Based on the latest fashion colors, American Chinaware, has Citrus Color Basins, inspired by the brilliant colors of tropical fruits such as mango, kiwi, zesty lemon, bitter lime and tangerine. Priced at about $400, they're an effective way to brighten a powder room or guest bath.

Porcher has just introduced a new finish--white matte. As Linda Jennings points out, "This matte finish brings it into the next century. It adds an Old World look but, at the same time, is like something you've never seen before."

American Standard is looking toward colors called Linen, Day Dream and Spring. Linen, a softened white, is a gentle, neutral color. Day Dream and Spring, with a hint of blue and green respectively, also capture the trend toward soothing hues. "The growing tendency is clean, clear hues that are gentle, 'lifted' and softened," says color consultant Barbara Schirmeister, ASID.

Pennsylvania designer Sandra Steiner-Houck says, "White is always timeless, but Kohler has a biscuit color, a nice creamy neutral warm tone that I like. I try to design for timeless and classic, so those are the tones I've been using." Chris Lohmann, General Manager of Kaillista, underscores the point: "We're focusing on English porcelain in three whites-- 'croquet,' 'stucco' and 'linen.'"