HOW TO CHOOSE

YOUR SINK AND TAP

MODU L E FOU R | PDF FI VE

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HOW TO CHOOSE
YOUR SINK AND TAP
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OK, I realise that the kitchen sink and tap are rarely the
most glamorous items in a kitchen, but hear me out
because – when chosen well – they can become things
you enjoy using and looking at every time you walk into
the kitchen. The sink is certainly the most used area in

By Lana
any kitchen – and often for more than cleaning dishes!
A quick flick through social media proves that Bon is
not the only one who likes to bathe her bubba in the
kitchen sink. #bubblesandcheeks
Take a minute to consider how much time you spend
standing in front of your sink. Probably quite a bit, right?
But, despite its MVP status, we see so many kitchens
suffering from sad-sink syndrome (super-cheap
overmount and leaky tap, anyone?).
Take time to choose your kitchen sink wisely because
living with the wrong one day in and day out will bring
you no pleasure. Zero. In fact, it’s like a bad haircut, only
worse – at least the haircut will grow out. So stay with BON'S BUB KNOWS A GOOD SINK
#DODGEBILLYHINDMARSH
me, because it’s time to get really excited about the
kitchen sink! #lifeasagrownup #sigh
4 — THE RENO SCHOOL HOW TO CHOOSE YOUR SINK AND TAP— 5

THE GREAT SINK DEBATE

Who would have thought the humble kitchen sink could be so controversial! Don’t believe me?
Ask your friends some of the questions below and you’ll see what I’m talking about. People have
strong opinions when it comes to which sink to choose and where to put it. By running through
the polarising questions on the next few pages, and writing down your thoughts, you’ll start to see
where you stand on these burning issues.

ISLAND OR BACK BENCH?

Where you locate

your sink is very much
based on personal
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preference, and also

influenced by the
design and shape
of your kitchen. If
your island is small,
best not to take up
valuable bench space
with a sink. I wanted
my sink in the island
so I could watch TV
while washing up
#netflixbinge.

Decide what you want to be able to see from your sink first, then evaluate your space to see if it can
accommodate that dream location. And if you’ve got the budget to move the plumbing in order to have
that sink exactly where you want it, we say do it.

IDEALLY, WHERE WOULD YOU LIKE TO PUT YOUR KITCHEN SINK?

6 — THE RENO SCHOOL HOW TO CHOOSE YOUR SINK AND TAP— 7

FLUSHMOUNT OR INTEGRATED?

Flushmount sinks are relatively

new on the scene, and as a result
they will cost you a little more. By
cutting into the benchtop, you
can lower the sink down until its
edges are flush with the bench
surface – forming one continuous
unit. This makes for easy cleaning
(tick) but the border of the sink is
still clearly visible, so you want to
be sure that you are happy with
how that looks.
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Integrated sinks look amazing and are super

popular, and it’s easy to see why. If you’ve
spent tonnes of time choosing a killer benchtop
it makes sense to continue it into the sink, if
you can. And what’s not to love about no rims,
crevices or joins to trap the dirt?

Corian benchtops are particularly well-suited

to integrated sinks because Corian can be
molded it into any shape seamlessly. You
can also integrate engineered stone and
stainless steel. Take a peek at this beauty of
an integrated sink, easily my all-time favourite.

TOP-MOUNT OR UNDERMOUNT? #marbleinmarble #jawonthefloor

For us, this one’s a no-brainer: undermount all the way! They’re sleek-looking and a dream to use.
Just wipe all that unidentifiable gunk from your benchtop straight into the sink, with no speed
bumps to get over. The top-mount sink (also known as drop-in or inset) is the most affordable
option but it rarely looks good enough to be part of any new kitchen (in my opinion). But I reckon
the worst bit about it is the highly inconvenient rim (speed-bump) which becomes a catchment
zone for the aforementioned gunk. #nothanks
SOURCE: TINEKE DE VOS

THOSE INTEGR ATED SINKS ARE SO HOT RIGHT NOW

8 — THE RENO SCHOOL HOW TO CHOOSE YOUR SINK AND TAP— 9

APRON FRONT SINGLE OR DOUBLE?

In the mid-1960s, ‘keeping up with the Joneses’ Why choose a single sink? For those of us with
meant having a colour television. In the 80s and limited space or another sink in a butler’s pantry,
90s it meant having a microwave and a double a single sink might be the winner. Interestingly,
sink. For many, the double sink represented the you’ll often find a single sink can fit large pots
ultimate convenience come washing up time: and pans more easily than a double sink can.
dirty dishes in one sink, clean in the other. Even though a double is wider overall, the two
bowls are usually smaller individually. Bon loves
But nowadays, the single sink is back in vogue,
a single sink. I prefer a double.
albeit a much larger version, with some people
prioritising extra bench space. I think easy-to-use
inventions like the Fisher & Paykel DishDrawer
might also be a reason some people no longer
need a double sink – it’s just too easy to stack
and unpack.
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Tip: IF YOU LIKE THE

APRON FRONT SINK
Tip: IF SPACE IS AT A PREMIUM IN YOUR
KITCHEN, LOOK FOR A SINK WITH

BUT WANT A MORE CREDIT: CLARK THE DRAIN AT THE BACK (RATHER

MODERN LOOK, THAN IN THE CENTRE OF THE

CHECK OUT THE Why choose a double sink? For those of us BOWL). THE PLUMBING WILL TAKE

STAINLESS STEEL who have plenty of bench space, and who like UP LESS SPACE IN THE CUPBOARD
SOURCE: BLESS’ER HOUSE
VERSIONS.
to multi-task and clean up as we go – a double UNDERNEATH, GIVING YOU MORE
sink (or a double bowl) can be the best choice. SPACE FOR STORAGE.
Just make sure at least one of the bowls is large
Nothing shouts ‘farmhouse’ like an apron front sink. This item can single-handedly enough to immerse your biggest pot or pan.
bring a lovely traditional vibe to the most modern kitchen. We’ve looked around WE INSTALL SINGLE BOWLS IN ALL
and reckon you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better value farmhouse sink in the FLIP
OUR FLIPPED PROPERTIES. THEY’RE
TIP
world than this one from IKEA. It’s called the DOMSJO and will set you back USUALLY MORE AFFORDABLE AND
around $300 in Australia. We’re not the only ones who think it’s great – just do a STILL LOOK GREAT.
quick online search and you’ll find lots of positive product reviews.
10 — THE RENO SCHOOL HOW TO CHOOSE YOUR SINK AND TAP— 11

IS ROUND FOR YOU?

I don’t have a whole lot to say about round sinks. I agree THREE BIRDS’ TOP THREE:
they can look very cool in some kitchens, but they aren’t that
A STAINLESS STEEL SINK IS YOUR SAFEST
practical when trying to wash up large items. When we’re FLIP
creating dream kitchens, we always aim for that sweet spot TIP
CHOICE IF RENOVATING-FOR-PROFIT.
WHILE IT WON’T MAKE A STATEMENT IT
1. Undermount
where good looks and practicality meet, so this isn’t an option
2. Double bowl
ALSO WON’T POLARISE POTENTIAL
we’d choose ... except when it’s a second sink in Bon’s kitchen.
BUYERS LIKE OTHER OPTIONS MIGHT. IT
SHOULD ALSO BE KIND ON YOUR BUDGET.
DRAINER OR NOT?
For the same reasons we should re-use our towels in a hotel,
3. Stainless steel
we should also be re-using our glasses a little more often
rather than popping them straight into the dishwasher. To do
this, it really helps to have somewhere to put a few items to
drip dry? Directly on your bench is not the solution - you need
a drainage board even if just a small removable draining tray.
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STAINLESS STEEL OR BLACK MAGIC?

There’s a reason stainless steel sinks outsell all their competitors put together: they’re a brilliant
all-rounder that has stood the test of time. If your steel sink were a person and she joined that
splashback party we talked about in the last topic, she’d be the very last one to leave. All the others
would have run out of steam and walked out the door much earlier holding their heels in one hand.
What I’m trying to say is that a stainless steel sink is super-durable and will handle the bedlam of
breakfast-time (for decades) with ease. It will outlast everything. And if your sink is going to be quite
hidden from view, the steel won’t disrupt your overall aesthetic – no matter what style of kitchen
you’re going for.

Tip: THERE ARE MORE

COLOURS OF
STAINLESS STEEL
THAN JUST YOUR
FIFTY SHADES OF
GREY! YOU CAN EVEN
GET THEM IN COPPER
AND GOLD IF YOU
WANT TO DIAL
UP THE IMPACT.

It was only a matter of time before the popularity of black tapware trickled down to sinks. And, just
like black clothing, black sinks go with everything. No matter if your benchtop colour is white, marble,
black or timber, a black sink looks striking and luxurious.
12 — THE RENO SCHOOL
TAPS, TAPS, TAPS!
Some people consider tapware fast-fashion
of the interior design world in that they can be
updated easily, much like a seasonal wardrobe.
Personally, I think that’s a bit OTT, but compared
to benchtops and cabinetry, it is true that your
kitchen sink mixer (that’s the tap system, by the
way) is the first place you should look if you’re
planning to do a quick refresh of your kitchen.
And let’s be real, now that there are so many
more choices beyond boring chrome, we’re all
a little bit eager to try something new.
But please remember to make this decision
EARLY in your renovating process. You and your
team need to know if the tap will be coming out
of the wall, sink or benchtop before any work
begins. Plus, those dream taps might have
a 3-month lead time, and you don’t want to
discover that the day before you’re supposed
to have them on site. So don’t wait, make this
decision before your reno begins.
HERE ARE SOME KEY FACTORS TO
CONSIDER WHEN CHOOSING YOUR
KITCHEN TAP:
1. Which style and
colour?
2. Do you want an
extendable/pull-out
spray tap?
3. How much do you
want to pay?
HOW TO CHOOSE YOUR SINK AND TAP— 13
STYLE AND COLOUR?
The tap you choose should complement the overall style you’ve been working so hard to create
through all your other design decisions up to this point. This is not the time to waiver, get bored or
experiment with a radically new style. Stick with the look you’ve been working towards and go back
to your KITCHEN vision board to remind yourself of the tap styles and colours used most often in the
images you love. When it comes to colour, let’s break that down into cool tones and warm tones.
COOL SILVERY TONES: CHROME, STAINLESS STEEL, NICKEL AND GUNMETAL
C H R O M E is chrome. A super-safe (and shiny) option with every size and shape of tap
imaginable. These are ready to purchase off the shelf (so no long lead times) at a great
price. Even though I have been known to describe chrome as ‘boring’ (too harsh?), it’s what
I chose for my own kitchen and I love it. Actually, on reflection (all 30 seconds of it), labeling
chrome ‘boring’ was definitely unfair of me. If the style of house you’re doing is more
vintage, with a heritage style, like Federation, Hamptons, French provincial, farmhouse or
Edwardian, then chrome tapware (with cream lever handles perhaps) could well be the
best choice for you. If, however, you want a more modern take on chrome, have a look at
brushed stainless steel and nickel.
STA IN L E S S ST E E L is high quality, rust-resistant and easy to clean. It’s generally a less shiny
look than chrome and is the perfect companion for a stainless steel kitchen sink.
N IC K E L has a shiny (polished) finish with a golden undertone depending on the lighting.
Given time, nickel will develop an aged look. It is durable and worth considering if you’re
tired of chrome.
B R U S H E D N IC K E L is also known as pewter. It looks like silver and is slightly warmer
than brushed chrome. This colour will become a bit dull over time but it won’t change
colour.
GU N M E TA L is also known as pewter. It looks like silver and is slightly warmer than brushed
chrome. This colour will become a bit dull over time but it won’t change colour.
Tip: NOT ALL FINISHES FROM DIFFERENT COMPANIES LOOK THE SAME, SO TRY TO BUY
ALL THE FIXTURES AND ACCESSORIES FROM THE SAME COMPANY SO THEY MATCH
PERFECTLY WHEN YOU GET THEM INTO YOUR KITCHEN.
14 — THE RENO SCHOOL HOW TO CHOOSE YOUR SINK AND TAP— 15

WARM GOLDEN TONES: COPPER, GOLD, BRASS AND BRONZE NEUTRALS: BLACK AND WHITE

COPPER is the warmest metal of them all (the most orange #thinkdonaldtrump). It is
bold and a little bit ‘out there’! This strong colour won’t suit all styles and will be more
difficult to match to other kitchen accessories like cabinet handles and appliances.
M AT T B L AC K has made its way into the mainstream and offers a gorgeous, and
relatively conservative, alternative to chrome. As a result, it’s affordable and doesn’t have
the long lead times some of the other coloured finishes have. The best bit is that black
looks great with almost any kitchen colour scheme and style but just beware it can fade. It
shouldn’t be cleaned with any chemicals ( just soapy water).

Tip: COPPER IS CLEVER AND CLEAN – IT’S ANTIBACTERIAL AND CAN ‘HEAL’ ITSELF,
WITH ANY SCRATCHES BECOMING PART OF THE NATURAL PATINA QUICKLY.
IT’S ALSO THE MAIN METAL USED IN BRASS AND BRONZE FIXTURES.
M AT T W H IT E is also making its mark in the kitchen and why shouldn’t it? It’s versatile
and suits a variety of interior styles. If you have a dark kitchen and want your tap to make
GOLD medals are what the best-of-the-best are recognised with, be it sporting events or fine a statement, a contrasting white tap can do that. Alternatively, if you’re going for a white-
wines. Gold is a luxury metal that sits at the top of the metallics tree. In tapware, gold makes a on-white look, a white kitchen mixer will blend in perfectly. As with black taps, clean these
major statement with its shiny, yellow finish. It’s strong and doesn’t easily rust or tarnish. Despite with care.
this, gold taps should be treated like jewelry. If you want something that looks like gold but is
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less shiny and costly, check out brass.

Tip: WHICHEVER COLOUR YOU CHOOSE, REMEMBER THAT ROUNDED

EDGES SUIT A MORE TRADITIONAL LOOK, WHILE SQUARE EDGES

Tip: ROSE GOLD IS ALSO MAKING ITS MARK IN TAPWARE (ESPECIALLY IN

BATHROOMS). THIS WARM COLOUR CAN SOMETIMES BE CONFUSED WITH
COPPER BUT ROSE GOLD IS MORE PINK, WHEREAS COPPER IS MORE ORANGE.
ARE MORE MODERN.

BRASS has a yellow-gold look and comes in a polished (shiny) or satin (brushed) finish, both
of which age over time. Brass adds a warm organic touch to a kitchen, but can be viewed by
some as too old-fashioned and rustic. Fun fact: did you know that most taps in the world are
THREE BIRDS’ TOP THREE:
brass? They are just coated in chrome plating and other finishes to hide the brass. This is why
brass taps are also called ‘uncoated’.
1. Stainless steel
Tip: IF YOU WANT TO KNOW IF SOMETHING IS GOLD OR BRASS, JUST USE A
MAGNET. IF THE MAGNET STICKS, IT’S BRASS. IF NOT, IT’S GOLD.
2. Matt black
3. Brass
(YES, THIS WORKS ON RINGS TOO ;))

BRON ZE is browner in colour than copper and is mainly made from copper with a bit of
tin, making it darker and less warm. Dark bronze (also called English bronze) looks like rich
chocolate and can make a massive statement in a space.

Tip: COLOUR ASIDE, THERE IS A CLEAR TREND AT THE MOMENT TOWARDS MATT
OR BRUSHED FINISHES VERSUS SHINY AND POLISHED.
16 — THE RENO SCHOOL
DO YOU NEED A PULL-DOWN TAP?
I’m hoping by now you’ve kinda worked out what
type of tap you think might work in your style
of kitchen. No? If you’re still undecided, ask our
Facebook group for help! (Just remember what
I said about sinks and taps being controversial!)
If you have decided on the type of tap, great.
But newsflash! Your job is still not done. Now
you have to decide if you want a pull-down/
extendable tap. If you’re not familiar with these,
they’re an amazing invention that lets you pull the
top of your tap down so you can spray the water
in all directions. #seeyalatercrumbsincorner I
have one and couldn’t live without it. I will NEVER
NOT choose a pull-down tap (did you follow the
double negative there?). I know where I stand, but
the decision for you may not be that easy.
So are you ready for this head-to-head challenge
between Team Works Well and Team Looks
Good? You see, so many taps look a million bucks,
but are not extendable. This is definitely one of
those times where you might (not necessarily, but
might) need to sacrifice the exact look you want
for the functionality ... Or vice versa.
HOW TO CHOOSE YOUR SINK AND TAP— 17
IS THE PRICE RIGHT?
FOR THE RECORD, HERE’S HOW WE VOTE WHEN ASKED Now that you’ve worked out what
style of tap you want (hooray!), it’s
IF A PULL-DOWN TAP IS ON OUR MUST-HAVE LIST: time to pause and look back at
your budget. How much can you
spend on this bad boy? Once you
know that, let your fingers do the
Lana - Yes walking and shop around online for
the best price you can get on the
type of tap you want. Check out
the different prices you could pay
$99 $149
for a simple gooseneck matt black
mixer. eBay
myhomeware.com.au
Erin - No WATC H O U T ! You get what you
pay for with cheaper taps. They can
be lightweight, take longer to install
and be more prone to breaking or
leaking than higher end equivalents.
And, to add insult to injury,
Bonnie - No
replacement parts for them can be
impossible to find. Tapware is not $349 $431
a place to scrimp. However, super-
expensive taps aren’t necessarily
worth their price tag either. We
Meir Phoenix
suggest choosing something in the
mid price range, by a reputable
WHAT’S YOUR VOTE?
brand that offers a warranty.
EXCLUSIVE OFFER
Don’t forget you can enjoy an exclusive Reno School discount
of 15% off any kitchen tap thanks to The Blue Space.
18 — THE RENO SCHOOL HOW TO CHOOSE YOUR SINK AND TAP— 19

WHICH TAPS HAVE WE USED? IN HOUSE 5 WE WENT WITH THE VIXEN

RETRACTABLE SINK MIXER IN WHITE
FROM DORF. THIS WAS OUR FIRST
Here are some of the kitchen taps we’ve selected for our renos: FORAY INTO WHITE TAPWARE. IT WAS
THE OBVIOUS CHOICE TO COMPLEMENT
THE CALMING MINT GREEN COLOURS
AND WHITE OVEN. WE ALSO KNEW
THE POTENTIAL BUYER WOULD
VALUE THE PULL-DOWN CHROME TIP.

WATC H O U T ! Before you order your tap, make sure you’ve checked that it will have enough
breathing space to properly operate once installed. For example, in House 5, we didn’t realise how
close the tap was going to be to the splashback. When we got it in there, we discovered that the lever
was going to hit the splashback whenever it was turned to cold. #dailynightmare To solve this, we
asked our plumber to install the tap sideways so that the lever could still be moved to its full range.
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He did. We got lucky and didn’t have to rethink our choice. Make sure you check you have enough
space to fit your tap (this goes for bathrooms too, which we’ll talk about more in the next module).

IN MY KITCHEN I DIDN’T WANT MY TAP TO

MAKE A STATEMENT SO I CHOSE THE SAME
EXTENDABLE, GOOSENECK MIXER WE USED IN
HOUSE 5, BUT IN TRADITIONAL CHROME.

FOR HOUSE 3 WE WENT WITH A STAINLESS STEEL PULL-DOWN TAP FROM REECE.
IT HAD THAT ‘MILK SHED’ FEELING THAT SUITED THE FARMHOUSE SINK.

FOR HOUSE 4, MEIR’S

ROUND MATT BLACK
KITCHEN MIXER WAS A
STATEMENT PIECE IN
OUR GREY KITCHEN. IT
ALSO COMPLEMENTED IN HOUSE 7 (THE RIVER SHACK), THE DORF EPIC
THE MATT BLACK SINK MIXER BLACK WAS THE PERFECT CHOICE
CABINETRY KNOBS. THANKS TO ITS ULTRA-MODERN LOOK WITH LOTS
OF ANGLES. WE LOVED HOW THE SQUARENESS
OF THE TAP REFLECTED THE SQUARENESS OF THE
HOME’S EXTERIOR. WE ALSO WANTED IT TO POP OFF
THE PALE SPLASHBACK … MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!
20 — THE RENO SCHOOL HOW TO CHOOSE YOUR SINK AND TAP— 21

IN BON’S DREAM HOME, SHE HAD 6 ONE OF MY FAVOURITE TAPS IS THE ONE
TAPS - YES 6! IN THE MAIN KITCHEN, SHE SHE CHOSE FOR HER BAR AREA. I LOVE
CHOSE TWO MATT WHITE GOOSENECK THE AGED BRASS AND HOW IT COMES
TAPS, ONE FOR THE ISLAND ONE, FOR THE OUT OF THE WALL #OLDSCHOOLCOOL
SERVERY - IF YOU LOOK CLOSELY, THEY’RE
BOTH SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT IN DESIGN.
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AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST, WE KEPT

THINGS SIMPLE IN BON’S COTTAGE
KITCHEN - STAINLESS STEEL GOOSENECK.
IN HER BUTLER’S PANTRY, BON
WANTED TO ADD SOME BLING SO
OPTED FOR STUNNING AGED BRASS.
IN THE OUTDOOR KITCHEN, MARINE GRADE
STAINLESS STEEL WAS THE OBVIOUS
CHOICE TO WITHSTAND THE ELEMENTS.
22 — THE RENO SCHOOL HOW TO CHOOSE YOUR SINK AND TAP— 23

ONLINE SHOPPING
If you’re raring to go hunting for your dream tap right this minute, here are some great websites with
loads of info and inspo to get you started. Having said that, it’s still a good idea to touch and feel the
tap in a showroom before pulling out your credit card.

THE BLUE SPACE

– As Reno School students you can get a 15% discount off here!

DORF
– Quality we know and love
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REECE
– Lots of different options and price points

MEIR
– Black tap specialists

THE ENGLISH TAPWARE COMPANY

– Great for that vintage, traditional look

SUSSEX
– Love these taps. Like a carefully crafted fashion label

FAUCET STROMMEN
– The largest range of finishes we’ve ever seen

ZIP WATER
– Healthy water never looked so good
24 — THE RENO SCHOOL HOW TO CHOOSE YOUR SINK AND TAP— 25

Let’s recap! What’s Next ?

Appliance Science!
BY NOW YOU SHOULD HAVE... MODULE 4 - TOPIC 6
There are lots of clever, cutting-edge and colourful appliances out there,

1.
but which ones are right for you? Do you really need two ovens and a
A L I S T O F YO U R K I TC H E N P R I O R I T I E S F RO M warming drawer? What about a cool pantry? What are the pros and cons of
TOPIC 1 integrating a fridge? We will answer these questions, plus many more, in the
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next PDF. What are you waiting for?

2. S K E TC H E S O F YO U P OT E N T I A L K I TC H E N
L AY O U T F R O M T O P I C 2
Bonnie, Erin + Lana x
3.
A B E T T E R U N D E R S TA N D I N G O F W H AT Y O U W A N T
YO U R K I TC H E N TO LO O K L I K E F RO M TO P I C 3

4.
C L A R I T Y O N H O W TO C H O O S E YO U R B E N C H TO P S
& SPLASHBACKS FROM TOPIC 4

5.
A N I D E A O F W H I C H S I N K A N D TA P W I L L S U I T Y O U
BEST FROM TOPIC 5

6. ALL OUR TIPS ON WHICH APPLIANCES TO PICK

FROM TOPIC 6

7.
A P RO C E S S YO U C A N FO L LOW TO M A N AG E
YO U R K I TC H E N R E N O F R O M TO P I C 7

8. C O N F I D E N C E TO S T Y L E YO U R OW N
MAGAZINE-WORTHY KITCHEN FROM TOPIC 8
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