I guess this does away with the old ‘tie a rubber band around the sink sprayer and watch as someone get sprayed when turning on the faucet’ trick. Well, I guess Kohler’s new Karbon does more than that.  Much more, actually.  The contort-able faucet brings a new level of functionality to the kitchen sink with the ability to extend in length and into different angles.  The unique design and 13-inch reach allows you to work from deep within the sink to the top of the counter with ease.  In addition to its pliability, the Karbon faucet is constructed of carbon (logically) fiber material to enhance strength and also features a variety of spray options, effectively destroying the old rubberband-the-sprayer prank.  The things we sacrifice for form and function…but in this case I think it’s worth it.

At its two locations in San Francisco and Los Angeles, Beckmann MooreYaki Studio displays the ultimate artistic expressions in lighting, textiles, upholstery, artwork, rugs and accessories.  Their top of the line items can be customized to meet any specific needs for the luxury homeowner looking to upgrade their spacious interiors.  Almost as impressive as their artistic creations is the studio’s list of clients which stretches around the globe and includes the Ritz Carlton in Beijing, Four Seasons in Costa Rica, Auberge du Soleil in Napa, and several of the top luxury resorts on the Las Vegas Strip.

One manufacturer that certainly caught my eye was Barbara Beckmann Designs.  Their textiles are a mixture of creative ingenuity and luxurious materials; and their system for hand-painting fabric has been developed over two decades, allowing for unusually beautiful results in coloring.  The photo above is an example of their fabulous Textile Jewel Collection.  Slightly higher quality than the “bed in a bag” I bought at the local big-box store.

This is a gorgeous console from Howard Miller with raised panel doors and striking antique brass drawer pulls.  But that’s not all.  This sleek and elegant piece of furniture that fits stylishly into any room is, to borrow a line from the theme of THE Transformers, more than meets the eye.  Unlike the Michael Bay movie adaptation of the iconic 80s cartoon characters, this cabinet actually looks interesting.  All that movie holds is plot holes and several scenes that outstay their welcome, whereas the cabinet, Bar Devino, holds a full bar within its exterior shell.  Now that’s something useful.

The top slides open to reveal a sink surrounded by a granite surface. There are stemware racks, shelves; even a fixed bottle opener with catch basket on the inside cabinet.  38 wine bottles can be kept in the slide-out storage drawers.  And of course there’s a lock so you can completely hide your alcohol problem. Check out all the features here.

The crisp wintertime air that has been howling through Chicago the last week or so has been enough to suck the breath right out of lungs of the city’s citizens.  In a very different way, the crisp, cool and contemporary design of the Iceberg Table will also leave you breathless.  The table was designed by Montreal-based Periphere; perhaps drawing inspiration from the frigid Canadian winter.  Unique in every way, the laser-cut steel table is a functional piece of art. It is available for purchase (for a cool $3,500) at Generate.

…if by this you mean a luxury bed handcrafted with the perfect blend of cotton, wool, linen and hand-tufted horse hair.  Those are the materials that makeup the Vividus bed from Swedish bed manufacturer Hästens, and may be the ingredients needed to create an unmatched sleeping experience.  I’m sure I’ll never know- most people won’t, with the Vividus having a price tag of around $60,000.  Each bed is made to order and takes between 140 and 160 hours to make.  A lack of space (and my laziness) prevents me from going into all the details of the bed’s meticulous construction, but you can read all about it here.  Might I suggest a Vividus for your guest bedroom, so that I may enjoy it during my stay in your luxury home?  Open invite, right?

I was checking out kitchen sinks at kohler.com and came across this lovely model - the Fête Kitchen Sink.  It probably wouldn’t work as a dishwashing sink, but I assume that anyone purchasing this sink isn’t handwashing many dishes.  This is more of an aesthetic sink - an island sink.  The somewhat amoebic shape of the Fête is quite charming (especially if you have the matching amoebic-shaped cutting board to complement it, yin-yang style, as pictured).  According to Kohler, it’s actually a useful sink - accomodating both preparation and presentation. 

When I first heard the term “BeoVision,” I thought it referred to some sort of keen eyesight needed to defeat Grendel.*  I was wrong (certainly not the first time).  BeoVision 7 is actually a revolutionary entertainment system from Bang & Olufsen, the Danish company that has been creating cutting-edge, high quality products since its inception in 1925.  The BeoVision 7 is sleek and sophisticated, yet powerful enough to exceed your sound and picture expectations.  It comes with an integrated DVD player, choice of loudspeaker, and an HD screen with “VisionClear” technology that adjusts the picture based on surrounding light levels.  The screen itself can be turned and tilted with one touch of a remote button.  No word yet on wether the waterfall in the background of the picture was created naturally or sprung to life after appearing on BeoVision.  Stay tuned.

Check out the Bang & Olufsen site for more remarkable audio/visual products and telephones.

*Yes, that’s a Beowulf reference.

Gil Shapiro, founder of Urban Archaeology, began his journey into home design by searching through the artifacts of homes, hotels and office buildings that were about to be demolished, “rescuing” items such as light fixtures and bathtubs to refurbish them.  The results were beautiful new treasures that could add antique glamour to any home. 

In 1978 Shapiro founded Urban Archaeology to expand his business, and now offers not only vintage pieces, but also beautiful replicas of a number of home items – from mirrors to medicine cabinets and mosaics.

This light fixture is a gorgeous example of Urban Archaeology’s salvaged offerings.  The collection includes statues from Paris, wrought iron gothic gates from St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York and an antique copper bath from London.

“Going green” is the trendy thing to do these days, but Italian kitchen company Valcucine has had an environmentally friendly stance since its founding in 1980.  The company quickly established itself in the design world, setting the green standard for the industry by manufacturing products with the lowest possible impact on the environment without sacrificing functionality, ergonomics or safety.  Valcucine also gained recognition for its harmonious aesthetics and innovative technology in kitchen design.  Their graceful designs utilize light and space to express the universal language of art and architecture.  Whether you’re seeking a high-tech contemporary kitchen or a rustic, traditional one, Valcucine is the place to turn - and you can rest assured that your kitchen will be Earth-friendly!

Handcrafted from natural wood, the Madera bathtubs from WS Bath Collections bring a unique sophistication to the modern bathroom.  They are functional works of art that certainly display what WS calls a “pleasure of beauty, design and elegance.”  The wooden tubs are available in a variety of shapes and sizes and can be sculpted from a variety of woods, from beech to walnut.  I just hope there is some sort of no-splinter guarantee (ouch!).

Theoretically, the Madera tubs could also be used to toss an extremely large salad or hold a ridiculous amount of fruit.