Luxury kitchens take the center stage in many modern homes and are considered the most important selling point in home buyers’ decision.  In fact, according to research, homes listed with “luxury kitchens” sell faster and command a higher selling price than similar-sized homes in the same ZIP code.

That’s why 80% of home remodeling projects take place in the kitchen, according to the National Association of Home Builder’s Remodeling Market Index survey.

Whether you’re an interior designer looking for inspiration or a homeowner thinking of designing their own luxury kitchen, you may not be sure where to start.

Read on for tips for luxury kitchen design as well as an inside look into some of our favorite faucets and hardware. Let’s dive in.

Prioritize Choosing a Perfect Faucet 

Forbes deems kitchen faucets “perhaps the most overlooked, yet most critical function in the kitchen.” Why? Homeowners likely use the kitchen faucet dozens of times each day. This means that the fixture not only has to be aesthetically pleasing and cohesive with the rest of the design, but must be durable and functional as well.

Let’s take a look at a few of our favorite faucets.

MGS Cucina Vela SD 

This is the MGS Cucina Vela SD Kitchen Faucet with Pull-Down Spray Stainless Steel in Matte Gold. 

The VE-VD-KF-SSMG is made from premium materials, this Pull Down Kitchen Faucet offers great function and value for your home. This fixture is part of MGS Cucina’s Vela SD Collection, so make sure to check out other fixtures to accessorize your room.

Learn more about this piece on our website, here.

MGS Cucina Nemo

We’re thrilled to present the MGS Cucina Nemo RH Entertainment Faucet. Shown above is the fixture in Stainless Steel Matte Titanium. 

You can check it out, here.

 The COCOON Piet Boon Deck Mount Swivel Spout (PBSET11)

The PBSET11 is made from premium materials and offers great function and value for a home. This fixture is part of COCOON’s Piet Boon Collection, so make sure to check out other fixtures to accessorize your room!

Moreover, this piece is available in four finishes:

  • Gold (shown above)
  • Black
  • Brushed inox, and
  • Copper

Find more Piet Boon kitchen products.

What About a White Faucet? We Present Vola

Vola carries white faucets in two finishes: White 18 (a polished white) and White 28 (matte white). 

What is special about these pieces? Take it from Vola:

“​​The key elements of bathing are surfaces, taps, spouts and water. Water defines the experience but surfaces, taps and spouts can shape and steer the experience. Touch can transform everyday moments into quietly satisfying rituals that enhance the user’s relationship with the natural world and ease the complexities and stresses of contemporary life.”

Don’t Forget the Hardware

Choosing the right hardware can make a significant difference in achieving the look of your luxury kitchen. From cabinet knobs to drawer pulls to door levels, we understand there are a lot of options to choose from when it comes to designing a modern kitchen.

One of our favorite brands is Designer Doorware. Let’s take a look at some of their pieces.

Designer Doorware recently joined Forte Brands Group. Forte sources the world in search of the best and most desirable hardware brands. 

The full product line can be selected by use, including: sliding/pocket/barn door hardware; external door hardware; interior door hardware; kitchen hardware; bathroom hardware; show door hardware. Let Specialty Hardware + Plumbing help guide you through the selection process from beginning to end of your project.

 

Bullet + Stone Concrete Collection

The Bullet + Stone collection by Designer Doorware introduces three fresh designs of concrete door hardware. The three door designs, including the Concrete Club Lever,  Concrete Niki Knob and Concrete Quad Lever, come in 18+ special finishes. 

Concrete Luna Greyconcrete collection designer doorware

The concrete appearance for the Bullet + Stone Concrete Collection will have variations of shade and color patterns. The finish is called “Luna Gray.” Custom finishes are also available upon request.

The Monte Timber Collection

The Monte Timber collection by Designer Doorware combines a touch of American white oak or American black walnut hardwood with a solid brass mount.

Need Help Bringing Your Luxury Kitchen Design to Life? Visit Our Showroom

Specialty Hardware + Plumbing is proud to be your resource for timeless, minimalist, luxurious design. Our expertise lies in our experience creating the most impeccable designs for the highest quality homes and establishments.

For samples and more, stop by our Los Angeles showroom.

COCOON Beverly Hills Showroom

COCOON offers a 20-year warranty on their stainless steel and PVD taps and accessories. This is for residential use only. There is a 5-year warranty on COCOON’s solid surface basins, bathtubs, concrete material and natural stone products.
The warranty begins from the date on your invoice, and you must provide an original receipt. The warranty does not include natural wear and tear and is void if damage occurred during poor maintenance or installation.

COCOON Does Offer Replacement Parts for:

  • Thermostatic or mixer cartridges
  • Flow control cartridges
  • Ceramic disks
  • O-rings
  • Flow regulators
  • Check valves
  • Aerators
  • Flexible hoses

Warranty Exclusions:

Warranties are terminated if Products are not properly installed, maintained and used in accordance to instructions, manuals or cleaning advice.  Not limited to, neglect, intentional damage due to poor maintenance, damage due to pollutions, poor water quality, or calcification, damage by the use of detergents, removing products from their original installation location, damage due to Products being altered by a Third Party, or damage due to weather conditions (frost, extreme heat, moss, etc.)

Since most of COCOON products are produced with natural materials that have their own characteristics, that lead to the following criteria, conditions and specifics for warrant must be considered:

  • PVD colors applied on stainless steel may vary in color between components.  
  • Stone and wood are natural materials that are prone to variations in color, pattern and density that add to the beauty and charm of the material. 
  • Warranties do not cover color differences between samples and delivered products of natural stone, wood and concrete. 

Cleaning & Maintenance of your COCOON Bath Products:

COCOON faucets are made with anti-fingerprint technology, but they can still leave watermarks.  Never use aggressive detergents, bleach, scouring powder, steel wool or other harsh abrasives.  Wiping with a damp cloth and gentle cleaning agent is recommended. Any deposits of shampoo, liquid soap or body lotions should be rinsed away with water immediately. 

Care & Maintenance for COCOON Solid Surface Tubs & Basins:

Watch our video on how to clean solid surface material and buff out any scratches.

Care & Maintenance for COCOON Concrete Tubs & Basins:

COCOON recommends similar cleaning techniques used with their stainless and PVD taps.  Use a mild, non-abrasive cleanser for their lightweight concrete tubs and basins. Do not use scouring pads, as it can scratch the product and break down the sealer. Avoid exposure to high levels of PH, such as bleach and nail polish remover.  Do no leave wet products on the concrete for long periods of time. Direct sunlight can slowly discolor the concrete material over a long period of time. If a scratch occurs, COCOON can provide a refresh kit with simple instructions to fix any damage. 

For additional help and information, please contact COCOON Beverly Hills.

MGS offers 100% stainless steel fixtures that are durable, sustainable and aesthetically pleasing.

MGS stainless steel fixtures combine Italian luxury, style and the innovative precision of Swiss engineering. With taps that feature slim silhouettes and simple shapes, MGS creates the perfect mix of aesthetics and technology. 

Made in Italy and fully stocked in the USA. These fixtures are 100% stainless steel.

Shop MGS, here.

Read on to learn more about MGS, the advantages of their 100% stainless steel fixtures (hint: they’re sustainable, durable and beautiful) as well as see a few of our favorite pieces. Let’s get started.

About MGS Taps

Since 1997, MGS has been machining the highest-quality stainless steel materials into sleek, functional designs. According to their website, “As beautiful as they are durable, MGS fixtures are polished to a refined finish, creating modern works of art in place of traditional and forgettable kitchen and bath fixtures.” MGS belongs to COPAMA SA, a Swiss Co. established in Lugano in 1978.

What Makes MGS Taps Special

MGS kitchen and bath collections provide an array of flawless styles and cutting-edge design, perfect for setting off the beauty and serenity of the world’s most exclusive homes. Swiss engineering principles provide ultra-smooth operation and unrivaled reliability, and the fixtures carry an impeccable Italian flair.

Additionally, MGS uses stainless steel to create timeless, durable and sustainable products. What are the advantages of stainless steel? Let’s dive in.

Let’s Talk Stainless Steel: What are the Advantages? 

MGS offers products with a hand-polished stainless steel finish. This finish offers the following benefits of being:

  • Eco-friendly: the production process does not result in any polluting wastes and stainless steel is 100% recyclable.
  • Lead free: Stainless steel is 100% lead free. In fact, MGS was the first European manufacturer to be certified in compliance with California norm AB1953 that came into effect in 2012 and that limits the amount of lead in metals in contact with drinking water.
  • Durablabe: Polished stainless steel is extremely scratch resistant and durable. This finish will not flake or peel (unlike plated brass, for example.)
  • Allergy-friendly: Stainless steel does not release nickel and therefore it is ideal for people allergic to it.
  • Weather-resistant: This finish is ideal for outdoor installation as stainless steel is resistant to oxidation.
  • Naturally processed: The finish is obtained through hand polishing rather than through chemical processes such as chroming or plating.
  • Hygienic: The non-porous surface is resistant to bacteria and germs making it a more hygienic choice in the kitchen or bathroom.

How does MGS use stainless steel differently from their competition? Some competitors use stainless steel sheets or tubes to cover an inner brass body; while this can provide some benefits,  stainless steel sheets or tubes cannot offer all the above advantages of a high-quality piece from MGS (such as sustainability, unmatched durability and more.)

Let’s take a look at a few of our favorite pieces from MGS.

MGS Cucina Spin D

Shown above is the MGS Cucina Spin D Single-Hole Stainless Steel Kitchen Faucet with Pull-Down Dual Spray.

Shop it, here.

MGS Cucina Vela SD 

This is the MGS Cucina Vela SD Kitchen Faucet with Pull-Down Spray Stainless Steel in Matte Gold. 

The VE-VD-KF-SSMG is made from premium materials, this Pull Down Kitchen Faucet offers great function and value for your home. This fixture is part of MGS Cucina’s Vela SD Collection, so make sure to check out other fixtures to accessorize your room.

Learn more about this piece on our website, here.

MGS Cucina Nemo

We’re thrilled to present the MGS Cucina Nemo RH Entertainment Faucet. Shown above is the fixture in Stainless Steel Matte Titanium. 

You can check it out, here.

MGS Cucina Spin Hot & Cold

This is the MGS Cucina Spin Hot & Cold Filtered Water Faucet in Stainless Steel Matte Gold. 

For more information on this piece, check out our website, here.

Designing a Luxury Bathroom?

Specialty Hardware + Plumbing can assist with pricing, design options, and finish match recommendations. For samples and more – stop by our Beverly Hills showroom or send us an email for more information.

With the new year just a few weeks away, we have our eye on the hottest luxury bathroom trends for 2023. 

That’s right — today we’re talking about spa-like bathrooms with free-standing tubs, marble, concrete tubs and basins, elevated hardware and more. Let’s dive in.

Marble, Marble, Marble

Most luxury bathrooms have one thing in common: marble (and usually, lots of it!). Why? Marble represents luxury, glamor, and did we mention it never goes out of style?

Let’s take a look at a few of our favorite marble pieces.

The PB Bath by COCOON

Designed to be a free-standing bath, each piece is unique and carved from a single block of marble (or natural stone, if you prefer). Piet Boon’s signature shape, the KEKKE, is recognizable by its rounded corners. 

Homeowners have the artistic freedom to specify their own custom bath from 10 different stones from COCOON. Learn more about the PB Bath by COCOON here.

The COCOON PB Cabinet 120

We’re proud to present this Chalk White Wall Mount Vanity, by COCOON. The PB-Cabinet-120-20-Chalk-White is made from premium materials, this Wall Mount Vanity offers great function and value for your home. This fixture is part of COCOON’s Piet Boon Cabinet Collection, so make sure to check out other fixtures to accessorize your room.

Shop it here.

Free-Standing Tubs

A free-standing tub can make a bathroom feel like a spa experience. No luxury bathroom is complete without the perfect tub.

At Specialty Hardware and Plumbing, we are big fans of concrete tubs. Why? Concrete tubs are:

  • Resistant to humidity
  • Versatile
  • Able to be paired with a range of accessories and fixtures
  • Long-lasting and incredibly durable

Learn more about COCOON concrete tubs, here.

We adore the Natural Stone Free Standing Soaking Tub from the John Pawson COCOON Collection (shown above). The tub, shown in Pietra Griggio above, is available in many shades, such as natural sand, for those who may love the tub but prefer a lighter finish. 

Concrete Basins and Sinks

Just like concrete tubs, concrete basins and sinks have become increasingly popular amongst designers. They have several positive characteristics, including:

  • Each concrete basin is unique: there will never be a solid block of the same finish color, due to the variables within this specialized concrete mix. If you are looking to achieve a more smooth surface, there is an option of “Polished Concrete,”  which gives the treatment an extra polish to smooth out the surface area.
  • Style and textural flow lines: the concrete mix is liquid when being poured into the mold, so textured flow lines are expected and can add to the unique look of the piece.
  • Strength and durability: Each concrete sink is pre-sealed before it is brought into the home. Users can expect the sink to last for decades –likely over 50 years, in fact – with the correct care and maintenance.

Let’s talk Elevated Fixtures

From bath fillers to drains to basin mixers, the details can make a significant difference in the design of a luxury bathroom. We recommend taking the time to find elevated fixtures that complement each other while allowing attention to the eye-catching pieces in the space: the vanities, tubs, and showers, for example.

Let’s discuss a few of our favorite fixtures. 

The Piet Boon 10 Spout

The Piet Boon 10 Spout (PB10) is a simple, yet elegant wall mounted tap, faucet or tub filler for your bathroom, kitchen, or even outdoor spaces. The PB10 offers the flexibility of pairing it with any of the Piet Boon mixers and now comes in different lengths for your design needs: PB13 – 130mm; PB18 – 180mm and PB10 – 220mm. 

The COCOON John Pawson Floor Mounted Bath Filler

From the award-winning John Pawson by COCOON Collection, this piece combines elegance and minimalism. Check it out, here.

White Fixtures and Hardware

Vola carries white faucets in two finishes: White 18 (a polished white) and White 28 (matte white). 

What is special about these pieces? Take it from Vola:

“​​The key elements of bathing are surfaces, taps, spouts and water. Water defines the experience but surfaces, taps and spouts can shape and steer the experience. Touch can transform everyday moments into quietly satisfying rituals that enhance the user’s relationship with the natural world and ease the complexities and stresses of contemporary life.”

Designing a Luxury Bathroom?

Specialty Hardware + Plumbing can assist with pricing, design options, and finish match recommendations. For samples and more – stop by our Beverly Hills showroom or send us an email for more information.

Designer Doorware provides high quality, innovative designs in hardware. After over two decades in business, Designer Doorware remains on the forefront of industry trends while also offering holistic end-to-end services, such as design advice in finish, product, specs and value engineering. 

Read on to learn more about this innovative brand, view their new collections and check out a few of our favorite pieces. Let’s dive in.

All About Designer Doorware: Who Are They?

Since 1996, Designer Doorware has been launching innovative designs in hardware for architects and designers. This brand focuses on offering an original sustainable, high-quality product. 

Designer Doorware recently joined Forte Brands Group. Forte sources the world in search of the best and most desirable hardware brands. 

The full product line can be selected by use, including: sliding/pocket/barn door hardware; external door hardware; interior door hardware; kitchen hardware; bathroom hardware; show door hardware. Let Specialty Hardware + Plumbing help guide you through the selection process from beginning to end of your project.


Let’s take a look at some of our favorite pieces and take a peek at their new collections.

The Designer Doorware Bull Pull

Specialty Hardware + Plumbing is proud to present this Chrome Unlacquered Door Pull, a popular piece by Designer Doorware. The FP600-40-SBU is made from premium materials, this Door Pull offers great function and value for your home. This fixture is part of Designer Doorware’s Collection, so make sure to check out other fixtures to accessorize your room.

Bullet + Stone Concrete Collection

The Bullet + Stone collection by Designer Doorware introduces three fresh designs of concrete door hardware. The three door designs, including the Concrete Club Lever,  Concrete Niki Knob and Concrete Quad Lever, come in 18+ special finishes. 

The versatility of concrete gives architects and designers a new realm to explore when it comes to adding a contrasting aesthetic to projects.

The Bullet + Stone Collection was designed by Designer Doorware and manufactured in Australia. The collection can be personalized for any contemporary and modern interior or exterior design.

Concrete Luna Greyconcrete collection designer doorware

The concrete appearance for the Bullet + Stone Concrete Collection will have variations of shade and color patterns. The finish is called “Luna Gray.” Custom finishes are also available upon request.

 

 

The Monte Timber Collection

The Monte Timber collection by Designer Doorware combines a touch of American white oak or American black walnut hardwood with a solid brass mount.

The Club Bathware Collection

We adore this Powder Coated Colour Passage Door Lever by Designer Doorware. The CL-R50-I-RH-PCC is made from premium materials, this Passage Door Lever offers great function and value for your home. 

Shou Sugi Ban: Charred Finish Door Hardwareclose up Designer Doorware

Shou Sugi Ban is an ancient Japanese exterior siding technique that preserves wood by charring it with fire. Sugi, Japanese red cedar, was traditionally used in the process. The wood charring process is an environmentally conscious way of preserving timber and making it fire resistant. 

Japanese design has influenced international design over the last few centuries. 

Learn more about this collection and Shou Sugi Ban, here.

Designer Doorware: Special Finishes

  • Antique Brass Medium (ABM)
  • Antique Brass Dark (ABD)
  • Black Chrome (BC)
  • Satin Black Chrome (SBC)
  • Florentine Bronze Medium (FBM)
  • Florentine Bronze Dark (FBD)
  • Oil Rubbed Bronze (ORB)
  • Polished Brass Unlacquered (PBU)
  • Satin Brass Unlacquered (SBU)
  • Weathered Brass Light (WBL)
  • Weathered Brass Medium (WBM)
  • Polished Nickel (PN)
  • Satin Nickel (SN)
  • Powder Coated Color (PCC)
  • Powder Coated Color Satin White
  • Powder Coated Color Black Ace
  • Vapour Black
  • Black Satin (VBS)
  • Timber: American White Oak Raw
  • Timber: American White Oak Oiled
  • Timber: American Black Walnut Raw
  • Timber: American Black Walnut Oiled

Visit Our Showroom to Learn More About Designer Doorware

As the exclusive distributor for the greater Los Angeles area for Designer Doorware, our Specialty Hardware + Plumbing showroom in Beverly Hills carries the largest selection of their door hardware, cabinet knobs, pulls, levers, accessories and locks in the United States. We work closely with the Australian headquarters to provide the highest quality product and customer service.

Our expertise lies in our experience creating the most impeccable designs for the highest quality homes and establishments. Send us an email for more information. 

Read on to learn how to make your client’s house goals become a reality.