We just installed the Blanco Cascade Truffle sink. We have White Springs Granite. We loved the truffle color with the grey/taupe color in the granite. We still have a few things to wrap up in the kitchen so we haven't actually used the sink yet.

You may absolutely purchase Ikea cabinets without doors either online or in person, whichever you prefer. Each cabinet is really a collection of, say,10 items, each with a part #. At the store, a kitchen person will add the cabinet you want in a Harlig door, for example, and then go in and just remove the door, leaving the other 9 items in your cart. If you go this route, double check size, configuration, and frame color (birch or white) while they're typing it in. Mistakes happen. If you're doing this online, simply select the item you want in the configuration you want, and click on the "Show dimensions, weight and article numbers" link. Then copy each article number into the search button at the top of the page, and the item will appear. Buy it online. Repeat with the next 9 part #s. When you come to a door, just don't buy it. GW is great for some types of info, but you should really check out the Ikeafans web site for more guidance. In order to use Barker doors, you will need the measurements for the doors. You can find these on the Ikea web site if you look hard enough, or you can check out the Ikeafans link below. You'll have to look up info on hinge cup cut out size and location. Barker will cut them wherever you want them, but you need to know what to select/ask for. It is worth comparing the cost of a Barker Cabinet vs. Ikea/Barker Door. For ordinary cabs there's not that big a savings to be had with Ikea. For tall pantry/oven cabinets, or corner cabinets, the difference is substantial. Also, when ordering through Barker Door, make sure to take note of the maximum door width that differs among styles. Good Luck! Here is a link that might be useful: Measurements

"For the undermount sink we screwed two strips of wood to the side walls of the cabinet to support the sink." I strongly discourage this procedure. I constantly repair leaking double bowl stainless steel sinks that have been supported this way. Most sinks do not have a stanchion between the bowls. This means that each bowl is supported by wood on one side and steel-on-the-flat on the other. Steel-on-the-flat flexes, especially with the weight of a disposal pulling the sink down, causing leaks. Leaks cause rot, rust, insect infestation, and unsanitary gunk where you're preparing food for your family. Of course I have tons of pictures to support my claims. Wood cleats cannot provide the constant upward even pressure on sinks that a Hercules Universal Sink Harness (Braxton Bragg) or a Sink Strap (Regent Stone Products) can. You can stand in a strapped sink. You can jump up and down in a strapped sink. You can push on the steel-on-the-flat and it will not budge; it can't defy the laws of physics. And straps take up less room than cleats.

Great feedback, thank you. shaggydogs- I'm not sure about that 1.5" thick issue. I know they released their new "SEKTION" kitchen line and that's what I ordered. I noticed during my online building process that the sink base cabinets are now different compared to the old AKURUM models. Maybe they have some adjustments built into the new base cabinets for this difference? I'll place a call to IKEA and find out. milworkman - As for the particle board issue, most laminates are bonded to particle board and when treated well they survive quite awhile. My grandmother has a laminate countertop that's 20 years old and still going strong. But, you're right about the 45 cuts, it's pretty much impossible to do that and keep it sealed. I could just join them together without 45's, but they have beveled edges and I've never been a fan of joining two perpendicular bevels together like that. It just collects debris and bacteria as well as looking "half assed" in terms of build quality in my opinion. So, it seems I may have to give in and return these tops when some solid oak slabs become available ( available stock on these tops in Ottawa Ontario is rarer than a unicorn some years!).