Yes, it's true. I'm off again on another great adventure this time courtesy of Blanco. As you'll remember, last September I had the pleasure of attending design week as a guest of the uber edgy Brizo Faucets. Click here. Now I will be able to give you the low down the on Blanco sinks you can pair with the amazing products at Brizo.

This Blanco press release says it best.

"Morning, noon, and night, the sink is the most frequently used area in the kitchen. From early morning, through a hectic day, an evening meal, and the solitude of late night, the sink serves as both hard working companion and fashionable focal point.

For more than 80 years, BLANCO has been a world leader in quality, innovative design and unsurpassed attention to detail. The company pioneered the use of stainless steel for kitchen sinks and was the first company to introduce hard composite materials such as Silgranit^®.

Today, BLANCO has the most extensive line of premium quality kitchen sinks offered in North America, continuing to lead the evolution of the kitchen sink area with functional concepts, striking good looks, and innovative solutions, sure to personalize the most frequently used area of the kitchen."

...And that's not all. I will also have the pleasure of touring IDS11, Canada's largest contemporary design fair. My press release will take me who knows where and you can join me here at Kitchens for Living. The fun starts January 26th. The countdown begins now!

Don't forget to enter your chance to win a free Orgaline drawer organizer by leaving a comment between now and February 15th! Click here to read January 14th post for details.

No matter the size or style of your kitchen, sink selection will be one of the most important decisions you make as you plan a new kitchen or update your existing one.

With an abundance of new technology and materials the choices can be overwhelming! To the average homeowner – a sink may look like – well – just a sink. But there’s a lot to consider. While the kitchen is the heart of the home, it is probably safe to say the kitchen sink is the heart of the kitchen. Unless you have a separate prep sink, your sink will serve in both the clean up and food preparation roles. With this in mind, here’s what I look for as a kitchen designer:

1. Quality- The adage “you get what you pay for” has never been as true as in this case. Your kitchen sink is heavily used on a daily basis so good quality will certainly pay off. Some choices include cast iron, natural stone and, the most popular, stainless steel. If opting for a stainless steel finish the gauge, or thickness, of the steel is the most important consideration. The lower the number the thicker the steel and the better the quality. This means it will not ding or spot as easily as a lesser quality product. If you opt for one of the other materials make sure to do your homework. Speak to a professional and research the wealth of information available on the internet. Always get the highest quality your budget will allow.

2. Design- Next you will have to decide if you want a drop-in or undermount design. The advantage of having your sink mounted underneath the countertop is that you can simply wipe your crumbs away without the lip of the sink being in the way. This option can be used if you have a granite or solid surface countertop and will add a little to the price of your countertop and installation. Drop in sinks on the other hand are easier to install and replace. Blanco has just introduced what they’re calling MicroEdge technology. MicroEdge represents the first breakthrough in stainless steel sink design since the introduction of the undermount sink more than 10 years ago. MicroEdge (shown above) is a sleek drop-in overmount sink technology that creates the illusion of an expensive flush undermount installation. Achieve the flush look for less time and money as MicroEdge can be installed over virtually any counter material. For more information, visit www.blancoamerica.com

3. Configuration- The large single bowl sink is becoming more and more popular. It is the most versatile when it comes to accommodating large pots and platters. If you are washing dishes by hand however you’ll probably still prefer the double bowl variety. Really think about how you use your sink and don’t be afraid to make a change to something that better suits your lifestyle.

This is just a beginning but good enough to get you started and thinking in the right direction.
Next post: Secret to a Dream Kitchen...

561-254-7736