Has the popularity of vessel sinks run its course? For the last several years, any bath or powder room with a countertop-seated wash basin was considered on-trend, but these eye-candy art sinks come with their own design challenges. Because the rim rises so high over the countertop compared with standard sinks, shorter homeowners often find vessel sinks a challenge to manage. The wrong faucet placement can cause undue splashing, and what kind of faucet works best anyway? We took to social media to get some opinions of the product category.
Fad or not, vessel sinks haven't had their last hurrah just yet. Manufacturers continue to introduce new styles in a range of materials from glass to wood. Xylem's newest offering, Ember, uses Reflex architectural glass to mimic the look of artisan pottery by incorporating colorful foils and stone. Finished with a stain- and crack-resistant surface, Ember gives the illusion of glowing embers under glass, with a cool, sapphire-hued center. Xylem | 866.395.8112 | xylem.biz.
Pann, who favors vessel sinks in the right application, also suggested a compromise. Designers and their clients who want the trendy look of a vessel sink with a more modest profile could opt for a semi-recessed sink. These styles, in which the basin nestles into the countertop while a chunkier edge rests on top, offer all the design interest of a vessel sink with fewer of the challenges.
Porcelanosa's Noken brand features the Neox semi-recessed sink. The design offers a substantial edge without being overly tall, as well as an apron-front design that adds to the focal-point feel of a vessel sink but doesn't get in the way. Based in Spain, Noken and Porcelanosa have showrooms throughout the U.S. Noken | noken.com
