I love my Kohler cast iron Whitehaven farmhouse sink. I have the "short apron" style which can be installed on a standard sink base. There is a "long apron" style too if you have a farmhouse sink base. The bad news - it is a little pricy - $960 online for the 36 inch base cabinet - three times the cost of the Ikea. I nearly fell off my chair when I first considered it. However, I used my old cast iron sink in my basement kitchenette, did a certain amount of DIY around the house and figures I could justify the sink - which I love not just because it is pretty, but I love how it functions. I saved up for 3 extra months to get it:)

https://www.houzz.com/photos/my-pics-work-in-progress-phvw-vp~58831076

https://www.houzz.com/photos/my-pics-work-in-progress-phvw-vp~58830325

https://www.houzz.com/photos/my-pics-work-in-progress-phvw-vp~54994093

I helped a friend design her kitchen. she wanted soapstone and a copper farmhouse sink. Looks beautiful w/the colors. You wouldn't have to get one like this(too big for your space) . they have drop in copper sinks (which I have). I love it.

Beth H, the copper is lovely and dark along with the soapstone! Thank you. Will consider that.

Jhmarie, i know about this sink and love it, but it is out of the question out of our budget at the moment! boo. We had a lot of "behind the scenes" things to replace in the kitchen that blew our budget to smithereens! (Replacing all the old knob and tube wiring, repairing and replacing wood floor and subfloor, etc etc.)

What are your thoughts on using the Domsjo sink against the soapstone? These may be better options but how bad is the Domsjo? Do you feel it would be a sore thumb in this space or be ok?

What a cute kitchen!

I'm not crazy about the Ikea sink shown above for the reasons you stated. It doesn't seem to fit with the kitchen vibe. I have a vintage house with a very small kitchen and added an undermount sink when I remodeled. Love it. It's so practical with limited work space where every inch counts. Given your budget, I suggest you get a simple white undermount sink and a great faucet that complements the soapstone.

jh brings up some valid points. that last photo w/that farmhouse is nice.

while I posted my friends copper sink to show you what it looks like w/the soapstone, she opted for the darker color of copper. They have 4 different shades. Mine was a lighter copper tone and a drop in. I've had it over 8 years and still love it. Did you know copper is a natural anti-bacterial? It's not the least bit noisy (I have a 14gauge, do not do a higher number,,and mine was handmade in Mexico by an artisan using quality copper, not in China.) Those SS sinks make more noise and have more issues w/water spots than my copper.

As for keeping them shiny, they will patina like any copper. you can apply a paste wax once or twice a month to slow down the process. Or I can just take some lemon juice and let it sit on it for 30 mins and it shines like a new penny!

I really don't know what any other complaints of owning one of these would be. When I had the white enamel sink from Kohler, I had to scrub it with Comet every day to keep it clean. And pot marks were another issue. My copper sink leaves no marks. I can give it a quick brush w/Dawn when I'm done with dishes and it's fine. And as for the drop in making it hard to clean, I've never had an issue. It's not like the regular sinks. The edges that sit on the granite are very thin. I can wipe right over it without stuff getting caught.I also found this one on clearance at coppersinksonline.com and got a superb deal.

I just thought w/you style you have, the lovely patina green cabinet color and the soapstone, this would look really nice in your kitchen. My friend used the green glass 2x4 subway tiles from Fireclay for her splash. The vein in her soapstone has this beautiful green quartz in the spot next to her sink. the color backsplash she has plays off of it.

Some inspiration

I noticed that it looks like you have already installed a farmhouse sink base - so you should probably go with as best as you can afford undermount farmhouse sink. The Domsjo sits higher and looks like it may look best on a standard cabinet. The Whitehaven and the Kohler Vault (stainless steel) are the easiest to install - something to consider if you DIY the installation. I would take copper over stainless steel though with stainless steel appliances, the Vault could work. It also comes in a top mount with the thin edge like the copper sink above.

https://www.faucetdirect.com/kohler-k-3942-4-vault-36-single-basin-top-mount-18-gauge-stainless-steel-kitchen-sink-with-self-trimming/p1867769?gclid=CjwKEAiA1ITCBRDO-oLA-q_n8xYSJADjBQfGx4z5ILInDu-uGOz_0ORO7wXDFcvytZPSPwEvP6KyDxoC9KXw_wcB&source=gg-gba-pla_1867769____40787936723&s_kwcid=AL!3775!3!40787936723!!!g!156757295603!&CAWELAID=120135430001923435&CAGPSPN=pla&CAAGID=11031418283&CATCI=pla-156757295603

The undermount Vault is more expensive, though there are other stainless models that are less expensive. I haven't found an inexpensive copper one yet. There are other fireclay sinks made for undermount but I haven't seen any as inexpensive as the Domsjo. They all have the risk of pitting, crazing and some have drainage issues. I guess there is no perfect sink:) They are also harder to install.

One other thing - my Whitehaven is plenty big. I could get by with smaller. I assume some adjustment to the cabinet might have to be made to support a smaller sink, but the smaller, the less expensive.

I understand your frustration:) Fortunately, I had a working kitchen while I was figuring out the sink issue.

This is a funny article you might relate to. Not pushing the Whitehaven - just relatable in the confusion - and also someone DIY the process:

http://victoriaelizabethbarnes.com/apron-front-farmhouse-sink-options-decided-against-fireclay/

" Lifting a counter to replace an undermount sink is difficult and can risk the breaking of the countertop."

This doesn't ever happen in the real world. You tap off the cabinet fronts on overlay cabinets and Sawzall off the frameless. I've replaced 20 sinks if I've replaced one and never pulled a stone top.

Good to know Joe.

Mine looks so wedged in that I didn't think it could ever be got out without lifting the countertop.

Then do you rebuild the cabinet?

It still looks like an expensive proposition:) Though, not as expensive as replacing a countertop.

In these situations, it's always risk/reward. A reinstalled face frame cabinet front is indistinguishable from factory. They hot melt it together, I hot melt it together. I'd tear a cabinet apart and reassemble it to keep from moving a top. Sink change-outs run between $700.00-$1,500.00 without the cost of the sink. Sometimes with plumbing, sometimes without.

I plan on doing soapstone countertops, already have the Domsjo in use. Personally, I love the domsjo, and can't wait til I get my forever countertops (actually using leftover cabinet end panels cut as temp countertops at the moment).

For the record, I'm in an 1830s farmhouse. Not on the Historic Register, but I've considered applying. Good luck, whatever you decide!

Thanks everyone! So much to consider!

Is the short front whitehaven as deep in the sink bowl as the long apron version? TIA

Yes, they are both the same depth.

You are going to have a BEAUTIFUL kitchen! I agree that the IKEA sink isn't ideal for what you are trying to achieve. I too have the Kohler Whitehaven, which was very difficult budgetwise, but worth EVERY penny I think. Nonetheless I know that's easier said than done. I think Beth's copper sink suggestion is worth exploring - it could look great with your cabinets. The only thing I'm unsure of is what you do with the rest of your hardware with that. I'm sure she knows though :).