The eternally charming English countryside is the inspiration for a warm, cozy kitchen done in English country style. Imagine an English stonewall cottage with flower gardens outside the backdoor while reveling in the warmth of a cup of tea by the kitchen hearth, or imagine a more formal kitchen of a traditional English country estate full of natural materials like cherry wood, marble and stainless steel. Either way, comfort, warmth and a welcoming ambiance are the order of the day.

Start by Choosing Soft, Warm Colors
Base your color palette on hues found in a quintessential English country garden. Buttery yellow, lavender and rose, pale greens and blues are colors that can accent a creamy neutral wall color or warmer wall tones with undertones of red or yellow. Or use faux painting techniques to create the illusion of stone or old plaster.

Add Cabinetry in Wood Finishes
Wood is the mainstay of English country kitchens featured in plain, flat paneled cabinet doors with simple, sturdy designs. Wood may be white washed or pickled to create a well-loved, well-worn appearance and hardware may be made of hammered metal or ceramic. Gleaming cherry wood is a traditional choice for countertops that offers a warm appealing radiance to the kitchen Intermixed in a wooden counter-top, you may find a section of cooled marble for rolling out pastry dough and in a large English country kitchen that serves an estate or country house, stainless steel countertops may dominate the prep and cleanup areas with a deep stainless steel sink. A cottage country kitchen is more likely to feature a porcelain apron style farm sink.

Weathered, Rustic and Comfortable
Cozy, homey appointments are standard in every English country kitchen, whether tucked into a hillside cottage or a grand estate. Even in a formal English country home, the kitchen will feature a large table and rush seat chairs with comfortable cushions for the kitchen staff or children of the home. A rustic beamed ceiling or stone fireplace is an authentic touch, and if your kitchen does not have these features, add features to complement the romantic cottage ambiance. An old mantel from an antique store can be mounted against a wall and a small electric fireplace designed to mimic an antique iron stove can be set beneath it; top the stove with a brass tea kettle and cheery checkered tea towels. An old china hutch can be set in a corner to give the illusion of built-in display. Use area rugs, curtains, patchwork or woolen throws, pillows and cushions, earthenware pitchers and old tea sets for realistic detail. Take care to keep things eclectic and not too matchy-matchy or pristine: comingle big floral prints with chintz, chenille, plaids and tweeds. A pot rack above the stove or sink can display an array of copper pots, iron skillets, brass pitchers and baskets.

Layer other accents for interest on every wall. Open plate racks with blue and white English china are apropos, as are bunches of herbs hung in the windows and fresh flowers gathered in an old vase or sugar bowl. Add wall art with antique appeal, such as old dishes and plates, silver trays, and old paintings with English country motifs. Accent the counter-tops with ceramic jars or clear glass apothecary jars stocked with treats and pantry staples, and of course, tea pots, tea cups, lemons, sugar bowls and creamers must be part of the mix.

Decorating specialist Aja Klenna offers many more free and easy decorating ideas at Metal-Wall-Art.com – the place to go for unique tree metal wall sculpture and jazz metal wall art.

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Whether you are building a new home or remodeling your 1930′s bungalow, selecting the fixtures for your home can be a stressful and tiresome task. With so many new products on the market, it’s hard to know what is the truth and what is hype. Are the “latest and greatest” really that great, or just modern day snake oil?

The area of the home that tends to get the most attention these days is the kitchen. Everyone has heard the expression “everything but the kitchen sink.” Well, often times, when it comes to design, homeowners and designers give a lot of thought to “everything but the kitchen sink.” In reality, the sink should be one of the first items selected. The early selection of the sink allows you to select from a much wider variety of sizes and styles of sinks. So many in fact, that it’s hard to know where to start.

Stainless Steel: There are many varieties and qualities of stainless steel sinks. However, stainless steel is one of the best materials available for a kitchen sink. Stainless steel is affordable, won’t rust, melt, crack, stain, or chip. However, there are few things to keep in mind when shopping for a stainless steel sink. 18 gauge stainless steel is th lightest gauge of steel that you should consider, but 16 gauge is preferred. A polished finish sink will look beautiful at first, but even small scuffs and scratches will show up. Therefore, a brushed or satin finish steel is your best choice. Stainless steel sinks are available in many styles such as drop-in, undermount, apron front, farmhouse (or farm sink).

Porcelain: Porcelain coated sinks can be a great choice, but special care must be taken to protect the finish. The less expensive brands will certainly have very thin layers of porcelain which can chip and crack. Once the finish has chipped, the cast iron will begin to rust and discolor the sink. If quality of the glazing on the porcelain is also very important. If the glazing wears off, the porcelain is prone to staining from coffee, juices, etc. Porcelain sinks tend to be very heavy and pricey. They are typically seen as drop-in, and farm front sinks.

Manmade Materials: Composite materials are finding their way into the market, and some are better than others. One of the biggest complaints that I have, is their inability to stand up to high heat. Who hasn’t taken a hot pan off of the stove and set it in or on their sink. If you were to do that with some of the composite sinks available, you would have a ruined sink on your hands.

No matter what type of home you have or are building, the kitchen sink will be the heart of your kitchen. Don’t let the selection of your sink be an afterthought.

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When is comes to copper sinks, there really is a choice that will be perfect for everyone. Of course I don’t mean the same copper sink will be perfect for anyone, I mean there are so many choices in copper sinks that if you put in the time and look at all the available options, you will not come away thinking there is not a copper sink that works with the style theme in the area you are dealing with.

Most people who want a copper sink are looking to either replace or add a new sink to their kitchen, bathroom, or bar. There are some other applications, but most will fall into these three.

The choices in copper kitchen sinks are very wide ranging, and there are literally hundreds of different designs, shapes, and mounting options to consider. Single bowl, double bowl, undermount, top mount, farm sink, etc. There truly are so many options that if you are to see everything available you need to block off a large chunk of time in order to give yourself a fighting chance of seeing them all before you make your decision.

The good news is, in the age of the internet you can do all your preliminary research online, from the comfort of your own home. There are many quality online vendors nowadays that at the very least are a great source of information and in the best case you can actually make your purchase from them online. It used to be that you had to drive to many different retail and home improvement stores to get a good idea of what your available options were. That has all become much easier with the convenience of the internet.

If you are looking for a bathroom or bar sink, your choices are a bit smaller than if you are looking for a copper kitchen sink. The reason is bar sinks and bathroom sinks are generally smaller just because the area they go in is smaller. So, you don’t have quite as many options in size and shape, but there are still so many different versions of sinks for these applications that I doubt you will fee limited.

When doing your copper sink research, be sure to read the author’s copper sinks guide for all the information you need to choose the right sink for you.

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Why choose deep kitchen sinks?

A deeper sink can offer many benefits that many people may not have thought about. It gives the ability to fill a larger pot or other item with water easily. It is also possible to stack more dishes in a larger bowl. It can also prevent splashes from reaching the wall or floor. A deep sink also allows a larger basin for washing or rinsing dishes. Cleaning vegetables and other foods is also easier in a larger bowl.

Types of deep sinks

There are many different types of deep sinks to choose from. The first difference is the material. Stainless steel, porcelain, iron, and copper are all popular materials to choose from. Stainless steel ones are probably the most popular because they are lighter, and they do not stain. Porcelain sinks offer a different look. They convey a higher level of sophistication than metal ones. Iron sinks are very heavy, but offer an old-fashioned, farm-house look. Copper ones give the impression of a French countryside. They are bright and cheery, but can be hard to clean. However, they are very lightweight. Some people choose original materials such as glass, granite, or even plastic.

Choosing the right sink

The right sink can mean the difference between a fully functioning kitchen and one that no one wants to work in. Considering that the average cost for a kitchen is over fifty thousand dollars, this makes the choice of sinks even more important. Deep sinks provide the highest level of versatility for any kitchen. However, there is still the issue of material and shape to choose from.

It is important to consider the overall look of your room. If you have a casual room, then a casual sink should be chosen. A casual one could be a rectangle or square sink made of stainless steel. A country kitchen would work best with a porcelain or copper sink. A round shape would work well in a country kitchen. A modern one could have a glass or granite sink. A French-inspired kitchen could have an iron one in a round or square shape.

Which ever material and shape you choose, rest assured that a deep sink is a good choice for any kitchen. Your tasks will be easier and you will be able to enjoy your cooking more. So, whether you are remodelling or creating a new kitchen altogether, be sure that you will find deep sinks that will fit with your vision and taste for the room; while also adding practicality to your every day use of the cooking area.

You can learn more about black kitchen sinks, and get much more information, articles and resources about kitchen sinks at kitchen sink taps

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Want to relive the excitement of California’s gold rush of the mid 19th century? Or the grandeur of the Victorian age? If your answer is a ‘Yes’, try installing an antique sink in your kitchen and mull over the glorious past of your ancestors while eating your meal.

Obtaining a real antique or vintage kitchen sink is not going to be easy. The kitchen sink from the pages of the history book is likely to have developed cracks or chinks and the one you are lucky to chance upon may not have the necessary accessories like faucets to make it workable in today’s kitchen.

The kitchen sinks of the mid 19th or early 20th century were made of marble, porcelain, fireclay or copper. They mostly came from Continental Europe – France and Italy.

Kitchen sinks from the early 20th century are quite difficult to find in useable original condition. This helps drive the price up.

To take one example, a classic 1900 model of marble sink, manufactured in Chicago by the Wolff Mfg. Co, which the Los Angeles-based Vintage Plumbing has put up for sale, has a 4′ tall heavy French plate beveled mirror back splash. It has full original mixer hardware and complete supply and drain hardware below sink. It has nickel plated brass cabriole legs and carved soap dish in the slab drains into the basin. The store has priced it at $8,900.

According to the Vintage Plumbing, kitchen sinks from the teens, 20′s and 30′s are very popular among the customers and so they have a fairly good stock of them. The store stocks antique farm house kitchen sinks manufactured by the Kohler’s, Standard Sanitary Mfg Co, besides the Wolff Mfg. Co. However, the store admits it is difficult to find sinks in good condition.

Kitchen Sinks Info provides detailed information on stainless steel, copper, vintage, granite, corner, and acrylic kitchen sinks, faucets, and more. Kitchen Sinks Info is the sister site of Granite Counter Tops Web.

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The sink is the busiest spot in your kitchen. Nearly every task begins or ends in its embrace, so choosing the right one for the way you will use it and the way it will look may be one of the most important decisions you will make when planning your kitchen. You may not feel you really need the new one that ‘cooks’, but you do want a sink that will serve you well and look terrific, while not requiring too much time to maintain.

The newest looks in sinks are those that compliment the latest trends in kitchen design; namely the ‘commercial’ or ‘professional’ look and the traditional Old World styling, two design trends that continue to run parallel to one another, closely followed by the nostalgia of ‘country’ .

After you choose the look you want to enhance your kitchen’s personality, there is still plenty to decide. Will you use stainless steel, porcelain, enamel or solid surface material? How about copper or brass? For more on sinks, go to Estimating Costs.

Stainless Steel – More popular than ever, the stainless steel sink is the perfect compliment to the ‘professional’ kitchen that boasts stainless steel appliances. Easy care is a big plus. The quality of a stainless steel sink is measured by its gauge (the higher the number, the lower the quality), the amount of chromium and nickel it contains (the more, the better) and the sound control employed ( the more padding or coating the quieter. Tile and solid surface counters allow undermount installation for easy clean up – just push the wet and the mess right in with no lip or edge to collect debris or dampness. Laser embossing is available from some manufacturers to relieve the ‘too commercial’ look for use in more traditional settings, too.

Solid Surface – First used for easier care custom counter tops, sinks of solid surface materials have attained a close second in preference among consumers for upscale kitchens. These wonderful man-made composite materials present a quiet, easy to clean surface that is stain and scratch resistant. Solid surface sinks also allow for either surface or undermount applications and can be fabricated to create a completely smooth transition from a solid surface top with no discernable ridge or line where they are joined. Computerized cutting allows fabricators to create custom designs for both decorative and functional choices.

Porcelain – Still the number one choice for many consumers, there is nothing to compare with the gleaming surface of a quality porcelain sink. Surprisingly durable, porcelain on cast iron sinks are available in bolder colors and more shades than any other material. Available in either undermount or surface mount styles, porcelain sinks are available in every imaginable style and with a wide variety of functional options and features.

Enamel – A less expensive alternative than others, except the most inexpensive stainless steel, enamel sinks are also less durable. Available in several colors and configurations enamel sinks do require more careful maintenance. But, top mounted models may be changed out with relatively little trouble, so enamel sink may be a better way to cut costs than with some more permanent choices for your kitchen like the cabinets. A good quality enamel sink may be expected to last for several years with a little loving care. Be sure not to scour with abrasive cleaners.

Other materials seen on today’s sink scene are Soapstone – a natural mineral substance, it is easy to care for, available in several color ranges (no two are alike) and in some of the most ‘now’ styles like extra deep farm sinks with wide apron fronts.

Copper or Brass – usually familiar as bar or ‘veggie’ sinks, these metals are sometimes chosen for kitchens planned in the Old World mode or for a ‘gourmet’ appearance.

For more kitchen planning tips and kitchen remodeling ideas, visit http://www.superkitchens.com

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Selecting a kitchen or bathroom sink use to be easy. There were just a few large companies selling ceramic, enameled steel, cast iron and stainless steel sinks. In the past decade, there has been an explosion of new products in the sink category and a growing demand for hand crafted and custom work. There have been several “new” sink mediums gaining recent acceptance – glass, various stones, brass, copper, and even wood. This article will focus on copper sinks and what to look for before making your purchase.

Copper is man’s oldest metal, dating back more than 10,000 years. Its use in the home in modern times ranges from copper tubing in your plumbing system to some of the finest cookware available. Restaurateurs, hoteliers and interior decorators look to copper and brass as naturally inviting metals that make a statement of quality, comfort and beauty. It is no wonder that copper has also become a popular material for sinks in the kitchen, bath and bar.

Copper artisans abound throughout the world, however the artisans that have gained a reputation for making sinks has been primarily centered in India, Mexico and the US. Most of the shops making “hand crafted” copper sinks are small and the methods used to construct sinks goes back centuries. The term “hand hammered” has recently become synonymous with Mexican sinks. This term refers to the original ancient techniques that artisans have been using for centuries in this area. Copper sheets are literally hammered into shape and hand finished.

The results are somewhat rustic, but truly unique and one of a kind. Copper sinks in the US are made with similar techniques but are more often “smooth” rather than “hammered”. US copper craftsmen are dominated by shops doing custom work primarily for commercial projects such as restaurants. You can see examples of all these sinks at Sinks Gallery. They specialize in artisan crafted sinks and have one of the largest selections of copper sinks available, as well as sinks from all different mediums including glass, ceramic, various stones and even wood.

There are three primary differentiators determining quality – construction technique, copper thickness and the company you are buying from. Construction quality is made up of several factors – how corners are constructed, welding technique and proper dimensions for ease of installation. Quality can vary even when considering sinks made in the same town such as many of the sinks from Mexico. The buyer should make sure they are buying from a legitimate company that knows the product and is not selling “seconds”. In the world of hand crafted products, not all sinks are created equal and oftentimes there are two or more quality levels sold by the same shop (i.e. “firsts” and “seconds”).

Copper starts out in sheets of various thicknesses or “gauge”. The thickness of the metal can also be referred to by the weight per square foot. The thicker the gauge copper, the lower the number. Most bath sinks are made from 20 gauge (the thinnest) to 16 gauge (the thickest) and most kitchen sinks range from 18 gauge to 14 gauge. When shopping for copper sinks, always ask about the gauge and be aware that a thicker gauge sink will cost more – and in many cases is worth it! A lightweight gauge metal can result in a “tinny” sound when running the faucet.

Finally consider the store you are buying from. If a copper sink seems “cheap” in price, there is usually a reason. I have seen many of the copper sinks sold on the most famous “auction site” . All I can say is “buyer beware”, or more to the point “you get what you pay for”…. If something goes wrong with your sink or there is a problem when it arrives, you want to make sure the company you purchased from will stand behind their product. Think carefully about buying internationally. Too often, a sink that is received isn’t as represented. A reputable dealer should identify their shipping location, clearly state their warranty and return policy and be available for consultation.

I am a fan of copper sinks. I think they are rugged yet elegant – especially as they age. The rich highlights and undertones of the patina process are constantly evolving. A copper finish is a “living finish” and never really stops changing in color. That being said, the evolution of a copper finish is gradual, and as it ages it becomes even more handsome. You can greatly reduce this change with the use of wax or even a lacquer product, but personally I like to let the copper evolve. Most often this process results in a mellow brownish weathered copper patina. I like to refer to it as the basins soul.

Copper sinks often come in various finishes from a bright copper finish (like a new penny) to a dark patina (we call ours “Dark Smoke”) and everything in between. The copper finish you choose is a matter of personal taste, but oftentimes our clients prefer the more “weathered” patinas to avoid the upkeep or uncertainty associated with shiny copper. If you want to slow down the patina process, try applying a wax like “Renaissance Wax”. Applied every few months, the wax will provide a barrier between the copper and the environment. You can read more about the care & maintenance of copper sinks here.

Copper sinks for the kitchen come in two basic forms: Under Counter Mount or Farmhouse style. The rustic nature of copper sinks lends itself well to the farm sink style. Sometimes referred to as “apron front” sinks, these sinks come in a variety of sizes, shapes and with different configurations – i.e. single bowl, double bowl and even triple bowl. Bath sinks are generally available in three styles: vessel (above counter mount), “drop-in” or under counter mount. Usually the lip style determines whether the bath sink is a drop in or undermount. Be sure to order the proper lip style to accommodate your project. A recent trend in bathroom design is matching a copper mirror frame to the sink in the same patina. This can help create consistency in the look and feel of the décor.

If you have any other questions before you purchase any sink, feel free to give us a call at Sinks Gallery or Copper Sinks Online – 1-877-320-0800. We would be happy to answer any other questions you might have.

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Jack Healy is part owner of Sinks Gallery and Copper Sinks Online. Sinks Gallery offers the largest collection of artisan and designer kitchen, bath and bar sinks available in North America. As a 20 year veteran of the plumbing industry, Jack has written several articles aimed at helping the homeowner make more informed choices when purchasing plumbing products.

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If you want a touch of class and art in your kitchen, you might consider choosing a copper sink. Copper sinks are crafted from first quality, super-thick copper, hand-hammered and formed into a charming early American style.

Each sink is individually made. Hence, it is possible to have a custom-made sink for your kitchen. The hammered kitchen copper sink is a beautiful piece of art.

Because each piece is made from a copper sheet by an artisan his hammer footprint is very visible. The reddish/oxidated texture is characteristic of natural copper when it is cooled down from red-hot temperature using cold water.

Copper sinks are made of heavy, solid copper and come in natural copper patinas of ‘Weathered Copper’ or in ‘Dark Bronze’ copper. Copper sinks may have a hand hammered surface and some of them come with polished and satin nickel finish. The dark farm sinks have a warm, dark brown finish.

Extra thick casting will easily weather a lifetime of use while absorbing noise and deflecting scratches and dings. Copper sinks are extremely resistant to stains and discoloration. They are called ‘live’ sinks, because their patina ages and improves with time. Moreover, copper is known to keep bacteria at bay, providing a healthier environment.

Kitchen sinks may be available as a single or a double sink, in round, rectangular, oval and other shapes. Copper kitchen sinks should be under mounted for easiest installation.

They are easy to maintain. Copper kitchen sinks can be re-polished for a bright appearance. One can re-sand the sink to remove scratches and signs of wear. The patina on the copper sink will not allow the metal to rust because it protects from humidity and oxidation.

Kitchen Sinks Info provides detailed information on stainless steel, copper, vintage, granite, corner, and acrylic kitchen sinks, faucets, and more. Kitchen Sinks Info is the sister site of Granite Counter Tops Web.

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There are as many variations of the country kitchen sink as there are country kitchens. Depending on the locality, a kitchen sink can be stainless steel, ceramic or porcelain. Country kitchens of the early 1900′s almost always had a stainless steel or porcelain sink. Ceramic sinks for these kitchens became popular later in the 1940′s.

One issue to resolve before purchasing your country kitchen sink is how much use it will receive. For many households where the kitchen is the center of activity, a kitchen sink should be constructed from heavy-duty materials. Although, dishwashers have minimized the use of sinks somewhat, there is still a need for rinsing dishes before they get to the dishwasher. Kitchen sinks can be a no-man’s land where the cook may drain spaghetti into a collander or sand is rinsed from lettuce. Certainly, potatoes always need to be rinsed and scrubbed before peeling. It’s a good idea to consider a garbage disposal when installing a new country sink. This will make it far less likely for you to clog up the pipes as the garbage disposal system will chop any items into small pieces before they go down the drain.

In old provincial kitchens, sinks were often cast iron or some form of pre-cast stone. They were virtually indestructible with volumes of every day use. Most had double ones. One for washing, one for rinsing as well as a drainboard. Many had one shallow and one deeper for doing laundry or giving baby a bath. Today’s country kitchen sinks are pretty and useful. Most are free-standing or attached to a wood cabinet. The traditional look for today’s sinks is one that has a cabinet under it and a skirt rather than a wooden cabinet door.

In most country farmhouses, the kitchen was the picture of simplicity. The sink reflected that simplicity with a single large basin with a cast iron apron at the front. Very often, the basin was porcelain over cast iron to insure longer wear. The clean lines of a farmhouse sink was enhanced by two spindle legs on either side of it. These sinks were nearly always white or a dark travertine stone color. The great thing about these sinks is how well they retained heat. This was especially helpful since hot water was not supplied in older country homes by a water heater. Usually, water was heated in a large kettle kept atop the cook stove for dish washing purposes.

You can learn more about copper kitchen sinks, and get more articles and resources by visiting Kitchen Sink Taps.

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A copper apron sink is getting more and more popular among those who are into home improvement lately. Copper is a kind of ductile metal which is brownish and pinkish in color. It is an element which has its own natural beauty to go with most of the theme of design in the house. Due to the natural beauty of the element itself, these sinks give a sense of a rustic style. Unlike other materials, sinks that are made of copper can last you for a long time due to its durability and with it durability, any wood material near or underneath the sink can be protected from water soaking through. There are many different designs out in the market, you can either opt for those which are readily made or order a custom made one.

Since there are a wide variety of choices to choose from in the market, how are you going to buy a perfect copper farmhouse sink for yourself? There are some golden tips below which may help you to make the right choice.

The Right Size – Unless you are purchasing a custom made sink, it is wise to measure the size correctly before you place order for a standard sized one. Many people actually did not ensure the measurement and in the end the sink was sticking too far out which ruin the whole design of the kitchen. The copper sink is supposed to fit exactly or at least just a little protruding.

The Right Manufacturer – Do you homework prior to ordering is important. When ordering from a manufacturer, make sure that they are highly recommended and at least have a good reputation in the market.

The right manufacturer will definitely cover their products with warranty so that you will not be worried about any manufacturing fault found later, so make sure you have that. They will most probably do a free installation for you to ensure that everything that should be fixed and install is done properly.

The Right Material – Make sure that the apron sink is really made of copper. There are sinks sold that claimed to be manufactured from copper but in actual fact is made from lead which is considered a harmful metal. If you are not sure, go on to look for another source.

There are many different kinds of copper apron sink available online and what you should do is to at least find the right information before you go ahead with a chosen sink. Read the product information carefully and also browse through the customers’ reviews, if any, so as to ensure you do not make the same mistake as them.

Julia has been writing articles online for nearly 4 years now. Not only does this author specialize in fashion, you can also check out her latest websites on buying a cast iron sink and buying a copper apron sink.

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