Once largely national in scope, the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show has evolved into an influential international exposition. This May, a record-breaking 44,000 professionals filled three halls of the Las Vegas Convention Center to visit more than 1,000 exhibits representing the world’s top designers and manufacturers—including those from North and South America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. This migration of ideas resulted in a merging of European aesthetics and technologies with those from the U.S. - Linda C. Lentz

Eastern hues Offering Greenguard air-quality certification and integral Microban protection with NSF 50 certification for food prep, the Silestone Quartz Zen Series targets inner well-being with Japanese-dubbed transcendental shades of white, plum, brown, and gray. Cosentino, Stafford, Tex. www.silestoneusa.com

Go with the flow Exceeding current environmental standards, the FloWise showerhead delivers an impressive 1.5 gpm, using 40 percent less water than typical 2.5 gpm models. Likewise, the FloWise toilet satisfies the EPA WaterSense 1.28 gpf, thus qualifying as a high-efficiency toilet. American Standard, Piscataway, N.J. www.americanstandard-us.com

Fitting in This 125-year-old company based in Emilia Romagna bridges the appliance/furniture gap with its stainless-steel Modular Series, a selection of 24'' to 48'' gas cook tops, coordinating base cabinet with shelves or drawers, back panel with utensil bar, and adjustable hood. Bertazzoni, Guastalla, Italy.

Hard core Fabricated with 80 percent granite, the Blancoprecis multi-level kitchen sink is said to be easy to clean, and scratch- and stain-resistant. Spanning 48”, this clean-up cum work space features two deep basins, an integrated drain area/work surface, sliding walnut cutting board, and colander. Blanco, Lumberton, N.J. www.blancoamerica.com

A touch of class Taking its cues from Art Nouveau glamour, RSVP bath fittings and accessories are all about subtle curves accented by a bit of “bling” in the way of optional Swarovski crystal. Available in chrome and brushed bronze or nickel, even the overhead shower maintains a shapely silhouette. Brizo, Indianapolis, Ind. www.brizo.com

Shades of green Earth- and health-conscious, Green-Core cabinets are offered in a variety of finish and box options that include low-emitting recycled exterior-grade particleboard and patented soy-based resin plywood. Veneer and laminate doors have substrates made of recycled MDF or particleboard with no added urea-formaldehyde. Crystal Cabinet Works, Princeton, Minn. www.ccworks.com