You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink. If you lead it to one of the amazing kitchen faucets now on the market, however, the horse may want to wash vegetables, fill a pot, rinse pasta and clean the sink.

The latest kitchen faucets make kitchen tasks easy, fun and beautiful. According to a recent survey of designers by the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA), kitchen faucets with features designed to simplify cooking activities will dominate in 2010. Pullout faucets will continue to increase in popularity, while pot fillers will become more prevalent. To complement increasingly popular white kitchens, the NKBA predicts that most faucets will be specified in brushed nickel, followed by stainless steel, satin nickel and polished chrome.

Offering a variety of forms and functions, the eight kitchen faucets featured here are both workhorses and show ponies. With faucets this impressive, you'll be chomping at the bit to turn on the waterworks.


[1] Get Elated

The chic simplicity and practical utility of Kohler's Elate pullout kitchen faucet is designed to harmonize with other clean-lined elements in today's modern kitchen. Available in polished chrome or Vibrant stainless, the look is contemporary but comfortable, with circles and soft lines repeating throughout the handle and spray head. Its design is also practical, both easy to clean and easy to use. ProMotion technology, which features a durable braided nylon hose, metal coiling and a ball-joint swivel sprayhead, ensures smooth, quiet function of the pullout sprayhead with minimal effort. Three functions offer aerate, spray and pause options, and, when fully extended, Elate's hose is long enough to allow users to complete tasks outside the boundaries of the sink frame. For more information, visit www.kohler.com.




































[2] Wild About Saffron

Four new spice-inspired faucet collections from JADO—Basil, Cayenne, Coriander and Saffron—combine functionality and ergonomic designs around routine kitchen activities, such as rinsing pasta, washing hands, filling pots or cleaning the sink. Each of the four collections is equipped with drip-free, ceramic disc valve cartridges and 8-in. spouts that swivel either 150 or 180 degrees to permit greater flexibility. Each collection offers either a pullout nylon hose, which delivers a smoother, fuller range of motion, or a pull-down metal hose, which offers better control of the hand spray.

In the soft contemporary Saffron Collection (shown), the stainless-steel hose-protector coil offers durability and flexibility, yet is removable for easy cleaning. Available in polished chrome, brushed nickel and ultra steel, the line includes culinary and single-lever models, as well as a single-lever bar faucet. For more information, visit www.jadousa.com.

































[3] Arbor Day

Moen's Arbor single-handle pulldown kitchen faucet offers an ideal combination of form and function. Its unique S-shaped single-lever handle—which can be installed on the right or left side of the faucet—offers easy-to-use temperature and flow control with just the touch of a button. Plus, the ergonomically designed multi-function pullout wand—with a new 1255 Duralast cartridge for a consistently smooth handle feel—and graceful high-arc spout make performing everyday tasks, like filling large pots or vases, in and around the sink easy. Additionally, the new faucet features the company's patented Hydrolock installation system, which snaps the faucet and supply lines together with a telltale click for a quick, easy and secure connection.

Available in a single-hole version (shown), Arbor blends into granite and other solid-surface countertops for a clean, refined look. A coverplate is included for three-hole sink applications. Each is offered in chrome and LifeShine classic stainless finishes. For more information, visit www.moen.com.



































[4] Graceful Talo

The Talo SmartTouch pull-down kitchen faucet from Brizo offers both an elegant look and a cutting-edge technology. In addition to its high-rise profile and soft contours, the faucet's SmartTouch technology makes turning the faucet on and off as easy as simply tapping or touching the faucet anywhere on the spout or handle. The patented two-button/four-function pull-down wand puts spray, stream, volume control and pause functions at the user's fingertips, making kitchen tasks easier. Talo also features the company's MagneDock magnetic docking technology, which securely locks the wand into the faucet spout. For more information, visit www.brizo.com.





























[5] Magical Talis

Hansgrohe's Talis S Kitchen Collection pairs essential features with contemporary styling and maximum functionality. New to the collection, which already includes HighArc, Low Rider, Prep and Bar faucets, are deck- and wall-mounted (shown) potfillers. A must-have for busy kitchens where cooking is more than an idle pastime, these potfillers make it easy to bring water right to the cooking area. Wall-mounted models extend a maximum of 26 1/2 in.; the 14-in.-high deck-mounted versions span 23 1/2 in. All models include solid brass construction, two ceramic shutoff valves and an installation flange for stability. For more information, visit  www.hansgrohe-usa.com.
























[6] Explore the Possibilities

Inspired by the subtle angular contours and bell shapes found in the handcrafted iron works of the Southwest, Elkay's Explore faucet family makes a bold statement in any style kitchen, from country to urban. Design details on the base of the handle and spout emulate the smooth rounded shapes found in Southwestern pottery and are available either finish-matched with the faucet; in oil-rubbed bronze, chrome or brushed nickel; or in a combination of oil-rubbed bronze accented with terra-cotta rings to coordinate with the company's Explore line of fireclay sinks (shown). With convenient features including a 360-degree rotation and a single handle, Explore is available as a pull-down faucet or with a side spray. The collection also offers a bar faucet and pot filler. For more information, visit www.elkayusa.com.
































[7] Reign Suprimo

To facilitate working at the sink, KWC has updated its minimalist SUPRIMO solid-stainless-steel kitchen faucet series with LUMINAQUA Advanced Light Technology. LEDs are now integrated into the faucet by way of a transparent light ring, which provides high luminosity, a long service life and extremely low power consumption. A light sensor located in the pull-down spout activates the light function, and an automatic switch-off mechanism is activated after 45 minutes. This classic KWC design is now also offered as a two-hole solution (shown), allowing for installation in a wider variety of sinks. In the two-hole version, a single lever operates with a 360-degree action radius and a pull-out spout permits improved flexibility. For more information, visit www.kwc.us.com.





























[8] Hanover Trailblazer

Price Pfister's popular Hanover pull-down faucet was, according to the company, the first of its kind to offer two-handle control. The faucet features anti-splash spray volume control for pull-down configurations, allowing users to select desired water pressure in the palm of their hand, reducing water waste. The sprayhead also provides an opportunity to utilize the fourth sink hole for a matching soap dispenser (shown), a feature not usually available for two-handle faucets. For added functionality, the Hanover faucet provides a 75-in. braided vinyl hose and quick-connect fittings for fast and easy installation. Available in stainless steel and Tuscan bronze finishes, its two-handle configuration also includes two valves, offering users a higher flow rate and more adjustable water temperature. For more information, visit www.pricepfister.com.