Last month saw the biggest and best KBB show yet – if you didn’t make it, here are some of the highlights that the sink and tap sector impressed us with…

Carron Phoenix

Carron Phoenix launched several new products while promoting the company’s latest Value Deals offers, which are highly popular with retailers.

Recognising the ongoing trend for grey tones and mixing materials, a Stone Grey colour has been introduced to the popular Fiji undermount granite sink range, which is also available in Polar White, Champagne and Jet Black. The sink is available in five sizes and is resistant to stains, scratches and temperatures to 280°C.

The new Larunda and Cardea taps extend the choice of hot water models in the Carron Phoenix portfolio. The elegant Larunda 3-in-1 tap in chrome has been developed to dispense 98⁰C steaming hot water in addition to standard hot and cold, offering 3-in-1 functionality at the highly competitive RRP of £650. The slimline Cardea single lever tap in chrome dispenses instant 98⁰C water and is the perfect partner for any chrome mixer tap with the same classic swan-neck design.

The Dante pull-out now has three new colour options of white, grey and red in addition to the original black. The contemporary material mix offers greater design flexibility for the pro-chef style tap, which at 477mm high has the stature and poise to create an interesting design feature in any modern kitchen. Further extending the choice of coloured taps, the new Reno top-lever monobloc mixer in Stone Grey perfectly complements stone grey granite sinks.

www.carron.com

1) Carron Phoenix Fiji 100 granite sink in Stone Grey

2) Carron Phoenix Larunda 3-in-1 tap with Vela 100 sink

Franke

Colours and textures were a major design story for Franke UK as it unveiled premium stainless steel worksurfaces, four unique “super metallic” Fragranite colours, two grey ceramics, six new sink ranges, seven new taps including a new electronic 4-in-1 style, four new brassware finishes and five stylish hoods.

Beautiful and durable, the worksurface range features classic stainless steel as well as a high quality Pearl Finish, exclusive to Franke, which prevents finger and watermarks. Available in a choice of thicknesses and finishes, the stainless steel worksurfaces can be combined with a choice of sinks and taps and a number of other accessories to create a high end look.

Answering the trend for texture and colour, Franke is extending its popular Fragranite range to include four luxurious super metallics in Copper Gold, Lunar Grey, Sterling Silver and Copper Grey. Matt to the touch and with a subtle pearlescence, the super metallics are the perfect combination of high performance and sophistication. They will be available on three premium sink ranges of the Kubus 2 undermount, the contemporary Fresno undermount and the Style inset.

The Minerva Electronic 4-in-1 tap, launched last November, has already struck a successful chord in the market and now Franke is now launching its popular Minerva Mondial style in solid stainless steel in an electronic version. Digitally controlled with simple push-button functionality, it has pre-set 30 and 60 second programmes that are ideal for filling pans, teapots, cafetières and jugs with instant filtered boiling or filtered cold water.

www.franke.co.uk

Franke’s Fresno undermount sink in Lunar Grey

KWC

Swiss- based premium manufacturer KWC made its UK debut at KBB, launching its first collection of sinks aimed at the luxury sector. Top of the range is Era, a collection of sinks with an ultra-thin 4mm rim for a unique ‘in-top’ installation method, an invisible ghost overflow and bevelled square waste cover. The rim is highly polished to provide a glossy finish that contrasts with the bowl and this design detail is reflected in the soap dispenser and push-button pop-up waste.

Complementing the sinks are four taps styles in a J-spout, Gravity-spout, L-spout and pull-down spray with separate lever mixers. They have the smallest spout diameter but the design arc of the spout and precision manufacture ensures user-friendly ergonomics.

Zoe is a sink range that has the flexibility for installation as an undermount, flushmount or slim-top, catering for different aesthetics, each with the signature KWC ghost overflow. Ono meanwhile is a premium sink range that features exceptionally fine finishing, slim-top design, the signature KWC ghost overflow with square waste cover, together with accessories that can be used on three different working levels.

www.kwctaps.co.uk

5) KWC’s Era sink and Era tap with teak strainer

6) KWC’s Era sink and Era Gravity spout tap

Abode

There was a major relaunch of the Abode sinks collection with a significant number of new ranges on show for the very first time. Visitors also saw an array of new tap ranges including additions to its Pronteau steaming hot water taps, new finishes such as the Century Copper for the Bayenne collection and new luxury end stainless steel models including the Centaur single lever monobloc.

www.abode.eu

7) Abode’s Centaur tap

8) Abodes Bayenne monobloc mixer

InSinkErator

The 4N1 Touch is a brand new collection of taps that offer instant, filtered steaming hot water and instant filtered cold water, as well as regular hot and cold from the same combined fixture.

Designed to meet the increased consumption of filtered drinking water, the 4N1 Touch provides a stream of filtered cold water for 30 seconds at the touch of a button. If the user wishes to stop the stream before 30 seconds is up, a second touch of the dedicated button will instantly stop the flow of water. It also safely dispenses filtered steaming hot water with a push-lever safety locking mechanism, which stops the flow of water immediately if the lever is released.

It’s available in three shapes; the L Shape, the J Shape or the U Shape to complement a variety of kitchen styles. All three are available in traditional finishes of Brushed Steel or Polished Chrome.

www.insinkerator.co.uk

InSinkErator 4N1 Touch J Shape in Polished Chrome