Farmhouse Style Sinks Lend Authentic Feel to Key West Kitchen Renovations

There may not be many farmhouses among Key West’s historic homes — though there is at least one in the Meadows area — but the features of stainless farmhouse kitchen sinks have made them a very popular choice in Southernmost gourmet kitchens.  These types of sinks were popular in the late 18th and early 19th centuries because they were highly utilitarian; they enabled you to clean the large pots and pans needed to feed a big large family not to mention a variety of other purposes, including bathing a young child not yet big enough for the bathtub. And while they may have been practical, they had an aesthetic charm to them as well.

Families may not be so large today, but Key West hosts and hostesses welcome the ease of handling pots and pans after a big dinner party.  The below counter mount of the farmhouse style also makes counter clean up a snap – just sweep the food scraps and crumbs right into the basin!  And you can’t deny the the nostalgic appeal of a farmhouse kitchen sink.  Today, when restoring a Key West home to its former glory, the farmhouse sink is a natural choice for its historic authenticity — and often because it matches the stainless finish that is so popular for modern appliances.

Every sink is different though, each giving a certain look when added to a kitchen, so compare and contrast the different kinds with the colors and style of your kitchen to make sure you are picking the one that fits best. Replacing a regular sink with a kitchen farmhouse sink can definitely change the look of the whole kitchen, and can give the décor a different feel even if that is the only different aspect. And of course, the sinks are not just available in stainless, but in antique copper, cast iron, slate, ceramic (fire clay), stone and even bamboo – a sustainable, “green” material that is increasingly finding its way into the best homes.

Those who want the look of early Key West times, will love the “farmhouse fashioned” kitchen sink, but even if you want a more modern look to your  kitchen the stainless steel farmhouse style works as well. The apron front/farmhouse sinks are an amalgamation of tradition and contemporary design and are adaptable in a variety of designs and looks. If you  need a larger sink for your laundry room, the garden or even your bathroom,  apron front stainless farmhouse kitchen sinks are an excellent option.

Some stylish ideas:

• Continue the stainless motif on the backsplash behind the sink – and even on the counters;
• Consider a an addition smaller farmhouse sink in the prep area of a kitchen island;
• Some apron sinks also feature double basins – so you don’t have to give up that utilitarian style;
• Marble counter tops with a  ‘subway’ tile back splash (v) is another vintage look that works well in an historic renovation :

Photo Courtesy of the McClurg Team

Farmhouse sinks also lend the perfect look – and utility – for an outdoor kitchen or barbecue area – the perfect complement to the sought after, indoor/outdoor lifestyle in the Southernmost City.

Samantha Wideman is part of a team of writers and specializes in writing about fashion and beauty trends.