I'm so there with you amysrq. Imagine my surprise, after spending weeks on faucetdirect and other sites, cross-referencing with gardenweb, and I come to the exact same result as you, right down to the loop handle rationale (except my wife wants the side handle instead). Really excited to come across this thread, only to experience the same disappointment with your last post. Not so concerned about the hose, as I think all metal hoses are built that way (the metal seems more durable, but louder, than the nylon). I don't know how much stock to put in this, but one dealer I spoke with said that the pull out/down handles generally have to be plastic/rubber because: 1) the weight of a full-metal handle wouldn't retract well (on a pulldown), 2) if left to bang around inside the sink a full metal handle could cause more damage, and 3) heat transfer from a full metal handle on full hot would burn the user. Pricklypearcactus, you mentioned you had the Luna model. Based on the pricepoint, I'm assuming it's got the same plastic handle. Any issues with the finish? Was it chrome or SS? Rococogurl, with your Systema model, do you have the black handle? Is that like a rubberized surface, or actually black metal? No scuffing or anything like that? Basically, I'm trying to convince myself that, with the lifetime warranty on the finish (chrome at least), maybe the plastic handle isn't as bad as it's cracked up to be. Maybe I'm deluding myself..... Please post if you come across a suitable alternative. Unfortunately, the KWC's the only one I've found so far with this 'hammerhead' design that doesn't have a stick for a handle (on the side at least). Good luck!

Good luck with finding your sink grid. I would imagine you are going to have to find a generic grate. I would measure the inside dimensions and see what you can find from there. In the different strokes category...this is really similar dimension to my current sink and I am bummed out that I can not get the same type of sink in the Silgranit. To me it is the best of both worlds. Food scraps is all the small bowl is intended for.

It's Jeffery Court Tile. http://www.jeffreycourt.com/ I don't know which one, but he has a large internet presence so you might be able to ask .

Take into account that when the grout is in like your picture and the bright lighting of TV cameras the color in your photo and on the screen is going to look much different. Plus the fact that it’s natural stone will mean their is variance . I’m fairly certain it’s the one I posted after further research it just looks lighter and brighter in your photo because it’s grouted and has camera lighting on it. If you find it in all blue like it looks in the photo please post back. I love the blue look of your photo.