In terms of cabinets, the clients' conclusion is that the Lidingo line looks great and feels durable (eventually we will also find some robust hardware that will give them a more glamorous = non-Ikea look) and in fact offer a lot of internal organizational mechanisms that would work well with the kind of cooking they intend to do. Their favorite mechanisms include the drawer dampers (unbelievably unaffordable - you gotta love Ikea for that) and the integral lazy susan for corner cabinets. We sat in their empty living room and poured over the Ikea catalog together in order to mark up specific features and cabinet styles that they like and don't like. My work to follow is to gather the selected pieces and propose some combinations that work well with their kitchen layout. In addition, I will design the built-in bookshelves and bench to match. I think what we should buy a single cabinet door soon as a product sample and sit in right in the existing kitchen for more precise matching.
In terms of sink and faucet, the husband is an avid cook who is not afraid to break out deep pots and wide woks for a normal meal, so he definitely wants a big, durable sink that can take some impact, along with a high-arch faucet with a sprayhead and maybe a pull-out hose. The wife likes to hang out at the kitchen (her own joke is that she plans to use the kitchen counters for paperwork and bills!) so she wants a big sink that can hold enough dirty dishes and keep them out of sight. Joking aside, she bakes, so it is true that we need to give her a nice, wide kitchen counter to work at. The kitchen island with the sink will work perfectly for that.
Based on our discussion, I did more research on sinks and faucets, and here are some options that I think the clients may like.
