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The kitchen tap plays a key role in every home, and is one of the most-used products in the kitchen. At Shaws we believe our sinks are a thing of beauty, and are deserving of a beautiful tap to match. But which design is appropriate for what sink? Here are some of our favourite colour combinations, designs and layouts from utility rooms to bar areas and kitchens.
We believe our sinks are the finest in the world, with each handcrafted design as beautiful as the next. Our sinks come in many different forms as we have expanded our range to suit the ever-changing design tastes of the last century. With styles now ranging from a meter-wide Double Bowl and fluted-front Ribchester to the more compact Round or Square inset designs, there are endless tap and sink combinations that can work in your space - the question is, combination to choose?
A great tap – or faucet for our friends over the water – should be that eye-catching bit of sparkle that completes the look of your kitchen. There are important factors to consider when choosing a kitchen tap; size, proportion and balance all have a part to play, as well as finish and style.Â
Shaws sinks, although distinctive and steeped in heritage and history, are actually very versatile and complement various design styles spanning both period and contemporary. Our sinks can work equally well in a Victorian scullery as much as a New York loft, and everything in between. This versatility is not only down to their simple form, but also their ability to hold their own next to even the most ornate brassware designs.
We wanted to share some of our best-loved sink and tap combinations that you can use to create various looks. There are thousands of different combinations that would work just as well, these are simply a small selection of our favourites to provide you with some kitchen sink inspiration.Â
This popular look will never go out fashion. It's particularly suited to our most iconic sink, the Belfast, but works just as well with more more elaborate sinks like the fluted apron-front Bowland which contrasts the simplicity of painted Shaker cabinetry. The light painted oak cabinetry in this kitchen is matched beautifully with one of the most popular designs in Perrin & Rowe's Traditional collection - the Ionian bridge mixer - creating an interesting twist on a timeless aesthetic that will never go out of date. Perrin & Rowe's living brass finishes always work well in a classic country kitchen, as they age and take on a more rustic, charming finish with time. Find out more about Perrin & Rowe's finishes here.Â
This look works for us because it uses a Shaker sink, but not a Shaker-style kitchen. The cabinetry has a similar utilitarian simplicity to the Shaker style but is more stripped back with its plain, handleless cabinets and raw wood finish. The industrial elegance of the Armstrong Bridge Mixer Tap from Perrin & Rowe and cool black marble worktops complete the evolution of the country style. Exposed beams and traditional timber windows add to the country kitchen charm.Â
A big open-plan loft space with a large open kitchen needs interesting details and focal points to prevent the décor from getting lost in the vast space. The Shaker Double sink fits this space by Mark Lewis Interior Design perfectly. Its modern, slightly crisp rim and edges feel more modern than other styles. Bare walls, exposed brick and timber floors are features often found in converted former industrial buildings - and the Shaws sink makes this space a little different. The polished brass finish on the bridge mixer tap with crosstop handles is a clever way to elevate the loft look by adding a touch of luxury.
The ultimate luxury in the kitchen? Having the space for a smaller sink to use as a food prep sink, bar sink or even a flower arranging sink. Our inset and undermount models, including our Round and Square designs are small and subtle, and perfect with an instant hot tap or mini filtration tap from Perrin & Rowe. In this design by The London Kitchen Company an instant hot tap has been paired with our Round undermount sink, and is the perfect tea or coffee station away from the busy 'master' sink where pans and dishes are stacked and washed.Â
As possibly the most prevalent kitchen design, the humble Shaker kitchen has almost become the universal standard for kitchen design. Our simple austere Shaker sink, available as a single or double bowl in various sizes, is suited perfectly to a kitchen with the same philosophy, and similarly brassware. However, our Double Bowl sink, when paired with an aged brass Athenian Sink Mixer from Perrin & Rowe, provides an alternative that successfully differentiates this timeless staple of kitchen design from all the other period-correct Shaker kitchens out there.
Whichever Shaws sink you choose, our friends at Perrin & Rowe will have a tap to suit your personal taste. They have eight stunning finishes for all their brassware, including Chrome, Nickel and Pewter, Gold and English Bronze, along with three living finishes Polished Brass, Satin Brass, and Aged Brass. Deliberately unlacquered, these brass finishes will take on a unique patina over time and are becoming increasingly popular for a wide range of kitchen designs.Â
