The 2005 Kitchen/Bath Industry Show also focused on customization, ease of installation and improved performance.

Products that reflected an Americanized version of the minimalist trend so prevalent in Europe, as well as high-performance toilets, adjustable potfiller kitchen faucets, maximum-capacity sinks, water filtration devices and sanitized surfaces were among those unveiled at the 2005 Kitchen/Bath Industry Show held in Las Vegas in May.

In addition to offering simplified, clean-looking designs on the fixtures, manufacturers presented built-in organizing solutions to reduce clutter in the kitchen and bath.

In terms of finishes, there was a lot of nickel - brushed, polished, satin, even hammered nickel - on faucets, tub fillers and showerheads at the show. Other favored finishes mentioned by manufacturers included matte black, oil-rubbed bronze, brushed chrome, aged pewter, polished chrome, brushed bronze, and brass.

There was talk of bringing more color into the kitchen via colored composite sinks or colored countertops. Coordination remains important. Some homeowners want the sink strainer to match the color of the sink.

Stainless steel and wood continue to invade the bathroom. Stainless steel was wrapped around the base of a toilet and around the base of a whirlpool tub. Other bath fixtures featured wood trim.

Listed below are some of the products that were on display at the show. More will be included in future issues.

Elkay

The Avado™ undermount kitchen sinks feature square and rectangular bowls with 90-degree “zero radius” for more depth and maximum efficiency. They are offered in single-, double- and triple-bowl designs and one includes a beveled drainboard that can be moved to left or right.

Eljer

The new Titan™ toilet features a unique design to ensure total bowl evacuation in one flush. It has an advanced flushing system, a stream- lined trapway and dual jets inside the walls of the bowl.

Jaclo Industries

The company displayed showerheads, hand showers, shower products and slide rails. Its nebulizing showerheads offer a fine mist spray in addition to regular flow and massage flow. Shown here is a nebulizing hand shower in satin nickel.

Kohler

New WaterTile™ bodysprays can be installed on the wall, ceiling or at an angle at the intersection of wall and ceiling. Nearly flush to the wall but adjustable to target specific areas, WaterTiles eliminate the protrusion of typical bodysprays. The Vibrant® hammered nickel finish shown on the lavatory faucet looks like a hand-hammered surface. Its texture hides water spots and it is both durable and easy to clean. The rustic finish complements natural stone, ceramic tile and wood.

Moen

The Organic™ powder room collection features simple, flowing forms and foliage details. The widespread faucet, in brushed nickel finish, has a high arc asymmetrical spout accented by a central lift rod in the form of a flower petal. The faucet handles include foliage details and curved levers.

Decolav

The Translucence™ collection of frosted glass vessels for the bathroom offers a variety of colors and shapes. The frosted colors available include violet, amber, copper, blue, crystal, cobalt, white, green, metallic gold and metallic silver.

Danze

The Opulence pot filler features an articulated spout that extends up to 22 inches from the wall, and folds neatly to the wall when not in use. It has two control valves: a shut-off valve at the wall and a control valve at the spout so the user does not have to reach over a hot stove to turn the water on or off. The pot filler is offered in six finishes, including oil-rubbed bronze, antique copper and satin black.

TOTO

The Lloyd airbath is designed with clean and simple lines in response to the modern minimalist trend, accented with warm wood. In addition to its 16 air jets for stress relief, the 22-inch deep tub offers chromatherapy with colored light displays.

Alsons

The new Victorian hand shower series features a variety of showerhead and hand shower options. The showerhead, hand shower and the wall bar unit that can partner with the hand shower are all available in six finishes, including both polished and satin nickel and oil-rubbed bronze.

Gerber

The new PeeWee Collection includes a child-size toilet with a seat height of just 10-1/8 inches, and two lavatory options. Because it fits in a standard 10-inch rough-in, the toilet can easily be removed and replaced with a standard version when the child matures.

BLANCO

The ALTA kitchen faucet features a sleek, cylindrical lever handle and streamlined spout design for a clean, minimalist look. It has a coordinating solid brass side spray. The faucet shown here is in satin nickel finish.