Spot Light

The Ghembe pendant's mix of stainless steel and wood [choose from maple, walnut or the redoubtable wenge] is pretty slick. The band of metal mesh lightens the look of the cylinder, and the silver color coordinates eminently with contemporary hardware and faucets. andcosta.com

Rise and Shine

I've seen a lot of bathtubs in recent days. The majority are sleek contemporary vessels; they'd be a great spot to read up on metaphysics, I think, with their coolly intellectualized designs. But sometimes body and soul need a respite from the modern world, and maybe the copper-leafed Piedmont tub would be a good place for that. The luminous, handcrafted finish is inspiring in its own right. sunrisespecialty.com

Sitting Pretty—and Practical

Most shower seats seem like an afterthought, don't they? Those flip-down perches, no matter how well crafted, are just a compromise solution to a condition that would be better addressed from the start. This 'Hide & Seat' design offers both commodious storage and a secure, spacious place to sit. roca.com

Artificial Intelligent

It's been a while since I've seen trompe l'oeil on kitchen cabinets; I think my last encounter involved a portrayal of a faux fruit basket and some butterflies—not exactly what you'd call sophisticated. This delicate, hand-painted woodgrain is much more appealing, particularly in the way the 'planks' illogically extend across the real gaps and seams of the cabinets. The line is called 'Driftwood', and was created by designer William Yeoward. smallbone.co.uk

Forward and Back

I just got back from a trip to ISH, the mega- trade show for the bathroom industry, and in the coming days will preview some of nifty items that are coming down the design pike. However, this being Flashback Friday, I'll share this 1964 vision of fixtures of the future. Everything in the Galaxie collection is orbital, I see: The geometry of new frontiers in space and science is visited upon the humble bath.

Against the Grain

I love wood floors, and so am intrigued by these geometric mosaics. The 12-inch x 12-inch tiles are pieced together of end-cut hardwoods in Ghana. The manufacturer has developed a special elastic grout, as well as a cushioned underlayer, which compensate for the natural shrinkage and expansion of the material. The collection comprises 24 patterns; Safo is shown here. Kid, welcome to the candy store. treebornmosaicflooring.com

Cool Stools

Sized to fit tables, counters and bars, these stools have legs that are widely splayed, giving them a solid footing on less-than-even surfaces. Their indeterminate—but hardly generic—style suits a range of decors. Collect 'em all! sawkille.com