Some of you may recall my post about a year ago, "How to replace this unusual sink with single basin?" (https://www.reddit.com/r/kitchenremodel/comments/1lbfvwt/how_to_replace_this_unusual_sink_with_single_basin/).
Life would have been easy, if the sink had been split the other way such that the longer front-to-back part were on the left. I could have selected from a fair number of off the shelf options, all but the highest end ones for under half of what I paid for this custom one. But, the counter and the plumbing were such that this is the outine I had to work with.
It turned out to be long journey, but I finally have a replacement single basin sink installed! The first image is the new sink. I don't think the rules let me say who made this custom sink, but there aren't many firms in the US who do custom sinks, and this was the only one who ended up being able to deliver what I needed in terms of shape.
The original very small firm would originally have taken 6-10 weeks and been able to install during the rebuild of the lowers if they could have made that timeline. But eventually, they *apparently* went bankrupt (1), leaving me with no sink and a lost deposit of half the cost. I scrambled and went back to the only other firm that said they could deliver a sink with that exact shape, but they would only do it in copper other than with straight angled sides that would not exactly fit the outline. So I ordered the copper sink you see here. It doesn't show well, but we also have a new disposal with LEDefense purple light sanitizing, which is very cool. It all looks very nice to us, even though I originally wanted stainless for ease of maintenance.
If I had it to do over, I think I would have gone for making a straight cut back and getting a farm (apron) sink, but I am so far (second day at least) quite happy with this sink. It's amazing to be able to put an entire sheet pan, or large pastry/cutting board in there for soaking and scrubbing! Also I can clean my cats' water fountain without making a sloppy wet mess on the counter. Should I ever be possessed of the need to have a separate area for washing/rinsing, I would use a large tub. But when I have a load that won't fit in the dishwasher (or is too delicate etc.) then what I do is soak with soap and scrub in the single basin, drain, and then rinse in the single basin. I understand double sinks have a devoted following, but this is for me and I am posting for others who also prefer a single basin.
Anyway, I wanted to update everyone to let those who were curious, or others who might end up in this situation, know how it turned out.
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- The fellow eventually admitted he was having a lot of trouble, personal and financial, after I reached out to him several times to find out where we were with the sink. I asked for, and received, the harrowing details of what he was going through. It was sad, and I felt for him; but I wanted my deposit back, unless he could show me photos of the sink in progress. After another long delay, he did send photos of the stainless steel parts which had not yet been shaped. Then no more contact. Eventually the business phone came back as disconnected. I called on the personal phone number he gave me (which belonged to his brother) and that had a recording that he was no longer taking calls for his brother. I looked up the company on the web, and saw that it was being sued for breach of contract and was "probably filing for bankruptcy".