Kitchen faucets: What’s on tap?

Dyann Espinosa
Special to FineLife Home
Photos submitted

Kitchen faucets, like many utilitarian products in homes, have traditionally been pedestrian in design and function. But today, kitchens are being celebrated as the center of social activity and, as a result, manufacturers are creating stylish and ergonomically appropriate hardware. The adage “form follows function” is being expressed in new and useful designs that also address the public’s interest in environmental issues.
For homeowners in the market for new kitchen hardware, experts advise visiting a showroom or home improvement store to try out the faucet and get the feel of the size and action of the various handles and to look at the finishes. Most homeowners want durability but may not know what to look for in evaluating a new faucet. A good fixture should use the best materials even in the details, such as using ceramic disc valves rather than plastic to control water flow, and a heavy-duty woven sprayer hose instead of vinyl. A cheap faucet is a false economy, necessitating repairs or replacement more frequently, whereas higher-quality products normally carry a lifetime warranty.

One-hand wonder
The Ashfield Pull Down faucet
Price Pfister is a recognized name, even if spelling it is problematic for most of us. This “swan neck” faucet with a pump-handle design is an example of ease of use, featuring one-hand operation. The height of the faucet allows large pots and dishes to fit under it, and it has a pull-down spray handle attached. Matching soap dispenser is included. Available in satin nickel stainless steel and oil-rubbed bronze.
Price: $245.00
Friedman’s Home Improvement
1360 Broadway
707.939.8811

Simplicity and style
Cifial Techno Wall Mount faucet
Cifial, a Portugese firm founded in 1903, produces fine kitchen faucets and accessories for the home. The products combine Old World craftsmanship with creative modern technology. The wall mount kitchen faucets are mounted to the wall or back splash behind a kitchen sink and are ideal for areas with limited counter space. Price: $416.91
www.fixtureuniverse.com

Shift into high gear
De Dion Single Lever faucet
Jean Herbeau designed this faucet in remembrance of his grandfather, Desire, and his prized 1904 De Dion-Bouton automobile. The gearshift-inspired handle and rustic design calls to mind the antique water pumps seen along the back roads of the French countryside.
Wooden handles and weathered copper.
Five-year warranty. Price: $1,936.00
www.herbeau.com

A cool breeze
Brizo Providence Contemporary faucet
Brizo is a new premium faucet brand with roots in the fashion and design industries. The products are intended to create a fashion statement in the home. This single-handle kitchen faucet has a clean, simple look, designed to match the minimalist modern kitchen.
Matching soap dispenser and vegetable sprayer for a coordinated look.
Warranty on parts and finish as long as original purchaser owns the house. Price: $518.00
www.brizo.com

Wash up like Emeril Grohe Single-Spray Pull-Out faucet
Made for the professional-grade kitchen, Grohe products appeal to people who are serious about cooking and want a beautiful, functional kitchen. Each faucet features a solid brass body and the Grohe SilkMove® technology for smooth, precise action. The finish is a durable, non-corrosive surface that is easy to clean and which retains its original luster for decades.
Grohe guarantees that all products and components are tested for life. Price: $345.95 - $556.22
www.irawoods.com