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Each week, Mansion Global tackles a topic with an elite group of designers from around the world who work on luxury properties. This week, we explored when and how to add a farmhouse sink. Farm Sink 36 Inch
From metal to stone to firehouse clay, farmhouse sinks––also called apron sinks––have been popping up in kitchens of all styles. When imagining one of these deep, wide basins, a more traditional kitchen or even a room with a farmhouse aesthetic probably comes to mind. But even streamlined, contemporary rooms can reap the benefits of these fixtures as well.
“Farmhouse sinks can transcend styles––these sinks make a design statement and are definitely a focal point of any kitchen they are used in,” said Sharon L. Sherman, owner of Thyme & Place Design in Wyckoff, New Jersey. “They will work in contemporary, transitional, traditional and modern design styles. It is simply a matter of choosing well.”
Mansion Global turned to a handful of designers to give us the lowdown on these beautiful yet practical kitchen sinks.
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“Apron sinks offer a way to beautify your sink area while offering more working space in the kitchen. Functionally, apron sinks avoid the issue of a sagging sink and constant resealing around undermount sinks, which can create both mold and leaks or rot under the sink. The apron sink will be heavy but braced well on top of a cabinet or with supports, thus less likely to leak.
“Apron sinks come in natural stone, ceramics, metals and even wood. I recommend considering the amount of use and heaviness of pots and pans when choosing. Heavy pots and pans can wreak havoc on edges.
“A firehouse-clay apron sink, a blend of clay and glaze, resists scratches very well. Wood aprons are also durable. One consideration is to repeat the wood tone on an island top or adjacent space, and have your wood apron stained to match, as well as some large cutting boards. This will add warmth and continuity to your kitchen.”
—Amy L. Maynor, owner of Beauty for Homes in Jacksonville, Florida
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The Gold Standard of Farmhouse Sinks
“Reid Shaw from House of Rohl has always been the gold standard in fireclay farmhouse sinks. These sinks are handmade and no two are exactly the same, so the cut-out in the sink apron (the blank in the front of the sink cabinet where the sink goes) must but cut on the job.
“If a garbage disposal is used, a cradle should be built to give extra support to the weight of the sink and disposal. Generally, a larger garbage disposal will not work due to the clearance inside of a standard kitchen sink base cabinet.
“There are a number of beautiful copper and stainless steel sinks offered by Rachiele and Franke. Native Trails offers concrete farm sinks. Some fabricators will create a farm sink out of stone like soap stone. If you have enough room, using a wall-mount faucet takes the design detail to the next level. This also adds additional space behind the sink.”
—Sharon L. Sherman, owner of Thyme & Place Design in Wyckoff, New Jersey
Pair an Apron Sink With a Quartz Countertop
“The beauty of apron sinks is that they come in many different designs to accommodate different needs. Single sinks are the most popular, but recently I’ve seen sinks with a double basin that have a low barrier divide, making it easy to wash and rinse large items while keeping the two basins separate. I would recommend installing an undermount apron sink vs. a top mount. It makes cleaning and wiping very easy and it also gives it a clean look. I would recommend using a bottom grid to prevent scratches.
“Spray faucets and bridge-style faucets work best. Spray, because of practicality––for example, it is easy to fill a large pot with water, clean and rinse. Bridge-style faucets visually balance out the wide sink and look charming, giving it a visual richness.
“Quartz is a great alternative to marble countertops. I recommend pairing a pristine, white apron sink with a white or light gray natural quartz that mimics the look of marble. I prefer going with a quartz because of its toughness and forward style. To add a modern or contemporary twist, you can go with a dark colored quartz. The quartz can be a solid color or it can have a natural design with contrasting veins. It pairs nicely with a sleek stainless steel apron sink, giving it a crisp, sophisticated modern look.”
—Zulma Puhl, interior designer, TriVista USA
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