I'm not sure if I mentioned this before but this ENTIRE kitchen renovation actually started because of a sink.
I wanted a new one. Specifically, I wanted this apron front sink from Ikea.
I liked that it wasn't an undermount sink. Because in the olden days (when people got scurvy and rickets) sinks would not have been undermount. They would have sat on the counter like a regular sink. So that's how I like an apron front/farmhouse sink to sit now.
It was cheery and big and had an apron. Like Mrs. Butterworth. Or Mrs. Garrett.
The only problem was it was cheery and too big and had an apron. It didn't fit my non-standard depth counters.
Which got me to thinking about new counters. But, just getting new counters wouldn't work because they'd stick out 6" from my non-standard depth cupboards.
The only solution was to forget about it and realize I should just appreciate everything I already had.
Let's see ... I had a life that was falling apart, an 11 year old relationship that ran away from home, a grunge filled countertop and a fridge that was so volatile I'd nicknamed it Kanye.
57 seconds later it was decided. I was getting a new kitchen.
And it would allll revolve around the apron sink I've wanted for years. A big, farmhouse sink.
Big sink. Farmhouse. Apron. Crap.
As it turns out apron sinks take up a lot of space underneath the counter. If under the sink happens to be where you keep your kitchen garbage, you'll have to either rethink where you keep the garbage or rethink how big your garbage can is. I have 2 large garbage bins under the sink. One for compostable items and one for regular old, can't do anything with it, can't be recycled, can't be turned into a baby mobile garbage.
And with my small kitchen with limited cupboards there really wasn't anywhere else to put the garbage.
So the sink that started it all ... was out.
Funny how things like that happen.
After doing a bit of research and listening to my kitchen designer Carol Reed I went with a simple sink and faucet combo.
The faucet actually came first because it was generously provided to me by the fine folks at Brizo. I never knew I had a dream faucet, but as it turns out I did, and this was it.
It's a touch faucet, which means to turn it on or off all you have to do is tap the faucet with any part of your hand or arm. No more salmonella scares! Plus since I don't have a utility sink in this whole house, at any given time I could be washing just about anything off of my hands. Things that really shouldn't come into contact with anything but a biohazard suit.
The other thing I LOVE, love, love about this faucet is it's white. WHITE. Plus I was drawn to the general design of it immediately. Something about it says, "Hey! Karen! You're doing a Scandinavian Farmhouse kitchen? Tap this!"
And I thought that before I actually went to their webpage and read the caption that described it as sleek, stylish and ... Scandinavian.
I knew I also wanted a white sink, so Jean, the designer that Home Depot assigned to me (yes, I had two designers working on my kitchen, 3 if you count my sister with the pink tool belt and 4 if you include me) picked out this white, cast iron Kohler sink. Nice, plain, pretty. Perfect.
I now officially have every SINGLE thing for my kitchen sitting in my house. The new fridge, range, sink, cabinets .... everything.
The only thing I don't have? Anywhere to sit down.
I've been standing for a week and a half now. Good thing I don't have rickets.
Nancy Blue Moon
Love the sink..I am also sick of trying to fit pans in a double basin sink..Love the faucet..white?..white?..absolutely awesome..I have never seen a faucet in white..and it's a touch faucet..heaven..
kelliblue
Wow. White. WHITE!?! You are a brave, brave woman, Karen Bertelsen. That wouldn't be white after a week in my place, but you go on wit yo bad self! Can't wait to see the end result!
Karen
My sister owned a white sink for decades and she said it shows the dirt and smudges wayyy less than stainless and is 10X easier to keep clean. So that's what I'm counting on. ;) ~ karen
valerie
Don't give completely up on the farm house sink yet Karen.
Have you considered using the cupboard doors to hold a frame for refuse containers rather than have the refuse storage under the sink proper? You could have two frames, one on either side if you have two cupboard doors in front and under the sink area.
Karen
Hi Valerie - Well ... I've already bought the other sink and planned the entire kitchen, so there's no going back now. The only thing left is installing it all. Regardless, I literally don't have space for garbage anywhere else. It was under the sink or nowhere. ~ karen!
Sera
I can't wait to see how it turns out! Although, despite the classic look of the above mount sink, I am firmly on the side of under mount sink. After 35 years of living in kitchens with shabby molding seals and crumbs stubbornly remaining on the counter side of the sink, I love that I can just push my crumbs and water straight off into the sink and be done. And actually, our Rohl single basin under mount farmhouse sink was the first thing my husband and I firmly agreed on. We pretty much designed our kitchen around it. although, yes, there is very little room under the sink for anything. We even had to buy a smaller garbage disposal. But we went for the pull out drawer trash cans for recycling, trash and compost (yes all three) and it's the best. But I think we had a bit more room to work with than you do.
Pam'a
Amen on the crummy, yucky, only-white-for-the-first-day silicone seals... I can't wait to replace mine.
Gail
Ok- I can't wait to see the completed, everything in it's place!! kitchen. I am in the drawing, measuring and picking out stage. Started with needing a new floor. The old one is beginning to look like various states of the US- I have Texas and Oklahoma and a little Hawai too!. Then, well, I should paint the walls, and oh, the tiles on the countertop I laid in 1988 are looking nasty, so now need a new sink to go with countertop and oh, add in the faucet!!. Oh and backsplash!! And then there's the oven hood! Good golly, so many decisions!!!!! And I have a rounded edge on my countertop! Who DOES that? So my challenge is to find out how the hay to do a 90 degree rounded edge so I don't poke myself everytime I enter the kitchen- help!
Anita
Darn that Ikea! I was there yesterday for a desk and actually stopped to look at that sink. It's really nice. And yes, renovations take on a life of their own. I really want new wood floors in my house, so naturally that meant I must redo my bathroom first. Can't have workers dragging tubs and tile across a new wood floor. Let them ruin the carpet right? Then I discovered tile that looks like wood. Hmmm, back to doing floors first. I live in Houston so tile floors just make sense.
Lynne from Design The Life You Want to Live
I'm so in love with your faucet, mostly because I have the exact same one :) Okay, mine isn't white… but I ADORE the no-touch faucet. Adore it !! Best faucet I have ever owned in the history of ever.
Here comes the other crazy part of the story… imagine that? Crazy. I have the Ikea sink ! Too bad it didn't work in your kitchen :( but clearly.. we both have great taste. Ha!
Laura Bee
"Karen'e Kitchen Renovation" When is the film crew coming? You have a crew coming, right? Even better - live streaming (with sound!). That way we can learn some new swear words that a tv show would bleep out.
I wish you well.
Kelli
Two years ago we bought a 1950's farm house and 10 acres. The kitchen was described as "small but adequate." Attached to it was room used for laundry that was twice the size of the kitchen. We started designing different kitchen ideas. We went from a kitchen that was 7x9 to 9x20. We found rotted floor timbers and what started out being a simple renovation, went into a complete room rebuild. I am a lot like you and like to figure things out. I would like to share the before and after pics with you. I also agree with you about the sink.
Karen
Hi Kelli - Send the pics to me! I'd love to see them. karen@theartofdoingstuff.com ~ karen!
Jennie
Karen, don't feel bad about the Ikea sink. Since I was considering an apron sink, a friend of mine who is an Ikea junky took me to her Ikea hangout. We actually looked at that exact sink you were considering. Nope, there was no way I was going to clean that backsplash area of soap debris very easily, since the ridges are 1/4" deep. I am sending my existing farm sink out to be re-epoxied and building a custom cupboard to support it. You did good.
Susan Mann
You go girl! You're so inspiring and you put it all out there which only makes us (your closest internet friends, ha) love you more. : )
Debbie
I was waiting to see Mom in the kitchen designer listing. Isn't she your demolition expert?
cbblue
I can totally understand your story. We wanted to replace our front door. Just a door. Maybe move it over a smidge and take out a sidelight. What happened was we tore the house down to the 2 x 4s and added a second story. Guess what? We're not happy with the front door. I'm afraid to do anything about the door as it may lead to something epic. I love the way you think Karen. Amazing.
Karen
"a fridge that was so volatile I nicknamed it Kanye". You have a way Karen! Oh, how I needed that laugh this morning. Can't wait to see your finished product!
Elaine
I loved that line too! Ha! I'm very late to this post but am buying a new sink for my condo kitchen and naturally, turned to Karen for advice. I don't drive anymore so can't shop around but there's a plumbing store a block away from me where I've been looking at the many choices.
Ev
You have so much work ahead of you, and it's a good thing. When your beautiful (and it will be!) kitchen is done you will love it and have so much "I did it myself" satisfaction! And we'll all wish we were you and secretly be jealous as hell! Have fun Karen!
Miriam
It's amazing how that happens. I started out with a dripping tub faucet. I have since had the bathroom retiled along with removing the old shower and replacing it with a storage cupboard, repainted the kitchen, dining room, living room and hall, put in new light fixtures in all those rooms and a new floor in the dining room and kitchen. All because the tap wouldn't shut off.
Keelea L
$700 faucet? Seems legit. That one will have to remain in my dreams. It's going to look beautiful!
Melissa in North Carolina
Is there anything else I need to know about a farmhouse sink? My vision includes one, right after the bathroom is done. Which hasn't been offically started...it's just demo'd as in down to the studs! See you tomorrow.
Karen
Don't think so. :) I still absolutely love them, it's just I knew not having enough space for garbage would make me crazy. Also don't forget, if you're going for a true farmhouse look you can buy a genuine antique farmhouse sink. ~ karen!
Danica
Hi Karen! Do you have a link for the white Kohler sink??? We are doing a grey kitchen in our home that we are renovating and I was planning on going with a stainless steel sink BUT stainless steel and well water hate each other so now the plan is to go with a nice white sink....not that you wanted to hear about my whole story but ya....
Karen
Hi Danica - Ooops! I thought I had that linked! I'll add it right now. ~ karen
Karen
Here you go! http://www.homedepot.ca/product/iron-tonesr-self-rimming-24-1-4-inch-x-18-3-4-inch-or-undercounter-21-1-4-i/817099 It ain't cheap, lol! ~ karen
Noelle Smith
I'm so happy for you that you are tidy enough to have a white sink! That wouldn't do here. I need a concrete kitchen with a "close the door and the whole thing gets hosed down all at once" like those bathrooms on the street corners in Paris.
Let me know if you need useless girl help, I can open boxes and hold screws and make tea.
Karen
LOL. "useless girl help". You idiot, lol! ~ karen