I'd search for reviews on Kohler's other fireclay sinks and hope they are close enough. I don't know about installation but in my experience, a contractor may suggest there are issues with something when it's something s/he doesn't know how to do. So I'd at least check with a Corian installer as well as Kohler and DuPont to see what type of issues there might be. And see how good the warranty is.

So I guess my (somewhat useless) opinion is that if you like this sink, you should continue to try to find more info about potential issues. And you're already doing that so I'm not being very helpful. And more opinion--it's not my style and I was sure I'd hate it but that sink could make for a really great focal point in the right kitchen. It kinda grows on you! So I hope you can get the bugs worked out and get your sink. Good luck!

I LOVE that sink! I think it would be wonderful as a focal point in a small kitchen, esp an older home or cottage type house. By the way, it is usually the countertop installer that attaches the sink, not the kitchen contractor. Make sure the problem though doesn't have to do with the depth of the sink and the height of the plumbing under it. That could run into larger plumbing bills to compensate for or correct.

Sue

Thank you for the validation!! I've done some more searching & have found mixed reviews re fireclay.
I'm also at a loss as to the type of counter now. Apparently, I'm limited with an undermount. I would appreciate anyone's further opinion on pros/cons of types of counters...marble, soapstone, corian, wood or ?. Everyone keeps pushing corian, but I don't think I'm that crazy about it. Granite would not fit well in my little cottage style home. Opinions and tips most welcome.
Thx again,
Betsy

I love the decoration on that sink, but I am VERY concerned about the dimensions of each bowl. Are you SURE you are OK with 18"x18"? I definitely would not be. Go look at your pans and/or platters and make sure it won't be a royal PITA to try to rinse them in those two small squares. And the divider ledge between the two will be a water collector. Kohler has a single-bowl decorated sink, the Kohler Gathering, that would be more useful as a sink, and provide Wow Factor.

As to Corian, well, me, I'm not a fan. Sounds like you are on the fence about it. Whatever you do, don't be hasty about a decision like that, as you'll have to live with it for a long time. There was a thread about Corian on the Kitchens Forum which I am linking below; it starts out just being about Corian sinks, but then becomes a somewhat heated thread, and is good reading.

Here is a link that might be useful: Kitchens Forum Thread about Corian

Shannon+2:
Thx so much for the thread. I'm trying to keep researching, but I can spend hours/days on these forums and then fall into information overload. Right now, I'm reading through a recent post re soapstone and all the variations of it -- who knew?! Having a thread that pinpoints a topic is so very helpful.

Wow:

Yes, check the size, but if the 18 is an internal dimension, it isn't really bad.

The price for a pair [as pictured] IS really bad, but it would be such a focal point, could be worth it.

I have a feeling your contractor is blowing smoke, hasn't done many [any?] fireclay sinks and is resistant to change. This is a strangely common thing with builders. Fireclay really isn't fragile [though I'd use the included grids all the time: Kohler wouldn't be giving them away free unless they were pretty sure the color could be chipped or scratched otherwise].

If there's an issue combining fireclay with corian, it's likely that corian could potentially flex a little, while fireclay won't.

But I don't think I'd like corian with this sink. Don't think I'd like soapstone either, though it's a great material. They just don't seem to compliment each other. I'd be looking at marble, or a honed granite that looks like a pale marble.

It's a question of contrast: the strong difference between soapstone and the white fireclay will make the sink look washed out, and will draw attention to the border between stone and sink instead of letting the sink speak for itself.

Since I have it open, I'll include a pic of the 'gathering' sink as well:

I know this is an older post, but would like to follow up. I just recently purchased this sink ($175 at an antique mall - wow!) and want to put it in my laundry room. Am trying to decide on a counter-top that would make the most of the sink. My decorator selected a black granite, but not sure I like that look. Betsy, what did you end up doing?

Barb,
You are breaking my heart!!! I abandoned my desire to have that sink because it was so expensive, and I couldn't justify that purchase AND the Bluestar AND the Bluestar hood AND ... well, I'm sure you know how it goes. I swear, the decisionmaking in remodeling is possibly more difficult than the inconvenience and the crooked contractors!
Ok, so, IMHO, I do not think that black would look good at all with your sink. I have a small 1924 bungalow (a Sears kit house, if you happen to know what that is), and I'm trying to decorate and remodel in keeping with that time period. I felt that the Life in the Country sink, aside from being unique and pretty, did kind of have a vintage-looking design. After struggling with the decision on a type of counter, I decided on marble, both because I love the look and because it is a classic look.
Here's the sink I ended up buying:
{{!gwi}}
And even though I didn't get your beautiful sink, I've stuck with the decision on marble. But don't ask me if it's installed yet. Of course not. I then had to learn about marble, and grades, and availability and honing and fabricators, and then I couldn't find any slabs that I liked in Wisconsin's extremely limited selection. I do plan to have a honed marble, mostly white, and lately, I've been fixated on Carrara. I'm attaching a link to recent post on GW that shows a beautiful pic of a white granite, tho, that may work for you if you prefer granite. Apparently, you can even have honed granite.
At any rate, I'm no decorator, but even if you're not decorating in the time period style that I am, I still think a plain, light colored counter would look best with your sink. The sink is a work of art in and of itself and should be the focal point, not to mention that you don't want the whole look to be too busy. Whatever you decide to do, please post a picture of the finished room, so I can enjoy it vicariously.
I'm so jealous. They didn't happen to have any more, did they? ;)

Here is a link that might be useful: White Kitchen Countertop post by redwood15 on 3/24/11

I think a slab of quartzite would work for the counters in a small kitchen for an older house; antartide, luna de luce, white fantasy, etc. the first two look like marble; this type of counter isn't a sensitive as marble.