I’m a big believer in the details and how they can really make or break a space. Too often plumbing fixtures and accessories become an afterthought, using whatever is left of the budget for last minute purchases. Here’s the thing though – plumbing fixtures can really bring a space to life, adding so much character and interest, that they should be an important consideration right from the get go!
Take the initial concepts for the Lady Laurier for instance…the fixtures are right there alongside all the other design decisions! Now, before I get into our finished space and my absolute favourite line, I thought I’d tackle some common questions around choosing the right fixtures for your reno:
What to consider before purchasing a plumbing fixture (in either the kitchen or bathroom):
- What is my overall style and aesthetic? (do I want modern, transitional, traditional??)
- What finish will work in my design? Am I mixing metals appropriately?
- What type of fixture do I want? (Pull down, touch, single handle, two handle)
- Where will the fixture be located? (wall mount, on a vessel sink, directly on the countertop)
- What type of sink am I installing and what are the measurements of that sink (perhaps you’ll need a higher arc lavatory faucet to fit with a higher vessel sink or if you have an under mount, something shorter. You also want to consider splashing and how the height and angle affect the water distribution)
- Who is using the space and the fixtures? (touch options are especially great for kids or someone who cooks a lot…consider temperature settings for children as well)
When it comes to certain brands, we all have favourites but I know I always gravitate to Delta for a number of reasons. Delta has great variety, the right price point for a lot of my projects and, of course, beautiful quality. I’ve never been disappointed with a Delta product and so it’s easy to keep coming back to them time and time again. Plus, they have my favourite line – the Trinsic Collection – which just seems to work in any space (I installed the Champagne bronze bathroom faucet in my ORC bathroom remodel last year!). You can’t beat a faucet that keeps it simple with lovely lines and a modern aesthetic…it strikes the right balance every time!
In our Lady Laurier project, we used Delta every chance we got! In the kitchen, I wanted a fixture that was sleek and gave off a bit of an industrial vibe. So I went with the Trinsic Pro line and picked up this single handle pull down option in the Black Stainless (!!!). I’d never seen this particular finish in person before and I have to tell you…I. Was. Impressed! It is subtle and yet so dramatic at the same time. The perfect choice to anchor this massive kitchen window!
On the island, I wanted to keep it very clean and minimal so I did a classic bar faucet in stainless steel to let the kitchen sink be the focal point and really shine.
In the bathrooms, it was a no brainer. Since I wanted to mix matte black and chrome throughout the house, Delta was the perfect choice because they offer multiple finishes in each line and we all know that the matte black is beautiful. I installed a different, quite inexpensive (dare I say cheap) “black” faucet in a client’s bathroom once and it didn’t take long for the finish to start to scratch. I didn’t want that in my lovely Lady!!
We even did all of the bathroom accessories in the Trinsic line to keep it cohesive. I honestly love the towel bars, tissue holders and robe hooks because they are so classic! This might be something to consider when shopping for your renovation. My tip would be to stay in the same collection for both your fixture and the additional accessories but then just mix up the metals. Takes a lot of the design pressure off your shoulders! 