Your Product Wish List

The Best New Luxury Products section in Custom Builder is the first in what we hope will become an annual addition to our magazine. The BNLP issue represents our best attempts at gathering, analyzing and reporting on the latest high-end products to hit the kitchen, bath, media room and outdoor space markets. The editors of Custom Builder sifted through hundreds of pages of product material and spent hours researching online in order to find the hottest luxury products that best fit our selection criteria.

In addition to providing top-notch product information, we have provided a synopsis on a particular market segment in each category. These reflect the trends we've seen and the trends we're predicting. Pay particular attention to the automation trends in media rooms and the traditional leanings in today's outdoor spaces.

Each section opens up on a page with a spectacular illustration drawn from our Best in American Living Award entries.

These projects best fit our idea of what homeowners are looking for in their homes. We'd like to thank those firms that submitted photography and who were nice enough to provide us with guidance on this project.

The following pages represent what we feel are some of the best new luxury products available today.

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Kitchens

APPLIANCES

Stainless steel is still the king when it comes to kitchen appliances. A professional-looking oven or commercial-size refrigerator for the Costco generation is a must. Manufacturers have been looking across the pond for European-inspired appliances: built-in coffee/espresso makers, wine coolers and refrigeration and heating centers.

COUNTERTOPS

Kitchen countertops are getting thicker and more stylish. According to the National Kitchen and Bath Association's 2007 Kitchen and Bath Industry Outlook, granite is still a big player in the field with 28 percent of the market, but laminate (25 percent) and solid surfaces (20 percent) are closing in. Another big trend: undermount-style openings for farm-style sinks.

FAUCETS

The sky is the limit when it comes to faucets, some of which command a $1,000 price tag. But there are plenty of ultra-chic models for those without mile-high budgets. There are two competing trends: one toward the ultra-minimalist, European look and the other a more classic feel with oil-rubbed bronze and other aged finishes.

CABINETRY

Representing a $13.5 billion market in 2006, cabinets are one of the largest expenditures a homeowner will have. Maple is the most desired wood species these days, far outstripping oak and cherry offerings. New glazes, stains and finishes lean toward warmer colors. Cabinet accessories for pots, pans and other nooks and crannies are quite innovative — check out any major manufacturer's catalog to see the variety of storage solutions.1. Viking2. Hansgrohe/Axor3. Eos4. Armonstrong Cabinets

1. VIKING. You don't need to look far into the Viking portfolio for some of the coolest professional-grade kitchen appliances. New Energy Star-rated freestanding cabinet-depth refrigerators and freezers are easy to integrate into the surrounding cabinetry. Optional side panels and grille accessories are available.
2. HANSGROHE/AXOR. The Montreux by Axor, a subsidiary of Hansgrohe, was chosen for its unique turn-of-the-century elements, such as filigree cross handles, exposed piping and new ceramic components. The faucet is part of a collection that includes other faucet configurations, shower products and bath accessories. The Montreux is made in chrome, brushed nickel or polished nickel.
3. EOS. The Eos solid surface is a 1¼ -inch-thick countertop with the look of natural stone without seams. The surface is non-porous and resistant to heat, scratches and most household acids. Barrington, Acadia, Halifax and Sandbridge are some of the new offerings on 2007's color palate. The line has a 10-year transferable warranty.
4. ARMSTRONG CABINETS. Town & Country, a new maple Shaker beaded door style from Armstrong helps builders create a classic look. The cabinets sport solid maple panels and wide stiles and rails. The beaded door fronts have a classic farmhouse look yet feel contemporary enough to match stainless steel appliances.

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Media RoomsAUDIO

First and foremost on any home theatre buff's mind is great sound, and usually the customer will specify what system they want. But it's not enough to have a kickin' sound system; builders have to isolate that noise from the rest of the house because it doesn't do much good to have a home-owner's favorite flick blasting while the kids do homework. Insulating all the walls of the room, as well as the floor and ceiling, is a must.

LIGHTING AND AUTOMATION

It doesn't matter if your customer is going for a full movie theatre look or not — automation is the key. For a surprisingly small investment, you can build a room that allows the family to press one button on a remote control for the whole A/V system to turn on, the draperies to close, the lights to dim and the movie to start.

REMOTE CONTROLS

Universal remote controls have been on the market since the early '90s, but nobody could figure them out. Luckily the technology has improved in recent years, resulting in true plug-and-play smart remotes. Lately the displays have become larger and more user-friendly with more emphasis on one-touch tabletop or wall-mounted remotes.

TVS

Since the advent of high-definition TV, homeowners have clamored for flat-panel televisions. Luckily, most flat-panel displays use universal mounts, their own unique mounts or adaptor plates that attach the universal mount to the display. However, flat-panel displays can be extremely heavy, some coming in at more than 200 pounds. When it comes time to install it, measure carefully first!1. Auton2. Request
3. Lifeware4. Sonance

1. AUTON. Everyone wants a huge flat-screen. The problem is that some of these home theatre behemoths weigh as much as a newborn elephant. Auton's cabinet lift with integrated smart motor technology accommodates those heavy 32- to 52-inch TVs without reconfiguration — a nifty little feature since it's pretty hard for a builder to predict what size TV the homeowner will actually buy. All controls are located within the cylindrical motor housing, so there's no need for an external box.
2. REQUEST. The aptly-named iQ Music System is an ideal unit for music lovers. Made by ReQuest, the hard disk-based system can store up to 800 uncompressed CDs. According to ReQuest, it is the first multi-room audio solution available based on music-server technology that can deliver audio playback to as many as eight independent zones controlled by a 15-inch (and 3½-inch satellite) tabletop or wall-mounted touchscreens.
3. LIFEWARE. Four new packages from Lifeware allow builders to offer complete digital entertainment and home automation upgrades. Options include Essential, Deluxe and Premium levels of equipment and sophistication. The company also offers its Lifeware 2.0 Windows Vista-capable interface that manages the home's subsystems through Vista Media Center.
4. SONANCE. Made by the first company to introduce speakers installed completely flush with the wall, Sonance's Architectural Series has speakers in an extensive range of sizes (square, circular, round, rectangular) and grille options to match popular flush mount and in-ceiling lighting fixtures. The series consists of 19 new speaker models, and all are designed to easily integrate into whole-house audio systems.

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Outdoor Spaces

OVENS

New wood-burning ovens are becoming all the rage in the outdoor living category, and pizza ovens are at the top of almost every manufacturer's priority list. Not only does an outdoor oven add to a great cooking area, but it can double as a space heater in the cooler months.

COUNTERTOPS

A big countertop can create a great dining and social area. Granite is still king in this market, but other materials, such as quartz countertops made by Silestone, Zodiaq, Cambria and other manufacturers are closing in on granite's market share. Tile producers, on the other hand, have been producing some amazing-looking designs, many inspired by the American Southwest and the Middle East.

GRILLS

Perhaps the most important part of the outdoor living arrangement is the grill. Weber, Dacor, Viking, Thermador and many others have been duking it out for years to out-do each other in both style and BTUs. Say goodbye to charcoal : these grills aren't for Labor Day poseurs. Now the question is, do you install a gas grill or go wood-fired?

LIGHTING

Though we're still seeing baby steps, the next leap forward in outdoor lighting will be connected to the smart home and will provide illumination via tiny LEDs. Style-wise, however, the trend has swung backward in favor of historic-looking sconces and lamps with elaborate, Victorian-inspired grill patterns. For those who want a truly historic look, there are plenty of smaller-scale manufacturers that produce hand-wrought and hammered iron, brass and copper fixtures.1. Danver                                                                       2. Jeld-Wen
3. Peachtree                                                                             4. Latitudes

1. DANVER. Outdoor stainless steel cabinets by Danver replace the company's previous line of composite-constructed cabinets clad with stainless. We chose this outdoor cabinet line because they can be customized with premium features and extra storage capacity — including space to fit most manufacturers' outdoor grills.
2. JELD-WEN. More flair is key to the Exterior Folding Door System, according to Jeld-Wen. The latest option offers a true 90-degree corner that can be completely opened to the outdoors. This is achieved with two folding door units that meet where two walls would ordinarily join. Beveled door edges and double weatherstrips ensure the doors are sealed against the elements.
3. PEACHTREE. Editors picked these patio doors because sometimes you just want to throw open the doors and let the breeze in. The 700 Series Aluminum Clad Patio Doors from Peachtree let you do just that. The doors are available in 6′8″, 6′10″ and 8-foot or custom heights and are made in standard pine or five hardwood interiors that can be factory-stained with standard and custom colors.
4. LATITUDES. The Sienna is the latest color in the Latitudes' composite decking line. Chosen for its innovative maintenance-free formula, the boards are made in 12-, 16- and 20-foot lengths and use the company's Strandex technology to resist rotting and splitting without painting, sealing or staining. A 15-year limited warranty is provided.

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Bathrooms

FAUCETS

Like their counterparts in the kitchen, there is no ceiling when it comes to price points and configurations for faucets for the bathroom. And, as in the kitchen, there is a strong minimalist trend with clean lines and geometric features like flowing curves, organic shapes and Zen balance. Don't count traditional faucets out, because oil-rubbed bronze and historic styles are making a comeback.

COUNTERTOPS

Unlike the kitchen, marble is a huge player in the bathroom industry with 21.9 percent market share, according to the NKBA's 2007 Kitchen and Bath Industry Outlook. Solid surfaces hold a slight market edge at 22.3 percent with granite third at about 17 percent.

FLOORING

Homeowners want everything heated: their towel warmers, toilet seats, and especially their floors. The radiant flooring industry has seen a huge gain in activity in the bathroom. Soapstone and marble are the two of the most common materials. But expect more diverse options such as ethnically-inspired designs to come from tile manufacturers.

TUBS AND SHOWERS

Everyone has one, but have you ever asked homeowners when they last soaked in their bathtub? Japanese-inspired single-person soaking tubs are now in. Many hot tub manufacturers have migrated toward integrating chromatherapy and music systems for a total sensory experience.1. Thermique                                                                   2. Moen3. Jaclo                               4. California Faucets                       5. Tulikivi
6. Danze

1. THERMIQUE. It may be a bit indulgent, but who would say no to a warm towel after a shower? The Thermique heated-glass towel warmer looks like a simple pane of glass suspended vertically between metal brackets. In minutes, the plate heats up the towel for a fresh-out-of-the-dryer feel. Customers can even customize the glass with a personal monogram or unique design.
2. MOEN. The ExactTemp ¾-inch valve from Moen provides excellent temperature control and a drenching 16 gallons of water flow per minute. It can be applied in showers, tub/shower combinations and in vertical spa options. It is available with the company's latest seven-inch showerhead. The trim is sold separately from the valve.
3. JACLO. With 360 jets providing a fully immersed rain shower experience, the Jaclo SH-SR16 16-inch diameter rain canopy provides a luxury shower without extensive plumbing. The showerhead has an all-brass construction, a 1-foot ceiling mounting kit and a ½-inch male IPS inlet connection at ceiling. Custom mounting kits are available.
4. CALIFORNIA FAUCETS. Chosen for its flexibility, the exposed Shower Column by California Faucets can be customized to fit both traditional and modern baths. Instead of a shower head protruding from a wall, the Shower Column starts at waist height. The piping runs up the wall, through another wall-mounted support and then arches back to end in a large shower head.
5. TULIKIVI. Soapstone is a wonderfully versatile material for flooring and wall tiles and doesn't get slippery when wet. Tulikivi offers soapstone tiles for walls, floors and radiant flooring. According to the company, the stone is easy to work with as it can be lathed, cut or polished. Its surface can be shaped, routed, cut, or milled either by machine or hand tools.
6. DANZE. Serene and minimalist are two words Danze uses to describe today's bathroom. Fitting those adjectives is the Parma Trim line faucet. The faucet has a 9-inch high spout with a single-hole mount and touch down drain assembly. The new Parma and its sibling, the Sirius, are available in chrome and brushed nickel finishes.