It wasn’t until I started cooking regularly that I realized I had been taking my kitchen sink for granted. Previously, my only bonding time with the kitchen sink had been living in an apartment with no dishwasher (never again). Now that I had decided to eat more than instant ramen noodles and anything microwavable, I had discovered the delicate balance between the chef and the kitchen sink. Suddenly I had more than just flatware and cereal bowls to pile into my twin-sided stainless steel tub. Muffin tins, cutting boards, blender tops, crock pots, wine glasses – my dirty dishes are varied and my sink is too small!

So I can officially say that I appreciate a good kitchen sink. I’ve also learned that a “good” kitchen sink depends on individual lifestyle. For instance, when my mom had her kitchen remodeled, she kept her twin-sided steel sink but added a second sink on the opposite side of the kitchen. If I were still the social butterfly I was in college, I might go for the curved river sink – a free-form contemporary design that’s perfect for filling with ice and extra drinks while entertaining. Now I just dream about a single basin sink that eliminates the annoying middle divider. Check out some of the stellar sinks Kitchen Design Concepts has worked into their designs – including this heavenly farm sink that’s perfect for filling large pots!

Our intern is Desiree Johnson, a recent journalism graduate and Texas native. The 26-year-old loves painting, her dachshund Munchie and using what she calls her “real, adult-sized kitchen.”