I have the sink (but didn't get the ledge version.) I love mine and did look at pictures of lots of sinks before I found this one. It might have been better to go with the ledge version just to raise up the dishes a little bit but I am very happy. I worked with a designer who felt that the style was not quite the same as the rest of my kitchen and was suggesting a less rounded sink with more squared off corners/edges. In the end, I chose this one and am very happy with it.

There is another Franke brand, Kindred, that I was also looking at. They had a sink US1930 that seemed very similar to the Oceania. I actually never physically saw either sink.

jayne

Jayne,
Thanks very much for the info. Funny, I hadn't thought of matching the curve vs square sink with the rest of my kitchen. Good for you for getting what you wanted.
I'll also take a look at the Kindred but think I'm leaning towards the Oceania.
Thanks again!

I have the Orca and love the shelves. The reason for my going with that over the Oceana was that I saw it installed in person and really liked it, including the shape, but also that it is a slightly larger sink. The oceania is 28 3/4" long x 17 3/4 wide. The orca is 31" long instead of 28, so it is 3" longer, and 20" wide, a little over 2 inches wider than the oceania. I believe it is shaped the way it is, at least in part, because the extra width would not leave room for some faucets behind it if the entire sink was 20+" wide including the lip. Remember, most base cabinets are only 24" deep, and that is the outside dimension of the cabinet, not the inside, there is a lip around the sink, and the faucet has to fit behind it. I had my sink base pulled out 3" to make sure there was enough room for the faucet esp. since I have a window sill behind the sink as well, so I was still nervous about a pull down the faucet fitting behind the sink. There actually is not room for any kind of faucet behind the widest portion of the Orca, even with my pulled out sink base.

Sue

Sue,
Thank you for the info. I can't believe I didn't compare the length/width of the sinks. I'm definintely going to take another look at the Orca. I saw the Orca in person and also loved how it looked.
I'm also going to do some more detailed measurements, based on your comments. I'm installing the sink/faucet in a 2 level peninsula. I'll need to make sure I have enough room behind the sink for the faucet.
I really do appreciate your response.
Thanks again,
Deb

No problem. Let me know which you choose. If you do go with the Oceania, I am sure the shelves will just as useful as the ones I love in my Orca. I do like the separate sink insert that you can get with the Oceania better because it looks clear in the photos and the one for the Orca is black. Wouldn't you think they would make them matching ss? I wondered if I would want one, but find I don't need one at all, anyway. It IS a possibility for those afraid they would miss a second sink, though. I don't think you would regret either one.

Sue

I just purchased today, in fact, the Oceania with the ledge, only because I am having double sink withdrawal. DH wanted a single sink and since he has really let me have my way with the kitchen, it was the least I could do for him. I figured the shelf grid would let me have somewhere to put hand washed items, instead of on the counter. I personally have not seen the Oceania, but I did purchase from a local plumbing and supply store and the sink will be in next week. I really wanted the Orca, but decided the Oceania was equally as lovely.

You know, I did not even think of the depth, front to back, only because it said it needed a 33" base and my base is 36". YIKES!!!!!! See what happens when you don't log on the Gardenweb before making a purchase. Let this be lesson....LOL. Do you think I will have space issues installing the faucet? My faucet is a Delta Allora w/soap dispenser.

Now I am bummed.

You shouldn't have a problem with the Oceania (that's the sink I'm getting). The cabinet interior is 22.5", so if the sink is installed at the front of the base, you'll have 3" of granite in front of the sink and 4 1/4" behind the sink. The biggest problem is for the plumber to connect the faucet to the supply lines because he'll only have a 4 1/2" space to work in. This also makes refilling your soap dispenser more difficult but you can remedy that with a Never MT.

Thanks cheril 27!!! Now I feel better. The plumber is my DH....I won't tell him just yet....hehehehe

I just purchased the Oceania for my 33" sink base. It's not installed yet but I think I'm going to love it. I've already played around with the shelf and I think it will be useful. Then again almost everything is an improvement over the 40 year old sink I was using.

Smarge-Is there any reason your faucet is installed on the side of the sink and do you find that it operates okay over there? Well, I guess I won't be putting pots and pans on the shelf grid.

What I find really intriguing is your back splash. Has truly peaked my interest. Do you have a pics of the back splash?

Here is a picture of the backsplash above that sink - which is the only reason I put the faucet to the right - I didn't want to obstruct the beautiful backsplash! (Picture is a bit old, as you can see the wiring, which is now nicely hidden - there is also a flat screen tv above this sink, which is very nice to have in the kitchen!)

It (a Hamat, by the way) works well over there. I have the same faucet at a second full-sized sink which is in front of a window; it is installed centered, behind the sink and it seems to be a bit more intuitive to turn the water on and off that way.

(It's a bit hard to describe, but the faucet knob slides up to go on. Up and to the left for hot; up and to the right for cold. People tend to leave the faucet that is to the side running a bit until they get used to how it turns off.)

Thanks again for all the info!
I think I'm just about ready to pull the trigger on the Orca.
I've been looking at pix of some on this site and I really do love it. Thanks again.