Nearly 30 years ago, design journalists Joan Kron and Suzanne Slesin identified one of the most influential trends for the foreseeable future in a visionary handbook about industrial style. At first the domain of pioneering architects, designers, and urban loft dwellers, this groundbreaking movement has migrated into mainstream residential kitchens where more and more homeowners are opting for professional-style appliances to replicate the foods–and trappings–of trendy restaurants and celebrity chefs. Not least among the latest culinary gear to go industrial strength is the sink.
According to Beth Allison, Moen's director of product marketing, one of the biggest sink trends is the commercial look going into mid- to high-end kitchens. "For these types of kitchens, you'll see everything from extra-deep basins to functional features on the deck." In particular, she notes that during the last five years the "big single," an oversized basin equivalent in size to dual-basin models minus the divide, is becoming increasingly popular.
"While there are still some that like to have wash and rinse sections, most people want to be able to put their big roasters, pans, and dishes in one huge sink, then dump the rest into the dishwasher," explains Allison.
"It's very rare that we specify a sink that is not a deep single basin," says Denver-based custom builder and developer Debra Toney. "And it will almost always be an undermount if the countertop is a solid surface."
To satisfy this gamut of users with a penchant for utility, Moen's Lancelot Professional line features several configurations including a large single bowl, an equal double with central divide, two with larger bowls to the left or right of a smaller basin, and a coordinating bar/prep model. All are 10 inches deep and fabricated in sound-insulated, commercial-standard 16-gauge stainless steel–even more durable than the more typical top-quality 18-gauge. (The lower the gauge, the higher the grade.)
Meanwhile, KWC brings the 16-gauge single-basin down to a space-efficient dimension–20 inches long by 15-3/4 inches wide by 8 inches deep–with its Profi Star, a unique bi-width, bi-level bowl featuring a deep center well designed to both conserve water and provide ample room for soaking large pots.
"You could use a small amount of water in the deeper center section," says KWC America co-president Joan Bostic. "You've also got the wider upper part to clean a cookie sheet or a roasting pan." The offering includes accessories such as stainless steel trays–with and without holes–a plastic preparation board, and a stainless steel wire drip tray that doubles as a wall-hung storage rack.
At a more entry-level price point, Sterling's new 19-gauge stainless steel undercounter single basin provides a generous bowl at 29 inches long by 15 inches wide by 7-1/2 inches deep, along with sound-deadening features.
"Stainless steel continues to be a very important material," says Elkay vice president of marketing Steve Sorensen. One reason for this enduring market appeal is that it works well with the likes of tile, wood, and stone to provide a professional yet natural look, he says.
Beazer Homes' Maitland, Fla., design studio manager Nancy Van Benschoten offers stainless steel undermount sinks as an upgrade. "In our market we sell a lot of stainless steel," she notes. "We have them for the granite and Silestone [quartz surfacing] buyers."
However, this production builder keeps her inventory to a 60/40 configuration due to her customer's preference for traditional double-bowl models. "I offered a single-bowl sink because it was requested, but I think I sold one in a year," she recalls.
"There are regional preferences," adds Sorensen, which is why Elkay has such a broad line. The firm recently introduced an 18-gauge oversized double-bowl undermount, the ELUH3520, as well as the Avado collection, which is hand-fabricated out of a heavier 16-gauge stainless steel and comes with textured integral drainboards in single, double, and triple units.
Indeed, no matter what the configuration, builder Toney is pleased that commercial-quality stainless steel sinks are becoming more readily available to suit a variety of budget specifications–and with increasingly compelling features. Blanco's affordable 18-gauge Blanconorstar series boasts 13 models with 8-inch-deep bowls and a subtle Silver Ease matte finish. Here again, optional accessories such as sink grids and colanders optimize performance.
Teka ups the ante with its contemporary 16-gauge Linea collection available in capacious 10-inch-deep single- and double-bowl units as well as a smaller prep version. Franke's Ultra Magnum collection spans an impressive 48 inches and features apron-fronts-cum-towel-bars, multiple basins, cutting boards, and drain trays, plus integral drainboards and decks with wooden knife racks, utensil wells, and soap/lotion dispensers.
Julien's Vintage series combines the best of this Canadian manufacturer's commercial expertise with a classic residential sensibility. Made of 16-gauge stainless steel, this hand-welded and polished undermount group is notable for its gently curved primary basin that comes as a large 20-inch-by-19-inch single and six dual-bowl versions.
Despite this seemingly insatiable appetite for stainless steel, Toney notes that she's seeing more interesting choices in other materials. "I am specifying some Kohler cast iron sinks in some of my upcoming projects," she says. "There are really a lot of nice colors, although I tend to stick to whites and off-whites."
Andy Barber, Kohler's marketing manager for kitchen products, has noticed a subtle sea change over the past 12 to 18 months. "We are seeing more requests for color," he claims. For this reason the company is focusing on its cast iron product line. The result, the new 9-inch-deep Smart Divide, bridges the gap between the large single and multiple-bowl sinks.
"The biggest complaint people have about two-basin sinks is that it is difficult to wash large pots, pans, and cookie sheets," says Barber. "So we cut the divider down to 4-1/2 inches high, which in effect gives you a double basin and single basin sink at the same time."
Moreover, Smart Divide is available in top-mount and undercounter versions to accommodate laminate and natural or engineered stone countertops. "Subtle earthtones and gray hues go wonderfully with some of the top-selling granites such as Juparana Gold and Uba Tuba," says Barber.
Likewise, American Standard introduced two stone-friendly shades for its high-gloss Americast sinks: stone gray and granite green. Both are available on the clever Lakeland 33-inch single-bowl sink, which comes outfitted with a removable second polypropylene basin.
"It has a separate side drain," says Gray Uhl, design director. "So you don't have to lift a bowl full of water to empty it." In addition, this versatile workstation has an integrated rack attached to the underside of the sink in the cabinet to store the additional basin, as well as its myriad accessories. "This is normally dead space," claims Uhl. "So we molded in all the mounting brackets to hang the wire rack."
Sonoma Cast Stone translates the notion of a food prep/clean-up center in its stain-proof concrete material NuCrete said to resist alkaline, acid, and oils. Dubbed the ChefSink, it comes in 20 colors, single- and double-basins embedded with protective perforated stainless steel bottoms, plus a sliding rinse board and integrated dish drainer.
As for choice, David Heigl, a certified kitchen designer and director of the CabinetWerks Design Studio division of Orren Pickell Designers & Builders in Lincolnshire, Ill., welcomes it. "We just have more tools to work with," he says. "By having so many sinks you could use them in different ways. It's not the same old porcelain or undermount or drop-in that you used back in the '80s and '90s."
That said, Heigl reports that his clients have been opting for farmhouse sinks in fireclay, soapstone, and granite such as Shaw's Original fireclay apron sink from Rohl, Tulikivi's farmhouse style, and Stone Forest's Versailles farmhouse sink hand-carved with a floral bas-relief in solid beige granite.
"When I'm designing kitchens it's not necessarily about the cabinets," he concludes. "It's about all the other items and selections that go into it–sinks included."
–BUILDING PRODUCTS
Multiple preparation areas are multiplying in the kitchen.
"So a secondary sink in a bar or prep area, which was a novelty for your average kitchen five years ago, is really a staple today," says Elkay marketing manger Steve Sorensen. Furthermore, he adds, the mini bar/prep sink is morphing in size and functionality.
"So often we get two cooks in a kitchen," notes Denver-based builder Debra Toney. "And nobody wants to use a little 15-inch vegetable sink so we rarely [install] them." Consequently, she typically installs models that are as large and utilitarian as her primary kitchen sinks, albeit not as expensive.
According to American Standard design director Gray Uhl, it's not necessarily the size but the function that changes. "On an island you may put one in that's not as large as the main clean-up sink, but because you're preparing food you'll want something larger than a bar sink."
Ultimately, concludes Illinois-based kitchen designer David Heigl, "It's a personal thing. Some of our clients want small sinks so they could have running water at their island. Others want a big one because it's where they're going to be doing all the prep and might even want a disposal."
–Linda C. Lentz
American Standard
American Standard. At 33 inches long, the Lakeland single-bowl sink is sized to fit in a standard double-bowl cutout. Made of the company's proprietary Americast material finished in durable gloss porcelain, this model comes complete with a removable second basin, bamboo cutting board, and a collection of accessories. 800-442-1902. www.americanstandard-us.com.
Sonoma Cast Stone
Sonoma Cast Stone. Said to be made from a new stain-less concrete mixture, the NuCrete ChefSink is a variation on the industrial theme. Available in double- and single-bowl versions, features include an embedded perforated stainless steel bottom to protect it from the abrasion of heavy-duty use, and a stainless steel rinse board that slides across the integrated drainboard and sink. 877-283-2400. www.sonomastone.com.
Elkay
Elkay. Handcrafted from heavy-duty 16-gauge stainless steel, the Avado sink collection features zero-radius corners for more space-efficient basins and an easy-care satin sheen. The model EFU411510DB single bowl with reversible work deck (shown) is one of nine undermount models that include single-, double-, and triple-bowl designs. 630-574-8484. www.elkayusa.com.
Stone Forest
Stone Forest. Hand-carved from solid beige granite, the Versailles farmhouse sink measures 33 inches by 22 inches by 10 inches and features a softly polished bas-relief on the apron. Because each piece is crafted with a hammer and chisel, the individual character of the rock itself, as well as the artisan's personal approach, lend each piece a unique quality. 505-986-8883. www.stoneforest.com.
Tulikivi
Tulikivi. This soapstone farmhouse sink exhibits an attractive low-luster finish in subtly veined shades of gray. Requiring minimal care, this high-quality durable stone from Finland is dense, non-absorbent, and non-toxic, as well as immune to acid, alkali, and temperature fluctuations, the manufacturer says. 800-843-3473. www.tulikivi.com.
Rohl
Rohl. The Shaw's Original fireclay apron sink is alkali, acid, and scratch resistant and can be cleaned with abrasive pads and powders, according to the maker. Available in white, biscuit, and black with fluted or plain apron fronts, the line includes deep single basins measuring 24 inches, 30 inches, and 36 inches long, a 39-1/2-inch double equal and a 39-1/2-inch large/small bowl model plus square and round prep sinks. 800-777-9762. www.rohlhome.com.
Blanco
Blanco. At 30 percent to 40 percent less than the company's more installation-intensive Blancowave and Blancosupreme collections, the Blanconorstar series comes in 13 models. It's made of the same 18-gauge, series 304 stainless steel with matte Silver Ease finish. It features 8-inch-deep bowls, rear drain placement, tight radius corners, and a finished 1-inch undermount flange. 800-451-5782. www.blancoamerica.com.
KWC
KWC. The Profi Star features an ingenious bi-level design offering practical solutions to numerous culinary tasks. Made of high-quality stainless steel, this functional tour de force measures 20 inches by 15-3/4 inches and comes complete with stainless steel trays, a plastic preparation board, and stainless steel wire drip tray that doubles as a wall-hung storage unit. 678-334-2121. www.kwcfaucets.com.
Sterling
Sterling. Created from a single sheet of 19-gauge stainless steel, the 29-inch-by-15-inch-by-7-1/2-inch-deep undercounter single-basin sink provides the look of more costly high-end models. The firm says its durable satin finish resists stains and corrosion, while the SilentShield sound-deadening technology keeps the sound of water and cookware to a minimum. 800-783-7546. www.sterlingplumbing.com.
Julien
Julien. The state-of-the-art Vintage series combines this manufacturer's commercial expertise with traditional styling. Made of 16-gauge stainless steel, two single models measure 20 inches by 19 inches by 10 inches or 8 inches. Four double bowls pair the 10-inch-deep size with side basins measuring 8 inches by 16 inches by 6 inches or 14 inches by 16 inches by 7 inches. Two smaller doubles are also available. 418-687-3630. www.julien.ca.
Moen
Moen. An extension of the company's 18-gauge stainless steel Lancelot series, the Lancelot Professional line includes four 16-gauge, 10-inch-deep undermount models: a 31-inch-by-20-inch double equal; 34-inch-by-20-inch big/medium (shown); 32-inch-by-20-inch big single; and 16-inch-by-20-inch bar/prep. All have features such as sound insulation and easy-to-clean angled bottoms. 800-321-8809. www.moen.com.
Kohler
Kohler. A 4-1/2-inch low-profile divider allows users of the Smart Divide cast iron sink to soak and rinse their dishes in two small compartments or wash their largest pots and pans in one large one. Available in the company's Deerfield, Iron/Tones, Langlade, and Woodfield designs–in either undermount or self-rimming configurations–this clever design comes in 21 colors. 800-456-4537. www.kohler.com.
Teka
Teka. Available in a wide range of shapes and sizes, such as the 33-inch-by-20-inch double-bowl model 088-252 (shown), the streamlined Linea collection is made of 18-gauge stainless steel in a satiny Euro-polished finish. Each features an extra-deep bowl and tight-radius corners for maximum space. In addition, sound-deadening panels help absorb noise, the firm claims. 800-419-9344. www.tekausa.com.