Fixtures: Hot and Cold Running Style

This isn't your grandfather's faucet anymore. Or is it? Judging from the wide array of models on display in plumbing showrooms, this question is difficult to answer.

"We're seeing a lot of interest in contemporary pieces," says Jeff Settle, owner of Settco Decorative Plumbing and Hardware in Fresno, Calif. "But there's also a trend toward the traditional."

Contemporary faucets for kitchens or bathrooms feature sleek, streamlined styling; it's a dramatic departure from the function over form of grandpa's day. Many of today's models look like they belong on a spaceship. They exude convenience and efficiency, and they emit the sparkle of polished chrome and stainless steel.