I am assuming that this is YOUR home... not DS's. Put what you want and LOVE!!!! The fireclay sinks are durable and you can put a grid in the bottom to shield it. Another thought........... instruct DS to be CAREFUL with your sink!!!! I am in the process of redoing my LAST kitchen and have opted for the things I have ALWAYS wanted. The problem with getting OLD is that you don't get to DO IT OVER many more times!!!!! Don't know what your situation is, but if it is your last fling for redoing, GO FOR IT!!!!!! Good Luck.

"The problem with getting OLD is that you don't get to DO IT OVER many more times!!!!!"

LOL! Boy, I hear you there! And you're right: it IS my house. Thank you for reminding me. This upcoming move is a practical one, a sensible one, and I'm happy to have an asset I can share with the kids when they need it (likewise, this is a big house for me, all on my own, to rattle around in; it's nice to have family fill it again). I want DIL to feel at home here so am mindful about balancing the tastes of 2 households (yet I admit, in the way-back of my mind lives the teeniest ghost of a concern about becoming "Grandma who lives in the attic of our house").

So after endless months of researching sinks, avidly sopping up the accumulated wisdom of this forum, then confidently settling on the Herbeau farm sink, I was thrust back into indecision overnight, questioning my judgment, weighing my wants against what would best suit them, viewing my pricey Herbeau in the cold light of a no-nonsense, indestructible $400 quartz sink.

But you're right. Especially in the face of our family's turn of events, this kitchen sink may very well be my last fling. So I've taken that plunge. I ordered my Herbeau this afternoon. Thank you for steadying my perspective.

Congrats on your decision. Now it is just beginning....

BTW - This is an awesome forum and the posters are very knowledgable and experienced.....(myself not included). I have gained alot of knowledge and confidence with decisions based on the information posted here.

Good Luck and I hope your finished kitchen is YOUR dream kitchen........and your family will LOVE it as much as you!!!

From what I read when I was looking at sinks, it seems that a good stainless and the fireclay are among the best out there. We all break things, and I suspect there will be som adjustments to failing eyesight and new quarters, but the breakage is more likely to be a dish or a glass -- not the sink. I don't have a farm sink, just a large undermount, so I can't help you on a particular one. I did love the Shaw's Original, which was my second choice (not one DH was that sure of).

If you are looking for a sink fast, do look at irawoodinc.com. They ship very quickly and should be able to get you anything they have in stock by the end of the week. I think Home and Stone was also pretty fast -- I got a faucet fromthem. Just make sure what you want is in stock and not being ordered from the manufacturer or a distributor.

Good luck on the kitchen and the new living arrangements for everyone!

I am nothing if not entirely practical and realistic, so if it were me, I'd rather a sink that I know will stand the test of time and won't make me cringe every time my DH or DS or whomever approaches it. That sounds like SS or quartz from what I too have read about the fireclay sinks. That's just me though. I know I'd be in love with carrera marble countertops for instance, but knowing that my DH would have no qualms about putting a pot of pasta sauce on it and leaving it overnight, I just don't want to go there. Why suffer the anxiety of it!

By the way, WHERE did you find a quartz sink for $400? I'm very curious now!

Glad to hear you ordered the Herbeau. I have the Herbeau Luberon in my new kitchen and I love it. It is beautiful! Only been using it less than a month, but seems to be very sturdy and built for the long run. When I ordered it online (I think it was in Nov), it was shipped very quickly, so there is a chance you could have it by Sat. Hope you enjoy it!

Caligirl, it occurs to me now that I provided no details about the sinks I've been looking at--which might be helpful, yes? I found the quartz sink on eBay. It's called the Brighton single apron front sink, manufacturer is Westbrass, seller is Bob's Faucets 'n Things, and the Buy It Now price is $386.75. The sink is 26 3/8" X 20" X 9 7/8", compared to the Herbeau's 30" X 19" X 10".

For that matter, there is currently a 30 white Herbeau selling for $850 "pick up only" in MD. Last night in my panicked state I seriously considered driving a 3-day, 2200-mile round trip to retrieve it--that way I'd definitely know for sure it would be at my house by Saturday! Indecision let the auction expire, which is just as well; I see it's been relisted, tho. If I lived closer to Maryland, that would have been quite a bargain for that sink.

Here is a link that might be useful: Quartz Farm Sink

Oh thanks for the info on the sinks. I think the 26 or 27" sink is definitely too small, those few inches make a difference. It sounds like you made a great choice with the Herbeau and you'll be very happy with it.