Integrating Technology into a Handmade Kitchen Without It Dating in Five Years
Our handmade kitchens are built to last. Every cabinet, piece of timber, the joinery and the finishes are all designed…
The tap and sink are two of the most used items in any kitchen. We specify ceramic butler sinks from Shaws of Darwen, stainless-steel undermounted sinks from Blanco and Franke, Quooker boiling-water taps, and mixers from Perrin & Rowe, all chosen to suit the way you cook and the style of your cabinetry.
Sinks & Taps Chosen for the Way You Cook
Sink choice is one of the first decisions in a bespoke kitchen design, because it shapes the run of cabinetry around it. We specify two main families. Ceramic butler sinks from Shaws of Darwen are the classic country-kitchen choice; deep, robust and beautiful to look at, available in single, double and Belfast formats. Stainless-steel undermounted sinks from Blanco, Franke, Reginox and Villeroy & Boch give a cleaner, more contemporary look with no visible rim, sitting flush beneath the worktop.
For taps, we work most often with Perrin & Rowe for traditional mixers in aged brass, patinated brass, polished nickel and chrome, and with Quooker for boiling, chilled and sparkling water from a single tap. A Quooker Classic Fusion Round or Pro3 alongside a Quooker CUBE gives genuine kitchen utility (boiling water for tea, chilled still and sparkling for everyday drinking) in one fitting.
What we commonly specify
- Butler & Belfast sinks: Shaws of Darwen Original, Shaker Double, Edge and Yorkshire styles
- Stainless undermounted sinks: Blanco, Franke, Reginox, Villeroy & Boch
- Boiling-water taps: Quooker Classic Fusion Round, Quooker Pro3 in aged brass, patinated brass, polished nickel and chrome
- Filtered chilled water: Quooker CUBE for still and sparkling alongside the main tap
- Mixer taps: Perrin & Rowe Phoenician, Mayan, Provence, Athenian and bridge styles
- Accessories: rinse aids, soap dispensers, sink protectors and chopping-board inserts in matching finishes
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Frequently Asked Questions
Butler sink or undermounted stainless steel?
Butler sinks suit classic and traditional Shaker schemes, listed properties and country kitchens. Undermounted stainless steel suits modern, handleless and contemporary kitchens where a cleaner sightline along the worktop matters most. Both are equally practical; the choice is mostly aesthetic.
Is a Quooker worth it?
For most clients, yes. A Quooker boiling-water tap removes the kettle from the worktop, gives instant boiling water on demand for tea, vegetables and pasta, and (with a CUBE accessory) adds chilled still and sparkling water from the same tap. It is one of the most-used details in any kitchen we install.
What finishes can I have on the tap?
Aged brass, patinated brass, polished nickel, satin nickel, antique bronze and polished chrome are all standard across Perrin & Rowe and Quooker. We sample physically in the showroom so you can see the finish against your paint colour before specifying.
Can you fit a prep sink in the island as well as a main sink?
Yes, very often. A smaller prep sink in the island, with its own mixer tap, keeps the main sink free for the main washing-up area and works particularly well in open-plan kitchens.
Do you fit and service the taps?
We install the sink and tap as part of the kitchen fit. Quooker is fitted and commissioned by our team. For long-term servicing, Quooker, Perrin & Rowe and Shaws all have established UK service networks we can put you in touch with.
Suppliers
Please note, Handmade Kitchen’s use of manufacturer trademarks and trademark devices on this website is only to directly describe
the appliances we are able to source for our customers and we do not intend to imply any connection, affiliation or trading relationship
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