Emily Faber

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After the annual Kitchen and Bath Industry Show (K/BIS), a tidal wave of new-product press kits fills our editorial mailboxes. This year, I was ahead of the game, however, having attended the show myself. I saw appliances and fixtures that would fit in the most modern of homes, as well as all a historic home would need. Storage for both the kitchen and bath has become more user-friendly, incorporating tailor-made spaces for appliances and make-up. State-of-the-art cooktops and refrigeration are truly high-tech, and the low-tech richness of natural stone used in tubs and sinks is unsurpassed.

Viking French-door, bottom-mount Professional Series refrigerator/freezer, (888) 845-4641, vikingrange.com.	Venicia by KraftMaid Lustra Collection Tivoli-style doors in graphite gloss finish, and KraftMaid New Harmony Contempo Base Mixer Shelf and Venicia by KraftMaid cabinets, (888) 562-7744, kraftmaid.com.

Among the many innovations for the kitchen this year, induction cooking is at the forefront. Powered by electricity, induction allows heat to be transferred magnetically to the pot or pan; the vessel becomes the heat source rather than a traditional burner. This means the cooking surface stays cool to the touch. Induction also means quicker and more responsive heat, whether heating up or cooling down, and is a more efficient way of cooking. Right: Electrolux Induction Drop-in Cooktop, (877) 435-3287, electroluxusa.com.

Bathroom fittings and finishes
Wall-mounted vanities, as well as wall-mounted faucets paired with stone or glass vessels, remain as popular as they have been in the past years. Faucets and their fittings allow for lots of creativity and personal express. And the shower is another place of advanced technology. Gone are the days when choices in the shower meant selecting hot or cold. Today there are jets, nozzles, levers and knobs to consider, all of which make showering a more lavish, luxurious and personal experience.

Stone Forest Urban Vessel sink in multi-color onyx, (888) 682-2987, stoneforest.com.	Stone Forest Old World bathtub in Carrera marble, (888) 682-2987, stoneforest.com.
Sonia Nouveau Collection vanity in zebra wood, (888) SONIA-US, sonia-sa.com	Kohler’s Escale 24-inch wenge make-up vanity with magnifying and regular mirror, and slow-close drawer, (800) 456-4537, kohler.com.