White! Do you want a single basin, or two?

Single. And a good size one too. Is chipping and general sink yuckiness an issue? I don't want to have to scrub my sink religiously ( and we do like our Italian food.)

I would do stainless. I have no issue mixing metals especially for something like a workhorse sink. IMO there's a time for practicality and a time to ignore how you use a sink and go for the look - not that a white sink can't be practical but it's not in the same league as stainless. And I know I will get push-back on that but whatever.

As for your quartzite please do yourself a favor and google staining of quartzite from plumber's putty. There are some horror stories and it can be avoided.

Would you consider a white cast iron sink?

Would you like the porcelain sink better if you bought it from a company which called it a butler's or Belfast sink ;-)

Copper.

Stainless, TopZero

DH saw this in the stone yard showroom. He’s into things like this.

White. I personally can’t stand stainless sinks due to water spotting. I love our Blanco sink that we installed in our kitchen remodel. PS ours isn’t white.

maybe this visual will be helpful…

Kitchen Renovation · More Info

Presumably you have some other stainless in the kitchen; i.e. appliances. I think it looks fine in the above photo as it ties in with the stainless appliances. I'm not a big fan of stainless, and didn't choose it for my sink when we remodeled, but I now have it in both houses. I do like that it's indestructible and if there are stains they aren't noticeable as they are with a white sink. I don't care about water spots but I think worse than that are people who obsess about trying not to scratch a new stainless sink. IMO the quicker you get the patina going the better.

I am not a fan of stainless, esp in a kitchen like yours. IMHO it can look like generic apartment sinks. White/cream porcelain, single basin, no need for the extra expense of farmhouse style.

I prefer a faucet like the one in your insp. picture, for both function and looks. The high arc and detachable sprayer are game changers for me, and still in style i think. In a brass finish, of course. Many styles avail in the $300 range so not crazy $.

I have always had porcelain sinks. I don't find them hard to clean. Once in a while leave the Bonami on over night on a wet sink surface.

PS I have never had a chip. I would say I am mindful of it ... like I would not throw a Lodge pan in there from three feet (but that could even dent a stainless sink I guess). But it isn't like I feel I am babying it. And you can be sure my 3 kids aren't!

PPS LOVE LOVE the quartzite Eld reccommended

I just gave my stainless sink the dirtiest look that sink has ever seen. It may have melted a little bit.

Oh geez Jilly what to do when someone asks which you prefer? Go apologize to your sink right now. I'll wait.

I will not apologize! It should apologize to me!

I figured I was the only one that doesnt like stainless! We have zero stainless. Zip! We have quartz counters cream with neutral flecks, including some white flecks. My sink is some kind of stone (i cant renmember the name). Its cream colored and cleans well, especially with a magic eraser. it can actually be sanded if need be, but we have not reached that point.

Seriously, I’m so excited to see this kitchen project!

Visually my vote would be for white. I don't have personal experience with enameled cast iron or Blanco, so I honestly don't know how they would hold up. I, unfortunately, currently have an integrated white Corian sink and it has crackling from hot water (oops), requires constant scrubbing, and even needs bleach soaks. Ugh.

I'm very excited to see your kitchen project too. Your choices and inspiration sound so lovely.

I have porcelain sinks at home, I do not baby them, but I do not abuse them either. They have no chips or stains. I clean them after every use. My boys do not (which I don't get- how do you walk away from a sink with stuff in it?)

I love the gold faucet you posted and like Jilly, cannot wait to see this gorgeousness soon. Taj Mahal is so spectacular.

PS By clean after every use, I mean make sure nothing is in the sink. A quick wipe with a scrubbie sponge is all I do usually. Bon Ami scrub at the end of the day. That is the same thing I did with my old stainless sink as well.

What a beautiful selection you have made, jojoco, with the Taj Mahal quartzite! I know metals are mixed all the time, but were it my kitchen , I wouldn’t want to use a stainless sink with gold faucetry. I don’t mind mixing, but that would just bother me - but that is really just a personal preference. Moreover, I think the warmth of the Taj would be much more beautifully complimented by ,and have a richer look with ,a white cast iron sink. As you say, your house is a bit formal and it is more traditional. I could see stainless in a more contemporary kitchen with Taj Mahal, but I think the cast iron is a better fit for your traditional style. I think your refresh is going to be so beautiful ! BTW, I have had both cast iron, as well as silgranit sinks .They have both looked like new after many years of use. I love having a stainless grate in the bottom of our current sink. It’s not necessary, but a very nice feature to have , imo.( It doesn’t really show down there, but it makes for so much ease of use - the way “it feels” to set something down in. ) Here is a picture that shows TM with a white under-mount cast iron sink and gold hardware.

White or stainless will look fine. What do you have now and are you happy with it?

I like stainless because that little bounce it has saves a lot of dishes for me. Coffee carafes never last when I have porcelain or cast iron.

I've had a Corian sink that was surprisingly nice. Don't rule those out when you're out browsing if you find a color and shape you like--that plastic is really good stuff. Might stain if you're a slob but easily bleached and if needed, can be sanded. Mine was pink. I am a materials snob, but Corian is great (as long as it's not fake stone)(or pink).

White sink. I'd think twice about a single basin. There is no separating the yuck for when you need the other side for something else while cooking.

I think this is my sink and it's not on the Kohler website anymore. It's a workhorse. The left side big bowl will hold one of those giant stainless steel mixing bowls or a huge stock pot, or dirty dishes with a clean side on the right. Or you can bathe a baby on the right while gunk is on the left!

Just don't get one of those high falutin touchless faucets because you'll find me standing there swiping the air for an hour before it turns on.

What color will the appliances be? Perhaps that will help guide you.

I have no trouble mixing stainless with it and I think from a durability pov it's better than the white, but for your purposes, the white would be fine too.

I'm glad you're not doing farm house. They always remind me of working at the sinks in the old house that always had a wet and cold edge...very uncomfortable to work at.

I love the classic white cast iron/enamel with your TM counter and brass hardware. Can't wait to see the transformation!

Your kitchen is sounding beautiful and I also endorse the Taj Mahal.

I have a stainless sink and really do prefer it for functioning and think that with an undermount you really don't notice it as much. I do think the white porcelain probably looks better, but I'd still probably go with stainless. Also, for the stainless I have the grid and I really think it's a great and practical bit to add. Sorry for my rambling- it's early.

I do feel that a single bowl is so much better. I've had both, and strongly prefer the single bowl.

Your faucet is gorgeous.

Another vote for a white undermount single bowl sink with your beautiful countertop choice. The bigger and deeper, the better. My current sink is 33" wide x 10" deep.

I've had both a durable enamel cast iron sink and a fireclay sink. No chips or scratches. With porcelain need to avoid pouring scalding water directly into the sink (which you should never do anyway).

Like Zalco, I have always rinsed sinks after using. Our current house came with two single basin SS sinks, kitchen and laundry (smaller version of same sink). After cleaning, i wipe dry and treat with SS cleaner.

I look forward to seeing your fiinished kitchen!.

Yes to a white undermount sink - it looks beautiful with Taj Mahal!

Jojo, sorry if I missed this, did you say what kind of countertop edge you’re getting?

I have learned, via the kitchen forum, that edge styles are a very passionate subject. People come to blows and tears are shed.

Jilly, I’m doing the ”eased” edge (the plainest one) There is so much going on in my flooring with lots of various lines that I decided not to add more visual activiity to the countertops.

Definiitely single bowl. Somehow with two bowls there always seems to be junk on one side. IDk. Plus, the bigger the better, Lastly, one large bowl looks more traditional IME.

You all are the best. I love that you so generously share your experiences and advice with me.

I am going to a plumbing showroom on Weds. Crazy that I have to have an appointment and this was the earliest one I could get (in Wilmington, no less.) I will make my choices with your words in mind, and what is available. I'm planning on the wide cast iron sink, but that may change.

Meanwhile, our countertop person said that in order to install a cast iron sink properly, I will need to have sink rails installed below the sink to support it. She said clips aren't enough. They do a a ton of installations, but I'm not sure I trust this answer as the internet doesn't completely support this point of view. I will ask at the showroom, but wondered if any of you with these heavy sinks have used the sink rail system.

Next question--counter stools. Dh doesn't like rush seating and the serena and lily seats would be to frou frou for him. In my mind's eye, I am seeing something more plain that we can add cushions to. He is also not convinced to use upholstery due to staining.

Any counter height stool suggestions?

Ballard has a lot of choices for stools. The other thing I'd suggest... IDK why, but I very often see counter stools on CL and FB. I find myself wanting to buy them since they always seem to go for cheap. But I do not have any counters, LOL.

No idea about the sink. No one worried my pretty lil' head about that.

I know you are somewhere in the Phila area so I just randomly entered a town that rhymes with Laverne and 40 mi radius on FB mktplace. I saw lots of sets of 4.

You can do removable cushions and use a Sunbrella type fabric that won't stain?

Could you please show us a picture of your kitchen table and chairs again? As I recall, the counter stools and table and chairs will be in the same part of the room in close proximity to one another. Is there an arm and/or back requirement/ preference ? Frontgate has many counter stools with wood color, fabric, and leather options. In my experience, they are of good quality ( nice finish, smooth swivel mechanisms, metal foot rests, good customer service… ) .

These look charming at a better price point. You might be able to try out their comfort level if your WM has them stocked in store. The person whose kitchen this photo shows has said they are comfortable for her, as well as for her quite tall hubby.

I have chairs from Ballard that also come in counter and bar height I believe. I throw the cushions that came with them in the wash and they come out fine - not on a weekly basis, but they are outside on our porch so get washed a couple times/summer.

I cannot wait to get rid of the double stainless sink that was here when we moved in-25 years ago! Ugh. I grew up with single basin sinks and there are somethings for which I really need a huge sink, plus I like the look much better. I will replace the one we have with an enameled cast iron sink that is deep and wide.

Cyn, our enameled cast iron has one bowl that's very deep and wide and a regular size bowl on the right. Absolutely no very deep and wide which is why I bought it. I got tired of letting something soak on the counter because it wouldn't fit in the sink. The right side is normal size.

Mtn, I'd rather have junk on one side than all over the one bowl sink. lol We keep the dirty dishes in the DW unless we're cooking dinner. And if a few plates and glasses are in the sink, you can't see them because they sit waaay down in there.

You calling my cat junk?

i love my Blanco silogranite sink i have anthracite, but have heard good things about other colors

Jojo, if you don’t get these barstools, I will be so disappointed.

You can get lighter, too:

Have been away due to tech issues. Here is my farmhouse apron sink. I use a dish pan if needed for a separate use. It is fireclay , which I don’t recommend. They are like uique pottery pieces and not 100% uniform, so replacing can be iffy. Love a large, single sink.

Hating it now, tho, as my sprayer is broken and temp one (cheap bathroom one!) is unable to clean it up. Am in midst of choosing and ordering new one. (see post on my angst of picking brass color, if interersted)

My style is traditional too, and imo, this country-ish kitchen and sink goes well.

Brass around coffee table is the shade of brass I want in my faucet. I can only find it in the 1K and aboved lines, i.e. Newport Brass. Love the style of MTNs , and you’re planning.

I like both stainless and white depending on the sink.

If it is an undermount then I would go with stainless. If it a farmhouse sink I would do white for sure!

Looking forward to your progress!

BTW, on the 3 ( grrr) previous times I tried and failed to reply, I said that my counter overhang is a mere 9”. Perfectly fine for me and the kiddos . We’re the only ones who eat there. With a kitchen table for six, it’s fine. Your home is lovely. Kitchen will be too!

We just moved into our new home last June. I have a sink very similar to this one and I totally regret it. I wish i had done double quartz sinks. I’m told its too late because its under mount and the risk to the countertop is too great. My husband dislikes it as well, and is all in on getting the quartz replacement but contractors…not so much. It’s difficult to keep clean and not spotty. It splashes water everywhere when you use the sink, at all. Don’t make the same mistake I did. I followed the trend and did not do my research. Too bad for me.🥴 beautiful countertops!👍🏻

What is "this one" referring to in your post?

If you have excessive splashing, it is often an install problem. It's a confluence of sink depth, faucet height, and lining up the drain with the faucet. I think the flow can sometimes be adjusted too? You may want to talk with your plumber.

Sorry. I mean the stainless single sink in the initial pic posted here. I just find my stainless sink difficult to keep clean. It always looks spotty and the stainless darkened pretty quickly. I’m a bit obsessed with keeping it clean, shiny and dry (when not in use). It is installed in my island and a prominent eyesore (imo) if not really clean. Maybe the fact that it is in my island has to do with the splashing. All I know is Im always wiping up water on the counter after each use. 🤷🏼‍♀️

You may be able to adjust the water flow, though that has its own downside. I guess all sinks take effort to keep clean --- some posters complain about stainless, some complain about porcelain (fireclay)!

I’m really interested in a quartz sink. I just have to find someone willing and skilled enough to to not break the countertop in the process of switching out. Have a great day! 🙂

I had light TM counters in a home i just sold this year and with it a Kohler Whitehaven farm sink in Sea Salt. it was really a beautiful beautiful combination and i miss it so much. We moved cross country to be closer to the kids and now live in an ugly house that needs to be redone ugh! Anyway give the sea salt a look

Why Kitchen Faucets Splash article.

I know someone who has these from C&B and says they’re surprisingly comfortable.