Hansgrohe has long been at the fore of beautifully and thoughtfully designed kitchen and bathroom fixtures. Founded in Germany’s Black Forest region in 1901, the manufacturer, which also produces Axor, its designer line, has won numerous awards for such inventive products as multiple-spray handshowers and water-saving technologies. And while most of the firm’s production is done at facilities in Germany, France, the Netherlands and China, many of its products are manufactured and assembled right here in the United States, just north of Atlanta, Georgia.

The brand’s Select line of fittings includes kitchen faucets, bathroom taps and myriad, customizable shower options, like rain showers and handshowers in squared or rounded shapes. New to the lineup is the ShowerSelect, the only push-button mechanical shower-mixing valve on the market.

Also new is the Axor Citterio E collection, part of Hansgrohe’s designer line and created by Milan-based architect Antonio Citterio. (He’s also designed furniture for B&B Italia and Kartell, among others, and several of his designs can be found in the collections at MoMA and the Centre George-Pompidou.) The Citterio E bathroom taps and shower systems, as well as the accompanying accessories, are minimalist in form but smoothly shaped so they feel soft to the touch. They're a beautiful melding of modern styling and gentility of use, which directly relates to today's growing desire for wellness-driven designs.

In related Hansgrohe news, you can catch the new Talis Select S kitchen faucet on the set of Katie Couric's web series, Full Plate with Katie & John. They just kicked off their second season which follows Katie, her husband John Molner, and Sur La Table National Chef Joel Gamoran as they prepare easy, healthy recipes.