I agree it is beautiful. I preferred a scribed edge so I didn't do this. But there's no doubt it's gorgeous. It's also functional for some who splash for whatever reason. We have no splashing so it's not an issue for us. It would definitely be another thing to dust regularly, but in this day of swiffers? easy.

I prefer the single level as well. My new island will house my main sink and will be a single level. It is also open to the dining room and living rooms. I'm removing the previous island with raised bar in part because the single level gives me SO much more counter space. It also opens up the kitchen more and doesn't interfere with the view of the rest of my pretty kitchen! I will have a deep sink on this island and another cleanup sink on the perimeter - for day to day use I expect some clutter on my island countertop, perhaps a few drying dishes or plastics that didn't fully dry in the dishwasher. And I don't mind seeing that stuff on a day to day basis, our house is definitely lived in and the kitchen is well used and loved. But it will clean up nicely and quickly for entertaining, the single level island is a great place for putting out appies or drinks or for serving buffet style. Still in progress or I'd post a few pics. Demo all done, site measurements for the cabinets next week!

All good comments and things to consider. Having a 45" sink would be nice but couldn't work with my Ikea cabs. The drainboard allowed for a minor mod and use of two base cabs rather than one large one. I find the drainboard very useful. I love cleaning and chopping veggies in that half. I like being able to slide them to pans in the ledge below. I like having the water and soap right there for my obsessive hand washing. You can still accomplish a similar arrangement with the other sinks you're looking at, but with less space. My use of the ledge evolves throughout the day. Right now I have a dish drainer in it with clean dishes. If I'm cleaning a lot of veggies, I'll first use it for all the debris so I do not have to let it get stuck in the grid. A garbage bowl can be used instead, but this is so easy and the trash/recycle is in the pullout below. I thaw most meat in the fridge, but do quick thaw fish, pork tenderloins, and chicken breasts in the plastic accessories. They are the perfect size, are right there to drain and refill with cold water. Since they are raised I still have room on the grid below for other items draining in colanders as I work on the drainboard side chopping. I mostly keep the other side for dirties, cans draining, and water use by others. The drainboard came in very handy during the holidays for opening and cleaning large, messy items, like turkey, ham, and tenderloin. The ledge is a clean part of my sink so keeping those items out of the basin is a plus for me. Of course, I disinfect before and after. I always open my meat packages there to keep the mess as contained as possible. I like that the sink becomes my command center and I pretty much do not need to move much. I take recipe items from the pantry and fridge that is just across the aisle to the right. As I finish each stage of prepping I move the trays of prepped food to the counter behind me. DW is out of the way to the left. I only go a few steps in each direction. I mention this as layout to suit your cooking style, minimize movement, and stay out of the paths of others help make your prepping experience good. A large sink surely helps, whichever you can fit and afford. Critical to my good experience with the Stages 45 is the Kohler Karbon. It is a wonderful faucet that greatly enhances my time at the sink. All said, we can adapt to our equipment and make the best of what we have. If your cooking style is mis en place, I think you would use the accessories.

@Dino Rachiele are 100% custom built. They are pretty much the gold standard that everybody else is copying. Dino Rachiele developed most of these concepts and is constantly refining them. The upshot is that it isn't cheap to buy one of his sinks, but IMHO it's worth every cent that we paid for ours. It's impressive to notice just how much attention to detail goes into these appliances. Now, I can't comment on what your budget is. That's a decision for you to sort out, and it's not really up for discussion. But if a Rachiele sink is within reach, then I can promise that you'll be very happy with it. After all, you'll probably use it many thousands of times each year. Making it your primary work area and designing it for serious usability is going to be something you'll enjoy every day you are in your kitchen. I recommend reading the background information on the Rachiele website. It goes into a lot of detail what makes a good sink and why.