BY HAYLEY GILBERT

All too often, we spend so much time planning and visualising which style, material and colour we want for the cabinets and worktops, the humble sink and tap takes a backseat. But these workhorses of the kitchen deserve more than a passing thought and there are some fantastic new designs coming on to the market right now, which are sure to take your scheme to the next level…

GROHE’S BLUE HOME TAP IS NOW APP CONTROLLED

Available from this month, the Blue Home still and sparkling water tap from Grohe comes with flexible pull-out hose and innovative app control. As more and more of us are conscious about our use of plastic, this multifunctional faucet is the perfect alternative to bottled water and will bring a touch of smart tech into the kitchen too. The water it delivers is filtered and chilled and thanks to the Grohe Ondus app, users will be notified when the filter or CO2 bottle needs to be replaced. You can even log and track your daily water consumption to help promote a healthier lifestyle. www.grohe.co.uk

NEW AXIX SINKS BLEND CORIAN® AND STAINLESS STEEL

Seamlessly combining Corian® solid surface and stainless steel, The 1810 Company has created an easy to fabricate solution, which is exclusively available through CDUK. The new Axix sinks enable the elegance of Corian to flow smoothly from the worktop into the body of a full stainless steel bowl, cladding the sides but leaving only a gleaming metal base exposed. Using 1.2mm, 304 grade steel, it has an insulating protective powder coating on the underside, helping to retain the heat of the water inside the bowl while reducing noise if a waste disposal unit is fitted. Also available in Copper and Gun Metal finishes. www.cdukltd.co.uk

QUOOKER LAUNCHES NEW FINISHES

Quooker, the inventor of the 100 degree boiling water tap, is launching new finishes in the UK, with the Fusion Round and Square taps now available in black and gold, and the Classic Fusion and Classic Nordic available in nickel for both Round and Square models. All additions share the same advantages as the familiar Quooker taps – they deliver water at a true 100˚C, saving time, energy, water and money. The childproof double push and turn handle, with a warning light ring that lights up when the water is heating up or when boiling water is being used, insulated spout and fine aerated spray ensure no risk of scalding or burning. The boiling water control is entirely separate from the standard hot and cold. They are also available with the new cold filtered drinking water option. www.quooker.co.uk

KWC’S ONO SINK IS ON ANOTHER LEVEL

With a handy integral ledge, the ONO stainless steel undermount sink from KWC offers three different levels for rinsing, prepping, washing and draining. In a tactile brushed steel finish, the ledge is cleverly designed to fit the two multipurpose grids that come with the sink. One is flat and one is shaped; both fit snugly to provide the choice of three levels to work from. Additional accessories include a stainless steel strainer bowl and solid teak chopping board, which both fit neatly over the sink, as well as a dual-purpose roll mat that can be used as a drainer or trivet. www.kwctaps.co.uk(

PERRIN & ROWE® UNVEILS MODERN MIXER WITH PULL-DOWN RINSE

The Juliet is a new contemporary sink mixer with pull-down rinse from Perrin & Rowe®. Ideal for those with limited workspace, it offers a convenient alternative to the side rinse, with a retractable hand spray that can be used for washing vegetables, filling large pots and everyday cleaning. Available in eight finishes – chrome, nickel and pewter as well as English bronze, gold, aged brass, satin brass and polished brass – it comes with an automatic lock that prevents the rinse from being accidentally activated. After use, the woven hose retracts itself back into the body, ready to function as a regular hot and cold mixer tap. www.perrinandrowe.co.uk

CAPLE’S ZONA SINK IS A STYLISH SPACE SAVER

A handmade sink from Caple, the Zona 100 is available with a colander plus a cup stand for hot drinks and an ice bucket – great for putting the Champers on ice when entertaining. Ideal if space is at a premium, it’s made from 1.2mm brushed stainless steel for a professional finish and can be inset or undermounted. It’s also designed to be suitable for a waste disposer with a 90mm waste outlet for a basket strainer waste with waste and overflow included. A decorative waste cover and custom chopping board, which fits snugly on to the sink for chopping while using the colander simultaneously when preparing vegetables, frees up work space too. www.caple.co.uk

CARRON PHOENIX LAUNCHES BALI L-SPOUT TAP

The new Bali monobloc mixer from Carron Phoenix has a distinctive cubic design and comes in chrome or brushed nickel. The square-edged spout has a reach of 210mm, ideal for rinsing and washing, while smooth operation is guaranteed with an easy quarter turn action of the paddle handles. This forwards-only operation makes it ideal for use where upstands are installed. www.carron.com

FRANKE’S KUBUS KNG FRAGRANITE SINK COMES IN FOUR SUPER METALLIC COLOURS

Designed to catch the light and draw the eye, Franke’s Kubus KNG Fragranite undermount sink range comes in four Super Metallic colours – Lunar Grey, Copper Gold, Copper Grey and Sterling Silver – all infused with pearlescent particles to add subtle sparkle. A Rollamat fits neatly on an accessories ledge cleverly built in to the 1.5 bowl model while other handy accessories include a strainer bowl and chopping board that fit over the sink. The range is available in four sizes and is hardwearing, with Sanitized® anti-bacterial protection. www.franke.co.uk