Please HELP! Choosing faucets!

15 years ago

I seriously might stick my head in the oven if I don't stop changing my mind on things. The latest choice is the main and prep kitchen faucets. I just don't know whther or not to go with what I think is the most aesthetically pleasing or most functional/practical. I feel like the functional/practical issue is off the table considering I will most likely get a Tapmaster. I have a couple of other choices now. My kitchen design is *kind of* period (house built in 1926), but I'm not a purist by any means. I am doing white cabinets, black soapstone, white subway tile, SS appliances, and SS sinks (main is rectangle, prep is round). Here are my choices/issues (sorry, I don't know how to do clicky links on this forum):

1. Grohe Bridgeford- I recently purchased these (impulsively b/c of the good price), but I'm not sure I'll be happiest with the design and the different faucet shapes for the two different models (from the same line). I'm also not sure if the main faucet arm is too Victorian even though I think it's very pretty.

Main- http://www.grohecatalog.com/product/20158/

Bar- http://www.grohecatalog.com/product/31055/

2. Blanco Grace- I am thinking this would be the most practical b/c of the single handle control, but I think the tapmaster voids this issue. Again, I'm wondering if the style is too Victorian, but at least the two match each other. I also considered the Mico Simone for the same reasons.

Main-

http://www.faucetdirect.com/index.cfm/page/product:display/productId/157-052/manufacturer/Blanco/categoryId/19/finish/Chrome

Bar-

http://www.faucetdirect.com/index.cfm/page/product:display/productId/157-056/manufacturer/Blanco/categoryId/3070/finish/Chrome

3. Blanco Bridge- Love this b/c it's feels more in line with the period with a hint of modernity. I worry that cross handles will be a pain to use in a kitchen though. BUT, I'm using the tapmaster so will that really matter? I'm also wondering if this is too big for a prep faucet (island is 7.5'x5.5').

Main- http://www.faucetdirect.com/index.cfm/page/product:display/productId/157-040/manufacturer/Blanco/categoryId/19/finish/Chrome

Bar-

http://www.faucetdirect.com/index.cfm/page/product:display/productId/157-055/manufacturer/Blanco/categoryId/3069/finish/Chrome

I am certain I am over thinking this, but I don't want to change out a faucet in 6-12 months, and there's not turning back if I drill all those holes for a bridge, right? PLEASE PLEASE help me. Either make suggestions or talk me down from the ledge! e.g. WDYT about the Victorian arms? The practicality of levers vs. cross or single handle? Function vs. Style?

**In my defense of being ridiculously indecisive, I am 5 months pregnant with 2.5 and 1.5 year-old girls living with my mother while doing a whole house remodel! ;)

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Comments (15)

poppy_cat
Original Author
15 years ago
Figured out how to insert pics here...

Grohe Bridgeford (main)

Grohe Bridgeford (prep)

Blanco Grace (main)

Blanco Grace (prep)

Blanco Bridge (main)

Blanco Bridge (prep)
tinahollywood
15 years ago
This looks like my old list! I love the Bridgeford bridge faucet, but I went with the single lever because I didn't want to fuss with two handles (well, my DH didn't want to fuss, so I gave up)... See not so close-up picture below.

If you like the bridge, I'd go with the Grohe Bridgeford; you won't be sorry. It's a very well made product.
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Tricia, first I have to say your last paragraph is so true for ALL of us! I laughed, and I nodded in agreement. That's why we love this forum so much. As to your 3 choices, I would only pick the Hansgrohe out of those 3, because the other 2 look like they have side sprays instead of integrated sprayers. I would not have a faucet that needs a side sprayer. Because the water pressure is never as good, and because the additional hole is one more thing to clean around. And speaking of cleaning, the other two faucets have a lot of nooks and crannies and joints. Yet more to clean around. I like a faucet I can just wipe down smoothly, without having to work on grime that can get in nooks and crannies. Just MHO. Also, I am not sure that your choice of the prep-sink size for the Hansgrohe is a good one. Typically apron front sinks are on the larger size, and that faucet may not be in proportion with your sink. It may also not have the reach you need for that size sink. Are you worried that the larger Hansgrohe faucet would be too tall in front of your window? Many people here have very tall faucets in front of windows, and it looks fabulous. I'm linking below a thread showing a bunch of faucet choices. Look at the pic from Beekeeperswife who has a similar sink setup as you, though not farmhouse, but with cabinets flanking either side of window in front of the sink. Her faucet is really tall and beautiful. You can do a search on this forum for more pics of her kitchen. One great trick is to take rolled up heavy-duty aluminum foil, and shape it in the shape and size of the faucet you are considering, and stick it where you will have it installed. It really helps to picture how that particular size faucet would look. Here is a link that might be useful: Thread Called Show Me Your Faucets This post was edited by shannonplus2 on Sun, Feb 10, 13 at 10:06
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Buehl
15 years ago
Think about a spray though. The most functional spray, IMHO, is either a pull out or pull down. Last place is side spray. But, that is my opinion, others are happy with their side sprays.

I have used all 3 kinds (as well as no spray). For prep, I find I prefer the pull out, for main, I prefer a pull down.

TinaHollywood's looks like a pull down. (Is that correct?)

One thing I found is that my first reaction/instinct was usually right...so if your first reaction is that you like the ones you bought, then go with them. Unlike cabinets, flooring, countertops, or backsplashes...faucets can be changed easily if in the end they just don't work.

Just a word of advice...don't count on the TapMaster until you have it installed, you never know what will happen b/w now and your finished kitchen! We planned 2, but then our budget reared its ugly head and they were the first things to go!

Good luck!
poppy_cat
Original Author
15 years ago
"don't count on the TapMaster until you have it installed"

Hmmm, that's good advice buehl. Also, my DH insists on a side spray - absolutely no pull-down. I doesn't have many strong opinions so when one does come along I give him that. ;)
Buehl
15 years ago
I can relate...my DH felt that way about the main sink. He does most of the dishes so I let him have the sink of his choice. He was unsure about the pull down faucet, but now he loves it! (Neither of us wanted a side spray...all personal preference.)

He also felt very strongly about the Pet Center so I gave him that as well.

Just about everything else was my choice as long as he didn't hate it...so I didn't argue when he had a strong opinion.
kulagal
15 years ago
FWIW, I would think using a bridge-type faucet would get old pretty soon using two handles to regulate the temp. What if you don't get the tapmaster? I live in the UK at the moment where these types (hot/cold) are still used (old houses and hotels) but they are slowly being phased out. New construction is pretty much all one-handle (copying the US!). Fortunately, we live in newer construction.

Tinahollywood: are you there? Your kitchen looks interesting. Looked on Finished Kit Blog but not there. Would love details!
faucetman886
15 years ago
Below are 2 interesting rating comparisons I found by Googling the brands, partly for my own knowledge because I had never heard of Blanco.
After this review and my own experince with Grohe, my opinion remains unchanged...GO WITH THE GROHE and if price is a problem shop the internet and find yourself the product you want from a dealer with a "best price guarantee". I have noted in the past that I drive a Mercedes and would only have a Grohe faucet.

Source Rating, Price, Origin, Warranty
Blanco Faucets
Blanco America, Inc.
110 Mount Holly By-Pass
Lumberton, NJ 08048
rating 6-8
$230-1,000
Blanco America, Inc. is the American division of Blanco GmbH + Co KG, Oberderdingen, Germany. Its line is limited to kitchen faucets. The faucets are intended to complement its main business: kitchen sinks. Blanco emphasizes style, and it fact refers to itself frequently as a "design" company. But while an excellent, stylish faucet line, it is no more so than Grohe or Graff and similarly priced.
________________________________________________________

Grohe America.
241 Covington Drive
Bloomingdale, IL 60108
(630) 582-7711
rating 6-8
$175-800
Germany Grohe makes a big effort to discourage discounting by restricting sales to authorized dealers only. You can locate dealers for your area from the company web site. "A Limited Lifetime Warranty is provided on all mechanical parts to be free from manufacturing defects in materials and workmanship under normal use for as long as the original purchaser owns their (sic) home." 5-year limited warranty on most finishes.
The American arm of Grohe Thermostat GmbH, a German company, Grohe America distributes the company's excellent, high style faucets. Most Grohe faucets have style characteristics that make them instantly recognizable.
HOPE THIS HELPS
Richard
poppy_cat
Original Author
15 years ago
"I have noted in the past that I drive a Mercedes and would only have a Grohe faucet." LOL That's a good analogy. I like it!

I read that website too. My feeling was that they were comparable, but I guess Grohe seems safer based on that fact that is a better known plumbing source/brand.
Circus Peanut
15 years ago
I can vouch for Blanco - bought two faucets as part of my initial design, and they are extremely heavy, well-made pieces. Word has it that they are also very good customer-service-wise. I think igloochick has the Blanco Master Gourmets in her kitchen, you might check with her re. the quality, too.

Either way, they are all nice solid pieces made in Germany by adults earning a living wage, so I really think you can't go wrong. :)

If design is a issue, you might check out the Whitehaus brand - they have numerous faucets in really great transitional designs between full-on Victorian and modern.

This is their official web site>
Circus Peanut
15 years ago
Oh yes, PS, I wanted to put in a good word for the arms rather than cross handles. I have cross handles in my bath, and it's fine for in there but might be less functional in a kitchen.

The faucet I finally went with is the Essex by Kohler (which comes in two sizes, by the way, in case it might solve your one-versus-three hole and matching bar/prep sink dilemma?):
{{!gwi}}

I LOVE how fluid and easy it is to turn the arm levers, and honestly prefer this to the one-armed kind. I know Kohler is slipping in its reputation for quality, but in this case the design triumphed in my selection, and it certainly seems nice and heavy and well-made.

Whitehaus also makes a few one-hole levered models:
tinahollywood
15 years ago
kulagal --

I think "interesting" is a good word for the way my kitchen turned out. I posted pictures when we finished (several months ago) but they're gone now. Will post again on the forum tomorrow.

Yes -- my Grohe is a pull down and I love it. My DH really resisted the idea too -- maybe it's a Y chromosome thing?
User
15 years ago
Those are really nice faucets, my daughter has something simular to the Blanco with the side spray. The one negative to the side spray with this design is the sprayer seems to be really heavy or bulky and a little awkward to use.
positano
15 years ago
Tinahollywood, your pictures are still there. Just click on the one pic you posted and it links you to your photobucket album. I love your faucet!
sprengle1
15 years ago
Ooh, lots of nice faucets here.

Tinahollywood, just LOVE your faucet! I'd love to splurge and get that in bronze!

Hmm, maybe if there is a good tax return...
sunnyd_2008
15 years ago
I have a Moen showhouse bridge faucet in stainless and I love it.

I also have the Shaws apronfront, an older than 1920s house and beaded inset cabs
My faucet has the levers and it's never been an issue to mix the water
Go with what you love, when will you be able to do this again?
I was in your shoes with two toddlers living with my mom through a remodel
it's not easy
good luck