Our New Kitchen Products Display

Filed under Kitchens, New in the Showroom by on August 23, 2011 at 11:07 am {no comments}

We are pleased to announce the completion of the first phase of remodel of our kitchen display area. This new space allows us to increase our display of kitchen sinks and faucets so you can see and feel more products.

Today the Internet makes it possible to discover so many products that we might never discover shopping at our local home center. That’s a plus certainly, but what you cannot do online is see things firsthand; we all know that what looks good in a picture may be different in reality.

We now offer the largest selection of kitchen plumbing products in the Napa Valley. Our new kitchen features sinks by Blanco, Elkay, Julien, Lenova, Native Trails, Oliveri and Rohl. We have copper, stainless steel (several grades), fireclay and quartz/granite composite in under-mount, work-top, self-rimming and apron front configurations.

Our faucet displays include Grohe, Hansgrohe, KWC, Elkay, Blanco, Brizo, Harrington Brass, American Standard, Moen and Rohl (plus a few more). Our faucet selection also includes taps for filtration and hot water by Mountain, Franke and ISE.

The following are a few highlights of our kitchen.

Elkay has always been known for their stainless steel products but in the last few years they have added copper, cast bronze and fireclay to their collection. The Explore fireclay group includes a beautiful double bowl under-mount model that would be beautiful in any kitchen. Fireclay is a very hard work surface and this sink features a curved shape and thin line divider for greater bowl capacity. We display the Explore in white but it is also available in “Terra Cotta”.

Elkay Explore Undermount Fireclay Sink

Brizo introduced their “Smart Touch” technology a couple of years ago and it has been a huge hit. “Smart Touch” allows the user to turn the water on and off with a touch anywhere on the faucet. This is a great option for both cooks and for those who may have limits on their ability to grip a handle.

Julien make (mostly) 16g sinks for those who want the best. Made in Quebec Julien designs are made in standard residential designs as well as some products not seen from other vendors. A good example is their worktop group. This unique design integrates a large work bowl with storage for knives and other kitchen tools right at your fingertips; and the raised backsplash protects the wall. You can learn more about Julien sinks here.

Julien Worktop sink

Residential interpretations of restaurant pre-rinse faucets have become very popular lately and I think few companies do it as well as Blanco. The Meridian Semi-Professional offers the high arc spring spray in proportions appropriate to a typical residential kitchen.  It is also ergonomically designed making the spray comfortable to use for anyone.

Blanco Meridian Semi-Professional

Franke is a well known and respected name in kitchen products. The vision model was introduced a few years ago and quickly became a classic. Slightly larger than a typical double bowl this sink features the fine finish that sets Franke apart from the rest.

Franke VNX12037 Vision Undermount

Rohl set an industry standard with the Shaws fireclay farm sink. Rohl’s Allia sinks use the fireclay material for typical double and single bowl counter sinks and this year introduced “matte black” in addition to white and biscuit. We currently feature both Shaws farm sinks and Allis matte black sinks on display.

Rohl Allia Matte Black Double Bowl Under Mount

This is a sampling of our new kitchen but there are many more things to see. We invite you to visit and see for yourself.

Price Pfister Professional

Filed under Bathrooms, Kitchens by on May 16, 2011 at 1:40 pm {no comments}

Price Pfister is not a name that is often seen in plumbing showrooms but this 100 year old brand deserves another look.

Price Pfister (or Pfister as it is now called) can be a good choice for the consumer with an eye on the budget. Pfister makes a large selection of products that are distributed through both professional and retail distribution. What does this mean for the consumer? There are probably two main points. Products made for one may not be available through the other, in other words you won’t be able to buy a professional product at a big box store (and vice versa). Secondly, professional grade product is an upgrade from retail with all metal parts and industrial valves plus supply nuts and tools for easier installation. Plus the Professional products have a dedicated service team at PP to help.

PP Kenzo Widespread Faucet

If you go to www.pricepfister.com and look at the top on the page you will see a link for the Professional Site. While you may see what appear to be the same faucets on both sites please note the different stock numbers which designate professional vs. retail product. Here at General Plumbing Supply we work primarily with the Professional product but can also access the retail product, allowing us to offer our customers the full range of options. Let’s look at a few of the Professional products that Pfister is making today.

Price Pfister Ashfield Pull Down

In the kitchen Pfister was the first company to introduce a moderately priced pull-out spray faucet. Today, PP offers several pullout and pull down models of kitchen faucet.

PP Ashfield Bridge Pulldown

Ashfield is a traditional style with lever handles modeled on an old water pump. Ashfield series includes the pull-down in a single and side-mount handle model as well as a bridge faucet; one of very few bridge styles offered in a moderate price range. The Ashfield series also includes a standard gooseneck with side-spray and deck mount handle. The Ashfield collection is available in chrome, brushed nickel, Tuscan Bronze, Rustic Bronze and Rustic Pewter (not all styles available in all finishes).

PP Marielle Pullout

Marielle has long been one of the more popular styles from Price Pfister. In the kitchen the Marielle series

PP Marielle Bar Faucet in Antique Copper

 includes a traditional pullout as well as a single handle faucet with side-spray and a traditional high spout with deck mount handle and spray. In addition the Marielle bar faucet group offers standard finishes like chrome as well as more exotic colors like Antique Copper.

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For the Bathroom Pfister continues to create interesting designs at a reasonable price.

Kenzo is one is the few open spout model lavatory faucets on the market today. Available as a single hole, widespread or wall mount Kenzo is a style that can be the centerpiece of any bathroom design. In addition to faucets the Kenzo group offers complete shower systems including rain head and slide bar systems. Kenzo is available in polished chrome and brushed nickel.

PP Contempra Lavatory Faucet

PP Kenzo Shower with Slide bar

As the name suggests, the Contempra group is about clean, modern lines. This group includes single, centerset two handle and widespread faucet models in polished chrome and brushed nickel.

I mentioned Ashfield as part of the kitchen collection but it also has a place in the bathroom. The Ashfield Bath takes the open spout idea and interprets it in a more traditional look, available as a single handle, widespread or vessel faucet. Ashfield Bath also includes a gooseneck for a 4” or 8” lavatory with matching shower and deck tub sets. Ashfield bath is available in polished chrome, brushed nickel, Rustic Bronze, Tuscan Bronze and Rustic Pewter.

PP Ashfield Vessel Faucet

This is just a glimpse of what Pfister has to offer today. All Pfister faucets sold in California meet the lead free guidelines of California AB1953. For more information you can check out the Professional site here or  you may call or email or visit our showroom in American Canyon.

Hansgrohe for the Kitchen

Filed under Kitchens, New in the Showroom by on April 9, 2011 at 1:07 pm {no comments}

Back around 1995 when I first started working in the GPS showroom one of our most popular kitchen faucets was the Allegro 16807 by Hansgrohe. It was different because the spray head was small enough for most women to hold in the palm of the hand so it was both easy and effective to use.

Hansgrohe Allegro E

 Hansgrohe eventually discontinued that model and for several years did not really have a lot to offer for the kitchen. That began to change in 2005 when HGR introduced the Allegro E series, including a high arc, medium arc and standard pullout models. For 2011 Hansgrohe has filled out their kitchen collection and now offers many models of pullout and pull-down main sink and prep faucets as well as bar faucets, pot fillers and (new for 2011) filter water system with dispenser faucets.

Allegro E Pot Filler

What makes Hansgrohe a better choice? The new “MagFit” system easily locks the spray head in place so it doesn’t hang loose. The nylon spray hose is very durable and quieter than a typical metal hose. The operating handle is actually bolted to the cartridge (not just held in place with a set screw) so it stays secure through thousands of uses. HGR kitchen faucets also have a high temperature limit stop that can be set to prevent scalding (nice if you have small children). All HGR parts are made in Germany or the USA.

Hansgrohe has three kitchen collections; Talis S, Allegro E and Talis C. All three collections include main, prep and bar sink faucets and matching filter systems. (In Hansgrohe speak “S” indicates contemporary, “E” is transitional and “C” is traditional)

HGR Allegro E Pullout

Talis S is a contemporary, clean line collection. The high arc model includes a pull-down spray with “spray on demand” function. The prep sink faucet is a slightly smaller version of the high arc. Talis S pot fillers are available in both wall mount and deck mount styles.

Allegro E series has a smoother more organic shape. This year Hansgrohe reduced the size of the high arc faucet ever so slightly so that is better fit most residential applications. I personally think that the Allegro E standard pullout is one of the nicest kitchen faucets around. It is sort of a hybrid between a high arc and standard forward spout with a graceful arch.

Talis C is what I call a “transitional” style (although Hansgrohe calls it traditional) meaning

Talis C High Arc Kitchen

 that is has some style details that look a bit traditional and yet it is still as straight line, clean look. Talis C offers three high arc faucets; one each for the main, prep and bar sinks. There are also Talis C pot fillers for the wall and deck and a filter water system. Talis C is the only collection available in the rubbed bronze as well as chrome and brushed nickel.

Hansgrohe kitchen also offers “Focus E”, a competitively priced single handle model with or without side spray. Three styles of soap dispenser are also available as is a 10” base plate for retrofit installations.

Talis S Semi Arc

We stock the main and prep sink faucets as well as some of the secondary models at our American Canyon, Walnut Creek and Livermore (warehouse only) locations. Please come in and take a look today!

American Standard Brands – Faucets and More

Filed under Kitchens by on December 10, 2010 at 2:51 pm {no comments}

American Standard is a major plumbing manufacturer of residential and commercial fixtures, faucets, acrylics and cast iron and a variety of other products. American Standard started in 1875 as the Standard Manufacturing Company and eventually merged with American Radiator to become American Standard (see history).  In 2008 it became American Standard Brands when American Standard Americans merged with Crane Plumbing and Eljer. Today American Standard products are sold primarily under the American Standard, Porcher or Jado name.

AMS Town Square Suite

Being a large company, American Standard makes product for the low, middle and high-end market. Porcher and Jado are the brands for the high-end fixtures and faucets while the American Standard brand covers a range of low to mid-range price point product. There is a lot to cover so for this post we will talk first about faucets.

 AMERICAN STANDARD FAUCETS

All American Standard (AMS) faucets are now Lead Free throughout the US. Recent legislation in California and Vermont requires all faucets distributed in those states to be lead free. AMS is one of the few companies which have responded to this requirement by making their entire product inventory lead free. American Standard faucets are brass rather than zinc alloy or plastic and use ceramic disc valves and PVD finishes to produce faucets that are durable and long lasting.

AMS makes both bathroom faucets and kitchen faucets as well as utility and commercial product. First let’s talk about the kitchen.

AMS Arch Pullout Kitchen Faucet

AMERICAN STANDARD KITCHEN FAUCETS

American Standard offers 9 kitchen collections – Culinaire, Pekoe, Arch, Lakeland, Connoisseur, Jasmine, Hampton, Reliant+ and Colony Soft. 

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AMS Culinaire Kitchen

Culinaire Collection has a traditional and a contemporary option. The traditional faucet is a bridge model, with or without side spray. When the side spray option is applied the faucet will have a center post (see picture at right). If the side spray is not used the faucet becomes a classic bridge style. There is a choice of lever or cross handles. This bridge faucet is available in chrome, blackened bronze or satin nickel. In addition, Culinaire offers a matching single hole bar/pantry faucet. These faucets are solid brass for durable, long lasting  product.

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AMS Culinaire HiFlow Kitchen

AMS Culinaire Pullout

The Culinaire contemporary group features a pullout spray faucet with easy reach control, cast brass body and ceramic disc technology. If you prefer a side spray there is a single handle high arch model. Both are available in polished chrome, blackened bronze or satinless steel (PVD).

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AMS Pekoe Semi-Professional

AMS Pekoe Extender

The Pekoe Collection was introduced in 2010. Modern looking, Pekoe includes high arch kitchen and bar faucets, with or without pullout as well as a more standard pullout spray head model. The Pekoe Semi Professional is based on a classic pre-rinse modified for a residential kitchen. The Pekoe Extender has an aerator that pulls out, swivels and can be switched between aerated or needle spray.

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AMS Arch Pullout Spray

AMS Arch Pullout with soap dish

The Arch Collection is also new. Based on a classic “C” spout the collection includes a pull-out and a high-arc single handle faucet, with or without side spray. The collection also offers a new base plate with an adaptor to accomadate a soap dish; a good solution when retrofitting to an existing three hole sink.

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AMS Lakeland Pullout Faucet

AMS Lakeland Kitchen Faucet

The Lakeland series is a transitional looking single handle series.  Available in a single handle pullout or a classic single handle style with side spray. Both are available in chrome or PVD stainless steel. Lakeland is shipped with a base escutcheon that may be used or discarded.

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AMS Connoisseur

If you are looking for a solid single handle faucet then you should consider Connoisseur. Every Connoisseur faucet has a cast brass swivel spout and includes an escutcheon and side spray, both of with you have the option of using or not using.

Hampton, Reliant+ and Colony Soft are more competitively priced and include a pullout spray and cast brass single handle as well as traditional two handle models.

AMS Reliant+ Pullout Faucet

AMS Colony Soft Kitchen

AMS Hampton Kitchen

There is a lot to choose from. Is there one for you?

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Waterstone Faucets – A Unique Faucet Collection

Filed under Kitchens, New in the Showroom by on October 28, 2010 at 10:37 am {no comments}

Waterstone is a high quality, innovative maker of kitchen faucets and accessories.

Waterstone Towson Kitchen Faucet

All Waterstone faucets are made of solid brass or stainless steel and are manufactured in the USA. What makes Waterstone unique is their commitment to developing full line kitchen faucet collections.

There are many manufacturers of high quality faucets out there but in most cases individual manufacturers do not offer a complete collection. So you may buy your faucets and soap dispenser from one brand, the air gap and strainers from a second brand and the instant hot from a third brand. Yes, we can get very close on color and compatible in style but it isn’t really a true suite.

Waterstone Annapolis Gantry faucet

Waterstone saw this and decided that it was time to offer complete collections. Today Waterstone offers 6 styles; Annapolis, Fulton, Hampton, Hunley, Parche and Towson. Each collection includes a main sink faucet, prep sink faucet, bar and filtration faucets, deck and wall mount pot fillers, side sprays and soap dispenser, air switch and air gap and instant hot faucets.

In addition each suite includes Waterstone unique “Gantry” style faucet. The “Gantry” builds on the design of a commercial pre-rinse faucet and adapts it for use in the residential kitchen, combining a standard spout and separate pull-down spray. The “Gantry” is not for everyone but is perfect for someone who wants unique style, quality and function.

Hunley Positive Lock Pull-down mini suite by Waterstone

This year Waterstone has introduced their Positive Lock Pull-down kitchen faucet mini-suites. These “mini-suites” include a pull-down faucet, air gap, air switch and soap dispenser. The positive lock  holds the spray head firmly in place, avoiding the loose connection sometimes seen on less well made faucets. The spray head extends 18″ from the spout and uses a pre-positioned counterbalanced weight to provide smooth operation. 

If you want addition items you may  combine the pull-down faucets with the Hunley family for a complete suite.

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Amazingly, Waterstone offers their faucets in 30 different finishes including the basics (chrome, brushed nickel, stainless), the unusual (5 bronzes, 4 coppers, plus distressed and matte colors) and the precious (satin and polished gold). This gives you the options of coordinating with a huge range of interior finishes.

All Waterstone faucets include 360 degree spout range, ceramic disc cartridges and a limited lifetime warranty. Additional features offered on certain collections are outlined in the Waterstone “Features and Benefits” statement.

We display Waterstome in our American Canyon showroom. If you would like more information or just have a question please feel free to give us a call or use our contact form above. Thank you!

Kitchen Faucets: Pull-out or Pull-down?

Filed under Kitchens by on August 9, 2010 at 2:47 pm {no comments}

If you are someone who spends a lot of time in the kitchen then your kitchen faucet is probably pretty important to you. In fact for many of us it is one of the most used products in the kitchen. Pull-out style faucets have been popular for a long time and in recent years pull-down models have become more common. Of course there are tons of choices so let’s look at some of the possibilities.

 SPRAY HEAD KITCHEN FAUCETS

 

Ladylux Pro Dual Spray Main Sink

 GROHE LADYLUX PLUS

– OK, in the interest of full disclosure I have to admit that Grohe has been a favorite of mine for years. The

Ladylux Cafe

 original Ladylux was one of the first pull-out spray faucets available in the United States. Today, the Ladylux is available in several variations with the Ladylux Plus 3 being today’s version of the classic high neck pull-out and the Ladylux Café 3 as a pull-down. The recently introduced Ladylux Pro has a sleeker, more contemporary look but still offers a multi-spray option. Price range on Ladylux models is $399 to $640, depending on model and finish. We display all models of the Ladylux.

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Allegro E Gourmet Pull-down

HANSGROHE ALLEGRO

– When I started with General Plumbing in the mid 90s one of our most popular faucets was made by Hansgrohe. They discontinued that model in the early 2000s and for several years did not have a strong presence in the kitchen. That changed a few years ago with the introduction of the Allegro E series.  The Allegro E 2-spray Gourmet is

Allegro E Pull-out

 available in both a pull-out and a pull-down. Both feature a side mount handle that has been designed so as not to interfere with the backsplash in even the closest installation. The Allegro pull-out has a lower spout with top mount handle. All are available in chrome and Steel Optik. Prices range from $342 – $600 and are on display in our showroom.

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KWC Eve Luminaqua

KWC EVE AND ONO– KWC has always offered innovative product. They were also one of the earliest makers of pull-out faucets and the KWC Domo was for a long time a top seller. It was distinguished by a locking spray head that was unique.

KWC Ono Pullout

 Today’s KWC includes unique designs in their Ono, Ava and Eve series. The Eve features the Luminaqua option, a lightedwater stream. The Suprimo and Deco styles are more traditional. Finally Systema series takes it’s inspiration from commercial equipment and translates it to residential use.  KWC faucets are available in a wide range of finish and price.

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Brizo Talo SmartTouch Pull-down

BRIZO TALO AND VENUTO

– in 2010 Brizo introduced their Smart Touch technology to the “Talo” and “Venuto” kitchen faucets.  SmartTouch allows the user to turn the faucet on/off with just a touch to any part of the faucet. This allows you to work “hands-free” which keeps the

Venuto Smart Touch Pull-down

 faucet clean and helps you save water by making it easy to turn the water off and of while working. Both models also offer a pull-out spray with a magnetic housing that guides and secures the spray head after each use. We display both these models in our working faucet installation in our showroom. Prices range from $475.00 to $650.00.

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Showhouse Ascent Pull-down

SHOWHOUSE WOODMERE & ASCENT

– Showhouse is a division of Moen, a company that got it’s start when Al Moen created a washerless cartridge that lead to the creation of single handled Moen faucets. Now Moen has introduced their new Duralast cartridge to several of the Showhouse models. This

Showhouse Woodmere Pull-down

 cartridge uses ceramic disc technology which provides for a smooth, more precise operation. The Showhouse “Woodmere” is a traditional design pull-down available in both main sink and prep sink models. The “Ascent” offers a more contemporary design in both a pull-out model and a pull-down for main sink and prep sink. Most models are on display in the AC Showroom. Available in chrome and stainless prices range from $450.00 to $760.00.

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 This is a sampling of some of the most popular models but there are many more available. Please come visit us and see our working display.

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