Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/218643
I n the kitchen or bathroom, a sink can make or break the look and feel of a space. But sink manufacturers and distributors today are working hard to make sure homeowners and commercial builders alike don't have to suffer with subpar wash stations. Sinks must certainly be functional, but they should also be attractive and make everyday tasks a pleasure. "The kitchen and bath are a very personal reflection of what we value and how we live," says Charlotte Sprague, marketing supervisor at Franke Kindred Canada Limited. The company offers a line of luxury sinks in hand-fabricated stainless steel, lustrous copper and warm granite, with optional matching faucets to suit every taste. For 2014, transitional elements are popping up everywhere, combining traditional style with modern minimalism. "The stainless steel apron front sink is a good example of a transitional element in sinks – a lovely upgrade to an existing kitchen, or a sparkling element to a new build," Sprague explains. "[Designers are] taking style tips from traditional china and cast iron sinks from yesteryear, but realized in robust and easy-to-care-for stainless." Whatever the style, today's smartly designed sinks make life a lot easier with easy-care finishes, optional sink fittings such as pull-out faucets with extra-long supply hoses and custom-fit accessories that sit perfectly on the sink ledge to make clean-up simple. Coloured sinks are also increasing in popularity. While Canadians love stainless steel, a growing interest in granite, quartz, ceramic and cast iron offers the opportunity to get a little more creative. "These coloured sinks are highly sought-after to accentuate the beauty of solid surface countertops and kitchen decors," explains Cassandra Datt, marketing specialist at Blanco Canada. In more modern kitchens, square sink bowls are making a splash, beautifully complementing sleek, linear designs. Material, colour and shape aren't the only things to take into consideration when selecting a sink. Commercial buyers and homeowners should also think about how a sink will be used, any size constraints and the installation options. Blanco's new Silgranit sinks are scratch-resistant and super durable, with a natural stone material and Making A Splash Modern sinks boast fashion, function and flair by Stacey McLachlan texture that doesn't absorb bacteria. Silgranit is available in six colours and comes in over 150 designs, and because 95 per cent of Silgranit sinks are produced in Ontario, the made-in-Canada sinks have a small carbon footprint (combined with Blanco's low-flow Torino faucet and Solon organic waste management unit, it's an eco-friendly workstation). Kohler's latest line of sinks meld smart functionality with sleek modern style – so much so, that they appropriately named it Strive. The stainless steel sinks are designed to make routine cleaning simpler and quicker, incorporating features like easy-to-clean corners (the 10-millimetre corner radii also make counter cutting easier) and task-oriented accessories (like a fitted bottom basin rack or utility shelf). The undermount sink takes its cues from professional kitchens with heavy-duty loads and reimagines them for the home kitchen, making dishwashing and dinner preparation a snap, "whether you use your sink multiple times a day or only a few times a week," says Mike Marbach, product manager for stainless steel kitchen sinks at Kohler. Kohler's new Smart Divide saddle design, which complements the popular Whitehaven farmhousestyle sink, offers convenience in another form by Above: Antoniolupi's Strappo washbasins, courtesy Ambient Bathrooms. Left: Kohler's Strive kitchen sink. Sinks p38-41Sinks.indd 39 december 2013 /39 13-11-15 3:42 PM