Axor, part of Hansgrohe Worldwide, once again demonstrated the out-of-the-box thinking that keeps them miles ahead of the bathroom-design game with their exhibit "Axor WaterDream." Part of this year's FuoriSalone, which accompanies Milan's Salone Internazionale del Mobile, it examined the potential of the modern bathroom as a distinct architectural vision through a series of vignettes by Jean-Marie Massaud, Patricia Urquiola, and Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec. "It was about creating opportunity for free dialogue, as opposed to simply developing new products and simulating future environments," says brand manager Philippe Grohe. Massaud's all-white scene was made for lingering. Beneath a convex ceiling, he placed oversize pillows and a table around the synthetic-resin surround of an oval two-person tub; a slice of a fireplace provided additional heat to the romantic milieu. Urquiola presented a different sense of play. Amid an enchanted forest of showers, mechanical birds chirped in reaction to shifting light levels. The contribution by the Bouroullec brothers stood in sharp contrast to the other vignettes. Rather like a mathematical equation, they set against a chalkboard groupings of bathroom levers and handles within a series of frames, achieving a stark intimacy with the objects.

"Four million years ago, you were bacteria," stated Philippe Starck at the unveiling of the Duravit headquarters in Hornberg, Germany, last December. He designed the five-story, steel-clad building in collaboration with Wöhrle+Wöhrle Architekten, a local firm, and among its many highlights is his 23-foot-high toilet, which stands proud behind a clear-glass facade. A cylindrical, double-height shaft draws cool air and natural light into the 100,000-square-foot interior, a mix of office and showroom space.

Amid the countless fully functioning vignettes is Sieger Design's Happy D collection of ceramic tubs, basins, and vanities, as well as Starck's newest bath collection, the ceramic Starck X.

Born of a partnership between Duravit and Hansgrohe, Starck X heralds a minimalist, geometric aesthetic. Basins are cylindrical. Bidets are fitted with noise-reduction gaskets and elongated outer pipes. European-style toilets append to vertical or horizontal outlets. Sink finishes include chrome, platinum, and sunny yellow. Why X? Says the Frenchman, "Because it's pure Starck—nothing to see, nothing to say, impossible to make less." circle 312

efficient, design-savvy young demographic of apartment dwellers and homeowners. The collection of some 30 fixtures, faucets, and accessories includes this floor-mounted tub faucet. All are brass and can be finished in polished chrome or matte platinum.  1700 Executive Drive South, Suite 600, Duluth, GA 30096; 800-774-1181; dornbracht.com.

A watched pot boils in a flash with the 15-inch-wide Induction cooktop. The two heating zones each produce 1,800 watts of energy. If additional power is needed, the rear zone can pull energy from the front, raising its capacity to 2,200 watts. The unused surface never heats, so spills don't burn and you don't scrub. P.O. Box 44848, Madison, WI 53744; 800-332-9513; wolfappliance.com.

Despite its ovoid shape, the Bento plate is named after the Japanese box. What is consistent is the concept of separating foods within defined spaces so flavors don't mingle. Rounding out the porcelain collection is a party plate, bowl, salad plate, and two-tiered server. 5 Vaughn Drive, Princeton, NJ 08540; 877-505-5350; villeroy-boch.com.

The clean-lined Case Study slat bench is a, well, case study in minimalism. The seat comes in teak, maple, or walnut with legs of anodized machined billet aluminum. It is offered in a range of lengths, from 2 to 12 feet. Height is 14 inches; depth is 173/4 inches. 7366 Beverly Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90036-2501; 323-933-0383; modernica.net.

The crisp, rectilinear Andante Recamier daybed aims to please every taste with a multitude of options: tufted or plain back, a dressmaker skirt or a tapered leg, a choice of eight finishes from ebony to pecan, and 10 types of nail-head details ranging from French natural to antique weathered brass. 225 Central Avenue South, Bethpage, NY 11714; 800-645-9068; kravet.com.

The Brando sofa provides solid comfort with a quiet strength that lives up to its namesake. The padding and bottom cushions are polyurethane foam; the back cushions are mixed-feather. The width is 981/2 to 118 inches, depth is 41 inches, and height is 301/3 inches. Via dei Celuschi 8 Meda (MI), Milan I-20036, Italy; 39-0362-340499; casamilanohome.com.

The Azeo GT, the latest iteration of the Azeo line, benefits from a new powder-coating process and a vastly expanded selection of color finishes in foundation laminate, wood veneer, and flint wood. Like the original Azeo, the GT comes in both a high-back and low-back version and with adjustable tilts that provide active lumbar support. 17 West Stow Road, Marlton, NJ 08053; 856-596-3390; globaltotaloffice.com.

The #135 is a boldly contemporary stacking side chair with an aluminum frame supporting a polypropylene seat and back in ivory, yellow, orange, red, sky blue, apple green, or anthracite. 2840 NW Boca Raton Boulevard, Building 2, Boca Raton, FL 33428; 561-447-9490; aceray.com.

The Coral floor lamp stands tall on a rectilinear alder-wood column carved in intricate openwork. It's available in an alder, gilt, or lacquered finish with a white linen, natural silk, or off-white silk shade. 2001 West Gage Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90047; 323-778-8838; sunfurnituredesign.com.

The Bannockburn bar-and- convenience faucet has minimalist styling and a 10-inch-high gooseneck. It comes in the golden brushed-brass finish shown, and in chrome or stainless steel. An optional cover plate allows installation in many sinks drilled with multiple holes. 2 Territorial Court, Suite A, Bolingbrook, IL 60440; 877-530-3344; danze.com.

The 24-inch-long Picot Shower Bar, in Permabrass, delivers a soothing curtain of water from 18 small nozzles. It can be employed singly or grouped for even more thorough coverage. A similar satin-nickel bar has 4 body-spray nozzles, and a 7-inch version is sold in chrome. 7 Pearl Court, Allendale, NJ 07401; 201-818-1300; harringtonbrassworks.com.

The 1400 Pillar mixing faucet with Nova handles is made of brass cloaked in shiny chrome or 29 other finishes, including lifetime-guaranteed PVD. With a minimum of remodeling, Pillar faucets can be used with most vessel sinks. 3280 Corporate View, Vista, CA 92081; 877-621-8383, x129; sigmafaucet.com

The Aveo porcelain dual-flush toilet has an ingenious water-saving innovation: two flush strengths. Push the button half way for a lighter flush (conserving a full gallon of water), all the way down for a full flush. To prevent clogs, London's Conran Associates designed one of the largest fully glazed traps in the industry. 3 South Middlesex Avenue, Monroe Township, NJ 08831; 877-505-5350, villeroy-boch.com.

Thad Hayes's Riverbed table collection gives luster to simple, modern forms. Its coffee table and two end tables—available with a choice of shelves or drawers and round or rectangular tops—rest on walnut sleigh legs. Tops are a bold pairing of walnut and enameled metal in six color options. 485 Broadway, New York, NY 10013; 800-366-4442; donghia.com.

The 2-foot-square carpet tiles in the new Basic Modulation Collection come in eight coordinating colorways and three patterns and are a versatile choice for commercial installations. The hard-wearing tiles are made of pure solution-dyed Enviro6ix Zeftron nylon. The EnviroFlex backing is produced in part from recycled post-industrial content. 1546 Progress Road, Ellijay, GA 30540; 800-241-5945; blueridgecarpet.com.

The Boomerang bench is a shapely swoop of laminated birch with a sleek chromium frame and legs, designed by Alexander Lervik to fill any number of public-space seating needs. It's a generous 1141/2 inches wide, 561/2 inches deep, and 173/4 inches high. SE 288 34 Vinslov, Sweden; 46-44-855-50; http://www.skandiform.se/.

The ADR001-Rags rug delivers the densely knotted long fibers and impressive lanolin content traditionally associated with high-altitude Himalayan sheep. To modernize the look, the manufacturer conceals the rug's fringe by binding it under canvas. 225 Central Avenue South, Bethpage, NY 11714; 516-293-2000; kravet.com.

The art of subtle tonal and textural harmonies has been mastered with the Screenplay collection's Adaptation and Aperture. The two sturdy vinyl weaves use wider flat-tape yarns and have a bulkier construction that evokes architectural metal grid work. Yarns are woven flat, which gives the finished product luster. 1235 Water Street, East Greenville, PA 18041; 800-343-5665; knoll.com.

The Comp K-13 suite of bathroom furnishings includes this asymmetrical wall-hung vanity with a zebra-wood base. The integrated countertop basin is white Corian, and the companion mirror is framed in aluminum. A range of wood finishes are offered, including wengé and oak. 4 Park Plaza, Boston, MA 02116; 888-247-9909; bisbis.com.

The clear-anodized aluminum jambs of Antonio Citterio's Pavilion partition system and Planus Due door incorporate an elegant shadow line. The door is 23 to 36 inches wide in clear, frosted, or colored glass; gray or brown oak; or colorfully lacquered wood. 150 East 58th Street, 8th Floor, New York, NY 10155; 877-878-7374; tre-piu.com.

Cleaning up is just a squirt away with the SD550A soap and lotion dispenser. The solid-brass, 8-inch-tall accessory has a 3 1/2-inch-long spout and a rubber base to keep it in place. Among finishes are polished chrome, satin nickel, and Inca brass. 1559 Sunland Lane, Costa Mesa, CA 92626; 800-777-9762; rohlhome.com.

Jessica Miller's Plaza rug redefines the concept of figures on a ground—in this case, shadowy actors on a field of luminous blue. Miller has employed New Zealand wool hand-knotted in Nepal, and her rug measures 6 by 8 feet, though custom sizes and any color combinations are possible. P.O. Box 882527, Steamboat Springs, CO 80488; 970-870-3030; jmilo.com.

In her studio inside ABC Carpet and Home, Madeline Weinrib silhouetted a 1920's French floral fabric for Chime, her cut-pile rug of New Zealand and Tibetan wool. The pattern is 6 by 9 feet; custom colors and sizes are available.  888 Broadway, Sixth Floor, New York, NY 10003; 212-473-3000; abchome.com.