Market Watch

Sinks

Sinks were once strictly utilitarian; you never really thought twice about what you specified in a project. Nowadays, kitchen and bathroom sinks are style icons—they can make or break a design. Here are some new products that range from traditional to contemporary.

A collaborator of Dale Chihuly's, artist Bryan Rubino produces hand-blown glass vessel sinks that feature unique swirling patterns and slight variations in size. The size is approximately 16 to 17 inches in diameter, and six to seven inches deep. Available through Decorative Materials, Basalt, CO; (970) 927-0700 or www.decorativematerials.com.

Texas glass artist Melissa Paxton of Coyote Glass Design has been creating glass art for more than 25 years, utilizing kiln-forming, sand-carving, painting, laminating and metal-inlay techniques for sculptures, architectural installations and home products, such as the integral glass sink and countertop shown here. All her works vary slightly in color and dimension, and are available in numerous forms. Available through DSKB Plumbing & Tile, Denver, CO, (303) 744-9189 or www.coyoteglass.com.

Kallista's Janeway console table is the perfectly sized basin for smaller bathrooms, such as powder rooms. Originally designed for New York's Plaza Hotel, the console table features classically styled vitreous legs, which first appeared in plumbing products more than 100 years ago. Featuring an integrated backsplash, Janeway measures 26 inches wide and 21 inches deep, and comes in a stucco white color. www.kallista.com.

Linkasink's new Smithsonian Collection of sinks is inspired by the art and artifacts of the Smithsonian Institution. The Faience sink, based on an 1878 Italian vase found at the National Museum of American History, is a hand-carved and vibrantly hand-painted porcelain vessel, sized approximately 17 by seven inches. Phoenix, AZ; (866) 395-8377 or www.linkasink.com.

World Wide Stone Corporation offers a line of bathroom and kitchen sinks crafted from Durango Stone, travertine quarried in Durango, Mexico. The line, available in a variety of colors, shapes and sizes, is available as drop-in, undermounted or vessel sinks, shown here. Scottsdale, AZ; (602) 438-1001 or www.durangostone.com.

Concrete Habitat's sinks come in 48 colors and a variety of sizes and shapes, including the rectangular slant sink shown here. The concrete is made with 25 percent recycled content, and sinks are sealed with a state-of-the-art matte-finish sealant that protects against stains and doesn't require waxing or oiling. Denver, CO; (720) 374-2101 or www.concretehabitat.com.