ROOM ELEMENTS
SO MUCH MORE THAN SOMEWHERE TO RINSE THE DISHES, THESE SINKS ARE AWASH WITH GOOD DESIGN TO FLATTER YOUR COUNTRY KITCHEN
Smart and stylish kitchen sinks you won’t want to hide away in a utility room
MAKE A STATEMENT
Give a fresh feel to a classic style with a Belfast or Butler sink in a dramatic colour, then team it with your worktops for added impact. ‘We chose a black Belfast sink in this oak Henley kitchen,’ says Meaghan Hunter, Neptune. ‘Not only is this a modern take on a classic, it also blends seamlessly with the work surface and sets off the black-bronze handles beautifully.’
1 HANDCRAFTED COPPER
This copper beauty is handcrafted in a wooden mould and subtly hammered to achieve its rustic style. Copper doesn’t just look beautiful, it’s recognised for its anti-bacterial properties too, making it a great choice for a kitchen sink. Whether you keep it polished or let it develop a rich patina is up to you. There’s the option to have it oxidised for a beautiful burnished effect as well.
2 BURNISHED BRASS
In a country kitchen, where you have opted for a traditional range cooker with brass fittings or have chosen cabinet and drawer handles or hardware in the same warm metal hue, a burnished brass sink will blend perfectly with the metallic finishes. ‘Brass ages beautifully and its warmth complements the cool colour scheme here,’ says Merlin Wright, design director, Plain English.
3 SEAMLESS STONE
Easy to maintain, extremely hardwearing and beautiful to boot, Lundhs Antique stone surfaces are a wonderful choice for kitchen worktops. So why not go one better with a stone sink for seamless style? Made from anorthosite, an igneous rock formed from the cooling of magma millions of years ago, this natural stone is quarried in Norway, and is known for its blend of blue and brown crystals, which works especially well with wood grains and other natural earthy materials.
4 DELIGHTFULLY DISCREET
If you prefer not to make a feature of the sink, an undermounted model, with a drainer carved into the worktop, will discreetly disappear while giving you ample space for the practicalities of cooking, preparing or clearing up after a meal. A material such as enamelled cast iron is robust, however needs gentle care to stay clean and pristine.
❝ THE SINK IS SOMEWHERE YOU USE FREQUENTLY, SO OUR ADVICE IS TO GO BIG. A SINK CAN BE SO BEAUTIFUL IF YOU GET IT RIGHT❞
HELEN PARKER, CREATIVE DIRECTOR, DEVOL
5 DOUBLE UP
If your kitchen is large enough and you’re a keen cook, opt for a double sink. ‘Although popular for its luxurious aesthetic, one of the main benefits to a double design is the space to separate items, whether this is clean and dirty dishes, heavy and fragile items or food prep,’ says Ben Burbidge, managing director, Kitchen Makers. ‘However, think about the design of the cabinets under your sink at an early stage as the deep dimensions need to be factored into your plan.’
6 CHARACTERFUL CARRARA
Marble is admired for its natural beauty, and these spectacular sinks are made from a single block of Italian Carrara marble. Known for its nuances, this material best suits those who like their country kitchen to develop character over time as Carrara will mark and age quickly, however, once it has ‘settled in’ it will last a lifetime and offer a luxurious twist to utilitarian farmhouse style.