I like this silgranit sink - it has a nice modern shape to it http://shop.bellacor.com/p-203239.shtml

I don't think the white would be too stark, but it also comes in biscuit.

I'm with you on the metal :) (and the bamboo). The three main alternative categories are cast iron (most are enamel, still a few porcelain) which come in many colors besides white, resin/stone like Silgranite which also come in a range of colors, solid surface (Corian) with integrated sink, natural stone and glass. There may also be some fireclay or china that aren't white, but I haven't seen them. If you cook a lot I don't recommend glass.

Don't be afraid to mix in a little classic with modern if you like the look. A stone sink could be fabulous with your finishes. Otherwise, for functionality, variety and range of colors your best bets are the cast iron (e.g., Kohler) or resin/stone (Silgranite and similar). But the best way to choose color is to take your sample finishes to a showroom where they have the actual material samples and see what you like best.

You don't say what size is your cabinet. Anyway, the perfect sink for you would be the Blanco Silgranit rectangular single bowl, called the Blancoprecis Super Single, in Anthracite (model #513-412). The rectangular shape will go great in your contemporary setting, plus that shape is very space-efficient. The Anthracite color will be awesome with your bamboo, just awesome. Also, I love that this sink has the drain offset to the rear. That means you can set down dishes and pans without covering the drain; seems like a minor point, but believe me, it's a great advantage.

Just do a search on this Forum for "silgranit", and you will see how enthusiastic everyone is for this type of sink, particularly the Anthracite color.

P.S. Blanco also has a similar rectangular single bowl sink called the Blancodiamond Super Single. It can be mounted either undermounted or surface mounted, either one. I believe its rectangular corners are not as sharp as the Blancoprecis. It has the drain offset to the rear corner, which some people prefer (allows more open space under the sink). It is #511-652.

Here is a link that might be useful: Blancoprecis Silgranit Super Single in Anthracite

Here's a bitty picture of that silgranit sink I posted installed
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I agree with plllog - I mix modern and traditional, and it can definitely work.

IMHO I would strongly consider natural stone like granite. I've looked at many of the "plastic" kitchen sinks that try to emulate natural stone but to me they have mostly looked like - well - plastic. ....I know there are a lot of people on this board that like them, and I mean no offense, but that is my opinion. I suppose this is why I have chosen copper, stone, glass and even wood for all my kitchen and bath sinks. BTW I have never liked SS either...

We are installing cabinets right now for our latest project and have a 300 lb granite sink sitting in the garage awaiting installation. It was carved from a solid block of stone and is amazing. We bought it from Sinks Gallery. You can buy a kitchen sink in not only granite but marble, onyx or travertine as well but the elements I am seeing in your photos seems to beg for granite.

Good luck!

Fireclay does come in a Biscuit color which is a warm biege. I like the Fireclay because I have one and it is white but not start at all. If you get a chance to go to a showroom, take a look at the color it is not the porcelain white of a bathroom fixture to me. The granite or soap stone sink may be another option.

Good luck!

Is there gray in your countertops? What color is your subway tile? It is hard to tell colors from your pictures. If you prefer contrast Blanco makes some different colors that might compliment your countertop.

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Just to clarify, Silgranit is not mostly "plastic", it is mostly quartz. It comes in white, bisque/biscuit, gray, black (anthracite) and I'm pretty sure I remember seeing pictures of a tan and a brown that people had posted to this site. I don't think it looks like natural stone or like plastic. You should see it in person before you rule it out.

Hi Everyone! Thanks for all the responses so far. I'm afraid a natural stone sink is out of my price range. I am liking the anthracite sink a lot. I think perhaps silgranit or fireclay is the way to go.

I fear the biscuit fireclay because I don't like yellow tones very much.

I will try to find somewhere here in the SF Bay Area to see these sinks in person and check out the white fireclay as well. If anyone has suggestions of good galleries here I'd welcome them.

Thanks for the links akchicago - the blanco sinks are the early leaders. My countertop is standard depth which I think is 24"?

Phaze, my tile is Heath Ceramics Pumice and its a matte gray with brown specs. They don't have very big color samples on their site unfortunately. The countertop is Caeserstone Lagos Blue which is more of a brownish gray, I don't really see the blue tones in my sample. I like the brown colored sink you linked. I'm researching the Blanco sinks now.

Here's a scan of my samples of the tile and counter.
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Oh, I think you should go with the cafe brown or the silver/metallic gray Silgranit sink, depending on how the tones work with your quartz. I have the silver sink and just love it.

I actually bought the Anthracite single bowl sink 511-652

The cafe brown is 511-654
The gray is 511-653

sometimes the Blanco website is hard to find the exact sink without the numbers. I bought mine on ebay from HomeandStone for a great price.

Just so you know, the biscuit/bisque does not look yellow. It looks like a creamy warm off white. Might look nice.

The one place I've found that has both white and biscuit fireclay sink samples is Atherton Appliance in Redwood City. The biscuit actually looks very nice in the showroom. The rep said more people choose that color. Ferguson's seems to have the best prices on the Rohl sinks, though.

By the way, I agree with you on the SS sinks, but they don't actually have any smell to them at all. Well, none that I've noticed and I have a pretty good sense of smell.

Thanks ella_socal,

I'll make a trip to Atherton Appliance. I definitely want to see the biscuit in person.

I've noticed with SS sinks that I start to smell them when the hot water runs. I'm not sure why.

I second phaze's recommendation. I think the cafe brown large single bowl would be perfect. I'm leaning toward the exact same sink... I think it's 33" and I like the fact it has an offset drain. Will allow for a trash pullout under the 36" cabinet on the other side.

Ehaberlin - in your message above, you mentioned your cabinet depth of 24". You need to check your cabinet width. As I mentioned, there are two silgranit styles you might be interested in. The one I linked in my message above, #511-412, needs a minimum 33" width cabinet. The other Blanco Silgranit single-bowl rectangular sink I mentioned, the #511-652, needs a 36" width cabinet.

I think the Home and Stone website has been mentioned as a good source. I know people on this Forum have bought via their eBay store, where you can "Make an Offer", and they accept reasonable offers. Home and Stone is an Authorized Dealer for Blanco.

Note that although this 511-652 says "surface mount", it can also be undermounted. I still think the Anthracite would look great, or the Cafe Brown. IMHO, both those colors would be preferable to the biscuit or gray, given the other colors in your kitchen - just my $.02.

Blanco 511-652 (Anthracite) at Home and Stone's eBay store

511-654 (Cafe Brown) at Home and Stone's eBay store