That mix sounds lovely to me.Try Googling images with those elements and see what you think.

I agree with Zalco - I think it will be lovely. Brass is warm and eye-grabbing, and stainless has a way of melting into the background. I really do believe high quality stainless is the permanent option for sink materials.

Another vote here for mixing stainless steel with brass! I love the antique-looking faucet @eam44 picked out as well. You could also carry the brass over to cabinet hardware. I think the color would pop and look amazing against cream and walnut.

A stainless farmhouse sink is an oxymoron. Especially within the context of an actual older home. You’d be better off with a standard large single cast iron undermount. Or a standard Kohler Whitehaven. If you insist on an apron front. Especially for someone who dislikes like shiny modern.

Thanks Zalco, eam44 and stine. What is that faucet it’s beautiful! Live wire, I would like to do a white farmhouse sink but not sure how durable fireclay or cast iron is. Or for that matter composite materials. Any info that can sway me in that direction is welcome!

Absolutely not fireclay. Every thread regarding them begins with the line, “my fireclay sink is cracked.” Enameled cast iron chips, cracks, rusts, and the enameled finish wears to become porous and can stain. Perhaps the Kohler cast iron is still in production because these sinks must eventually be replaced. Solid surface can also wear over time and can stain. The stainless steel sink will outlast you. Enameled cast iron will not.

The faucet set is very pretty, which is why I used the image, but I cannot speak to the quality of the piece. I’ve never heard of Amsara faucets.

There's nothing really antique or traditional about stainless appliances and sink. That's rather modern. But some brass can look nice with stainless.

Well my only reference to cast iron is the sink And tub that I grew up with and both were chipped in several places🙁. I have seen several homes near ours that have stainless appliances but still retain an old feel thru the lighting and hardware and use of wood, but not with the stainless farm sink. Maybe I should just use an undermount. Thanks everyone for the info you all are great,

I vote for a white Kohler cast iron sink and a beautiful brass faucet. The reason why I think Kohler still makes them is that they are in demand and not that the old ones are worn out! It is totally appropriate to mix metals in a 19th century home. New appliances in stainless for function and form. Vintage pulls, lighting, etc. for the aesthetic. Good luck!

That faucet company is bogus import crapola. Buy name brand . In everything. http://starcraftcustombuilders.com/sources.faucets2.htm

Cast iron will outlast your love for your existing kitchen. It will easily last over 50 years. And then it can pull duty as a garden sink, propped up in pressure treated 2x4 frame. And still be serviceable. That longevity ought to get you to the next remodel.

Consider a Corian sink.

My great aunt’s cast iron sink from 1963 is still doing duty in the tiny little bungalow kitchen. I got to see the pics of the house on Zillow the other day when I was roaming around the net. It still has the original kitchen! Minus the old latch handle Philco refrigerator, and sadly, the Chambers range. The metal cabinets, Star squiggle print laminate, and cast iron sink, were all still there.

An undermount would also be fine. If you are looking for a great sink, look at Rachiele. They also sell Waterstone faucets.

You’ll get a lot of anecdotal information on this site - actually, that is a strength of the site. People sign in and tell you what their experience of a given material is, what they like, and what they don't. Your experience of cast iron is identical to mine - they start out great, but they do not retain their good looks. Perhaps I should say that quality stainless steel will not chip, crack, rust, or stain. That’s not anecdotal, that’s factual, so I applaud your thinking.

BTW, Rachiele makes a solid brass sink.

Anglophillia, I would consider Corian, What are its plus/minuses? I also have seen the Rachiele sinks but they are really pricey!

They are pricey, no argument there. Corian sinks can fail. Try the search tab above. Here is one such failure, but there are examples of many, many more.

How about a copper apron front sink? Beautiful, durable, and fits with the time period. But copper does have a living finish, so you’d have to be OK with that. Many people think that’s the best part, and others don’t like it; it’s individual taste.

And for fun, Downton Abbey’s copper apron front sinks:

Oxymoron looks pretty good to me and my customers:

To the OP, if you decide on an apron front sink in stainless steel, make sure to look at how the front panel is made. You don’t want a curved one. You also don’t want a SS apron front that is super thick. What Joe Corlett pictures above is more what you want. Some of the cheaper ones have the super thick apron - it intrudes into the usable floor area of the sink. An extra-thick apron also removes the ergonomic advantage of an apron front which is that it is easier on your back to have your body directly against the sink, than to have the slight lean required with an undermount sink with its several inches of counter in front of it.

I like the design of the Elkay apron front sink, because it also has an offset corner drain, an advantage. However, I don’t have direct experience with it so I unfortunately can’t advise on whether it’s a quality sink or not.

What you DON’T want - this apron front is more than 5” thick:

The Elkay ECTRUF30179RC, https://www.homedepot.com/p/Elkay-Crosstown-Farmhouse-Apron-Front-Stainless-Steel-36-in-Single-Bowl-Kitchen-Sink-with-Bottom-Grid-and-Drain-ECTRUF30179RC/305866142, the apron front is 2-1/2” thick.

Ok, not what you’re asking for, but what about a Ruvati or Nantucket or Kohler stainless workstation sink? Really a work horse sink in our kitchen and thus in keeping with a sink for a ‘farmhouse‘—especially if you do canning and all that. I have a Ruvati version and we have the brushed brass fixtures. Love the cutting board inset.

p.s. I noticed Costco has the Kohler workstation sink on sale this month.

Thanks everyone! I have to make a decision today and in between the Kohler cast iron farmhouse and an undermount ss either kohler or Rohl. I love the farmhouse but my gut says to do the undermount as it will be easier to take care of.

What did you decide? How is it working out for you? I am at the beginning of the same agonizing choice...1915 kitchen. My GC mentioned that the old school cast iron that lasted a long time had lead in it, which helped with the durability. The current version is sans lead (as are most things these days); his opinion about going with stainless is sanitation and durability, but I am concerned about clashing with the overall aesthetic and being limited in terms of faucet finishes. I’ll keep looking for other mix-match examples.

Sorry jbeachum I just saw your message. I went with the ss undermount. Not yet installed but I think it will be bulletproof. I went with a chrome California pull-down faucet and will have brushed or antiqued nickel light fixtures and hardware. Now trying to decide between cup pulls (what my heart wants) or regular pulls (practical side.) The problem is that I do not like the knobs that go with all the pulls I like!