plumbing fixture envy

After reading this post, you will officially know that I am a design geek. I am now going to admit that walking into a bathroom or kitchen and seeing beautiful plumbing fixtures makes my heart beat just a little faster and puts a smile on my face. 

Michael Smith designs some of the most elegant plumbing fixtures I have ever seen.

His Country Collection  has a lovely traditional feel. The curved handles are wonderfully detailed.

I found this image of the Michael Smith Country faucet paired with his Country Console on the Ann Sacks website.

Michael Smith's Town series feels a bit modern, yet  it is perfectly suited for a more traditional bathroom.

I loved the way it looked in this bathroom that Steve and I designed.

The bath tub faucet is my favorite piece in this collection.

The Perrin & Rowe line from Rohl is also a favorite of mine. 

Their Traditional Country spout faucet is a little heavy for me, but I think their Low Level spout is quite pretty.

Steve used this same faucet with cross handles in a powder blue bathroom with Carrera marble.

They also make a beautiful tub filler.

Perrin & Rowe also make one of the best looking kitchen bridge faucets.

Here is the same faucet in brushed nickel finish (paired with a stainless steel farmhouse sink)  in a kitchen that Steve designed. 

I love how that same faucet in brushed Nickel looks underneath these industrial pendant lights in the same finish. 

If you like the look of the bridge faucet, Barber Wilson in the UK makes a gorgeous one as well as a regular three whole kitchen faucet. We used both in this kitchen.

 

When Steve and I re-modeled our bathroom, I knew that I would use the Waterworks Julia line. I am fortunate to work with Vicki at the Waterworks showroom in Santa Monica. 

Because we were using a very narrow antique cabinet for our sink base, I chose the Julia wall mount faucet.

I know I have posted this image before, but I really think the faucet  with lever handles looks great with my sink.

The Julia tub filler is also stunning.

We used the Waterworks Amelie collection in this French bathroom.

Here is a close up image of the faucet from the Waterworks website.

The Amelie shower set is a work of art. Look at that gorgeous back plate on the thermostatic valve.

For a more traditional bathroom, I like the Waterworks Etoile series. We are using it in a home

that is almost complete (photos coming in soon). Here is an image of the faucet from the Waterworks website.

Newport Brass makes some beautiful plumbing fixtures for reasonable prices.

Their 920 Series has very elegant lines and looks so pretty in this bathroom with the Mission Tile West Revival series tile and a Carrera slab counter top.

The 920 also has very lovely tub fittings as well.

We used the 930 Series in our bathroom in Santa Monica.

The 920 also has beautiful tub fittings that Steve used in this bathroom.

The 943 Series worked wonderfully in our kitchen.

For a more industrial look, I like the Dornbracht Tara Classic that Steve used in this kitchen.

xo

Brooke

Comments

[Kathleen Ellis]

Those are some pretty handsome fixtures! The baths and kitchens are lovely! I, too, love to make the details something special!
Have a great week!

[megan robinson]

I was thinking of using an antique wooden console table as a vanity in our master bath but my husband is worried about how the wood will hold up in the bathroom environment. How has yours faired so far? Thanks in advance and thanks for all of the inspiring posts!!

[Brooke Giannetti]

Hi Megan.

I probably wouldn't do a wood top in a child's bath, where water is likely to sit without being cleaned up,
but I think in a powder room or master bathroom, a wood counter top works perfectly fine.
I had my cabinet guy seal the top of the cabinet with a matte water resistant finish.
I do make sure to wipe down the counter top when I am finished using the sink, and
the counter top has held up beautifully.

xo
Brooke

[Linda@Lime in the Coconut]

I don't think I have really seen such an assortment of beautiful fixtures in one place. Love the Bridge faucets...but my fave, still, are the industrial.

Thos industrial pendants in that one picture are sooo great. Have any idea where they are from?

[Brooke Giannetti]

Hi Linda.

Yes, the industrial faucet is really cool.
The pendants are from Visual Comfort and are sold through
Circa Lighting. Here's the link to their site.
Circa Lighting | simply brilliant
and the link to their large country industrial pendant.
Ceiling Lights > LARGE COUNTRY INDUSTRIAL PENDANT

xo
Brooke

[Diana]

Brooke, if you're a design geek for loving faucets, then so are the rest of us! Fabulous post!

[Isa]

I have plumbing fixture, full kitchen and bath envy! I love your antique cabinet and your tub!! The kitchen Steve did is so light and bright and beautiful. I love the industrial pendants, and I really want the Dornbracht Tara Classic or something similar in Museville's kitchen!
xo Isa

[Jackie]

I have that Perrin and Rowe bridge faucet in brushed nickel in my kitchen (with a stainless sink and soapstone counter) and I LOVE it! After I saw it, there no other faucet for me - it's like its own piece of art there at the sink!

[Brooke Giannetti]

Hi Diana.

It is always nice to meet another design obsessed person.
Thank you for stopping by!

xo
Brooke

[Brooke Giannetti]

Hi Jackie.

I have the same bridge faucet in brushed nickel with a stainless sink in
my home in Channel Islands Harbor. I agree, it is a piece of art and makes
dish cleaning much more bearable.

xo
Brooke

[teresa]

Oh Brooke, you saved the day, I had been looking all over for some fresh ideas- We have a couple of fixtures that need replacing.... now I know where to look.
Thanks bunches!
Happy Day

[Tracy]

Can I be a member of your "design geek" club? Outside of this business, most people just don't get how anyone can spend so much time looking for the right plumbing fixture -- or lamp, or rug, or mirror, or window hadware, and the list goes on and on. I've been made to feel like a geek on many occasions when I've found myself talking to the "wrong" person about my design process! Thanks for the beautiful images and inspiration.

[Cathleen farrell]

Hi Brooke,
Stunning! I'm a Design Geek Too.... Honestly the little details are Everything, I love selecting cabinets, plumbing fixtures, flooring, lighting, etc. and I see you do too.
The detail's in your photo's are beyond Fabulous!!! The Michael Smith's Town series, with the carrera marble, lighting fixtures, and Bath tub, I die!!!

xoxo,
Cathleen

[Luphia]

wow, i never knew there are so many choices! thanks for opening up my eyes & mind! no matter how many times i look at picture of your home, they still never fail to wow me, so beautiful! that black bath tub is pretty stunning too! x

[renee finberg]

i like the one you used in the master, or the one you said looked a little contemporary.
i remember that faucet being all over nyc ( in the better ) pre-war buildings.
you would find that faucet on a pedestal sink as shown in your post.
i always associated that look with classic 40's style.
and i do mean style.

and that shell pink tile is so special.

great work gal !!

[Joni Webb]

I could cry. All together in one place, it's almost too beautiful to take.

[callie grayson]

love that kitchen sink and faucet in the last photo!
I too am a lover of the Julia!
lovely post as always!
xx

[Brooke Giannetti]

Hi Renee.

I love that pink tile too. The Waterworks Architectonics tile line has the a wonderful selection of trim pieces. You can actually use the tile as if it was paneling. Steve detailed the pink shower so beautifully.

xo
Brooke

[Things That Inspire]

Wonderful post! I love that Michael Smith bathroom faucet. Sometimes bathroom faucets have such a phallic shape, and this one does not. Have I just stepped over the line for comments on a design blog????

I have seen quite a few of those kitchen bridge faucets in recent pictures of home remodels. On another blog, someone pointed out that it would be a pain to have a separate handle for hot and cold in your kitchen. What has your experience been? My current kitchen has a one handle where you swivel it left for hot, right for cold. This is what I am used to.

[Brooke Giannetti]

Hi Sarah (Things that Inspire).

Your comment about the shape of most bathroom spouts is something I notice quite often. Although I have nothing against that shape, it is not good faucet design, in my opinion.
Please don't take this personally, but I am just not a big fan of single handle kitchen faucets. They almost always look too clunky to me and don't have the more elegant lines of double handle faucets. I don't really find my double handle to be more difficult to use than the single. I usually turn on the hot and add a little cold.
Although I should mention that I'm not much of a cook. Maybe the double handle would bug me if I actually used it more often!

xo
Brooke

[Lori Partridge]

Brooke; beautiful post as always...plumbing fixtures are definitely like jewelry. Interesting note, I had to share; I read your post while listening to Eva Cassidy (don't know if you have ever heard of her music) anyway, so amazing listening to her beautiful voice and scrolling through your photos, quite inspiring. So much so that I went back to look over all your photos while listening. It's a beautiful match! Thanks again for your inspiration.

[Brooke Giannetti]

Wow. that's quite a compliment, Lori.
I'm so glad you are enjoying my blog.

xo
b

[for the love of a house]

Love this post Brooke! I'm sure you are already familiar with this, but it was news to me- I love Perrin & Rowe's bridge faucet with the curved deck unions or 'goose legs'! but you can't used the curved legs AND have a sprayer. I've been weighing the choice for a couple of weeks now and think I have to go with the legs and forego a sprayer! Sink is Shaw's 36" Original. Do you think I will regret it?!
I request a post on "shower tile patterns!" I am at a total loss. Plan at present is to use hexagon carrera on the floor, but the shower makes my head spin!!
joan

[Melissa Lewis - Off The Wall]

Brooke,

This is my first visit to your blog. I found you via Urban Grace. I love your collection here, such beautiful ideas and gorgeous photos. I must say, I love your bathroom. So chic and still so warm and inviting.

I will definitely be frequenting your blog for more design and creative inspiration!

[Lauren]

The faucets are great but your rooms are just so beautiful!!! You're amazing.

ps- I am a deisgn geek too... sometimes I have to keep myself in check when talking with "normal" people.. haha

[julia]

stunning photos as usual. you don't disappoint! and now i'll feel a little less geeky when i try to explain to people how i envisioned our restoration hardware "dylan" fixtures in our master bath picking up the lines of our guinevere toilet! (oh my... maybe i should keep such design ideas to myself) thanks for another inspiring read. also i gave you a nod on my blog today-- thanks for your kindness and your comments, nevermind the daily eye candy! i'm very happy to have 'met' you. xo j.

[Jeanne]

That tub is amazing!!!! I loved all these pictures and now feel the need to redecorate:-)

[Brooke Giannetti]

Hi Joan.

Does the Lefroy Brooks bridge faucet have the same issue?
They are another of my favorites. You might want to check it out.
Although I did the Perrin & Rowe with the the straight legs and the
hand spray. With a large sink I think it is best to have the hand spray.

The Shaw sink is a classic. You'll love it.

Lastly, I will talk to Steve about doing a post about tile patterns.
That is his realm, and I have asked him to start doing some posts
during the week. Stay tuned....

xo
Brooke

[Brooke Giannetti]

Hi Julia.

I should have mentioned Restoration Hardware, although I do think that Newport Brass makes most of their fixtures. Great choice.

xo
Brooke

[karlene]

your french bathroom, although not my taste, is stunning. the mirror, on the mirror, is beautiful. I love that. (or at least that is what I think it is) and then the kitchen Steve designed is also gorgeous. You guys do awesome work!

[Brooke Giannetti]

Hi Lauren.

Great to hear from you.
Thank you for your lovely compliments.
We're trying!!!

xo

Brooke
the other design geek

[Brooke Giannetti]

Hi Karlene.

I thought your comment was very important.
As a designer, I am asked to design projects in many different styles.
My job is to design a beautiful home that reflects my client's taste, even if it isn't quite my style.
It is incredibly challenging, and I'm thrilled to know that you think the bathroom is beautiful even though it isn't your style.

xo
Brooke

[How to fix a leaking toilet]

I love reading your blog and seeing the new posts.

[Plumbing expert]

The faucets are great but your rooms are just so beautiful!!! You're amazing.

[Catherine]

I LOVE this post Brooke! You are a woman after my own heart - these fixtures are things of beauty.

[Marley & Lockyer]

Brooke,
I love that you haven't included those mixer taps. You know the one that moves all over the show, like in restrooms! Give me the bridge taps for the Kitchen anyday. I love your choice of taps with the straight handle. We have that in our Kitchen. Question though..ours keeps moving from its original spot. Might have to change the washers...MIC!!!
Ness xx

[{this is glamorous}]

What a gorgeous collection of fixtures! Loved the first bathroom you designed with the marble counter and backsplash -- stunning! Also love the kitchen Steve designed.

Hope you had a lovely weekend,
xo

[Fabulous Finishes]

Brooke,
I love your blog, it provides so much eye candy!

I really like the bathroom that you and Steve designed - how the subway style carrera marble tile runs up the wall to the fixtures. The french bathroom is so chic!

I find the rooms that have the most effect on me are ones that have paid attention to the details like plumbing fixtures, lighting and hardware.

[puck]

The industrial pendant lights are amazing!!! I want those in my kitchen so badly!!! Gorgeous!!

[Raquel Raney]

that first bathtub!