Stylist Camille Styles sees it again and again: We’re treating this major design element like an afterthought. Here’s how to pick your plumbing fixtures mindfully.

Unlacquered Brass Sink
Courtesy of KALLISTA

In the world of interior design, even the smallest details have a major impact on a room’s look and feel. Case in point: plumbing fixtures and hardware, says Camille Styles, the owner of Sunset’s 2023 Idea House. That’s why she incorporated the brilliance of KALLISTA to bring her design vision to life in her Malibu renovation.

Creating Impact

Kallista One Line Matte Black Tub Faucet
Faucet in matte black

Courtesy of KALLISTA

“Plumbing fixtures are one of those decisions that many people leave until the end,” says Styles, who pulls wisdom she’s learned from her many renovation projects. For her coastal California home, she took a different route by choosing the metals and finishes that will grace her sinks and showers early on in the project. “I wanted to lock in that decision as part of my vision that will help guide the other elements of each space,” she says.

Her choice was one of equal parts beauty and utility. Styles looked to KALLISTA, the revered manufacturer of luxury faucets and fixtures, to add the hardworking touches to various rooms. Alexander Dornbracht, Managing Director for KALLISTA, adds that with Styles’ choice to include the brand comes a functional luxury. “Our products showcase a compelling beauty to enhance your space,” says Dornbracht. ”They simultaneously offer a quality composition that makes your everyday routines more enjoyable.”

A Stunning Statement 

Kitchen Sink with Skyline

Courtesy of KALLISTA

Since KALLISTA offers a wide range of forms and finishes, Styles had a sea of options to navigate. But her design eye was set on the brand’s unlacquered brass, a warm inviting metal with a rich aged patina. “In addition to the finish, I fell in love with the clean, quiet sophistication of KALLISTA’s One collection,” adds Styles. “I wanted to embrace its simple design throughout our home.”

Styles admits she “swooned” over unlacquered brass hardware for many years, but it was never the ideal fit for her current more contemporary residence. This “living finish” was perfect for her coastal California beach house, in which she’s imbuing materials from the earth—from stone and wood to linen and clay. As she says, “the warmth and softness that unlacquered brass brings to a kitchen or bath will feel right at home in the casual, sun-bleached palette I’m envisioning.”

Dornbracht agrees. “Our sought-after Unlacquered Brass finish not only adds a deep golden hue but furthermore a unique, timeless patina that evolves with the space.”

The “Jewelry” of the Home

Kallista Handle Detail
Handle detail

Courtesy of KALLISTA

If there’s one element of the KALLISTA pieces that strikes Styles the most, it’s the products’ humility in the face of their beauty. They work hard, allowing our hands to maneuver them countless times a day, all the while offering an unparalleled touch. Styles believes they’ll offer a contrast and tension with the rest of the home’s materials, creating an aesthetic that invites the eye to linger, absorb, and find unique beauty in each space. 

This is all a case for honoring the small details. “Think of KALLISTA fixtures as the ‘jewelry’ of the home,” says Dornbracht.

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