At the 15th Annual DPHA Conference and Product Showcase, held at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center in Nashville, TN in late October, the Decorative Plumbing & Hardware Association tapped a number of products with Product of the Year honors. The awards were based on a product’s uniqueness, design, functionality, innovation and technological superiority. The DPHA Plumbing Products of the Year were named in five separate categories: Plumbing Fixture, Water Delivery, Furniture, Hardware and Accessory.
First Place award recipients, as well as Honorable Mentions, were chosen by an independent panel of judges from the industry, and included: Veronika Miller, founder and CEO of Modenus.com; Mary Jo Peterson, Mary Jo Peterson Design; Eliot Sefrin, founding director and publisher emeritus of Kitchen & Bath Design News; Stacy Schoemaker Rauen, senior managing editor of Hospitality Design News; and Tony Vecchiarelli, owner of Tony V Plumbing in Arvada, CO.
The DPHA judges honored the following products:
Plumbing Fixture
FIRST PLACE: 2step Basin
Designed by Sieger Design, the 2step basin from Alape features a basin design that is split into two levels, where the main bowl is separated from the raised tap area that acts as a shelf for accessories and toiletries that get wet during use. The basin is fashioned from glass steel, which allows for the sharp angles, thin edges and precise geometric shapes of the contemporary design. The 2step is also available in a protruding installation, where the rim of the basin peeks over the countertop.
HONORABLE MENTION: Harbor Washbasin
Showcasing a curved front and classic, elegant details, Stone Forest’s CP-20 Harbor Washbasin is fashioned from blocks of marble, available in both Carrara Marble and Luna Bianca Oro Marble. The basin measures 5″Hx24″Wx20″D and fits neatly on the company’s Harbor Washbasin Stand, which includes a glass shelf for storage.
HONORABLE MENTION: Chef Center
Designed to enhance entertaining and function, Franke’s Chef Center sink features two anti-microbial compartments and a removable storage bin for collecting food scraps, chilling wine or storing kitchen tools. An array of custom accessories are also available, including Franke’s Roller Mat.
Water Delivery
FIRST PLACE: ShowerSelect SoftCube Thermostatic Trim
Axor’s ShowerSelect SoftCube Thermostatic Trim from Hansgrohe includes thermostats that are equipped with sleek, black select buttons with white symbols that make it easy to understand at a glance how to control the shower at the touch of a button. The controls are used to turn on/off the different shower functions, such as the handshower or overhead shower. The Select feature is mechanical, not electrical, and the trim is solid brass.
HONORABLE MENTION: Artona Kitchen Faucet
Blanco’s Artona kitchen faucet showcases dual finishes in coordination with the company’s Silgranit sink colors. Complete with soft, rounded curves and edges, Artona is available in six colors paired with stainless finish and chrome. A semi-hidden, pull-down dual spray head is featured, along with a standard 2.2 or 1.5 GPM flow rate.
HONORABLE MENTION: Shadowbrook 3D Printed Faucet
DXV’s Shadowbrook 3D Printed Faucets from American Standard are the first available residential faucets created with additive manufacturing, better known as 3D printing. Design craftsmanship and details offer a luxury faucet experience and collection in Butler finish. The water delivery emulates a natural river flow with several paths converging.
Accessory
FIRST PLACE: Linear Steamhead
Distinguished by its minimalistic, unobtrusive appearance, Mr.Steam’s Linear Steamhead delivers an even distribution of steam in an undulating ribbon replicating a reverse waterfall effect. Unlike conventional steam heads that protrude and deliver steam from a single exit point, the integrated unit is set flush to the wall. The broad, flat opening provides gentle, even distribution at a much lower velocity and lower noise level than traditional steam heads, the company notes.
HONORABLE MENTION: Contemporary Bath Rack
The contemporary bath rack from Dezi Home includes a holder for iPads and rubber nonslip surface handles to combat wet conditions. The piece features a wide adjustability range of 27-1/2″ to 37-1/2″. Constructed of solid brass, the rack is available in polished chrome, polished nickel and satin nickel finishes.
HONORABLE MENTION: ThermaTouch 7″ Touch-screen Controller
ThermaSol’s ThermaTouch in-shower 7″ LCD touch-screen controller allows the user to personalize the home spa environment, including steam duration, temperature and the visual experience of the Serenity Light Sound Rain Head. The ceiling-mounted system utilizes LEDs for Mood Lighting mode.
Furniture
F
IRST PLACE: The Galley Dresser
Furniture for the kitchen is reflected in The Galley Dresser, a distinctive, handcrafted piece created by Chicago-based designer Doug Durbin to work in harmony with The Galley Workstations. The Galley Dresser is available in four sizes to accommodate the range of workstations, in 13 hand-selected, high-gloss finishes and nine custom hardware finish options. A range of unique and custom details give the piece its signature style, which works in traditional, transitional, modern and contemporary spaces.
HONORABLE MENTION: SoHo Vanity
SoHo is one of the vanity collections from Madeli USA’s new line of luxury bathroom furniture. Upscale features such as European-designed handles and self-closing Blum brand hardware are standard. A variety of handle and feet options, along with a range of exotic colors, allows for customization of the floor-standing and wall-mounted pieces.
HONORABLE MENTION: Pebble Collection
Part of the Signature Series of bath furniture,
Ronbow offers the Pebble Collection by French designer Ora Ito. Reflecting Ito’s idea of Simplexity
– art to give an object with complex functions a visible simplicity – Pebble includes an organic and seamless glossy white vanity with LED mirror and solid surface sinktop, as well as wall cabinets.
HONORABLE MENTION: Evolve Vanity
Sonia’s designers have created a furniture program with pieces that complement each other, providing a comprehensive solution with personal character. Homeowners can choose between a variety of basins; a range of drawers, doors and shelves, and the addition of color, as well as legs or gold handles with Swarovski amber stone.
Hardware
FIRST PLACE: Triangular Door Pull
Developed as part of a custom series of hardware for a luxury building in New York, the DP14OZ Triangular Door Pull from Hamilton Sinkler is faceted in such a way that it evokes the geometry of precious stones. Designed for door pairs, when installed, the two halves form a whole with a gem-like geometry, notes the firm. When the doors are opened, the look is an entirely distinct form, the company adds.
HONORABLE MENTION: Wave Knob
The design of Du Verre Hardware’s
Wave knobs and pulls is inspired by
sea vistas and the horizon lines of the ocean.
Fashioned from eco-friendly recycled aluminum, the hardware is offered in two knobs and four pulls in Satin Nickel, Antique Brass and Oil-Rubbed Bronze.
HONORABLE MENTION: Dresser Hardware
Every detail of the hardware featured on The Galley Dresser, created by Chicago-based designer Doug Durbin, is proportional and intentional, notes the company, and each piece is machined, sanded and handcrafted. The hardware is available in four signature finishes.