Waveline and Waveline Mini from Island Stone

We're receiving tile samples for the residential project I'm working on today and the one I'm most excited to see in person is from Island Stone.  On the whole, I like their product offerings, but one drawback is that they charge Architects to order samples.  Free samples are a courtesy in the industry and I had half a mind to not use their products because of it.  Its the little things that matter...

But, my client really likes the Waveline glass tile, and the price, at least from our local distributor is a mere $7/SF.  That's cheaper than basic mosaics from the Home Despot.

 So, we'll see if the real thing matches up with the pictures, which look sweet.

They also have a "mini" version which coordinates nicely and might be better for a small accent within a larger field of plain tile...

Throwing the Baby Out

The Sheffield sink we previously discussed was a success.  My clients liked it thoroughly, and are even excited about the potential of washing heretofore non-existent Grandchildren in it.  (I think the world can largely be divided into two groups of people, those who find this practice acceptable (aka Normal People) and those who find the practice abhorrent (aka Whineoceroses).

Unfortunately, as we begin to look at the kitchen cabinet layout in more detail, it just isn't going to fit in this kitchen space we have to work with.  Add to that the fact that the sink company's website has apparently ceased to function, and I'm in a proverbial pickle.

So the choices are to demolish a concrete block wall of possible load bearing function to make the kitchen bigger (not likely) OR to find a similar but smaller sink.  Grak, what's a baby washing grandma to do?

Were you washed in a sink as a baby?  Would you rather pay a hell of a lot of money to tear down a concrete block wall or have the option to wash your baby in the kitchen sink?  If you wash your baby in the kitchen sink while also soaking some corn on the cob to throw on the grill, is it child abuse or ecologically friendly thinking?

Everything but the...

While we're talking about kitchens, let's discuss the kitchen sink.  Of all the places in my house, the kitchen sink work station is one where being a tall man comes at an extreme disadvantage.  Kitchen counters are unfortunately set at an industry standard 36 inches high.  If you're a tall person, say 6'-0" or taller, this causes you to lean over the counter ever so slightly to get close to what you're doing.   The kitchen sink tends to be one place where you stand for a prolonged period of time, doing all those frakking dishes.  At an average of 8" deep, that puts the bottom of the sink at 28", AKA just above the knee*.  Back aches and cramps ensue. (My wife would site that if I just cooked less elaborate meals, I wouldn't be washing so many dishes.)  One can get taller cabinets made, theoretically, but that'd be mighty expensive and who knows if the next buyer of your home is also going to have an antelopish dude who likes to cook?

So in my research on kitchen sinks today, I stumbled across this beauty from Kohler**...

Now without seeing it in context, or downloading the specifications and measurements, you might not realize that this puppy sits on top of the counter.  Its still the average 8" deep, which is less than I prefer, but the top lip sits 4 inches above your countertop surface, bringing the base of the sink to 32" AKA mid-thigh*.  A tall man's dream sink.

It is listed as an apron sink, which is another thing to discuss.  I've never really understood this fascination with apron or farmhouse sinks that is going around right now.  Other than the ability to hang a dishtowel on the edge and not get the front edge of your cabinets wet, what's the appeal?  Is it really just fashion?  It seems like there are a lot disadvantages for an apron front, including how they work with standard cabinet sizes, if its just a fashion statement.  Clue me in here.

But then, it occured to me that one half of my client is a little less than tall.  The apron sink does give one benefit of dropping the sink base by an inch and a half (similar to an undermount sink)  but bringing the basin the whole way out to the edge of the counter so that she can wash the dishes without the inverse of the problem I have.

So, I found this sink for her from Sheffield.  I'm questioning whether it will be helpul or not.  Your thoughts?  What functional benefits or disadvantages do you see in a sink like this?  Leave it in the comments...

Footnotes:

*I was going to use other relative length/height descriptors but this is a family blog.

**Can we discuss why Kohler would choose to have a picture of old people bathing together on the front page of their site?  Ew.  Old people shouldn't bathe.  That way their smell becomes a primary indicator that there's one in the next room and everyone can be on their guard against impending inevitable crotchetyness.


***All this discussion of short people makes me want to link "Shorty is an Eenie Meenie Mo Lover".  Enjoy the Biebs, y'all..

Dish Drying Rack et al...

I had seen this great idea for a folding dish rack above the kitchen sink in Philadelphia Magazine from a house near us in Chestnut Hill.  I don't think it will necessarily be applicable in the house I'm designing but I stumbled across it while searching for precedent and idea images of kitchens to show the client.  I thought y'all might like it.  Here's some of the other kitchen shots I'm collecting...

Cork Floor

I'm starting work on a new project today, a residential unit over looking Rittenhouse square.  It's in the Parc building, right over the Stephen Starr restaurant of the same name.  I'm super excited about it both as I've wanted to do some residential work for some time and because among other things, check out the view...

 It's definitely winter in Philly, but once those trees green up and the park comes to life, it'll be amazing.

 Anyways, I'm already starting to think of things I'd like to do in the space.  Since the owners are wine enthusiasts, I immediately thought this product that I saw on This Old House's blog "The Hardware Aisle" would be great to use, perhaps in the kitchen.

 Cork flooring "tile", recycled from rejected wine corks, durable and stain resistant, soft underfoot, and just plain beautiful.  Heck, I'd like to put it in our kitchen too.  It'd be perfect for dancing while I'm cooking dinner... which is usually to top 40 hits of the year past.  I have great taste in flooring.  Many would say "not so much", about my taste in music.