The New Kitchen Faucet

It wasn't so long ago that my kitchen faucet took a turn for the worse. Faced with the task of replacing our busted unit, I turned to my stellar internet sleuthing skills to educate myself on the options and narrowed down my functional requirements. (In case you've forgotten, I was going for a single-hole, high arc, pull-down sprayer faucet with some sort of hands-free technology.) With recommendations in hand from a few of our interior design friends (including this timely piece from Life of an Architect), I finally had it all figured out...

Remember that one? Later, alligator...

After searching high and low, I ended up choosing the Solna faucet from Brizo with SmartTouch, their version of hands-free technology. The lovely folks at Brizo were kind enough to provide me a unit and, after two months of extensive use, I must say I think I've got a winner.

Introducing my Brizo Solna with SmartTouch technology.

I chose this unit because it fit my functional requirements and also had clean lines, a graceful arc, and a streamlined (almost hidden) sprayer design. Since my kitchen is not a grand one, I find the quiet grace of this design is a well-suited match.

There are some things that take getting used to with this new faucet. You see, because the spout is higher and at a wider angle, the physics of this faucet are simply different than our original one. But with time, I am slowly learning to position the handle just so to get the perfect flow and temperature. And I'm also learning to position the dishes just so so I can stop spraying myself with backsplashed water (oops!).

You have to love a faucet that has an LED...

And can we talk about this hands-free thing for a second? Hands-free technology on a kitchen faucet is, quite simply, AMAZING. Okay, sure it improves our water efficiency and yes it's a boon to food safety. But let's face it. It's just pretty freaking cool. It makes the seemingly thankless and pedestrian act of washing dishes just a little more snazzy and fun. It makes me smile. I highly recommend it!

One last word of advice if you're shopping for a faucet: don't forget about handedness. The Mr. (a lefty) is loving and adaptable and so therefore is willing to use this faucet that's better suited for right-handed people. But sometimes I get a pang of guilt and wonder if I should have perhaps chosen a handed-neutral unit.

And so ends the saga of The Kitchen Faucet Incident of 2012. And now, on to those doors...

Comments

[wooden Laminate flooring]

The hose in the kichen is nice!

[plumbing supplies]

Cleaning your faucet frequently is a good maintenance. This will help avoid the accumulation of dirt.