The Gourmet Kitchen: Everything and the Kitchen Sink (Part 2 of 2)

Article as published in The San Diego Realtor® magazine

By Regina P. Brown

Last month, we started our tour of Gourmet Kitchens Part 1, including room layouts, cabinets, counters, and major appliances.  Now we finish our tour of Gourmet Kitchens with Part 2:  exploring the sinks, faucets, lighting, flooring, and cool innovative gadgets.

Sinks

Don’t hide that gorgeous sink; it can be the star of the kitchen!  A tasteful sink should be functional as well as beautiful.  Cooks want a sink with 2 or 3 basins, preferably one shallow basin for washing veggies.  One basin is expected to be equipped with a garbage disposal.  An elaborate kitchen will boast 2 sinks:  the main sink in the counter against a wall, and a prep sink in the island counter.  Expect to see a third bar sink in homes built for entertainment and parties.

Sinks can be made from materials such as:

• Stainless steel - very durable and most popular
• Porcelain – typically constructed from vitreous white china
• Acrylic – scratch resistant, and can be painted in customized colors
• Cast iron – old fashioned and least expensive material, can show rust and signs of wear.  May be coated with enamel to help preserve from wear and tear.
• Granite – expensive yet easy to maintain; look for various grade of granite
• Copper – will not corrode or rust, and if not polished, develops a green patina
• Stone – beautiful custom carved designed; elegant but expensive
• Fireclay – fine quality construction is hardy and heavy

Common styles include the traditional top-mount and the nouveau under-mount.  The topmount sink is installed above the counter, and has a rim which provides a nice trimmed finish.  It’s also known as a “drop-in” sink.  An undermount sink is installed under the counter, so it needs to be supported underneath.  Since there is no rim, it has a sleek modern look.

The farmhouse style sink is seen more and more frequently in upscale designs.  It really adds a punch of style to the kitchen ambiance.  Also known as apron-front sinks, these sinks usually have single basins and are more difficult to install, because the counter must be designed specifically around the sink.

Every sink needs a garbage disposal, also known as a food waste disposal.  Contrary to popular belief, a disposal does not work with a blade at the bottom like a blender.  Instead, it propels the food at a high rate to the sides, where the food particles are shredded.  Disposals are rated in terms of horsepower; the more horsepower, the stronger its operating ability and the higher the quality.

Faucets & Hardware

A well-chosen faucet can complement the sink and tie in the entire kitchen design.  Kitchens with multiple sinks will have matching faucets.  Faucets may have a single handle or two separate handles, one lever for each hot and cold.  Single handles are easier to operate, with the handle on either the back or the side of the spout.

Faucet styles include the following:

• Low arc spout – the spout projects horizontally in this classic design
• High arc spout – the spout curves up and down graciously in an upside-down “U” shape.
• Mid arc spout – the spout curves upwards gently
• Pull-out spray nozzle – this traditional style allows you to use the faucet regularly, or you can pull down the nozzle.  Great for washing vegetables or cleaning dishes without having a separate spray nozzle on the side of the sink.
• Pull down spray nozzle – this high arc spout also has a nozzle that can be pulled (down, not out)
• Wall mount faucet – installed directly into the wall, this style achieves a minimalist look and leaves less clutter on the counter
• Bridge faucet – chic and stylish, this design sports 2 handles and a U-shaped spout that swings around

As if those are not enough choices, here are more ways to add interesting and exotic features to the sink.  Some of our favorites include:

• Touch-on – the on/off switch is built into the spout, so you can simply touch it and the faucet turns on
• LED neon tap - a unique way to bring a colorful burst into the kitchen, a red, blue, or green neon light comes on when water is flowing, making the water glow colorfully
• Beverage faucet – specific faucet on the side of the sink that is connected to a purified drinking water source
• Pot filler - authentic Italian kitchens are often equipped with a wall-mount faucet above the stove to fill deep pasta pots conveniently.  May be installed on the deck / counter or directly into the wall.
• Side spray - individual spray nozzle that is installed separately from the spout.  The hose pulls out and adjustable nozzle options may include spray, stream and pause.
• Dishwasher aerator valve – a metal valve installed near the sink, above the dishwasher, to allow air ventilation from the dishwasher while running.

Traditional faucets are made from stainless steel which is shiny when polished.  But other more modern finishes are seen in gourmet kitchens, such as: oil-rubbed bronze, antique gold, brushed nickel, brass, pewter, and mixed metals.

Flooring

Kitchen flooring sets the tone for a well-finished look.  Elegant kitchens include durable, long-lasting easy-to-clean sleek flooring.  Because the kitchen is the “heart of the home” the flooring needs to withstand traffic 3 times per day.  Of course, the flooring needs to be water-resistant, since a kitchen will have water and other liquid spills.

Kitchen flooring types include the following materials:

• Bamboo – it looks like wood, but this high-density flooring is made from giant bamboo plants (which are a type of grass, not a tree).  Valued for its cozy look and “green” sustainability.
• Ceramic tile – large square tiles, often 12” x 12”, installed on a prepped surface with grout in between each tile.  Grout colors can match or complement the tile.  Design options include a retro black & white checkerboard design, a diamond pattern, or intricate custom patterns.
• Concrete – for a modern no-frills industrial look, concrete designs are endless because the floor can be stamped and stained in various colors, and designs can be etched with acid.
• Cork – natural cork harvested from trees, this flooring is more comfortable for standing and provides a layer of insulation.
• Hardwood planks – solid wood installed in thin or thick strips in a vertical or horizontal pattern, including oak, pine, or maple.  Higher quality hardwood can be expensive, but lasts forever.  Recycled timber floors provide an environmentally friendly option.
• Laminate / engineered wood – typically a wood-look which is less expensive than real hardwood, the planks “float” because they are hooked into each other instead of being nailed to the floor.
• Linoleum – the classic 50’s kitchen flooring.  Different from vinyl because it’s manufactured using natural materials such as linseed oil, linoleum is coming back into vogue because of its “green” reputation.
• Stone – natural authentic granite, slate, limestone, and travertine are popular stone types because each stone has a unique variation.
• Porcelain tile – all the rage lately, these fabulous glazed wood look-alike tiles are installed with long, narrow strips of solid and sturdy ceramic.
• Vinyl – synthetic material sheets are rolled out to cover the entire floor at once.  Once viewed as cheap, new modern vinyl looks amazingly like real wood, tile, or stone.

Lighting

Glowing lights lend ambiance for a lavish kitchen.  The right lighting can set the warm mood for welcoming family and friends. 

Gone are the days of drop-down ceilings with fluorescent light tubes.  Today’s gourmet kitchen may include false soffits for old-world character and charm, pendant lights over the island or breakfast bar, and a custom vintage crystal chandelier.

Under cabinet lights radiate across the counters and provide task lighting for preparing large meals.  Recessed lighting, also known as “pot lights” shines directly over specific areas.  Uplighting is another great way to flood the kitchen with simulated daylight.

Accessories & Miscellaneous

How about a kitchen that pops with really cool gadgets?  Try a magnetic spice rack, a pop-up appliance, and a pull-out pet feeding area.  To send your kitchen over the top, borrow ideas from commercial kitchens:  a wine cooler with separate temperature controls for white and red wines, and food warmer drawers that hide in the cupboard.

Every kitchen needs a pantry, but a deluxe kitchen needs a luxurious touch.  Look for variations on the standard shelving, including a slide-out tall pantry, a walk-in pantry room, floor-to-ceiling spinning lazy susans, hinged shelving that swings out, built-in vegetable bins, or a corner pantry.  Doors can convey a polished look to the pantry, including translucent panels, stained glass, or frosted glass door.  A kid-friendly pantry door can be a chalkboard for spelling fun or a place for parents to write a shopping list.

A home built for entertaining will certainly have a butler’s pantry suitable as a staging area for parties.  The butler’s pantry is used to store fine china, wine glasses, and elegant serve-ware.  Caterers and cooks use it as a serving prep area.

Designer wine racks define the discerning home owner.  Hanging wine racks on the wall, or above an island, provide sliding storage underneath for stemware.  Look for wine racks built into the side of an island, or a climate-controlled wine cellar.  Besides the usual wooden racks, wine enthusiasts can incorporate flair into their kitchens with unique metal bottle holders.

Eco-conscious home buyers demand green features, such as pull-out waste baskets to separate the recyclable materials with ease.  Other environmentally friendly kitchen conveniences include an herb-growing planter box, built-in soap and lotion dispensers, and cool air storage bins for vegetables.

An appliance garage is a great way of keeping counters clean and neat by hiding small appliances.  Find an appliance garage hiding behind a wooden sliding door that matches the counters, or a shiny metal roll-up door.  They are most efficient when located near electric outlets for convenient appliance use.

Conclusion

We hope you enjoyed the gourmet kitchen tour.  With so many different features, there is much to learn, isn’t there!  Are you ready to find out which listings have which amenities?  Simply bring this guide along next time you preview a new listing.  Then, when you’re showing homes to your buyers, you’ll be ready to explain all those interesting features.  And you’ll truly be respected as the real estate specialist!

Read more in our "Learn the Lingo" series:

1) Backyard & Outdoor Structures: Learn the Lingo
2) View From the Windows: Learn the Lingo
3) Architectural Styles: Learn the Lingo - Part 1
4) Architectural Styles: Learn the Lingo - Part 2
5) Learn the Lingo: Luxury Bathrooms
6) Learn the Lingo: Fences & Gates
7) Learn the Lingo: Vintage Features of Historic Homes
8) The Kitchen: The Heart of the Home Can Be Gourmet
9) The Gourmet Kitchen: Everything and the Kitchen Sink
10) Open the Door of Possibilities (Exterior Doors)
11) The Difference a Good Door Makes (Interior Doors)
12) Tiles
13) Sustainable and Eco-Conscious Home Features (Part 1)
14) Sustainable and Eco-Conscious Home Features (Part 2)
15) Sustainable and Eco-Conscious Home Features (Part 3)
16) Roof Architecture – Don’t Let it Go ‘Over Your Head’
17) Let There Be Light Fixtures ... And There Are Many!
18) A Discussion of Ceilings Will Have You Looking Up
19) Fireplaces: Literally the Hearth of the Home
20) Learn the Lingo of Walls
21) Apply Your Knowledge to Major Appliances
22) Don't Be Floored By this Topic: It's Right Under Your Feet
23) HVAC / Mechanical Lingo
24) Rural Properties - A Sustainable Life "Off the Grid"
25) Land Usage, and Showing & Selling Rural Properties
26) The Dramatic Effect of Stairs and Staircases - A Flight of Fancy?
27) Electrical Components - Get Wired for Understanding
28) Learn the Lingo: Plumbing Fixtures (Part 1 of 2)
29) Learn the Lingo: Plumbing Fixtures (Part 2 of 2)
30) Swimming Pool and Spa Lingo