I grew up on a farm in the 40's, and one of the most pleasant things in our lives was sitting around the kitchen, which was the center of the household. Mom was an excellent cook, and I remember well the old farm kitchen sink, which was always a focal point.
Currently there are three primary types of kitchen sinks: self-rimming, under mount, and farm. Self-rimming, or drop-in sinks, sit on top of the counter top. This is the least attractive sink option, and the least practical, as the countertops cannot be wiped off directly into the sink. The rim prevents this from happening smoothly. Food particles get stuck between the sink and the counter top and breed bacteria and mold, which can, in turn attract pests.
Farm sinks are the most pleasing of all kitchen sinks. My mother had a one piece sink with high back that was a central part of the kitchen. She could do her canning, have room for supplies, and yet not need a great deal of counter space in the kitchen to hold other items. We had the sink, stove, and the kitchen table in our farm home. It was all we needed. Farm sinks are an entire sink unit which intentionally breaks the flow of the counter top as an appliance would. They have a finished front wall which leads directly up and over into the basin of the sink. Farm sinks are made of many materials. but the most attractive ones are made of granite, marble, or travertine. The rock travertine is a natural chemical precipitate of carbonate minerals; typically aragonite, but often recrystallized to or primary calcite; which is deposited from the water of mineral springs (especially hot springs) or streams saturated with calcium carbonate. When pure, travertine is white, but often is brown to yellow due to impurities. For the heavily-used kitchen, granite farm sinks are the most practical.
Sinks are getting more attention today, not only as design elements, but as practical features. My wife loves anything shabby chic, and we have been looking for a farm kitchen sink for our loft. We live in a 110 year old livery stable, and it is my heart's desire. We are fortunate enough to have the original hardwood floors, with all the "medals of honor" of bygone years, and a great kitchen that suits my need as an experienced chef.
There is the possibility that you don't have enough room for the sink that you want. In this case, a bump-out can be built. A bump-out is where the counter top and cabinet at the sink extend several inches away from the wall, out into the kitchen, to provide a bit more space for the sink. Bump-outs can be extremely attractive, especially to highlight a particularly beautiful sink.
All things considered, a farm kitchen sink is a lovely addition to any kitchen. I am a firm believer that cooking must be an experience, and one to relish. things need to be right in the home kitchen, and what better way than with a farm kitchen sink?
Before deciding amongst the many options in Franke Sinks be sure visit us to learn more about which Franke Sink will best suit your needs.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Keep That Kitchen Sink!
Have you ever heard that expression, “They threw everything out but the kitchen sink!”? Do you know why they didn’t throw out the kitchen sink in that saying? It is because the phrase originated when the average kitchen sink was made from cast iron. If you are unfamiliar with cast iron then you may not be aware that this is a very heavy and dense material. Simply put, a kitchen sink made from cast iron was too heavy to throw out the window!
A cast iron sink was commonly coated in enamel. Now this enamel was baked onto the cast iron so that it would not come off. If you have ever seen a damaged cast iron sink coated with enamel, then you have noticed those “brown spots” in the sink. Those brown spots are what happens when that enamel coating is broken off and the cast iron underneath is exposed to water. Naturally it, like all metals, rusts.
One of the great things about an old cast iron kitchen sink coated in enamel was that you could get them in almost any color. Although white was the most common, a wide variety of other colors were available. A lot of people matched their cabinets and counter tops with their cast iron sink.
Unfortunately, the cast iron sink is virtually a dinosaur of days past. People have opted instead for a lightweight kitchen sink made from a composite material or perhaps a solid surfacing material like some of the countertops are made out of as well. Occasionally you will see a stainless steel sink but many of the contemporary homes are built with non-metallic materials.
But a cast iron sink is an absolute classic and is a great addition to any restoration project. Vintage lake cottages look wonderful with a cast iron kitchen sink because most were equipped with one when they were new. But what do you do when you come across an old cast iron sink—especially if it has seen better days?
A fully restored and functional cast iron kitchen sink can actually add value to your home—they are that rare and coveted! If you find one that has the “brown spots” mentioned earlier or other damage to the enamel finish, there are still experts out there who specialize in resurfacing enamel and porcelain. For a fraction of what it would cost you to buy a comparable sink, a resurfacing expert can make your cast iron kitchen sink look like new.
Even if you find a cast iron sink that is impractical for your particular home, don’t throw it away! There are a number of companies that specialize in restoring cast iron sinks so don’t hesitate to jump on the web to find one in your area. Hey, they just aren’t making the classics any more so the more that can be preserved, the better!
Before deciding amongst the many options in Franke Sinks be sure visit us to learn more about which Franke Sink will best suit your needs.
A cast iron sink was commonly coated in enamel. Now this enamel was baked onto the cast iron so that it would not come off. If you have ever seen a damaged cast iron sink coated with enamel, then you have noticed those “brown spots” in the sink. Those brown spots are what happens when that enamel coating is broken off and the cast iron underneath is exposed to water. Naturally it, like all metals, rusts.
One of the great things about an old cast iron kitchen sink coated in enamel was that you could get them in almost any color. Although white was the most common, a wide variety of other colors were available. A lot of people matched their cabinets and counter tops with their cast iron sink.
Unfortunately, the cast iron sink is virtually a dinosaur of days past. People have opted instead for a lightweight kitchen sink made from a composite material or perhaps a solid surfacing material like some of the countertops are made out of as well. Occasionally you will see a stainless steel sink but many of the contemporary homes are built with non-metallic materials.
But a cast iron sink is an absolute classic and is a great addition to any restoration project. Vintage lake cottages look wonderful with a cast iron kitchen sink because most were equipped with one when they were new. But what do you do when you come across an old cast iron sink—especially if it has seen better days?
A fully restored and functional cast iron kitchen sink can actually add value to your home—they are that rare and coveted! If you find one that has the “brown spots” mentioned earlier or other damage to the enamel finish, there are still experts out there who specialize in resurfacing enamel and porcelain. For a fraction of what it would cost you to buy a comparable sink, a resurfacing expert can make your cast iron kitchen sink look like new.
Even if you find a cast iron sink that is impractical for your particular home, don’t throw it away! There are a number of companies that specialize in restoring cast iron sinks so don’t hesitate to jump on the web to find one in your area. Hey, they just aren’t making the classics any more so the more that can be preserved, the better!
Before deciding amongst the many options in Franke Sinks be sure visit us to learn more about which Franke Sink will best suit your needs.
Finding The Best Kitchen Sinks For Your Home
Kitchen sinks are an integral part of any kitchen, and selecting the right sink is vital for a number of reasons. When purchasing a sink for your kitchen you need to think about whether the sink will actually fit in with the décor and style of your room, but you also need to think of the practical side such as ease of use and installation, features and accessories, and the quality of the sink you are planning to purchase. When you make your purchase you want something that will not only look great in your kitchen, but will also last a long time without the need for repair, will be energy efficient, and you may want to ensure that there are extra safety features, particularly if you have children. Selecting the right sink is a great way of adding to your home improvement, and with such a wide range of designs ( http://www.kitchen-cabinets-tips.com/kitchen-designs.html ) and manufacturers to choose from you can enjoy a great range of stylish, classy, yet very practical sinks to suit your needs perfectly. Of course, it’s not just the kitchen that needs a sink – you may also want to take the same factors into consideration when buying bathroom sinks. Just like kitchen sinks, buying a sink for your bathroom entails getting something that look great, fits in with the décor, yet offers practicality and high quality.
Enjoy a great choice of sinks
Never before have consumers had so much choice when it comes to finding the perfect furniture for the kitchen or bathroom, and you can enjoy an excellent range of designs from top quality manufacturers. Whether you are looking for a classic stainless steel sink for your kitchen or whether you want a ceramic and stylish sink for your cloak room or bathroom, you can enjoy excellent choice with sinks to suit all needs and tastes. You can also get a wide range of accessories that will enable you to make the most of your sink in terms of style and appearance, and also offer practicality. You can also get sinks that will fit in with a variety of budgets, so you can tailor your choice to suit your personal tastes, needs, and your pocket.
Make your kitchen stand out with the ideal sink
Because the sink is such a focal point in any kitchen, your choice of sink could really make a difference to this room. Try and go for something that will complement your countertops, décor, and theme, fitting in perfectly with the other furnishings in the room. However, don’t focus everything on the appearance – make sure you also take the functionality and practicality of the sink into account in order to get the best from this item of kitchen furniture. The perfect sink will not only look great and help you to make the most of your kitchen, but will also make life easier for you through its practical functions. The simple step of a new sink could help to give your kitchen a complete facelift.
Before deciding amongst the many options in Franke Sinks be sure visit us to learn more about which Franke Sink will best suit your needs.
Enjoy a great choice of sinks
Never before have consumers had so much choice when it comes to finding the perfect furniture for the kitchen or bathroom, and you can enjoy an excellent range of designs from top quality manufacturers. Whether you are looking for a classic stainless steel sink for your kitchen or whether you want a ceramic and stylish sink for your cloak room or bathroom, you can enjoy excellent choice with sinks to suit all needs and tastes. You can also get a wide range of accessories that will enable you to make the most of your sink in terms of style and appearance, and also offer practicality. You can also get sinks that will fit in with a variety of budgets, so you can tailor your choice to suit your personal tastes, needs, and your pocket.
Make your kitchen stand out with the ideal sink
Because the sink is such a focal point in any kitchen, your choice of sink could really make a difference to this room. Try and go for something that will complement your countertops, décor, and theme, fitting in perfectly with the other furnishings in the room. However, don’t focus everything on the appearance – make sure you also take the functionality and practicality of the sink into account in order to get the best from this item of kitchen furniture. The perfect sink will not only look great and help you to make the most of your kitchen, but will also make life easier for you through its practical functions. The simple step of a new sink could help to give your kitchen a complete facelift.
Before deciding amongst the many options in Franke Sinks be sure visit us to learn more about which Franke Sink will best suit your needs.
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