Apron Sinks - Pewter Finished Copper ..... ?

12 years ago

I have a SN Rohl Country Faucet with Cross Handles and Side Spray that currently presides over a Kohlar cast iron apron front sink (33x22x9). The faucet is new; the sink, very worn despite its age.

Hardware is an aged pewter -- classic bin pulls on the drawers and mushroom knobs on the cabinets. The cabinetry itself was built on site using, inexplicably in my opinion, European hinges rather than classic barrel hinges. Cabinet doors are inset; drawer fronts, flat. Current finish on the cabinets is a putty grey, and the counters are carrera marble that is worn. The wall color is a soft, warm yellow; trim, a creamy white.

My goal is to update the kitchen rather than start over. To that end I have replaced the old SS d/w, hood and refrigerator with fully integrated units from Miele, Vent-a-Hood and Thermador. Appliance pulls for the d/w and refrigerator are Montana aged iron.

Although I purchased the carbon steel oven and cooktop from Wolf with the intention of replacing the GE Monogram 36" pro style range, making that change is not feasible unless I rip out the island. It is a small kitchen by today's standards.

When I began the project I thought I could live with the sink and the counters. I now realize that both will have to be replaced before the painter tackles the cabinets, walls and trim. I have hired a design consultant to assist in the final selection of colors, but the palate will be white/off-white and a light to medium blue-grey unless the consultant convinces me otherwise.

The question is what to do about the sink. I dislike the white sink, and I am not a fan of SS. While I loved the copper sink I installed in my last house, copper is not an option with the SN Rohl faucet and the pewter hardware.

I have found, however, an affordable copper sink with a pewter finish at VanDykes. Does anyone have that sink or a similar one? If so, what is your experience with the sink.

Also, are there any reasonably priced options I have overlooked? The "reasonably priced" qualifier excludes options such as zinc and nickel.

Thanks in advance for all comments.

Here is the link for the sink: http://www.vandykes.com/product/single-farmhouse-apron-sink/single-farmhouse-apron-sink-pewter

Here is the link for the Montana appliance handles:

http://www.vandykes.com/product/montana-collection-handle-12-boring

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Comments (4)

breezygirl
12 years ago
Have you taken a look at silgranit sinks? Blanco makes the best. Many, many people here have and love them. I'm planning two in my new kitchen. Scratch proof, heat proof, quiet, and virtually indestructible.

Blanco has about 6 colors, I think, and come in a few sizes.

Here is a link that might be useful: Blanco silgranit sinks
beaglesdoitbetter1
12 years ago
I have a concrete sink which I love because I got to custom design it and select my color and include an offset drain. Paid $800 for it and its 36" with an integrated drain board. Not installed yet.
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I'm not a fan of a sink with an upper over it. I think you need to stand too close to the front of the door, no matter what. But if you are determined to do that, then by all means I would consider using a farm sink and bumping it out. That means setting it proud (forward) of the front of the sink cabinets and the adjacent base cabinets. I have this arrangement (my sink cabinet is bumped out as well) and it makes working at the sink extremely comfortable because I get farther over it. The trick is in the selection of the sink. The classic Rohl fireclays are the same all the way around. The sink on the floor upthread is the same. But some farm sinks have notches on the side to fit against the cabinet fronts. Some have a flange. Before you choose/buy it's important to figure out how you want the sink to look and then choose one that will do what you wish. There are so many choices, even in SS it shouldn't be a problem. One factor is whether you prefer a 0 radius sink (square corners) or a more traditional sink with rounded corners. How far you want the sink to protrude -- mine stick out 2 inches in front of the cabinet. One sink upthread has the curved front and doesn't protrude much. Etc. Lots of photos on the link plus a farm-sink installation tutorial that will explain the general concept. Here is a link that might be useful: Farm Sink Gallery
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Circus Peanut
12 years ago
Yum, that pewter sink is a stunner. I'd go for it in a hot minute, and the Montana iron pulls would be gorgeous with it.

Copper is a fabulous kitchen sink material, but you do need to be OK with its "living finish" qualities: depending on the proportion of pewter/zinc coating, it never looks the same twice depending on what you've been using it for. I have copper countertops and love the look, but if you are someone who doesn't like wrinkled linen you probably won't like copper. :-)

You will likely want to do some quick research on the sink in question vis-a-vis: lead content in the copper, country of origin, what kind of finish lacquer do they use, etc. (There are reputable and less-reputable manufacturers.) Van Dykes has always given me great customer service, so I'm betting a quick phone call will answer most of these questions for you.
wmwalker
Original Author
12 years ago
Breezygirl ... The Blanco sinks are lovely and a great option, but I just haven't seen one that has the look that I want.

Beaglesdoitbetter ... What a fabulous sink ... with the small exception of the bottom corners which, given my limited patience with housecleaning details, would be a challenge for me. After a quick internet search, I found someone local who makes concrete sinks and counters. I will connect with him this week.

Circuspeanut ... Wrinkled linen is the only kind of linen I would have in my house which is probably why I am fixated on a sink with a living finish. Your suggestion to check out lead content, construction method, country of origin, etc., is an excellent one. Ordinarily I would ask those questions, but I let my guard down because I found the sink at VanDykes. Thus far everything I have purchased from VanDykes (and I have purchased a ton) has been of excellent quality. I assumed, foolishly, that if the sink passes muster with VanDykes, it would pass muster with me. My assumptions have turned on me in the past, so I will be certain to get the facts before I make a decision.

Apron Sinks - Pewter Finished Copper ..... ?

Comments (4)

breezygirl

beaglesdoitbetter1

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Apron Sinks - Pewter Finished Copper ..... ?

Comments (4)

breezygirl

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