Who has ever stood at the edge of a renovation and tried to peer into the future to see what trends were sticking around for a while and what was on it’s way out? I’m sure in 1971 no one predicted the fall of Avocado green appliances, or 1998’s faux Tuscan vineyard memorablilia, but guess what?? It happens. When it comes to kitchens especially, there are some heavy commitments made, both monetarily and to the style of the space. Its no big deal to repaint a wall, its significantly harder to renovate a kitchen. Its really easy in the heat of the moment to default to classic (aka boring) because its a lot of money and you don’t want to be the house that is remembered for the blue kitchen sink in a bad way. But what if you have your heart set on a blue kitchen sink!? What if it’s everything you’ve ever wanted and you talked yourself out of your one true desire to appease the potential future owner of your home?
Whew, that was quite the lead in.
In all seriousness, are you guys ready to witness the most epic thing to happen to kitchen design since the invention of soft close drawers?!! Elkay is getting ready to release a kitchen sink that you can change. YOU with no tools, no plumber, no renovation, in just a few minutes. Do you know how I know this?! Because I was lucky enough to put the first prototype in the Merc!!
Guys, meet the sink that is going to change everything: Elkay® Crosstown® Stainless Steel Farmhouse Sink with Interchangeable Apron Front
Last year I was on a trip with Elkay (remember we went to Chicago and Court though I was the coolest wife ever?) At this point in the Merc reno I was standing on the cliff edge of design choices. A storm was brewing on the horizon and the wind was starting to whip around my very fancy dress (that had no paint on it) and as I peeked over the edge of the cliff I saw every bad design trend smashed at the bottom of the ravine. Obviously being at a sink factory, my mind was on the kitchen sink decision looming in the distance. I was talking with a woman that works at Elkay and started explaining the predicament I was in. It’s 2018, who doesnt love a farmhouse sink? Everyone. But I also very much loved stainless steel (especially their Crosstown with its brilliant drain placement and sharp interior corners.) Cant you see the conflict?! That is when she told me about an idea that was still in the beginning planning phase, a stainless steel basin with an interchangeable apron front. My mind was blown. I mean, can you do that? A sink that changes? I told her I would love to have that for the Merc and we werent sure we could make it work, seeing as how the sink hadnt actually been manufactured yet.
A few months later I got an email asking if I was still up for testing out the new sink. I was OVER THE MOON about it!! Once everything was coordinated with the cabinet guy, the countertop guy and Elkay we were in business.
Here is how it works, you have the sink installed just like any other undermount (under the countertop material, over the plywood base) and then the magic happens.
The front of the sink lets you install and reinstall different aprons as many times as you want. For the Merc I chose a white ceramic fireclay, and a stainless steel one called Sunset that (depending on the light) looks like copper or rose gold. They have a handful of finish options ranging from metals like brass and copper, to powder coated colors like cobalt and black, to fireclay ceramic for those that love a little farmhouse in our lives.
Isn’t that the coolest thing ever?! This is the only sink you will ever need! Watch it in action:
The sinks aren’t currently available, but will be in the next month or so. If you’re interested, make sure that you are following Elkay on Instagram so that you don’t miss the announcement!
I’m in the middle of a major renovation myself and you described the exact predicament that I am in. Do I play it safe and boring, or do what I really want knowing I’ll likely have to update it somethings in 8-10 years. I’m seeking a happy medium….Loving the concept of this sink!
Yes! I’ve been waiting to see this baby in action. This is SO COOL!
The copper one looks nicer in the room, the white looks like a regular farm sink. The more copper looking one goes beautifully with the cabinet colour and adds a little wow factor to that side of the kitchen without being overwhelming witht he other elements.
Brooke, i didn’t realize that Mandi was asking for your input/opinion on how these looked in her space and I find it appalling that you would proffer such a statement. This is Mandi’s home and clearly she loves these options and I’m sure that each of these look awesome in her kitchen..
P.S. How in the world you could make a decision as to how one vs the other looks from a very, very small peek into the kitchen is beyond me. I think you owe her an apology.
Mandi, thanks for sharing this info with us – kitchens will forever be changed!
She did say to tell her what we think, so she did. No big deal
Wow, those are some strong emotions to someone offfering their opinion…
Seriously Susan M–this is why I don’t usually read the comments, because of peeps like you who have to read into a comment, and then think its your place to criticize a response. Someone deserves an apology, and it’s not Mandi.
Mandi did ask what we thought of the sink 🙂 so I mentioned that I liked the copper one more than the plain one because it gave a wow factor to the room, not as any sort of slight against Mandi’s design choices.
If you’re ever on her Instagram page you’d understand she asks for reader opinions all the time and often incorporates suggestions/comments from readers (IE I sent her hallways sconces when she asked help finding some and she was 99% going with my suggestion before she found the round ones she ended up using).
I’m not even sure how my comment came across as bad anyway? I liked the copper and I said the white one looked like a regular farm sink. Nothing really offensive in those comments?
I agree with Brooke, I love them both but I think the copper-colored one brings out the green in the cabinets more. How fun and what a great idea!!
Thanks ladies 😉 I didn’t really think I’d written anything overly offensive in my comment lol
I love following along with The Merc renovation and I love that Mandi wants to hear opinions and comments about the renovation 🙂
Agreed Brooke. I think they both look nice, but the copper colored one definitely looks more special! I do like that the stainless sink makes even the white front look more modern than a regular white apron front sink.
What a fabulous idea!!!
So innovative!! Go Elkay!
Wow I have got to have one of those!!!!
Great ideas! I love the white panel better,but they both look good.
Hi Mandi! Love this idea so much. My husband and I are working on a complete house renovation and we’re finally getting to the fun stuff, like choosing cabinet colors, lighting and fixtures. I share your feeling of wanting avoid being trendy without being boring or expected with the finish choices, so I’m super interested in this sink. Do you know more information about the release date and what sizes it’ll be available in? Thanks!