Grohe faucets have stainless steel hoses and some have locking spray... I'd start there. Great quality, too.

Just writing to say I had the Franke Orca in my last house and I loved that sink!!

I'm a fan of the Grohe faucets too. I have one of the Ladyluxe Plus designs. I'm with ya too on the metal hose. Note that some of the Grohe faucets lock on spray, and some you have to keep holding down the button to keep it on spray. It can be difficult to tell from the Grohe website which one does which, so it's best to call the customer service number to make sure. Or go to a showroom that has them on display, if there is one near you.

I suggest you look at the Grohe "Ladylux3 Plus" #33893. In chrome, it costs $350. There are quite a number of Grohe "Ladylux" faucets, but I am recommending this specific one. The specs do say it locks, but you should still call Grohe to make sure. The faucet is a nice "cross" between the cool sleek design of a high-arch faucet, while having the advantages of a pull-out faucet. Those advantages are that a pull-out is less likely to splash, as you've mentioned; and ergonomically I like not having to reach to the back of the sink for the faucet the way you have to with a high-arch style. We have had several threads on this forum in the past about people who get back strain at the sink. One reason is that they have to reach toward the back of the sink to use their high-arch faucet, causing a slight bend in the back/shoulders which leads to aches and pains.

The other thing I like about the Grohe Ladylux line is the lack of crevices where gunk can collect. Many faucets have hinges and decorative rings that, while attractive, can be harder to clean. The Ladylux3 Plus is sleek and smooth. In chrome, this faucet costs about $350.

Here is a link that might be useful: Grohe Ladylux3 Plus Faucet #33893

Here's a link to one I was thinking of; it was a Grohe, too. It's a Grohe Europlus pull-out with a chrome finish. I ended up getting a solid brass Elkay, mostly because I found it cheaper. It's in a chrome finish, too, has an arc (but I don't think it's really high) with pull-out/down and aerate, spray or pause, but I found it at a great price. List price was $320 but I found it for $168 with free shipping. I figured if I didn't like it, at least I didn't spend hundreds of dollars, in case I wanted to change it.

Here is a link that might be useful: Grohe Europlus

This post was edited by gnancy on Wed, Sep 4, 13 at 20:54

ck_squared, thanks, Grohe is a good place to start. I've had some of their fixtures before and was very happy with the quality.

sjhockeyfan, that's good to know! We have always been a 'double-bowl' family and this decision has been very difficult. I visited a showroom yesterday with all of my biggest pans, and now I'm feeling a bit better about making the switch. BTW, I used to be a hockey mom when our son was younger. DO NOT miss the early morning wake-up calls, but I do miss the games.

akchicago, thanks for the link, I will definitely checkout the Ladylux3 that you recommended. Thanks for the link. BTW, I love Chicago, we were just there visiting our son and his wife and will be back next month to watch him run in the marathon. Cubbies or Sox?

gnancy, also thanks for the recommendation and the link. I'll check out the Europlus also.

As all of you who have been through a major remodel can relate, I am getting SO weary of all of the decisions and worried I'll make a misstep as a result.

Thank you so much for taking the time to help!

AJ

AJinNH, I had a kitchen redone once before but it was mainly replace/add cabinets & new countertops, sink, & faucet, and it was pretty low-key. I did the wallpaper.

I'm getting ready for the real thing to start in my current house about Oct.1, so I've been scouring websites for bargains and to decide what I like/must have/will settle for. I'm using a kitchen design/construction company, but I'm picky about a lot of things so I didn't just wait for the designer to present me with something. I'm trying not to drive her nuts, but am looking to her to avoid pitfalls.

As far as worrying about making mistakes, I think there are several things to remember. At least this is how I look at it. Most of the smaller decisions aren't written is stone, if you know what I mean. If you make a mistake on selecting something, it probably won't be an irreversible decision, like jumping out of an airplane without a parachute would be.

If it's something big, it might be a hassle or cost something, but, really, it's only stuff. (I know how easy it is to get caught up in a whirlpool about something, though, because I do it, too.) Sometimes, after living with a "mistake", it turns out to be something you like, like it grows on you. If somebody says something about it, about how horrible it is, you don't have to agree; you can act like you like it, as if you meant it to be however it is. Look at them like they're the ones who are nuts to question it. Be a trendsetter! Or, blame it on the workmen, like it's not what you specified, or the supplier, who must have sent the wrong thing and it was installed behind your back. It just hasn't been corrected yet.

Another thing I like to keep in mind is something I learned long ago when I was doing a lot of sewing, weaving, and other fiber art. It's always nice to have the perfect details, such as buttons on a coat or dress, etc., or cabinet knobs or pulls on your cabinets, but in reality, you might be the only one who's going to be focused on it. Unless you're a celebrity or something, it's unlikely there will be a photo shoot where the knobs or pulls will be featured; most likely, they'll be seen as a whole with the bank of cabinets. It's like trying to match colors of yarns, or paints to fabrics, etc. When seen as the finished product, nobody's going to hold the two items up to verify the match. They're just going to look at the whole, and see a unified blend of color.

I'm sorry, I'm getting carried away. It's just that when I start worrying too much about making a decision on something that's not a life or death matter, and given that I like to research all the options (I think it's fun), I can get caught in an eddy and end up not knowing what I'm doing. So, basically, I was just sharing all the things I tell myself to stop obsessing.

BTW, I ordered my faucet from National Builder Supply; I found good prices, free shipping and fast service. I only ordered once, my kitchen faucet, but I'd order from them again.

Here is a link that might be useful: National Builder Supply