Kitchen renovation

Company News, Kitchen Design, Made in the USA, Product, Uncategorized

Two-Handle PLP Faucet – Newest Kitchen Faucet Model

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A Masterpiece of Luxury & Functionality Our new innovative faucet seamlessly blends artistry and convenience. Available in two captivating styles, this faucet is a testament to design ingenuity. With a staggering array of 40 spout configurations and 2 spray head style options, your choices are as limitless as your imagination. The “Positive Lock Pulldown” design secures the sprayer elegantly when not in use, while the sleek, slender body complements contemporary kitchens flawlessly. Crafted from eco-friendly solid brass or 316 stainless steel, it boasts a counterbalanced weight on the spray hose, ensuring a seamless extension and retraction. The lever handle spray head epitomizes convenience, while the wave spring handle system guarantees smoothness and stability. Designed, machined, and perfected in the USA, our faucet resonates with the legacy of exquisite craftsmanship. Elevate your kitchen to a realm of luxury with our newest faucet – an embodiment of design prowess and opulence40 spout configurations, 2 spray head style options, and available in all finishes Anti-rocking spout ensures smooth wobble-free swivel Counterbalanced weight prevents snapback Hot and cold dual-lever control with ceramic disk valve cartridges Wave spring handle brake provides smooth pull Reinforced braided connection hoses  

Designer Showcase

Creating an Indoor-Outdoor Kitchen with a Unique Take on the Scandi & California Styles

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After renovating a showstopping ‘historic modern’ craftsman home in the heart of Venice, California, the teams at Abramson Architects, Joan Behnke & Associates and M.E. Development have reunited for a neighboring project in the famous Venice Walk Streets. Coining the term “Scandifornian Modern,” the firms designed the home to be a hybrid of multiple styles – pulling in Scandinavian simplicity, Californian casual, and sleek modernity.   The home is not only identified by its Scandinavian minimalism and relaxed Californian vibe, but also by its nod to Japanese design through color mixing, natural materials and contemporary silhouettes. In addition to its charming style, the home’s proximity to the beach and open layout – with a stunning kitchen at its center – creates an enviable environment ideal for a convivial coastal lifestyle. Interior designer Joan Behnke called it “an entertainment home, with the ability to open all the doors and enjoy the pool as well as all the various outdoor spaces from the front yard to the roof terrace.”  The group’s first renovation, a 1907 craftsman bungalow, was required by local ordinances to keep the historic architecture intact. This time around, the team “had more flexibility in terms of design, which allowed for greater creativity.” Because the Scandifornian Modern was a new build with fewer restraints, the design team “kept the aesthetic cleaner and more modern so that it could appeal to a broader, current audience,” Joan said.   That clean and modern aesthetic is best exemplified in the luxe kitchen, where dark, rich cabinetry meets bright countertops, geometric brass lighting and gourmet appliances. Complete with a Waterstone Modern PLP faucet suite, Contemporary Potfiller and Contemporary Cabinet Hardware, the kitchen was designed with timelessness and pro-level functionality in mind.   “The Waterstone fixtures are sleek and aesthetically mix very well with the style of the house.  We loved the contemporary look without the harsh corners or lines, [which] will not look dated over the years,” Joan said. “The kitchen is also very functional, whether it’s for a family’s daily use or for a chef to create a special evening, the means and methods of operations is very hands-on.”  Beyond its state-of-the-art fixtures, the kitchen also flows into the dining and living spaces, with views of both the front garden and private deck. The kitchen’s sliding doors open out to a private pool and jacuzzi, which are nestled on the side of the house. The wood deck, lounge furniture and television make the space feel like a cozy room that happens to be outdoors. There’s even a sliding pass-through window that gives quick access to the kitchen sink and faucet suite, so guests can easily grab a glass of filtered water from the Waterstone filtration faucet or pass along food and drinks from inside.   Learn more about the Modern Venice Homes here: Modern Venice Homes 

Designer Showcase, Kitchen Design

A Q&A with a Design Contest Winner on Transforming a Century-Old Kitchen

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Renovating the kitchen inside a historic home is bound to have its challenges – especially when it’s been vacant for over 30 years. Winner of our Design Contest’s Traditional Kitchen category, interior designer Lindsey Snodgrass of Golden Key Designs worked on a 1905 Greek Revival home in New Orleans, Louisiana, and completed its new kitchen to seamlessly blend in with its surrounding architecture. A master class in tasteful restoration, the kitchen maintains the character of the original home while modernizing the space for 21st-century life. Waterstone Design Contest judge Cara Fox of The Fox Group described the winning design as a “[combination of] timeless and classic style with a hint of modern luxury and convenience. It’s elegant and the use of materials is perfectly balanced.” We spoke to the designer on how exactly she married the old with the new through careful material and fixture choices. 1. You said this 1905 home had been vacant for over 30 years – what was the home and old kitchen like before the renovation? The kitchen was definitely the number one area that needed care. It had a lot of termite damage. The ceiling had water intrusion problems and the cabinets were crumbling apart. On our first visit, there were even a couple squirrels in the ceiling!  The original exterior of the kitchen was very small and closed off from the rest of the house. The upstairs sun porch was actually falling down due to termite damage. The best option was to demo both and expand the kitchen across the entire width of the house. This allowed the kitchen to be much more open and functional for today’s lifestyle. It also allowed us to create a beautiful floor plan upstairs that added a primary suite. 2. What were the challenges in designing the new kitchen and how did you overcome them to meet the design goals? Our biggest goal was to carry the historical aspects throughout the new addition. We wanted it to be a seamless transition, and feel like it was always part of the home. The biggest challenge with this kitchen was probably the flooring. This doesn’t seem like a very fabulous aspect of the design, but to have the old floor tie seamlessly into the new, without a threshold or 1/2’’ rise was so important. I think how a floor transitions from one room to another, especially when it’s an addition, can dramatically make a difference in the overall flow and feeling of the space.  This was a raised home, which is very common in New Orleans, so it wasn’t as simple as laying a traditional foundation. To perfectly match the height of the original wood floors to the new flooring was a challenge. It was 100-year-old brick piers with rough cut wood sills and true 1’’ thick wood floors with no subfloor. Calculating it to match the exact height for new grade beams, with lumber that isn’t true to size as it used to be, adding subfloor and accounting for the thickness of modern long leaf pine floor boards was harder than it seems. Plus, most historical homes can easily be an inch off, over the entire width of the foundation that you’re tying into, so we had to account for that as well. It was a lot! I strongly believe it’s those details that make a difference in the outcome. 3. How would you describe the new kitchen’s style? I would say it’s a modern twist on French country. 4. How did you balance maintaining the character of the old kitchen and modernizing it? Did the homeowners have specific requests on what to keep, or what to buy new? Since this kitchen was almost completely new construction, we had to design the coffered ceiling, the trim work, the kitchen windows, everything from scratch and ensure it flowed with the rest of the home. It was important to keep and reuse as many of the old elements as we could.  There was a total of six doorways with transoms that were removed and reused throughout the home. You can see the original wood door in the kitchen, it used to lead outside, but now it leads into the laundry room. We kept the same angle of the doorway to match how it originally was leading into the kitchen, except it’s about 10’ over after widening the room. You don’t see it in these photos, but the living room doorway mimics the same angle, so we felt it was an important architectural aspect to keep.  Once we had the historical aspects finalized we were then able to add in the modern elements. The beautiful Paonazzo marble, the recessed panel on the island waterfall is probably one of my favorite elements. I think that was the perfect blend between modern and traditional. We also mixed new light fixtures with old ones. I am a big fan of Ralph Lauren’s line through Visual Comfort. The McCarren sconces modernized the lighting and complimented the vintage pendants perfectly. Then the custom stove really tied it all together in a perfect way. 5. The Waterstone Extended Reach Faucet fits so naturally into the space. How did you decide on this faucet and what does it contribute to the kitchen’s design? This kitchen needed a faucet that could be a feature all on its own. The extended reach couldn’t have looked better, the classic design went perfectly with this kitchen. Plus, it was honestly a must for the functionality of the 45’’ workstation sink. 6. Why did you decide to go with our Polished Nickel finish for this space? One of my go-to’s for historic homes is polished nickel. It’s just timeless to me. A fun fact is that nickel was the preferred finish in homes from about 1880-1930. I love the understated warmth it brings to a space. 7. How does the classic design of this kitchen relate to other kitchens you’ve worked on? Do you usually design historic homes or is this one

Designer Showcase, Kitchen Design

A Bold Take On a ‘Luxurious Farmhouse’ Design: See the Winning Kitchen in Our Design Contest’s Contemporary Category

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Our first Waterstone Design Contest has wrapped up, and we’re proud to put a spotlight on the inaugural Contemporary Kitchen category winner, By Design Interiors, Inc. Featuring a bold (and unexpected) combination of opulent luxury and modern farmhouse styles, the kitchen has been called the “Chanel Chic” renovation. Contest judge Cara Fox, principal designer at the Fox Group, described the space as having “a stunning wow factor with gorgeous statement marble that is full of personality and beauty… brass and modern lighting complements and freshens the whole room.”   The design team at By Design Interiors joined us to discuss exactly how they incorporated glitz and glamour into this winning contemporary kitchen design. 1. When designing a space with a dynamic combination of colors and materials like this one, where do you start? For this ‘Chanel Chic Kitchen’ – The designer wanted to update the home to beautifully match the fabulous and chic personal style of the homeowner. As a high-profile professional, the homeowner wanted a dramatic space in the ‘heart’ of her home to entertain guests. Together, they created a sleek, black, white, and gold oasis that truly grabs your attention. 2. Is this kitchen representative of your usual style or does it stand out against your other work? By Design Interiors, Inc. is a hub for talented designers to work with homeowners in creating interior spaces as unique as each client. All our designers can take on different design styles, we are chameleons in that sense, yet we do certain styles and aesthetics we are drawn to.   For our Chanel Chic Renovation, we wanted to highlight the homeowners’ love for glamour paired with modern farmhouse design elements. Mixing in bold black, white, and gold with pops of turquoise, durable surfaces (such as the shiplap along the grand island), and exposed beams seen in the great room. It was a hands-on process between the designer and homeowner, beginning with discussing inspiration images and getting to know her personal style. From there we were able to begin the selections process.   In this case, the plumbing fixtures were selected very early in the design process. This helped to learn: What metal finishes do they like? Are they more modern or traditional? Do they like square lines or curvy lines? Are they ok with mixing metal finishes? Do they love to cook? Do they love to entertain?   Once plumbing and appliances are finalized, the design team can move forward with so many other selections for the space keeping the shapes, finishes, and style consistent throughout. 3. There are many eye-catching pieces in this kitchen, but which would you say is your favorite? Oh, so many! We love how this kitchen embodies the homeowner perfectly! From the gold vent hood to the black tiles and striking Cambria quartz waterfall edge island…but we can’t deny that the island is showstopper! It was a favorite selection for the homeowner, and your eye goes straight there upon entering the space. The matte black sleek Waterstone faucet compliments it perfectly. 4. What kind of vibe does the black, white, and gold combination make for in this space? Drama. The space utilizes the client’s personal / high-end style as the muse behind the glamours of golds, black and whites. The homeowner wanted her kitchen to make a statement for her guests. She loves to entertain and wanted this space to have the ‘Wow-Factor’ for all who enter. The bold contrast of the white cabinets, black backsplash and gold vent hood is pure drama! It encompasses the glamour while still being function by utilizing high-quality appliances durable materials such as quartz and porcelain. 5. It almost looks as if the room was designed around the Waterstone PLP faucet. What drew you to the faucet and this finish in particular? The matte black and brass Waterstone Pulldown faucet perfectly complements the island design, adding an edgy industrial pop to the glamourous quartz countertop. 6. What would you say is the most important aspect of designing a kitchen? It is important to design a kitchen that is functional for the homeowner. This begins by gathering inspiration, listening, and learning about what they love, their lifestyle and how they plan to live / use their home.   We consider: do they like to cook? Entertain? Lifestyle? Professions? Etc. It’s important to understand how their daily routines will be throughout the space. From there, we are able to create the best workflow and begin to make selections for their needs and style. We enjoy creating spaces that look like the client really belongs in them. The end goal is for friends, family, even acquaintances to walk into a client’s space and say “oh! This is so you!”   For our Chanel Chic Kitchen, it was about showing off the client’s personal style by incorporating glitz and glamour with a striking black, white, and gold color palette accented by gold bamboo-look pendants, bold hardware, and decorative brass details on the apron-front sink, Waterstone faucet, and JennAir range.   The hard surfaces were selected to fit the homeowner’s busy lifestyle – as a successful professional with a passion for dogs – each surface is cleanable, puppy-proof, yet luxurious. The star is the Cambria Quartz island top in the Bentley design. It directed every selection and detail of the space. The dynamic black and white veining and waterfall edge is supported by glossy black chevron backsplash, chic black and white cabinetry, and a gold-leafed custom vent hood. Instead of a standard door, a custom designed ‘Greek-key’- inspired swinging door leads into the working pantry. Subtle white shiplap panels line the back of the island for an extra level of durability when sitting at this grand island. 7. It looks like the owners will enjoy this space for years to come. How do you balance creating bold designs with making sure they remain timeless? We balance bold designs with function. This is done by getting to know our client and making sure the selections and designs will not only be

Company News, Media

Fulton PLP Receives 30 Most Innovative Products Award from Beautiful Kitchens & Baths

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Our Fulton Positive Lock Pulldown (PLP) Faucet has won a 30 Most Innovative Products Award. Presented by Beautiful Kitchens & Baths, a Better Homes & Gardens publication, the Fulton PLP was recognized for its craftsmanship and thoughtful design. Featuring Waterstone’s PLP technology, which uses a counterbalanced weight and magnets to allow the faucet sprayer to lock back into place after use, the Fulton PLP flaunts a contemporary U-shaped spout first seen on our original Fulton Faucet. The new Fulton PLP is available in a streamlined Modern style or Industrial style with diamond knurling details for a unique look and feel. Offered in extended, prep or standard sizes and in 32 finishes or split finishes, the faucet’s versatile functionality and customizable features contribute to its appeal. The faucet, along with the full list of winners, can be found here and in the Spring 2022 issue of Beautiful Kitchens & Baths, on sale February 4, 2022.

Designer Showcase

How to Use a PLP Faucet in 2 Dramatically Different Kitchen Designs

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Designer Natalie Erickson from architecture and interiors firm Deep River Partners recently completed two renovation projects in Milwaukee: one a sleek and modern waterfront pied-à-terre, and the other a traditional Gothic Revival. The former, Harbor Front Renovation, is an industrial condo located in Milwaukee’s historic Third Ward, the city’s trendy, revitalized warehouse district, while the Gilded Age Restoration was an 1890s home refresh meant to bring modern functionality while honoring its history. Natalie joined us to discuss her experience designing these kitchens with distinct design (and faucet) needs What did each home look like before the renovations? Harbor Front Renovation: the interiors of this existing condominium were a bit tired, which did not reflect its trendy urban neighborhood. There were shiny maple floors and cherry cabinets that dated the space, and the open concept lacked definition between the kitchen, dining and family room. The existing ceiling was maintained as an element we wanted to play up. Through changing the finishes of the interiors, the wood ceiling became more cohesive with the space and an integral part to reflect the desired industrial design. Gilded Age Restoration: the renovation of this historic home touched all four levels and was inspired by gorgeous artisan details in the original woodwork, leaded glass, and finishes. The kitchen area was original to the house as was the floorplan, which was compartmentalized into an undersized kitchen, pantry, and butler’s pantry. The space was quite dated and lacked the features and functionality of a modern working kitchen. What were the goals in designing each project? Were there specific requests from the homeowners? Harbor Front Renovation: As their pied-à-terre, the homeowners wanted to walk into their renovated condominium and feel they were arriving at a high-end hotel. The design solution balanced the urban setting with the desired modern industrial theme comprised of a refined palette of black, white, and rift cut oak, with metal and concrete industrial accents. The new kitchen design brought better function and balance with the introduction of a strong centerline maintained by the range and sink as focal points. The black cabinets add a modern edge while white oak cabinets provide relief, and white quartz countertops marry the design elements together. Gilded Age Restoration: The homeowners wanted to update their residence to include modern conveniences while honoring the home’s historic character. They requested a larger kitchen with a casual dining space. The design solution combined the original kitchen, pantry and butler’s pantry to deliver a modern open design for the new semi-professional kitchen and built-in banquette for casual dining. The new floorplan improved connections to the entertainment areas of the home and increased lighting to brighten the space. The home welcomed a modern refresh with a transitional aesthetic, while staying true to the integrity of the home’s historic elements. What are the new outstanding features in each kitchen? Harbor Front Renovation: One of the greatest challenges was illuminating the kitchen without penetrating the existing wood ceiling or obstructing the views through the expansive windows. A rectangular LED fixture frames the island from above to define the kitchen and provides the main source of light, with both indirect ambient up lighting, and overall down lighting for cooking. Lighting underneath the upper cabinets and island counter emphasize the strong horizontal lines. The black cabinet selection provides contrast with the accent of white oak cabinetry at the upper cabinets, which really showcases the veining in the quartz countertops. Gilded Age Restoration: Playing on the original woodwork, leaded glass and finishes were inspirations for the more striking details in this refreshed design. Molding profiles and dark floors were continued into the kitchen for contrast with the new light cabinetry and countertops. Lighting elements in the leaded glass upper cabinets and ceiling further brighten the space. For a historic feel, the ceiling was enhanced with coffers and a faux finished wall covering to create the look of pressed tin. Cove lighting highlighted the new detail. A custom hood crafted with rivet details give a historic nod and provides a dramatic visual to the space. Which PLP faucets and finishes were chosen and how do they contribute to each kitchens’ design? Harbor Front Renovation: With the main selections in the kitchen being black, white, or white oak, we decided on the Modern PLP in Chrome to add some jewelry and shine to reflect in the kitchen and provide relief to the design scheme. We chose the faucet design for its clean lines and beautifully simple aesthetic. Gilded Age Restoration: We wanted a traditional faucet that looked like it could have always been with the home. The Antique Brass finish on the Traditional PLP from Waterstone is so beautiful and has just the right level of patina for an authentic look. How do you choose – or recommend your clients to choose – a kitchen faucet? When recommending a kitchen faucet, we typically start by looking for a pull-down faucet for function, especially at a main kitchen sink. To complete this workstation, we prefer a collection with a wide range of accessories and finish selections. The reason we love to source with Waterstone is because of the details in the air switch, filtered water faucets, and soap dispensers. The kitchen sink is a high use area, and these small details really add up to create a beautiful kitchen aesthetic that a client typically experiences multiple times a day. Can you walk us through the process of restoring a historic home like the Gilded Age Restoration? What are the challenges, specifically in a kitchen space? A preservation has more considerations for the exterior of historic structures. With this interior renovation, creating modern updates within the storied walls of this century old home did present its challenges. Our design team focused to honor the original moldings, millwork profiles and detailing of this historic home. The darkly lit home needed brightening, and the existing boxy floorplan was a design for another era. Opening these spaces to reconnect the heart of the home with the

Media

As Seen In: House Beautiful Magazine Kitchen Issue

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See our Fulton PLP Faucet and Industrial Hardware featured as kitchen standouts in the new issue of House Beautiful magazine. The kitchen market story, “Bits and Pieces” shares products that are “sculptural centerpieces” to the kitchen, including the Fulton Industrial PLP in unlacquered polished brass and Industrial Kitchen Handle Pulls in satin brass. Both products are made with the highest quality materials and American craftsmanship. The Fulton PLP offers professional functionality in a sophisticated design, with 360 degree swivel and 32 finish options. The Industrial Hardware’s diamond knurling and tactile design delivers on utilitarian form and function.   See Waterstone in House Beautiful Online here: Faucet Story  |  Hardware Story  

Designer Showcase

Joan Behnke’s Historically Modern Renovation Details in Venice, California

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Los Angeles based interior designer Joan Behnke has been known to adorn the interiors of celebrities and luxury clients, claiming recognition in the interior design industry since she founded her company Joan Behnke & Associates in 1998. One of her most recent projects involved a 1907 Japanese Craftsman-style bungalow in Venice Beach, CA, which was uprooted and relocated to an adjacent lot for a two-story addition. Waterstone Faucets was one of the brands that rounded out a modern renovation on a historic location. Joan and her firm work in tandem with the architects, Ambramson Architects, and developer of the home, M.E Development, who all three together make the team at Modern Venice Homes. They are currently working on three properties: this bungalow (the “Historic Modern”), a family home (the “Scandifornian Modern”), and a farmhouse-style home (the “Farmhouse Modern”). All of these are located in Venice Beach, upholding the integrity of the neighborhood’s character while offering a new take on their classic beach feels. “The Venice walk streets have a personality of their own,” said Joan. “This particular house was a Craftsman style house that was governed by the historic review. The original façade was complemented with a contemporary addition. Our aesthetic was in marrying the two, so we designed the interiors with modernized and updated traditional details.” The kitchen design in this house carries a contemporary feel with natural light that augments the home’s classic features. An open layout promotes the sharing of conversation and the relaxed living, all while housing many premier fixtures and appliances. “The kitchen has an ease of lifestyle, cooking and dining all while sharing conversation,” she said. Joan’s decision to use Waterstone Faucets stemmed from her appreciation for the importance of faucets, as they are something you touch and use every day. “You want something reliable and made with great quality,” she emphasizes. The Endeavor Wheel Pulldown faucet is right at home in the gourmet kitchen, surrounded by state-of-the-art appliances and even an indoor herbal garden, the “perfect detail for the Southern California healthy lifestyle,” as Joan called it.

Waterstone industrial wall mounted potfiller
Company News, Product

How To Add Industrial Refinement To A Kitchen with Our New Accessories

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Solid metal craftsmanship, minimalistic forms and intricate detailing are just a few of the appeals within industrial design, a trend that has taken to modern residential spaces. Our diamond-cut industrial knurling was first introduced with our Industrial PLP and most recently in our new Fulton PLP on the faucet’s spout and handle, subtly bringing to the design a beautiful tactile pattern. If you’re drawn to this style and want to incorporate it in your home beyond the kitchen faucet, consider these accessories made from solid brass or stainless steel for a coordinated industrial look: Industrial Pot FillerA new wall mounted potfiller designed with subtle diamond knurling for a modern edge. The innovative 22″ articulated swing spout can reach pots on both front and rear burners, then neatly tucks out of the way. Industrial 3 Spoke Cabinet KnobA new 3 spoke knob design with diamond knurled details. Industrial Handle PullsA textural handle pull available in 5″, 6″, 8″ or 12″ sizes to fit any drawer or cabinet door. Industrial Kitchen Appliance PullsOffered in 12″ or 18″, these pulls are ideal for a modern look on a refrigerator or dishwasher.

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