Photo by Zach Cornwell“It was perfect for the style of kitchen we were designing,” says Denver designer Margarita Bravo of the decision to incorporate a farmhouse sink in a recent project. “Our clients wanted to achieve a combined farm and mountain look for their home. We all loved how this kitchen turned out.”
Bravo adds that the choice of an apron-front sink is not limited to a traditional farmhouse style of home. They can work anywhere, often driven by material. “Stainless-steel, apron-front sinks can go with a modern style kitchen,” she says. “In fact, they look really nice in that type of design. They come in different types of materials—concrete for example—and they can be a great choice for your kitchen.”
Need to Know
Changing sink styles is not a simple swap. Designer Margarita Bravo says, “There are many things to consider before you choose this style of sink.”
First, Bravo says, “you want to make sure you choose the right material. A porcelain-type sink can stain and potentially chip if you are not careful. A fireclay sink will last longer and perform better against wear and tear.” Fireclay can offer the pristine white look of porcelain but with less maintenance. Other options include durable stainless steel, which comes in a variety of colors, and copper, which can be beautiful, but it will develop a patina over time and require polishing to minimize oxidation. Polished marble gives a luxurious look although it needs to be resealed every few years.
Second, Bravo says, “You have to adjust your countertops to make sure the sink fits below as it is deeper seated once it is installed.” Farmhouse sinks are wider and deeper than standard sinks, so the cabinets may also need to be adjusted to make room. In addition, if you’re putting in a heavy porcelain or stone option, you’ll need to check that the cabinets can support the weight.
“The last thing that comes to mind is that you may want to think about your kitchen habits as you would switching from a double sink style to one single larger sink,” Bravo says. Think about the way you cook and wash dishes. Do you do a lot of food prep at the sink and crave a large, single bowl? Or do you like to clean as you go? A double-basin sink can let you soap up the dishes on one side without disturbing the freshly washed veggies on the other side.”
For Consideration
The Farmhouse 33 copper sink from Native Trails is fronted by hammered detailing. These sinks are artisan crafted, forged of high-quality recycled copper, and will develop a unique patina over time. From $2,985, nativetrailshome.com for dealers.
The Atlas sink from Signature Hard-ware is made of chip-proof and forgiving stainless steel although is comes in colors from gunmetal gray to the bronze seen here. From $759, at Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Galleries, signaturehardware.com.
Carved-front polished marble has old-world charm, such as with the ivy design seen here in Egyptian marble. Marble or granite sinks anchor a space. From $1,469, at Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Galleries, signaturehardware.com.
The Tailor sink from Kohler allows you to change up the look of your room with interchangeable inserts featuring floral graphic and etched or textured stone designs. $1,495, at Kohler.
