I’ve had a 30” Shaw at a second home for 10 years and still love it but decided on the 33” Kohler Whitehaven for our new kitchen reno at home - it was such a price difference and looked so similar. I actually like it better! I especially like the slight slant of the bottom to the offset drain. Much easier to rinse scraps into the disposal. It’s still new but it does seems like the Kohler finish is easier to keep clean. We removed the Kohler logo (which was crooked anyway) so it’s just all white and looks great!

What color flange do people have in their farmhouse sink? We are getting an English bronze faucet, but are debating whether to go with a white flange to match the sink or English bronze to match the faucet. Any pictures would be great. Thanks

I was able to see one at my local plumb supply shop. They have a showroom with many products in displays so people can get a feel for them. You also might find one at a kitchen and bath store with displays. Call your plumber to see if such a showroom exist in your area. The short apron allows for regular sized doors underneath. It is installed on a standard sink base cabinet and so is often used in a remodel / refresh in which the cabinets are not being changed. This is why I used the short apron style - I was able to use my old sink base. (Pics of my kitchen in my "my pics" idea book.) I have heard that a new laminate counter can be made to have an undermount sink. I have never seen it and haven't heard anything either positive or negative about how it works out. I do not think that an older laminate counter could be changed to handle an undermount - but I don't know for sure - maybe Joe will stop by with some advice on that. (http://www.houzz.com/pro/joseph-corlett/joseph-corlett-llc) There are some granites out now that are not much more than a laminate, so look into some other options. There are some decent quartz sold through Menards and Home Depot - LG and others. You might find that waiting a few months and saving a little extra will get you more of what you want - especially if you have a functioning kitchen. I was putting away $200-$300 away a month for my kitchen. I got my countertops on a 6mo same as cash deal and also on sale at Menard'sand with a rebate - paid for half and made payments for 6 mo without interest so was able to order and get started. I rarely do that, but knew the $ would be there. Wood is also often used with undermount sinks - probably takes some care, but another option. The only overmount farm sink that I know of is the Ikea which is fireclay.

Fireclay is certainly more beautiful IMHO. But I like the ease of stainless, and being free of worrying about chips, cracks, wine stains, and boiling water. I was at the store yesterday looking at sinks, and my thoughts are identical to yours. A sink is -- first and foremost -- a workhorse, so I'm going with stainless steel ... even though I think a white fireclay sink is prettier. I don't like the Vigo apron front because the front is curved and thick. The big advantage of an apron front sink is the ergonomics of being able to stand right up against the sink, as opposed to an undermount sink where there is a strip of counter in front, which makes you have to bend slightly which can be uncomfortable over time for some people. But the Vigo apron front is curved and thick and so defeats the benefit of an apron front sink. That had not occurred to me. Thanks for this. I had no idea that was the benefit of a farmhouse apron sink. I might reconsider my choice now. Farmhouse sinks are great for us short people -- I barely scrape the bottom edge of 5' tall with my shoes on. We don't have to reach our short arms so far to reach into the sink, but don't take my word for it -- go to Lowes and pretend you're working at one of their sample sinks. You'll see whether you like them or not. i contacted kohler and their's is guaranteed for life against chips but yea i suppose if that happens i''ll be stuck paying to have the work done Yeah, having them replace a chipped sink is good, but having a sink that never chips in the first place is far superior! Even if they paid for the installation, you'll never find a convenient time to schedule workmen, clear out that portion of your kitchen, and miss a day of work while it's being done. A bounce-off question: Like I said above, I was at the store yesterday looking at farmhouse sinks ... and I notice that the cabinets underneath are noticeably shorter /a little harder to access. I'm sure it has to do with necessary support under the sink. Questions: - Assuming you're sold on the farmhouse sink, is this a worthwhile trade-off? - Is this shorty cabinet still enough for a garbage disposal? (You'd think I'd have thought of that question at the store.) - I'm thinking a pull-out shelf would work well here. Any experience with such a thing?