and satin brass.

And while this new finish is offered on all Viaggio hardware, it looks particularly sensational on the Motivo Collection with its distinctive leather texture. This dramatic textured finish is clean and modern, with an on-trend look adding a pop of luxury. Together they are a showstopper.

Viaggio Hardware is crafted in Europe from premium forged brass using time-honored techniques and an exacting eye for quality. All hardware is precision-polished, lacquered for impressive durability, and assembled with the company’s Concealed Screw Mechanism for a clean, seamless installation with no visible fasteners.

Sophisticated Symmetry

Flowing lines and an absence of ornamentation take center stage with the latest freestanding tub from BainUltra. Named in honor of the celestial constellation celebrating balance, the Libra 6632 tub embodies the essence of harmony. The tub’s sleek exterior allows the purity of its simple silhouette to shine.

Measuring 66 inches by 32 inches by 23 inches, the Libra accommodates two bathers with gently angled interior walls. BainUltra offers the Libra in two configurations with a full spectrum of therapy options. In the Thermomasseur collection, the tub features 42 adjustable air jets, a heated backrest and the signature Geysair system for hot-air hydro-thermo massage.

As a soaker tub, Libra includes an optional WarmTouchShell with heating zones concealed within the tub’s inner shell. The Libra is crafted of 100 percent pure acrylic and meticulously polished by hand to a beautiful glossy white.

Updated Apron

Ruvati brings architectural interest to the often-overlooked laundry room with its new Fiamma Fireclay farmhouse sink. Its compact dimensions make it a smart choice for busy laundry rooms, while its extra deep bowl can handle piles of hand laundry with ease. A stylish apron front design adds charm and is perfectly on-trend with today’s modern farmhouse motif. This design is a great option for larger kitchens with the space and need for a secondary sink.

Fireclay basins have long been popular in Europe for their durability and beauty. Ruvati’s sinks are handcrafted in Italy using a unique, naturally white clay and then fired under high temperatures. The finished product is a beautiful glossy white with a fused enamel surface that is stubbornly resistant to chips, stains and scratches.

Offered with dual installation options as a drop-in or undermount, the sink measures 23 inches by 18 1/4 inches with a 9-inch-deep internal basin.

Hung Up Drama

Bring a touch of modern minimalism to the bathroom with the Karo wall-hung toilet from Icera. Perfect proportions and sleek lines make this design a welcome addition style-wise, while its exceptional performance and space-saving design are favorite features, too.

Wall-hung toilets are in big demand with today’s emphasis on smaller spaces, sustainability and uncluttered design. Icera leads this trend with sophisticated styles and advanced plumbing technology. The Karo is made of vitreous china, finished with an antimicrobial MicroGlaze, and equipped with premium DuroPlast silent-close seats with quick-release hinges.

Averaging just 1.28 gallons of water per flush, this toilet comes with a fully concealed mounting system for a seamless profile that is easy to install at a standard or ADA height. In keeping with brand guidelines, the Karo is backed by a limited lifetime warranty and is factory flush-tested for long-lasting, reliable performance.

Floored by Style

A floor-mounted tub filler creates a unique and exciting mood in the bathroom and is the perfect partner for a freestanding tub. Add a trendy industrial-style vibe and the results are truly electric.

Isenberg's Serie 250 tub filler captures that urban “exposed pipe” look with a boldly curved silhouette and knurled handles. Standing 40 inches tall, this dramatic unit was created in the Isenberg Design Lab by renowned designer Prakhar Kumar Jain. It features solid-brass construction, single-lever control of volume and temperature and a convenient hand shower.

All Isenberg products are crafted to exacting standards and carefully detailed for lasting beauty, durability and impressive performance. The Serie 250 tub filler is offered in a choice of three finishes — chrome, brushed nickel and matte black — and is a great choice for fashion-forward bathrooms with a cool, edgy style.

Architectural elements and detailing are important additions to every room in the house, especially when it comes to kitchens and bathrooms. Choosing well-crafted products with exceptional designs, on-trend colors and textures, and smart installation options makes it easy to develop distinctive looks and create a truly personalized space.

The right fixtures and fittings are a key part of a room’s overall design statement and will help create a beautiful, inspiring and comfortable space at home.

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