Where I'm going with this is having a huge sink in a smaller kitchen, thus looking like a big bathtub where counter space may be more helpful. Sounds like the super single is the choice for most people with a prep, though, so I'm probably overthinking it. I guess I'm a little surprised that so few use smaller sinks but I may be a rare one to have a prep sink in a non mega kitchen. I see what you're saying about size of prep not mattering but I guess my thought is that since I won't have anything in it other than dirty dishes that I should be putting away anyway, I should move down a size. I'm not competing with prep space in that same sink as I am now, IYKWIM. The other thing that gives me pause with that sink is that I don't *love* the depth - I'm tall with back issues and my current sink (same depth) gives me fits when I stand at it for long (alas, no one in my family jumps to do the dishes, though, no matter how much I complain). To be fair, though, I prep there too and the Rondo is a shallower sink - hopefully that will help once I get the prep area. Plus we currently have tile and are replacing with softer wood. Did I mention I'm probably overthinking this???

I can't address the Nero (as I haven't seen it), however the anthracite has a matte appearance, appears black, but in bright sunlight, does have some "sparkles" to it (primarily blue). Frankly, I hadn't noticed the sparkles before I actually picked up my sink, as it had always been in a showroom (Expo) & it wasn't noticeable. I really freaked when I checked the box in the bright, outdoor sun, seeing all of the different sparkles - HOWEVER... my sink sits in a corner in surrounded by two very, large windows & I don't see anything other than a black sink. I LOVE my sink & it is a breeze to keep clean (a quick rinse and it good to go) - much easier than my old, white sink. Good luck (& Happy New Year).

I have the metallic gray Blanco Supersingle from Home&Stone, so I can't speak to how the anthracite looks day to day. I can help a little on your other questions. 1)Cons? Nothing I've found...really. I DO tend to think twice about what chemicals it is exposed to, but that is because it's my favorite part of the kitchen next to my faucet. They are the only high-end things in there, so I make a small effort to take care of them. We have very hard, chemical filled water here and I get deposits around my faucet handles. We have laminate counters so did a drop-in. The deposits do come off really easily, so I think the sink HELPS in this instance since it's so easy to clean. 2)Care...they do recommend using certain cleaners for their sink. I use dish soap and a scrubby sponge. Once a week (or maybe less often:) I use Barkeeper's Friend, but I don't see the dramatic difference in cleanliness like I would a SS sink. It always looks good. I don't rinse paintbrushes in it but everything else is cleaned in there. I'm that way with my chrome faucet too, though. I only use a microfiber cloth to clean it, per the manufacturer's recommendation. 3) DIY? Most certainly! DH and I did it ourselves and it was our first time EVER to install a sink. The worst part was putting in the clips to hold it, since there isn't much room under there. Trying to fit our hands in the tight space was the problem, the sink was lightweight and easy to manuever. When I was shopping, I was absolutely sure I wanted SS. I had even picked out the Ticor model and was waiting for the size to become available. Because of the rave reviews, I reluctantly looked at the silgranit. I ordered it mostly because of the price and the size, not because I really wanted this brand/material. The minute I opened the box, I fell in love. It feels so good to the touch, the matte finish is wonderful. Pictures don't do it justice, they are really lovely sinks. I am so lucky the SS model wasn't available, because I KNOW this sink was absolutely the best choice for me. I freakin' love it! I have a SS prep sink and am chomping at the bit to change it out to silgranit, which I'll do when I change out my countertop. The nice thing about mine is that it works as drop-in and undermount, so I'll be able to keep it after our mini-remodel of the kitchen.

Hi. I have the anthracite sink with an ORB flange, no strainer as I have a garbage disposal. Got mine off e-bay. It's held up fairly well for 6 months, no chips, but it has gotten dull. I think if it does start to chip or the finish starts to wear off, I'll replace it with a copper one like karencon has in that other thread. I had the stainless one that came with the disposal in it before and to me it just stood out too much and clashed with my ORB faucet. Here are some pics of mine... HTH, Robin