I am happy to see I was not the only person to find the new side handle controls counter-intuitive. I think you have to accept the new standard though and get used to it. I love the Rohl single handled country faucets too, btw. Or you can go with a Kohler Karbon and a joystick!

You can adjust to it -- repetition is your friend! I thought it would be difficult to make the change but adapted pretty quickly.

I prefer a single lever on top faucet. I put two in my last kitchen--delta trinsic--and was very happy with them. (We have since moved and our new house came with a faucet with a single lever on the side which is okay, but I'd still prefer the top lever).

This link is to my old reveal post which has pictures.

http://ths.gardenweb.com/discussions/3642845/something-old-something-new-kitchen-reveal?n=71

We have this one.

http://www.newportbrass.com/products/categories/05/Kitchen/24/Kitchen-Faucets/931/Chesterfield/26/Polished-Chrome/943

Oh, so helpful and comforting to know this old dog can learn some tricks! ;)

crl_ That especially helpful info! Trinsic was my top choice but add the skinny lever to the side position and I was hesitating majorly. I thought my wrist would sore with how much I cook and use the faucet all day. I had no idea that you could buy a top handle trinsic! I must have breezed by them thinking they were bathroom faucets. Pull down spray is included?

Yay!! Off to research down that rabbit hole.

You all are the best.

I still have a mental problem operating the side handle, but it's getting better all the time (I've only had it about 1 month). When I was shopping I still saw some with top handles - I almost bought one, actually - but aesthetically I didn't really like them as much as the one I really wanted and bought (Hansgrohe Metris). FWIW the one I almost bought was a Kalia Naja Surfer.

Toronto Veterinarian - Wow! Kalia! Another one I didn't know about. I thought I had thoroughly researched this one but you guys are coming up with all kinds of great suggestions. Much gratitude!!!

I sent my husband out to see the Axor (hansgrohe) Citterio faucet today - side handle but the lever is big so I was thinking maybe I could pop that one on and off wihtout the twisting motion of the wrist.

This one has a pretty clean, contemporary look for a top handle:

https://www.faucet.com/nameeks-n47-chrome-minimal-pull-out-spray-kitchen-faucet/f3101150

But there are definitely plenty of options out there. It may take some scrolling, but if you narrow down your search filters on Faucet.com with enough of your other requirements, it's really not bad.

Glad to help! I looked at hundreds of faucets when I was choosing and there aren't a ton of top lever options.

We renovated a kitchen in 2011 and got the trendy modern side handle. One from hansgrohe. I cursed it and hated it for all 2 years we lived in the house. It was counterintuitive, and always creating problems. We renovated in another house after that I did the Hansgrohe Talis S. Same modern line but top handle. It works so much better.

http://www.hansgrohe-usa.com/articledetail-talis-s-talis-s-2-spray-kitchen-faucet-pull-out-06462000.html

crl_ yours is one my most favorite kitchens.

Rita, thank you!

Kalia's a Canadian company, so I don't think they get much press in the US.

Yes, I hadn't heard of Kalia or now Nameek's. Nameek's is Italian and I'm a sucker for anything italian, especially pizza ;)

....Oh, yeah we're talking about faucets. I must be hungry. lol.

Thank you again - so many good suggestions. I'm sure I'll find one now.

If push-pull is the most significant issue, you can mount many faucets with the handle in the center, so you pull it towards you to turn on and push it back to turn off, and moving it to the left is hot and to the right is cold, just as it "should" be. An added advantage is that when you turn it off with wet hands the drips go into the sink.