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Dino Rachiele Journal
Reflections on Sink Design, Craftsmanship, and the Modern Kitchen

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Kitchen Sink Replacement Transformations: Stunning Before and After Results

  • Writer: Dino Rachiele
    Dino Rachiele
  • Aug 24, 2025
  • 5 min read

This project is easily one of my all-time favorite sink transformations—and trust me, I've seen a lot of questionable kitchen designs in my day. Let's start with the original layout, which featured not one, but two single-bowl sinks awkwardly stuffed into a corner. Who thought that was a good idea? Seriously, whoever came up with that design should be permanently banned from touching another blueprint. It’s like they were playing a cruel joke on anyone who actually wanted to use the kitchen. The faucet being centered would require a mop handy because the water would have cascaded right onto the floor. And remember, this was in a luxury home! Talk about a wasted opportunity.

When the client decided to replace their countertop, it was my chance to swoop in and design a proper sink. I designed a single-bowl corner workstation sink that transformed this awkward corner into one of the most functional spots in the kitchen. Suddenly, this was a place where you could actually get things done! No more struggling to work between two small, cramped bowls with a mop standing by. This sink took advantage of every square inch, and the integrated workstation accessories—cutting board, and our multi-purpose grid—made it an absolute powerhouse for meal prep and cleanup.

We paired the new setup with a 9750 Waterstone extended reach stainless steel faucet, which, let me tell you, is a game changer. Now, the homeowner can easily reach every nook and cranny of this large sink without risking water all over the floor. 

The best part? The whole space now feels as luxurious as the home deserves. It went from "What were they thinking?" to "Wow, this is how you design a kitchen!" Honestly, if kitchens could talk, this one would be breathing a sigh of relief right about now.

his project is one that totally amazed me. I sold this retrofit replacement farm sink to a gentleman during the height of COVID. Fairly soon after the sink was delivered, I received an email and a finished photo. He told me he could not find anyone to come to his home to remove the existing sink, cut the stone, and install the sink and faucet. He told me he did some research on Youtube and learned what tools he would need, learned how to use an angle grinder, and did the entire installation himself. In looking closely at his installation, I noticed that his work was absolutely perfect. I was so impressed!

 This project was a remarkable transformation, turning a simple cement apron-front sink into a striking copper farmhouse sink, showcasing our innovative NexGen workstation feature. The original cement sink, was not very functional and lacked both the style and efficiency that our client was seeking. With the upgrade, not only did the kitchen receive a significant aesthetic boost with the warm, rich tones of copper, but the functionality was completely revamped as well.

The NexGen workstation option we incorporated allows all food preparation tasks—cutting, chopping, and even rinsing—to be accomplished directly over the sink. This eliminates the need for cluttered countertops, maximizing space while streamlining the cooking process. Everything from prep to cleanup happens seamlessly at the sink, making it a true centerpiece of the kitchen.

We paid special attention to the precise measurements and craftsmanship for this project. The new copper sink could be slid into place perfectly, without the need to remove or adjust the countertop. This minimized disruption for the homeowner and allowed the replacement process to be completed swiftly. The new copper farm sink not only enhances the beauty of the kitchen but also elevates its functionality in ways the original cement sink simply couldn’t. This upgrade perfectly marries form and function, creating a space that is both luxurious and highly efficient.

This is one of our most popular kitchen sink replacements: upgrading a triple-bowl sink to a single-bowl workstation sink. Triple-bowl sinks, often designed by marketing teams (instead of someone that actually cooks a meal), lack practical functionality. The single-bowl workstation maximizes efficiency, with a larger, uninterrupted space for prepping, cleaning, and cooking, offering a much more user-friendly experience. Every customer who switches is thrilled with the improved functionality. Best yet, there is no more wiping from the countertop to the sink, as all of the food preparation is done on the sink instead of on the countertop!

The only word that describes the before photo is HELP! This family was trying to keep their discontinued Ikea sink from leaking while they desperately tried to find a replacement. The only option they could find would have caused them to replace their countertop and likely their cabinetry - until they found us! I was able to duplicate the size and shape of their sink so that all they had to do was remove the existing Ikea sink and drop in our replacement sink. This was likely a 2-hour project and saved them thousands of dollars! We specialize in replacing just about any kitchen sink and have often been told that we saved the families from having to replace countertops and often backsplashes as well. 

A large part of our work involves replacing cramped, inefficient corner sinks with spacious single-bowl custom corner workstation sinks. These upgrades transform the kitchen's functionality, providing ample room for food prep and cleanup while making the most of the corner space. The results are not only visually stunning but also significantly improve the overall workflow in the kitchen. 

This is another Ikea discontinued Ikea sink that we replaced for our client. The original sink was damaged, and again, the only option they thought they had was to replace the countertops and likely either alter the sink cabinet or replace all the cabinets. They found us online and saw that we had replaced quite a few discontinued Domjo Ikea sinks in the past and ordered a copper retrofit farm sink replacement along with a workstation option and a gorgeous 9350 Waterstone faucet that matched perfectly with their sink. Again, we saved them thousands of dollars while significantly upgrading the sink and the entire kitchen. 

Oh yes, we can! Imagine transforming your outdated double-bowl sink into a stunning, oversized single-bowl farm sink—without having to tear apart your cabinetry. How do we make that happen? It’s all thanks to one of my earliest patents from the early 2000's! I designed a drop-in apron-front farm sink with a 1-inch channel behind the apron that slides seamlessly over the cabinet frame. The only cabinetry modification needed is removing the false drawer head or heads. A few simple cuts in the countertop, and voilà—the sink drops perfectly into place. It’s a quick, straightforward project that can be done in just one day. And don’t worry, I’ll guide you through every step of the process, no matter where you’re located. We've been perfecting this replacement method for over 25 years without a single hitch! 


How is this all done so successfully? It requires a thorough knowledge of how cabinetry is made as well as an in-depth knowledge of how other sinks on the market are designed. Pair that up with decades of sink designing, and you have discovered what it takes to accomplish these tasks perfectly. Replacing outdated, damaged, or discontinued kitchen sinks has been my passion since 1999. This has consistently been 20 to 25% of our work. 

 
 
 

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