Hi aussies! First, thanks for the compliment on the kitchen! We are so thrilled that others love it as much as we do!

re: the faucet, we did have a problem with the sill initially, a big one.

Before we ordered our sink (17" in depth from front to back) and our faucet, we checked with everyone involved (salesperson, KD, granite fabicators) to make sure there wouldn't be any problems with our choices, enough room, clearances, etc. We explained that we planned to have a granite window sill, and that the faucet needed X am't of space behind it for the handle clearance. We also had all the necessary items here--sink, faucet, etc. and our window was already installed, when the guy came to template. Our slabs were already at the fabricator's place, so they had access to them (to check slab thickness if need be). We were told by one and all that we wouldn't have a problem.

Installation day arrived, granite counters installed, sink clipped into place, sill laid, faucet and soap dispenser holes drilled (using only part of the faucet) and then the entire faucet with handle was tried in the hole (plumber would be coming back to attach/install the faucet and sink another day). Lo and behold, faucet didn't have enough clearance with the sill overhang (a little too much overhang for our liking anyway, but....).

After much creative brainstorming and much tweaking--the sink itself was edged forward ever-so-slightly (giving me a negative reveal at the front edge of the sink, which I hate--I'm always whacking my elbows on it), the faucet hole was widened at the front by ~1/4" allowing the fuacet to come forward by that much, and the sill was taken back to the shop to be cut down, leaving enough overhang to just stick out past the tops of the tile used for the backsplash (1/4-1/2"? DH might know).

The plumber had to seat the faucet precisely where it is, in order to make sure the widened hole in the granite was completely covered by the faucet. The faucet handle just clears the sill when the hot water is turned fully on (we can't turn it to all the way to hot with a little less than full force, but it's close).

The top of the sill (3 cm thick granite) sits 5" above the counter behind the sink. From the sill edge to the center of the faucet handle is about 2 1/2" (I can have DH take a better measurement for you later if you want).

Despite the little things, it all worked out in the end (although we're sure the situation could have been avoided in the first place, but c'est la vie).

Spout reach seems fine. Some splashing, although I don't know if that has anything to do with the faucet, its placement, or just us!

The only leaning forward I have to do is is the result of the width of the granite in front of the sink (which I've detailed in other threads)--it is 4". I had thought they were going to do 3 1/2", they normally do 4 1/2", so I was lucky with that I guess (though I still sometimes wish it was 3 1/2" ).

FWIW, I like the faucet. I love how I can get that spray head into the sink corners and inside my large pots for rinsing.

Good luck in your decision making!

Thanks so much for your response. I'm sorry to hear you had so much trouble with the faucet installation. Glad it all worked out in the end!

It sounds like maybe I should keep looking for a different faucet. I'm worried that maybe it won't all work out for me -- particularly because my granite overhang will be a little higher than yours. I'm thinking that might make the problem harder to correct in my case.

Oh well ... better to face reality now ... the search goes on! Thanks again :o)

Higher or lower than the top of the handle might actually work (if the handle top is above or below the granite overhang).

I have the Grohe Ladylux Plus. I cannot comment on your clearance question, cause I had sufficient clearance. As to the reach, I think it's perfect on the Ladylux "Plus" style (#33.737). I am not so sure on the more arched "Cafe" style (#33.758) you are looking at. I am 5'3" with short arms. One reason I did not want one of the arch-style faucets was because I felt I'd have to reach too far. I think the Ladylux Plus is the perfect distance over my rectangular sink. Also, it does not splash.

Another difference of the "Plus" style vs. the "Cafe" style is that the Plus's sprayer defaults back to regular flow when you turn off the water. It is my understanding (someone correct me if I am wrong) that the Cafe style stays on the last setting you had it. So if you had the Cafe faucet on spray, then turned off the water, then came back to the sink and turned on the water again, it would be on spray. I preferred the flow to go back to regular automatically, but that's my personal preference.

Here is a link that might be useful: Grohe Ladylux Plus Faucet in Chrome

We have one but the sill of our window is lower than the handle so it doesn't interfere with the swing. The LadyLux can also be used with the handle facing front instead of to the side which gets rid of the need for clearance.

As far as reach, I find it is just right. The angle of the head shoots out the stream of water slanting forward a bit so the stream of water is in the right place and I don't have to reach for it.

Cat_mom, you might be right that a higher overhang might allow the handle to turn below it. I think I will try to check them out in a store again, and bring my measuring tape and a virtual granite overhang.

I will check out the Plus style too. That's interesting about the sprayer default -- that's something I haven't even thought about.

I would consider having the handle facing front if I was getting a double sink. I'm getting a small rectangular sink though, so the head of the faucet will be facing directly forward -- I think my arm will probably get wet if I put the handle at the front.

I've also just discovered the Grohe Bridgeford Pullout, which looks similar to the Cafe but with a different style handle. I don't know if this handle would have the same problem. It looks a little smaller and I don't see that same warning about clearance written for it.

I haven't noticed this one in any kitchens here. I wonder why not ...

akchicago, there is a difference between the spray on the Plus and the Cafe but I don't think the cafe works the way you stated. Unless the Cafe has been changed since I was looking at them (a couple of years ago) the spray function on the Cafe only runs while the button is being held down. It won't stay on spray with your hand off the faucet. That was not acceptable to me - I want to put the faucet in spray mode and be able to use both hands to wash produce under the spray. Because of that we bought the Plus for both our sinks.

Aussies, the Bridgeford pullout strikes me as very contemporary around the faucet head but traditional around the base and handle. Perhaps that style mix is why it doesn't get chosen much around here - most people go for something more consistently contemporary or traditional.

Thanks Cloud Swift for the clarification, and sorry I got it wrong. I remembered that a main reason I chose the Ladylux Plus style over the Cafe style had to do with how the spray worked, but I must have misremembered exactly what the issue was. I just looked at the Grohe website, and they describe the Cafe as having a "Dual Spray Trigger (hold and release)", while the Plus is described as having a "Dual Spray Control". Not the clearest, is it? That's why this Forum is so helpful.

>very contemporary around the faucet head but traditional around the base and handle. Perhaps that style mix is why it doesn't get chosen much around here

Yep, I'd go for it in a heartbeat if the head matched the base. As it is, it looks like someone in a company that is purely contemporary at heart just said, "Oh, all right. There. Happy now?" :)

I have the exact same set-up as you are considering. We have a breakfast bar 6" higher than the counter. I have the Ladylux cafe and have not had any spacing issues. The center of the Ladylux faucet base lies about 4" from the breakfast bar(the vertical piece of granite). It works well for us because we bumped out the sink cabinet ~3" forward and have decorative spacers(fluted columns) on each side of the sink cabinet.

I used a front mount and never have a problem with my hand getting wet. I have a double sink, but rarely swing the faucet to the smaller side. My hand is completely clear of the spout when I turn the faucet on. It's just a non-issue.

Here is a link that might be useful:

I do not agree with WritersBlock as to its looks or popularity. One reason I bought the Grohe Ladylux Plus was due to its popularity and great reviews on this forum. It is one of my favorite items in my kitchen (along with my single-bowl rectangular sink).

akchicago, I was talking about the Bridgeford, not the Plus.