Cast iron, apron front, farm sink… Kohler, Whitehaven
I wrote a very detailed post about our considerations in choosing a cast iron kitchen sink, rather than fireclay; and also why we chose self-trimming/overlay, vs a true apron front farm sink.
This was the sink I settled on:
Kohler, 30” Whitehaven. FYI: this sink also comes with a shorter apron that would allow you to replace a sink you already have installed, without requiring that you replace the cabinet!
They show up on Craigslist from time to time, (because when you are rich, you can change your mind after you have already spent money!)
But they sell FAST, (and are unlikely to be located right next door to your house.)
I paid $250!! (but drove an hour and twenty minutes, each way.)
Now that we’ve moved the refrigerator, either wall of the kitchen’s perimeter/L-shape can have the sink (or the cooktop) centered, and design out from there.
Originally I’d put the sink on wall B; see the blue text on layout below… also note the position of the doorway, (lower left corner of layout) I’ll explain below.
When you walk into our kitchen, your initial line of sight does not include wall A; so my original plan had been to put all the stove/fridge ugly, kitchen-y stuff there— in the least-noticeable place— and leave the rest of the space as kitchen-FREE as possible.
But now that we are doing an induction cooktop, (rather than gas) I’m inclined to swap them again… that way you won’t immediately see the drain rack, (which we always leave out on the counter)… and we’ll have an uninterrupted run of countertop– which will be least-distracting under whatever mirror ends up on that wall.
Originally, I was planning the lady head mirror, but might end up with this auction mirror instead… I think I have to see them both IN the space to know which I prefer.
Aesthetically, I love the lady… but the shape and relative-simplicity of the auction mirror might work better.
Or maybe I will NOT choose.
MAYBE I WILL HANG THEM SIDE BY SIDE.
ON THE CEILING.
And when people enter our kitchen, THEY WILL KEEL OVER FROM THE SHEER MAGNIFICENCE.
Not a bad way to go.
If you’re new, don’t miss turning an antique grand piano INTO our kitchen island!
April 12, 2018 @ 12:35 pm
I know some think your kitchen redo is moving at a snail’s pace but I love it. Decades ago when we lived in East Aurora N.Y. in a house built in 1924 my Paul (AKA John) redid our weird kitchen on half a shoestring. It consisted of a pantry with huge cabinets that only a pro basketball player could have accessed,small breakfast room and train car kitchen. Husband removing bearing wall,created beam to replace support,dismantled picture window and rebuilt ,so I could look out while doing dishes,replumbed gas stove and on and on until it was changed from dumb to darling. feline side note-was talking on phone without my glasses on and spied huge form emerging from crawl space through hole in floor. Screamed-deafening sister- dropped phone-found glasses and met a new feral cat that had dropped by for a free meal. Yowzaa! still scares the sunshine outta me. AnyHoo,keep on keeping on Veb-it will be stunning.
April 12, 2018 @ 12:54 pm
When first I found your site I thought you were mad as a hatter (in a good way) but after bouncing around your posts I realize you are a mad genius! (But please tell me where to find what happened in the orange addition?)
April 12, 2018 @ 1:02 pm
I am swooning. I swear you are my spirit animal.
April 12, 2018 @ 1:19 pm
egad, girl…i think the huge mirror is too much…a room is supposed to have a focal point which i think is your piano ….sorry, but i think a big ornate mirror would detract,. i.e. compete, with your piano for magnificence 🙂
April 12, 2018 @ 2:51 pm
Great sink !!! Voting squared off mirror …. but either is magnificent ! Good for you !!!!!!!!!!
April 12, 2018 @ 4:27 pm
We installed the 30” Kohler Whitehaven in or new kitchen in 2013, and I love it. One thing that makes a huge difference in using it is the fitted rack in the bottom. I had to wait a long time for it—backordered—but it greatly increased my ability to have numerous things going on in the sink at the same time—clean dishes drying, dirty dishes sitting, rinsing things down the disposal, all while having a colander filled with washed veggies waiting for attention.
We now use a dish mat instead of a dish drainer, but if you don’t have a dishwasher, that might not be an option.
April 12, 2018 @ 5:30 pm
That’s the sink we bought too! Good choice 😉. Are you going to have an oven? I don’t think I’ve read any posts about ovens? Also, I need that ladder in the picture you included. We have cabinets all the way up to our 10 ft ceilings. The cabinet maker thought I was crazy…and impractical (what else is new..🙄) We also renovated a Victorian and you are my spirit animal. I’ve been lurking around your hilarious blog for a while and absolutely love it. I’m @thenewoldvictorianturnerhouse on Instagram, in case you get tired of scouring craigslist 😉
April 12, 2018 @ 6:06 pm
I love all your redo,remake and purring over this kitchen to die for.
April 12, 2018 @ 6:16 pm
Something to ponder; what is opposite the mirror? What will you see in the mirror as you walk in the door? could that make a difference in where you put the mirror??
April 13, 2018 @ 11:59 am
My question exactly.
April 12, 2018 @ 7:12 pm
Love the Fantabulous sink! Thanks for the details about the brand and specs. We are starting a kitchen remodel and would love to use one like that. I think the Lady head mirror is the most excellent choice as it is unusual and interesting and seems to fit the space the best and compliments the piano island! Thanks for sharing all of your GFT’s!!
April 12, 2018 @ 7:27 pm
Here is what my critical eye saw … The lady head mirror would be perfect since it is dark wood, like the piano. That little mid-shelf works, too, for a kitchen. I *DO* like the auction mirror, but the lighter wood would make it look like an after thought. Painting it would lose its value.
No easy answers here, just my perspective. I’d go with the lady mirror.
April 13, 2018 @ 1:25 am
Victoria Elizabeth Barnes…….. If you insist on a mirror in the kitchen remember to consider the view it will be reflecting. If you put it on wall B it will be highlighting your refrigerator… I believe. Personally, I wouldn’t want a mirror in the kitchen. I would look for some other Totally Wonderful Thing to accent a wall. Possibly a fire-back behind the range top (as seen recently on TOH) or accent tile work over the sink. But it is your kitchen and I’m an armchair critic If you get the look you’re happy with all will be right with the world.
April 13, 2018 @ 2:13 am
Nice sink score! Liking where you’re going with the kitchen layout too. Getting closer and closer to a VERY spiffy and lovely kitchen. 🙂
April 14, 2018 @ 8:24 am
Won’t the STEAM from the cooktop will rise up, fog the mirror and be harsh on the wood?
April 14, 2018 @ 1:35 pm
Clearly you need a new rectangle mirror with a lady’s head.
April 14, 2018 @ 2:08 pm
This is shaping up grandly! I chose Kohler cast iron over fireclay sink as well. I highly recommend using the grid accessory that is available for this sink. It allows you to rest a hot pan in the sink without worrying about thermal shock to a cold cast iron sink. Can’t wait to see this all completed.
April 16, 2018 @ 8:43 am
new #1 on KEEP list watch craigs list for sink!!!!
April 17, 2018 @ 9:26 pm
Can I just PayPal to buy my tour tickets now? All the money can go to kitty charities 😀
April 26, 2018 @ 1:27 pm
Have you already ordered the Whithaven sink? I tried to purchase the same one about a month ago and found out that the Kohler factory that manufactures them burned down and that sink was backordered, indefinitely. I was lucky to find a different Kohler sink that was in stock at a local appliance store. Sadly, it was $700.00 more but I had to buy it as the installation of the sink held up the installation of the counters.
Love your posts. Keep em coming!
January 17, 2021 @ 7:18 am
I know this post is about your sink, but can I please know what color your kitchen cabinets are?!?!