This week we’re opening the New & Notable post with a fantastic opportunity for our talented clients: Duravit has announced its 2016 Dream Bath Competition. The fourth annual event invites designers and architects to re-imagine their own bathroom to feature a range of Duravit's top collections and design solutions: Darling New with the innovative C-Bonded vanity/washbasin; P3 Comforts; Duravit Rimless Toilets; ME by Starck, DuraStyle; Happy D.2; L-Cube; Stonetto; and Light & Mirrors. (Click here to read our recent Duravit post that highlights several of those lines.) The winner will receive up to $10,000 in product to help realize their design dreams. The competition also features a Built category, in which designers and architects may submit their completed residential and/or commercial projects (from 2011-2016) featuring any Duravit products. Submissions are due by 23 September—this Friday. Good luck!

Also in bath news, German kitchen and bath brand Dornbracht has introduced a collection of fittings called Lissé, newly available in the United States this month. The streamlined, minimalist bathroom fittings designed were designed by Sieger Design to showcase Dornbracht’s exceptional craftsmanship, quality and functionality. (You can read about Sieger’s incredible, historic headquarters here.)  Lissé, “smooth” in French, is distinguished by its progressive and ergonomic design. The dramatically tilted lever is visually pleasing and effortless to use. The design melds angles and curves, tilts and tapers in a sleek yet playful way. Lissé is available in polished chrome or platinum matte, and includes 25 products for sink, bidet, shower and bath applications. The single-lever mixer for the sink is also available in a special water-saving model: 21 superfine individual jets reduce the standard flow rate of 1.4 gallons to 1 gallon per minute.

Southern California is the perfect climate for year-round grilling and the newest grill from luxury line Hestan Outdoor—designed with Chef Thomas Keller, no less—is the ultimate way to keep that summer vibe going right through fall. The award-winning grill offers an easy push-start ignition; dual-purpose rotisserie with infrared heat; laser-cut steel burners for even heat distribution; ceramic briquettes; and a heavy-duty, easy-lift hood fitted with a motion-activated interior light. The unit is available as a freestanding or built-in model, and comes in 48-, 54- and 60-widths. It also comes in twelve color finishes (we’re smitten by colorway names like Bora Bora, Froth, Tin Roof and Sol), as well as an ultra-professional looking stainless steel.

Developed by Canadian firm Home Refinements, a division of JULIEN, in collaboration with kitchen designer Matthew Quinn, the SocialCorner redefines the kitchen island and the very way you use your sink. It’s clever two-sided design means that it can be used by two people, not just one. We think it’s a pretty genius idea! Work areas remain separate but the design encourages interaction between friends and family working together in the kitchen. Easy circulation between different kitchen zones and optimized countertop space usage make us wonder why no one has thought of this sooner. SocialCorner sinks, manufactured in Quebec, are available in 3 sizes with customizable options, and can be installed either on the right or the left corner of your island. Adding to its charm are its clever sound-deadening pads and a host of fitted accessories like colanders, cutting boards, trays and drying racks.