Thanks OldTimeCarpenter1. Any thoughts on Santec or Sigma brand? Our two local plumbing supply stores don't carry California Faucets, which makes me curious as to why. I will have to see if I can find them somewhere to see them in person. I can say that based on what I see online I am not a fan of their logo imprint on the shower trim plate. I hate big logos (another reason why I like newport brass) I will be honest, I don't know much about fixture components. From what I have seen all the brands have plastic parts and from what I have read almost all have at least some components made in China. All I can see and know is how it looks and feels in the showroom. Some brands definitely feel more heavy and solid where as others feel light thin and plastic. I was actually surprised how many shower heads were actually plastic and not metal. I guess as with anything it is a balance between style, quality, and cost. My husband eliminated about 80-90% of the brands & styles when he insisted on a high neck victorian faucet that had a thicker trunk spout. He also did not want any shower trim plates where you could see screws. I want a stylish tub spout, so that eliminated the Delta, Moen and Kohler tub spouts which to me look like clunky builder grade Home Depot/Lowes specials. I also prefer that the shower trim plate have a built in diverter on the trim plate or a separate matching diverter. Kohler had nothing that fit our criteria until they came out with the new Artifacts line, however it is on the pricey side for Kohler. I wouldn't describe it as a "value" line, as it is coming in about 15% more than the newport brass. A quick look at Sigma, Santec, Graff, Calfornia, Rohl, etc....they are all priced higher than Newport Brass. Some by a lot. Are they a much higher quality in comparison?

I'm getting a bit picky here but bear with me. Ticor does not give a spec drawing but no problem if you have the sink. When you get home, measure from the center of the drain to the back wall and across the center to each side. Then it's easy to figure out where to place the faucet exactly. Also take a quick look at the Grohe link below so you understand how the water looks when it comes out in the spray mode -- it's a bit wider than the stream mode. This is not a difficult adjustment -- you just want to understand it well enough to get the counter guys to work with you on the placement before they drill. D sinks often have corner placements. It looks like the lever works side to side and that it's installed facing front so clearance shouldn't unless you're in a corner or some tight space. From the spec sheet you linked it says your sink is 10" deep. But Ticor is a couple of sandwiches short of a full -spec picnic and no contact phone number. Sheeesh. But no worries, you have the sink. Here is a link that might be useful: Faucet spread

I'm planning on doing this in the next few months. Have had the sink picked out for a couple of years! Wanted to put two faucets in the wall, but husband is adamantly against it. So I guess I will make do with them mounted in the countertop. I see some nice ones online. The sink is about 30" wide, and has no faucet holes. Cabinet is 54", and there is no room for anything larger. I think we can do with about a foot of counter space each on either side. Better than one small sink/faucet. Frankly, I think it will be a huge improvement, even for resale. Even undermount oval sinks would take up about 20" each, leaving only 14" for the space between, and the spaces on either side. I think that would look ridiculous. :)

"The wall ovens were always preferable but optional, as was a 36" wide fridge as opposed to, say, a 31" wide that is taller." Regarding the refrigerator...stick with 36" wide by 70" to 72" tall. Manufacturers in/for the US are standardizing on 36"W x 70" to 72" tall refrigerators as their minimum size offering. Yes, you may find narrower ones here and there, but they're usually low-end of the mainstream refrigerators or very high end manufacturers (e.g., Liebherr). So, plan for this size space for your refrigerator: 38.5" wide x 72" tall. Width: 36" wide + 1.5" for end panels (3/4" on each side) + 1" for air clearance and wiggle room = 38.5" Height: 72" tall This way, you won't have to either search far and wide for a smaller refrigerator or pay $$$$ for a high-end refrigerator. Periodically over the years we've had people come to either here on the Kitchens forum or the Appliances forum frantically looking for a refrigerator to fit a small space (width and/or height). If it's a built-in, you don't have to accommodate the end panels b/c a built-in does not need end panels to hide the sides of the refrigerator. Counter-depth and standard-depth do need the end panels. And don't forget a 24" deep cabinet over the refrigerator (I can't tell for certain from the drawing if it's 24" deep, so I thought I'd mention it!)