I know you, like I do, will be washing sizable amounts of produce, and filling and draining large pots with the size of family you have. I prefer rectangular or square for the most interior size in the space...If it's round or D-shaped, you're just losing part of the area within the same-sized cabinet available for sink. Ours has interior measurements of 14 x 15 1/2" (I think it's 'official' size is 17 x 18 1/2). It works great for most things, and I wouldn't want smaller. In my 'dream (fantasy/perfect) kitchen' I'd have a 24-30". If you're going to want to rinse or wash pots and pans in it, as some like to since prep sinks are close to the cooking area, I would go as large as you can get.

LL - I agree - that's a beautiful sink. I was able to find the sink via the House Beautiful article - best price was $807, so I'll have to continue looking. I do like the look of the copper. Bri - you're correct, breezy's silgranit does look gorgeous - I was a little concerned that switching materials (main sink is stainless) might seem a little odd - I've already bought my stainless main sink. Shelayne - yours looks beautiful in your island. I love the edging - I haven't seen anything like that. Who did that? Is yours a top mount just lowered or undermount? Do you have any problems with water collecting around the rim. It's very unique looking - Someone has great design skills :)

My prep sink is in a corner cabinet in the "U" that houses the Prep & Cooking Zones, so I can't discuss the island first-hand. However, I can say that our 15-3/4" square (interior dimensions) sink is as small as I would go - I sometimes wish it were bigger - more like 18" square would have been better. If you can fit a 21" sink base with an 18" to 19" wide sink in it, I think you will be happier. With an island over 5' wide, I think you will have plenty of space for at least an 18" sink base with as big a sink as can fit (a 16" wide sink should definitely fit). I would even consider a 6" or 9" cabinet b/w the end of the island and the sink to give you a little room on the side of the sink next to the end - less likely to knock something off onto the floor as well as a bit of landing space. (You could store cutting boards in a 6" cabinet.) 5'8" = 68" 1.5" overhang + 6" cabinet + 18" cabinet + 41" cabinet + 1.5" overhang That gives you 42" to 45" of workspace on one side or the sink and 8" to 9" on the other side (assuming an undermount sink & counting the counter overhangs). BTW...you say your island is 36" deep - is that at the shallowest ends or the deeper center (the curve)? In general, a 36" deep island with standard 24" deep base cabinets + decorative door panel on the back of the cabinets leaves you with only a 9.5" overhang - far too shallow for real seating. If that's just the ends and the center is deeper at the top of the curve, I hope it goes to 41.5" deep in the center there is at least one seat with the minimum recommended overhang (15"). 41.5" = 1.5" overhang + 24" deep cabinet + 1" decorative end panel + 15" overhang

So pretty!!! Just for the shape, I like the hexagonal sink best. I don't think it has enough bottom to drain ratio though. Okay for a bar, but not so much for prep. The square ones are better that way, even though the rounds sound nicer for a corner. I decided against copper because the shiny spots from fruit acids would make me nuts, but copper is so pretty!!! And functional. I can't wait to oooh over your pictures. :)