We are only getting a single big sink. But it's a "workstation" style sink designed and built by Rachiele. It's a very different answer to how a well-designed and functional sink should look like -- and it most definitely isn't cheap.

But once you understand the underlying design principles, it'll be very hard for you to take any other sink seriously. It's amazing how many little details need to be considered to make a good sink into a great sink. I'd recommend spending some time browsing the Rachiele website and watching the videos on that site.

Think of the sink as more than just the place where you rinse your dishes; instead, it becomes your primary prep area.

Think about how you use a sink. Are you a cook at home kitchen user or a sandwich on the weekend kitchen user? I just spent the morning in the kitchen turning incredible amounts of garden produce into vegetable soup that I can freeze for the winter. (It's about the only way of preserving zucchini that works for me.) I have a Kohler Stages 45 sink that works great for this type of use and I don't have a prep sink. Works for me.

Thank you !

Kohler makes fine sinks. It's the mainstream off-the-shelf alternative to a fully customized sink. Some of the details might not work quite as well for you, but you absolutely won't make a mistake if you decided on a Kohler Stages.

I have a Kohler Whitehaven farmhouse sink. I love the size and I like that it is closer to me then reaching over three to four inches of countertop - I'm short. It is also the easiest to install of the farm sinks and comes in a short apron style for those keeping their standard size sink base. It is cast iron and I've always have had cast iron sinks. It is also pretty:)

I do have and use the grills for the bottom of the sink, but they are not in this pic:

My pics -work in progress: · More Info

The Rachiele may or may not the best designed/well-built sink in the world. (I'm betting there are other great sinks)

However, I couldn't spend any more time on the website to be convinced--it was just too self-important for me.

I'm looking at the Whitehaven sink for our upcoming build--for both the clean up sink and the prep sink. One of its big pluses is that it comes in colors--I'm not planning a white kitchen so a white sink won't give me the look I'm going for. I don't know what exact color it will be yet--that decision will be after the granite is selected.

I only have one sink stages 45.

I am happy with my 42" Rachiele sink. I think the website is more about a person who is passionate about what they're doing rather than a slick sales type site.

If you are looking for a reasonable, sleek-looking stainless steel sink, the Kraus is a good option. I had the Franke double bowl in my last house, but chose the Kraus 36 inch for this remodel. Much prefer it to the pricier Franke.

When you talk to Dino Rachiele, it definitely shows his passion for sinks. If you read the site carefully, you can clearly see how his designs have gradually evolved over the last 20 odd years. At this point, there is a lot of attention to detail that isn't immediately obvious unless you have somebody explain the design process. That's what the web site does.

Now, whether you actually need that in your kitchen, that's a very personal decision. There clearly is no one-size-fits-all. Dino will build you a 100% custom sink, if you so request it -- the sink that he built for me probably falls into that category.

But on the other hand, if you are happy with a more traditional design, then his services are less appealing. And fortunately, there are great and high-quality options that fill this need.

Gardenweb is a great target demographic though, as a lot of people in this forum like to optimize every design detail.

If you want a smooth stainless sink (I prefer them) then Kohler, Elkay, Franke are the ones to look at. I don't care for the "brushed" finishes so many are using now. All I can think of is the grime and bacteria that will get in those tiny grooves. I don't wanna be scrubbing that.

Stainless steel is pretty easy to disinfect and keep clean. That's why it is used extensively in medical equipment. It naturally scratches over time, but I don't recall anybody every identifying that as a major hygiene issue. It just doesn't look as nice, and that's why different "brush" patterns have become common.

But if you are really worried about hygiene of a scratched sink, then maybe a copper sink would be a better fit. Copper is naturally antimicrobial. Just make sure to get a sink with a natural finish and not some funny coating. Not only does that coating usually wear off over time, it also defeats the antimicrobial benefits. And the natural patina has the nice extra benefit that it hides scratches over time.

Of course, that's a very different look. So, that might not be for everyone.

Thanks all, we found some nice Kohler sinks that should work well. Drains aren't included so that bumps the price tag a bit but it is what it is, they're stainless which is what we've always had and never an issue for us.

M, "bacteria' was the wrong word to use. STAINS would be a better word. The brushed finishes do indeed tend to "grab" stains more. Clearly, stainless steel sinks are generally the easiest to keep clean, which is why they are the most popular. But the brushed finishes will retain dirt/stains more easily, and I don't want to spend MORE time cleaning my sink. I just sent back two new sinks that had those darn brushed finishes. My 15 year old smooth stainless sink looked better than both of them.

Actually, the brushed finishes do not retain dirt/stains more easily. I have been on this forum since 2004, and that is the first time that I have heard anyone say that. In another thread, a poster suggested that Chess' 15-year-old sink retained a better-looking finish because the stainless steel alloy was different, and tougher, 15 years ago than what is available today.

People prefer brushed stainless steel over polished because scratches in a polished finish stainless steel are more glaring. All stainless steel scratches, regardless of the price of the sink, and one has to be comfortable with that, or choose something other than stainless steel. A sink grid helps reduce the amount of scratches, but some people don't like sink grids, and in any case, scratches will still happen with a grid. Eventually the stainless steel scratches will blend into a "patina". A brushed finish will get a head start on that.

Note that custom sinks like Rachiele mentioned above are very expensive. You can get a very good quality SS sink from a company like Kraus for $350-450. It should be noted that more expensive sinks from companies like Blanco, Franke and Kohler may still be outsourced from China. You would have to call the company with a model number and ask for country of origin, or look at the box. I am only mentioning this because people pay more for those names thinking they are getting sinks made in the U.S. or Germany, but that isn't always correct.

As I said, the 2 brand new brushed-finished were far less attractive, to me, than the finish on my smooth-sided 15-year old sink. I'll take a smooth sink any day of the week as yes, it IS far easier to clean, and it looks nicer as well. SOME people prefer the brushed, but certainly not all.

I've never had anything except a builder basic sink, and until I started researching for our build, I didn't really realize you could do better. My choices:

- At first I was solidly in love with the Kohler Stages, but a number of other nice choices have come out just recently, and although it's an excellent choice, I'm not going with it.

- Stainless steel ... I've always had stainless steel, and although I think that Kohler Whitehaven above is ABSOLUTELY LOVELY, I know that if cheap stainless steel stands the test of time, a really good stainless will not stain, chip, etc. over the years.

- Apron front ... Yes, I know, it's seen as trendy, but I'm short, and I like the idea of the sink being a little "closer to me". In looking at sinks, etc. in showrooms, I've been fairly surprised at how much it made a difference. Additionally, I've always hated cleaning in the bitty-space behind the faucet, so a little extra space to the back of the sink would be welcome. Negatives: These sinks cost more, installation is higher, and I don't particularly love the look of the cut granite in the front.

- Single basin sink with drain to the rear ... This just seems so much better than a standard double basin sink. I wash lots of large pots and pans, and I so want the larger size. Also, it means that you're not using the sink side without a garbage disposal, and it means that you have more storage space underneath because all the plumbing necessities are bunched up in one corner.

- Ledge function and large size ... I am sooo looking forward to these features.

My new sink from CreateGoodSinks.com

FWIW, I absolutely do not think apron front sinks are trendy at this point. They seem entrenched in both style and function.

We just installed a popular Kraus undermount single basin sink in our remodel. We bought it off Amazon. The sink has been in for two weeks now, and so far I'm really not liking it. It feels way too deep (10" deep) and feels awkward to me to lean over that far to do the dishes. So we're now using the included sink grid to reduce the depth somewhat, but the grate seems annoying to clean around. I have to take dishes out of the sink to lift up the grid to clean and chase food to the drain underneath and its not easy to take the grid all the way out with our countertop overhang lip. And the sink doesn't have much slope so it takes awhile to chase food to the drain. Our old sink was a 9" deep top mount double basin. I'm not understanding why everyone loves these huge deep sinks? Hopefully I just need to get used to it, because its a permanent fixture in our new kitchen!

Yes, sink depth is an important consideration, for sure. It's a good idea to try to mock up what your sink will be like to get an idea of whether or not it will be comfortable for you before purchasing. Also remember that undermounting is going to make the sink even deeper.

It's possible to change out your sink for a shallower one even now, but it will be expensive. Joe Corlett here does this on almost a daily basis, for instance and has lots of threads showing the process, although the reasons for changing are more likely to be deciding they should have chosen a single bowl rather than a double or something like that.

Mtnmom9 - the discomfort of too-deep sinks has been discussed often on this forum, and most everyone agrees with you, yet the manufacturers don't listen, and make mostly 9" deep sinks (plus the depth of the counter). It's such a challenge to find an 8" deep undermount sink, especially in a single bowl style. It's not just Kraus. I also agree with you about sink grids, but many people love them and wouldn't be without them. To me, they're just one more thing to clean. I haven't heard complaints about a slope issue except for the pro-style zero-radius sinks. Those look cool but I've heard they are harder to keep looking clean.

My Rachiele sink isn't hard to keep clean. The corners aren't exactly zero, there is a very small radius. And if you want an 8" depth sink, they will be happy to make one for you. Slope isn't a problem on my 42" sink. It drains just fine. I've no doubt that all pro-style sinks don't drain as well as mine does--you get what you pay for after all. I've also seen some in showrooms where the colanders and mixing bowls are way too small to be useful, or the cutting board is level with the countertop so it's not contained within the sink. (Note: Mostly I cook for two, and if the colander and mixing bowls are too small for me, they would be too small for almost everyone.)

Yeah these deep sinks have made me scratch my head as well, since I started looking at new sinks. And yup undermounting will just make it worse. My current (old) sink is very nearly 8" deep, and I just can't imagine why I would need anything deeper. I've had it for 15 years and never once did I say "Sure wish I had a deeper sink." Plus it's just more to keep clean. But my new just-ordered sink will have a 9.5" deep left bowl, which will be even deeper, mounted. So I expect I will want to use a grid just to lessen the depth.

Well 3 of my neighbors just installed new deep undermount sinks and all say the deeper sink is one of their favorite things in their new remodels. Goes to show sinks are a very individual preference.

mtnmom9, definitely! I sure hope I wind up loving mine LOL!

I just installed a 30" Krauss stainless steel. I didn't want anything other than SS, and I do not like the look of a farmhouse sink. Yes, they're trendy, and no, I don't think they're particularly more functional. I do like the large single bowl I have now compared to the double bowl I had previously.

I was interested in an apron front sink 10 years ago and DH wasn't for it.

I've now become adamant. I'm short--and I'm looking forward to losing that extra couple of inches from the counter top to the front of the sink. I also have come to really like the look.

When you do an apron front sink, do people tend to also do an apron front prep sink?

I don't have a prep sink, but I just wanted to add that I have the Whitehaven for a 36 inch base cabinets and instead of one grill, there are two side by side. I have no trouble picking one up to clean under it and then doing the other side. It does raise the bottom a good one inch +.

jhmarie, good to know. I will wait until my sink is here so I can measure it for a proper size grid.

mrspete!!! I love the look of that sink you linked! I think we may end up with that or something very similar!! It really checks my boxes :)

bethohio3 - I have found that people often mix an apron front design for their main sink and an under mount for their secondary sink. It all depends on how you will use the secondary sink. If you are going to use it as a true prep sink, you might consider an apron front so you are closer to the sink work area.

For some reason, Julien SS sinks don't get much attention on this website, but I love the ones I installed in my kitchen. After reading most of the Rachiele website, I was determined to get a sink that was shallower than most and that has a right corner or right side drain. I ruled out Dino's sinks because copper just wouldn't work in my new kitchen from an aesthetic perspective (cherry shaker cabinets, soapstone counters, etc). I put in a 33 x 16 x 8 undermount "J7" sink with a right side drain (you need to open the "a la carte" tab on this website - http://www.homerefinements.ca/en/sinks/stainless_steel/) and another of the same model but 18 x 18 x 10 as a prep sink. I love having two sinks - especially when I have guests one takes the extra sink to help!

I ruled out Dino's sinks because copper just wouldn't work in my new kitchen

Dino makes amazing copper sinks that are truly works of art. But I had the same problem that you do. Copper would be an awkward fit for the rest of our material choices. Fortunately, he also makes stainless steel sinks and has at least three different finishes to choose from: traditional brushed, "antique" matte (i.e. mimicking the look of an older used sink with random brush marks), and a high-gloss industrial-style embossed material. You also get to optionally choose to pick a hammered look.

We decided on the matte finish. The sink was delivered by the shipping company today, but I haven't seen it yet myself.

I'm envious of Jerry, above, with his lovely Rachiele sink! Love to read more about your experiences using it, Jerry!

I have two Elkay black granite composite sinks. Theclean-up sink is 33" and the prep sink is 16 5/8". The larger sink has a basin depth of 9.5" and the prep is 8". The larger sink has a right rear drain and I like that. Overall, I really like both sinks. When we decided upon black granite countertops for the perimeter, a friend who is a designer made a comment about needing to change the sink color to a contrasting color. We stuck with the black, and I spent a fair amount of time worrying over it, but once it was in I was very glad that we didn't change to a lighter, contrasting color.

Cheryl, I like the look of those black sinks!

Rachiele Custom Sinks, thanks!

Me too Cheryl. That is sleek!

Miranda33, thanks!! :)

Well 3 of my neighbors just installed new deep undermount sinks and all
say the deeper sink is one of their favorite things in their new
remodels. Goes to show sinks are a very individual preference.

Keep in mind that all "deeper sinks" aren't the same, nor are all people the same. A sink that's 1-2" deeper than average is going to be quite different from a sink that's 5-6" deeper than average. And a tall person's experience with either one of those sinks will be different from my short-person experience.

We have a much-too-deep sink in our break room at work, and I despise washing even my few lunch dishes. I have to reach so far over that I am forced to lean my stomach on the sink, and sometimes I get wet. If this were in my house, I'd have ripped it out years ago.