We have four farmhouse style sinks in two different houses, and all present the same problem. It doesn't have anything to do with the material as two sinks are concrete, one stainless steel, and one composite stone. With the two kitchen sinks it's very frustrating spraying out the food particles from corner to corner. Food particles go from one side to the other, and it's very difficult to corral them to the drain. The two concrete bathroom sinks don't have enough slope, so when shaving and brushing teeth, the water and material flow to the opposite side of the sink. It's annoying to wash a 3' wide sink every time it's used. And gross if the sink isn't cleaned from side to side after every use. As a compromise, we're installing a farmhouse concrete bathroom sink with two drains and more slope. As I evaluate many things in life, a, farmhouse sink is a solutions looking for problem.

I love black sinks but more of a charcoal type of colour. My last house has a granite sink and it always looked newer than stainless steel. A bit of olive oil and it shines and water doesn't stick to the bottom

Our island is 900 depth, 2400 wide, with a sink in the middle (opposite the cooktop), which works well for us. Plenty of prep area either side of the sink (mind you, it's a single undermount sink, about 500mm wide, with no drainboard). If we were going to use the island for actual meals, ours is only deep enough for a person either side of the sink. So, if you're thinking of having the island as a dining area, go to the 1200 depth. Just walk around it to clean it. On the other hand, if the island is going to be for prep, and a place for guests to prop up a glass of wine and chat while you're getting dinner, 900 is fine. Our dishwasher is to the immediate left of the sink, and we have pull out waste bins underneath the sink. We have 1200 mm space from island to the wall side and the range top, and about the same to the other ends. Our fridge, which isn't huge, is in a 900 mm+ cavity which would be big enough for a deeper fridge. It's in relatively the same place your fridge is, and works fine there. Hinges are on the non-kitchen side of the door, so it opens into the kitchen. Cabinets beside it are a bit more in depth, so fridge and cabinets line up nicely. 850 for your fridge seems reasonable to me. I wouldn't put that study where you have it: I think you'll need all of that butler's pantry for butlering type storage. My 5 cents worth based on new house, new experience, absolutely no kids in the equation!

Hi, This is totally normal. To answer your question, the location of the taps depends on the sink. If the sink has a landing (space for a tap hole) you can elect to obtain it with or without the hole/s and have the tap on either the sink itself or the benchtop. If as in the case of the Franke one you've selected, there is no landing then the taps are mounted on the stone. The cabinetmaker usually provides a template of the benchtop when the carcasses are installed for the stone supplier. This is then used by the stone supplier to make the correct size and cut outs for eg the sink. They will want the sink so that they can do the cutout to suit. They either then drill the holes for the tap/s during production or do it on site. It's no biggie. You just need to have the tap selected so they know what size holes to drill and where you want them. Take care to keep in mind clearances between the sink bowl and the cupboard carcass or other items. It's usually tight. We always plot the location of the taps while we have the template on site so we can check clearances etc. Cheers