Kitchen sinks are becoming better equipped to perform multiple tasks.
“It is the hardest working area in the kitchen because it is used for food preparation and after-meal cleanup as well as for non-food activities such as potting plants and craft projects,” explains Gary Uhl, director of design at American Standard.
New choices for this multitask workstation are numerous: there are models with double bowls of equal size, ones with a large bowl and a small, shallower one, exceptionally large single bowls and small ones for a bar area.
Many homeowners are going for a commercial look with stainless steel sinks. “There is a trend toward stainless steel throughout the kitchen because people want a commercial or professional look,” explains Uhl. “Stainless steel has a brushed finish, which has a quality appearance but doesn’t show the fingerprints.”
Sink accessories run the gamut from long wooden cutting boards for bread or salmon to a variety of wire racks, including one for draining a few hand-washed dishes.
“This is a step out of the normal way that people used to move around the kitchen to do various tasks,” explains Diana Schrage, interior designer with Kohler’s Design Center. “Now you can stand in one place to get everything done.”
It’s an advantage that complements today’s lifestyles.
“Couples who have busy lives can stand next to each other at the sink and talk while they accomplish what needs to be done,” says Schrage.
Other new sink features include faucets with pull-down or pull-out spouts, which make it easier to fill vases or to rinse the sink. There is room next to the faucets for features such as a soap dispenser and a tap for filtered water.
“The kitchen has become the common denominator for working families with kids who are involved in a lot of activities,” says Schrage. “It’s a place for food, which we need, that is designed for efficiency, and it’s a place for gathering together. Beautiful products can make it a joyous space.”
A variety of sinks and a number of accessories and faucets are described below, including suggested retail prices. Contact the listed manufacturer for help in finding a retailer in your area.
Gourmet kitchen
American Standard has launched the Culinaire Collection, which takes the guesswork out of buying a kitchen sink and faucet because it includes pieces designed to complement each other.
The line of 18-gauge stainless steel sinks with a brushed finish includes six top mount models and four undercounter ones. Styles range from a sink with double bowls of equal size to one with a large bowl and a smaller, more shallow one to a large sink which could find its place in a kitchen island.
Optional accessories include a handy knob on the faucet deck at the back of the sink, which can open and close the drain so there’s no need to reach into the water. Other choices range from wood and synthetic cutting boards in various sizes to a soap dispenser. The Culinaire faucets that coordinate with the sinks have a minimalist European look with single-control handles. One of them has a spray pull-out spout, while another has a gooseneck design and a pull-down spout to make it easy to rinse the sink.
They are available in six finishes: satin chrome, polished chrome, stainless steel, blackened bronze, white and polished brass. Prices: $255 to $855 for Culinaire sinks, $55 to $88 for accessories, $295 to $510 for faucets. American Standard Inc., One Centennial Ave., P.O. Box 6820, Piscataway, NJ 08855-6820. Phone: 800-524-9797 ext. 199.
Sleek look
The styles of new products from Kohler range from contemporary to traditional. The Staccato line of 18-gauge stainless steel sinks will appeal to people interested in creating the sleek, functional look of a commercial kitchen. The sinks are designed so they can be easily installed by do-it-yourselfers. Staccato sinks are available in four designs: one with a large and a small basin, one with basins that are the same size and a single basin model as well as an entertainment sink.
The kitchen sink can’t serve every purpose, so Kohler has introduced the Harborview, a cast-iron utility sink created especially for the laundry room. It looks like a farm sink from bygone times. You can use it for soaking clothes, cleaning paintbrushes or rinsing fruits and vegetables gathered from the garden. Harborview, which is available in six colors, including Tea Green, can be dropped into a cabinet or stand on vitreous china legs.
To add another practical touch to the utility room, Kohler has introduced the Oceanview, a cast-iron sink that can be installed flush with the floor. It’s a perfect place to wash the dog. New faucets from Kohler also cover a range from the clean, contemporary lines of the Clairette to the classic lines of the Vinnata. Both feature spouts with a high arch and a spray head that pulls down directly from them. The spray head is equipped with a swivel joint at the end so that it is easy to direct the water in a stream or an aerated spray. Prices: $190 to $242 for Staccato sinks; $1,750 for Harborview sink, $175 to $250 for accessories; $585 for legs; $1,000 for Oceanview; $175 for wood grate; $399 to $594.50 for Vinnata or Clairette Pulldown faucets, depending on finish. Kohler Co., 444 Highland Drive, Kohler, WI 53044. Phone: 800-4-KOHLER.
Straight off the farm
Elkay adds a touch of nostalgia to the stainless steel sink with two undermount models inspired by the traditional farm sink: the double-bowl model and the large single-bowl model, which is 33 inches long, are 8 inches deep. Both have the same apron front and are designed to be installed in custom cabinets. The style can complement a traditional or a contemporary kitchen. The stainless steel has a special finish to deaden the sound of running water and the clank of pots and pans and other dishes being washed. A free brochure, “Suggestions for the Care & Cleaning of Your Elkay Stainless Steel Sink,” is available by sending a written request to Elkay. Prices: $715 to $953. Elkay, 222 Camden Ct., Oak Brook, IL 60523. Phone: 630-574-8484.
Down the drain
Oliveri has introduced a large single-basin stainless steel sink that incorporates a stainless steel drainboard. The undermount model 220-0, which is made out of double-plated 20-gauge stainless steel, is especially good for small kitchens because it will fit into cabinets as small as 24 inches. But the bowl, which can hold 9.25 gallons of water, is big enough to hold a large frying pan or a cookie sheet. The sink’s attached drainboard fits into another cabinet and becomes a handy space not just for drying dishes, but for leaving meat to defrost or putting down hot utensils. This model received the Best of Show Award from Design Journal Magazine at the 2002 Kitchen & Bathroom Industry Show held in Chicago. It comes with a drain basket and a vinyl-coated dish rack. Price: $577. Oliveri, Tasman Sinkware, P.O. Box 11120, Wilmington, NC 28405. Phone: 910-452-1902.
Hard as a rock
There is no need to be cautious with MoenStone granite sinks. They are made out of a granite composite material that is so durable that, according to the manufacturer, you can put a hot pan in the sink without creating a problem. The surface of the sink won’t scratch, chip or show stains. Because the color is molded throughout the bowl, it won’t fade. The sinks are available in white, ivory, black, blue and metallic gray finishes. The line includes drop-in and undermount models in styles ranging from single and double bowl sinks to bar and prep ones.
No job is too big for the latest addition, the Big Single, which has a bowl that measures 33 by 22 inches and is 10 inches deep. It has a drain that is offset so water won’t accumulate. The Big Single also has seven punch-out holes to add every imaginable accessory, from a sprayer and a soap dispenser to a unit for filtered water. Prices: $209 to $437. Moen Inc., 25300 Al Moen Drive, North Olmsted, OH 44070-8022. Phone: 800-BUY-MOEN.
