If I told you that a sink had the power to evoke feelings of nostalgia, would you believe me? Take the test: what comes to mind when you view the sinks above? Without even trying I think about country cottages, cozy words like home and hearth, and hearty, soul-warming meals for a family of six. (See what I mean?) Behold the power of the farmhouse sink!
Farmhouse sinks—also known as apron front sinks—have become an increasingly popular sink option in recent years for both traditional and contemporary style kitchens. The classic design (deep basin, a wide "apron"-like panel that juts out slightly from the surrounding cabinetry) recalls a time when the sink was an essential part of daily life, whether scrubbing pots, cleaning clothes, even washing children! (Even now I'm likely to believe a farmhouse sink kitchen pours out warmth and sustenance upon all men, women, children, and animals within a 25-mile radius.)
The farmhouse sink is meant to be a dramatic focal point, a sturdy workhorse for the avid cook. It's large enough to accommodate stock pots and baking sheets, deep enough to reduce splashing and spills, and easier to work with. (The forward orientation means less physical stress and strain than with drop-in or undermount sinks.) Traditional farmhouse sinks do not include holes for the faucets to be fitted into; rather, faucets are installed through the cabinetry or on the wall. If the sink is damaged and needs to be replaced, it's simply disconnected from the drainpipe, lifted out, and another sink lowered in. No need to shut off the water!
Because of the unique structure of farmhouse sinks, they typically only work with custom-built cabinetry and countertops, although newer options like this self-trimming apron-front sink from Kohler can be installed without replacing the existing cabinetry. Enameled cast iron, white porcelain, and fireclay remain the most popular material choices, but stainless steel and copper are also options.
Do you have a farmhouse sink? What material did you get? How do you like it?
Related: Gallery: Farmhouse Sinks
(Images: 1. Porcher; 2. Lagerlings via Apartment Therapy; 3. This Old House; 4. Roger Davies | Elle Decor; 5. Desire to Inspire)
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I've admired the look for years, and we just put in the Ikea one--I'm already swooning over it. Even though it's still only a 24" sink, same as we had before, it feels SO much bigger. Haven't really gotten to use it much yet, though, as the kitchen's still in process so not yet very workable. My only concern is that I'd gotten used to having an undermount sink where I could wipe straight off the counter into the sink, and the Ikea one doesn't install that way (although I notice the ones in your last 3 photos do)....so we'll see. Still love the look though! : )
I've been seeing these pop up so much more lately and I LOVE it. Definitely the sink I would get in my dreamhouse (though I am not too sure about that stainless steel one :/ ).
ooohhhh... They are so beautiful... I like the execution of the last sink, the way the counter overlaps just a tad... very practical. I'm not sure you could get the same delicate edge with stone :-/
I love love farmhouse sinks. Would LOVE to have one in my kitchen.
we didn't want to put in new cabinets to allow for a farmhouse sink, but when we upgraded our countertops, I had this sink put in: http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Vigo-Undermount-Stainless-Steel-Kitchen-Sink-and-Faucet/4734245/product.html
I LOVE IT!!! having a huge, deep sink has made my life in the kitchen soooo much easier! If you like to get down and really cook in your kitchen, it's just incredible. I love the faucet too...so versatile!
We love our farmhouse sink. It's beautiful and timeless, yes, but it's more practical and user-friendly than I would have imagined.
The resuse of this term confuses me a bit, when I see the words farmhouse sink, I think of a porcelained cast iron wall hung sinks from the 1930s and older, ya know 6-12" backsplash, apron front, incorporated drainboard on one or both sides, 4-6 foot long suckers. These new sinks just seem like modern undermounts with aprons.
Yes, but "undermount with apron" doesn't sound like something you can charge extra for.
The photographs accompanying this post are not working in the service of the apron-front sink. Sure, each one fits a particular bland publishing convention that's immediately recognizable:
(left-to-right)
1. Cheaply-built and oversized suburban house, i.e. a catalog from a window manufacturer or solid-surface counter retailer.
2. Stock photo from the Times' real estate section of a badly-decorated yet still absurdly expensive UES apartment (potential title: "City Living, Country Elegance.")
3. Page 29 of the Summer 2008 Williams-Sonoma catalog? A) 3.5-Quart Stainless Colander, $24.95 (Exclusive) B) Presidio Kitchen Towels, Set of Four, 100% Cottton, Made in Portugal, $19.95 (Exclusive) C) Bleeker Foaming Soap Dispenser, $13.95.
4. It's stamped Elle Decor in the corner, so ostensibly it's of someone's home, plus the stylist's rampage of lemons, limes, strawberries, and compotes. Otherwise it's some poor homeowner's attempt to squeeze the brand devotion of photo 3 into the usable space of photo 2.
5. An IKEA catalog (which stole photo 3's espresso machine).
Anyway! The apron-front sink doesn't really look good or even helpful in any of these pictures. It looks like a design warhouse signifying an imaginary past, pulled out of retirement to add "a sense of timelessness and old-world charm" to generic kitchens. There's no context, and no utility.