lyn - I had a Blanco sink for over 25 years and could not fault it at all. I've just replaced my kitchen and hoped to save the sink because I was so happy with it, but the plumber was not able to get it out without damage. Blanco did not have the size sink I wanted so I went for an Abey. Only had it 5 months and so far so good. Kitchen installer was very complimentary though, he said it was a really good brand and I would be happy with it. Just for interest, the model I chose was Nuqueen `180 as I do not like draining boards and prefer the extra bench space. This comes with a stainless steel draining board and dish rack that can be put away when not in use. The dish rack also fits in one of the sink bowls if I want to leave anything to drain. It also comes with a very nice bamboo cutting board that fits over one sink for extra bench space.

Just a few thoughts from my recent kitchen experience. I was told by Laminex that I couldn't do a handless kitchen with their product. Also the kitchen guy didn't like the idea of a handless cabinet with a integrated DW. He said that the force from the pull to open it can be damaging or something... I kind of glazed over after I realised the DW I had ordered wasn't going to work like I hoped and would need a handle on the panel (I ended up changing it for a semi integrated model). I had a drop in sink in my last kitchen, it was sort of flattish trim where it sat over the benchtop. I found that because it was flat I would end up with a lot more water splashing over the bench. Or maybe that just me. Good luck!

wow i wonder how samantha's bathroom ended up. I'm readying through today as having picked black taps/ accessories and being recommended by builder to get matt black hinges on shower instead of chrome... now i'm asked about the floor wastes in bathroom floor. am using grey tiles on floor which have a bit of a white fleck through them. debating reverting to chrome hinge on shower and chrome floor wastes but not sure. builder says i can get matt black floor wastes. i guess my concern is in the future... if i wanted to change tapware back to chrome..... a floor waste... not so easy to change... nor a hinge on shower door... but then concerned might look silly and also concerned that the matt black floor waste might age/ scratch etc.... what do you think

Oh no - does the black bother you? I basically just need induction and hopefully something that's reliable. It's on sale at the moment and does seem to have a lot of great features for the price but not knowing much about the brand I'm nervous about the quality and having issues with repairs. I do like the idea of the whole bench being white though as the cooktop would be the only black and I'm not sure if I'll regret it if I don't try it. So hard to decide! (First world problems!)