The size of your sink is the size of your sink. Make the most of it and get a lovely farmhouse one. FWIW the term farmhouse sink is a misnomer. They are called butler's sink or apron front sinks or Belfast sinks variously. The first and third term are what they are called in the UK. I mention this because some people here think that kind of sink belongs in a farmhouse look house only- and I disagree.

I have two farmhouse sinks- one stainless and one fireclay- they are both wonderful (different houses ;-)

Hi! When I think cottage I do NOT envision metal apron sinks - what material are you thinking of? Also does the cabinet line have a specific cabinet for this? Check specs!

My biggest concern with your kitchen is the layout. The layout is what determines a functional kitchen, and that is the primary purpose. How it will help you prep/cook/cleanup should take priority over the products, finishes and colors. If you're going to all the trouble of renovating it, you should change the layout first. The sink and the range are way too close, and there looks to be almost no counter/prep space. Is it possible to extend your kitchen? I see chairs in the corner of the photo--could you eliminate the dining area and extend your kitchen into it?

Agree w/Diana. The layout is critical; do you have a floor plan/blueprint? Revising the current layout will give you better return on investment.

Thanks everyone. A layout change is not in the budget as we have to basically redo the entire condo (all new flooring, thank goodness! tile baths, opening up the hall doorway, new crown/trim throughout, etc). We are in the process of finalizing cabinets, countertops & flooring then should move to the bathrooms pickings! Ughh!

It would definitely be white apron if I were to do it. I’d want it to sit more flush - not extending too far past the cabinets. Our contractor is looking into the specs with the cabinets and I’m not sure what all. He is suppose to get back to me today. The second cabinet pic (with the black top) is the one that can fit an undercount. I just really like my first choice in cabinets better. Many of the units here are getting remodeled. They are beautiful however I wanted ours to be a little unique Hence the apron sink idea (& different style/color schemes). If I do do a drop in under mount I’m thinking white for that too?

This is what I’m envisioning

Here is another picture of our condo...

We do not get a lot of natural light in the kitchen so I’m looking to keep it light & bright. Cabinets will extend to the ceiling. The fridge will be a counter depth making it fit better. I will have stainless appliances as well. The island cabinet is being enlarged. I’m so excited but so nervous I’m going to make wrong decisions. Especially doing this from so far away!

Is it possible to move or eliminate the peninsula? You could then move the refrigerator and range 3 feet to the left and have a more functional kitchen. Maybe put off some of the other projects that don't really add function and use that $$ to improve the layout of the kitchen? Like the crown/trim? That adds nothing to the functionality of the home and can easily be added later.

Diana, that’s an option (possibly) but my thought on that is its a small unit and eating space is limited especially with opening the hallway door. You can’t see it in the pic but that’s the wall the table would go on. By opening it up it really opens up our small unit.

Heres a pic of another owners doorway - she replaced her kitchen table with a built in.

Heres a view of our doorway now... midway on the right. We just purchased this in 2015 we did some improvements but are biting the bullet and doing a complete make-over.

Maybe I have to give up on the apron sink? :( what would you chose otherwise?

I totally get what you are saying and love the idea! My worry is more financial with the changes. I have 2 baths that have to be totally gutted and redone too. At first new flooring and both baths were our priority. The kitchen was sort of an after thought... as we had already refaced the cabinets and purchased new (cheaper end) appliances. We figured we were already spending the money and making a mess in our condo so here we are. I’m at the top of my budget. :sadface

Here is a pic of a redone kitchen in our building. (Btw I will not have the cabinet over the island... Ill have 2 wood shelves). The fridge and cabinets will be similar in looks though.

Your contractor should not be designing your kitchen . The first thing needing help is that awful flourescent lighting. IMO an undermount sink is a better choice in that space . A floor plan would be nice. Is that the only space for eating?

If you like it and it can function in terms of opening, go for it. I have a small galley kitchen in my condo and just remodeled with a copper apron front sink.

I would suggest the following with a small sink - get a single bowl model and also get one with a ledge that enables one to fit a cutting board and drain board across the top easily. I have a model like this and it enables me to add functional counter space for prepping and drying hand washed items. It also eliminates mess on the counter especially stuff like chicken juice since everything is prepped above the sink.

A flat front is also more functional because the more the front of the sink protrudes, the further away you are from the sink which can be uncomfortable.

Hi Patricia. I’m not sure what you mean? He is checking on the cabinets and possibility of installing a farmers sink. He’s done 4 units in our building and they all look great! One unit he moved the sink to the island facing a sea of windows. Of course that’s the front ocean view unit and their view is amazing! I am the second condo back. my view is great from our balcony only. Lol. It would make no sense cost wise for me to do that. I failed to mention in previous posts that this is a vacation home for us that we are only there various times through the year. Lighting is in the plans too. Can lights in the kitchen and something over the island (can lights or hanging... I haven’t gotten that far yet). & Yep... that’s our only eating space. Unless we go out on the balcony haha! I’ll try to pull up and post a layout.

Damey H:

As long as there is a filler between the stove and the sink base cabinet and the sink base cabinet is 36", you don't have to get new cabinets to have an apron front (farm style) sink. An Elkay Quartz Luxe, a Kohler 3943, or short apron Whitehaven will all work just fine.

Even if there is no filler, you can cheat an apron to flush with the countertops. This cabinet designer forced my hand:

Thanks Joseph! I’ve seen filler mentioned on other posts... what exactly is filler? As for the cabinets, here is what I understand from the contractor... my chosen ones were a medium grade prebuilt. The ones I don’t care for as much are more custom. I’m going to assume that they are a lower grade custom as the cost comes in about the same. Does this sound right? I’m going to look up the sinks you mentioned.

Helen, thanks for the info!!! I’m going to share your suggestion with our contractor. It sounds like just what I’m looking for And gives me hope.

Appearance wise- would an apron look nice in this space?

Helen, can you share a pic of yours please?

Damey H:

A filler is a style added to the side of a cabinet to provide spacing. For example, the swing of a dishwasher door can't strike the adjacent door hardware on its way down. Filler placement is the first thing you learn at Kitchen Designer school on the first day. This is because if the KD screws up and doesn't allow the proper spacing, Ms. Client can't install the fancy pulls she had her heart set on. Other than changing or (gasp) eliminating hardware, the only cure would be reconnoitering cabinets to allow filler installation. Unfortunately a filler mistake isn't usually caught before the countertops are installed; now they're probably junk too.

The cabinet designer in my above picture was just incredibly lucky.

Patricia hates it when I say this, but apron sinks look nice everywhere. Functional too.

Stile, not style.

Thanks everyone for your input! I guess an apron sink isn't meant to be this time. We have opted to go with the "better" cabinets and a porcelain undermount sink. I am too concerned with the look of the apron in the allotted space and honestly didn't want to settle for the other cabinets. Now on to my floor color dilemma! Lol

I put a vote in for St. Andrews !

Dab, I went back and forth between the 2! I repeatedly went and looked at slabs comparing the 2, however, it wasn't until I seen it in a model home (I found out we have an AMAZING hardware store that has model houses inside it!!!!) and fell in love with Ella. I really wanted the white on white - more like Britannica but I couldn't resist Ella. You made a beautiful choice too!!!