I've visited this thread several times and it's interesting that it is still fairly active. I'm looking at the Cristadur waterfall 150 in Bronze. Wayfair carried them a few months ago with good prices but when I checked last night, there were no Schock or Houzer sinks listed on their site. I have found a supplier from Germany on eBay, his listings are rather obscure and you have to dig deep to find them. He carries the entire line including vintage models and colors; GREAT prices with a flat $145 shipping. I currently have a Swanstone in black that drove me crazy when it was new with water marks and looking dry, until I wiped it down with coconut oil a couple of years ago and I've not touched it again. It now wipes down and is cleaned continually from just washing dishes and looks brand new. I'm looking at Schock over Blanco for my remodel in a different house due to the unique look of the waterfall, but I'm worried that it might suffer from being less than utilitarian. They have a matching 15" prep sink which I plan to install as well. Anyone have any real experience with the waterfall design or Schock for that matter?

Alku, Thanks for the information on the sealant and the idea to only seal half of it. I'll make sure to get a sample of the actual slab. gail, thank you so very much posting your photos to help me before you were really ready to do your reveal! Your kitchen is beautiful and your Kashmir White looks amazing, and more white than I actually expected it to be. Your dark brown cabinetry is very similar to what I am getting so it gives me a good idea that the KM will work wonderfully. BTW, what don't you like about your table that your are retuning. It looks awesome to me. Your fixture above it is beautiful. Real candles? Or is it a light fixture that is just very, very lifelike? My fabricator did manage to find me a slab of the Bianco Romano, which has up to now totally been my first choice but my husband likes the look of the Kashmir White better based on the photos I have been sent. I'll be heading out this week to view each of them and will then finally be able to make a decision. Kitchen demolition starts the last week in April. Target date for templating the granite is mid May so I have to get cracking on finding the stone! Thanks Again kn

Yellowdog2 - I still love the pietra, but it definitely not as durable as the quartzite. I do have a few chips on the face next to the stove (I think it could be from cleaners trying to handle the heavy cast iron grates from the blue star stove) and many tiny chips around the undermount sink (from me during klutzy clean up.) But the chips around the sink seem to soften/slightly wear over time. In retrospect, I may have opted for an apron front sink the was flush or overlay versus undermount on the sides, but maybe not because I didn't want to spend money on that. Additionally, I don't know if the sealer my fabricator used was the right one. Everything wet leaves a dark mark that fades over a few minutes or hours depending on what it is. I kind of like the variation, but I have read that that is a sign that a stone is not sealed well. I just love the color and tone of the stone and do not regret my choice at all. The funny part is I bypassed the soapstone because a friend has a soft variety that has very large chips all around the sink (mine are relatively small.) Lastly, my fabricator has a hard time with the seam, the edges of the pieces were chiped up and they didn't color the adhesive well. They had to do it over again. I don't know if it was a function of a worn tool or that it was more brittle (which is what they told me.) But they were able to rework it and it looks OK, but not great. So it is full disclosure here and I hope I haven't scared you. I just really love how the two stones compliment and do not compete with each other, but don't look matchy either. Good luck :)

This is another brand -- a bit less expensive. I don't see anything wrong with undermounting an apron front as long as it isn't too deep to allow you to cover the front and still have room for your faucet. It does sseem a bit silly to pay for the finishing on the front and then hide it, but if it gives you what you need.... The ones with decorative fronts will be more of a problem, but a simple one might work and increase your options. You will have to make sure it can be installed with proper support too. Here is a link that might be useful: Franke Ociana