Designer Tamsyn Mason opted for a butler sink within the boot room of this Georgian rectory in Hampshire.
Christopher Horwood
For those who look again on the kitchens and utility rooms in even a handful of the standard homes featured by Home & Backyard, you’ll in all probability discover a recurring function: the Belfast or butler sink. These vast, deep, apron-fronted ceramic sinks lend themselves to washing pots and pans within the kitchen, soaking laundry or arranging flowers within the utility room, and rinsing off muddy footwear (and even small canines) within the boot room. As we speak, the phrases Belfast and butler (or butler’s) are usually used interchangeably and their designs look just about similar. Nevertheless, they’re the truth is two distinct designs with their very own key traits. We’ve requested the consultants to present us a rundown on all the things from etymology to fashionable variations, so there’s a lot to sink your enamel into right here.
What’s the distinction between a Belfast and a butler sink?
‘Though each the phrases are sometimes used to explain a ceramic farmhouse sink, strictly talking they’re completely different designs,’ says Nigel Palmer, head of communications advertising at Home of Rohl, the father or mother firm of conventional British sink producer Shaws of Darwen. ‘A butler sink is an easy, rectangular bowl with a thick ceramic wall and a lustrous glaze. The Belfast is a variation of the butler, with the addition of an overflow weir. As a substitute of any extra water draining by way of a gap below the faucets, you possibly can fill the sink larger, because the Belfast overflow is constructed into the within of the sink with an outlet proper on the high.’
Butler and Belfast sinks are usually apron-fronted, that means the entrance panel is uncovered and infrequently extends barely past the sting of the countertop. This lets you stand nearer to the sink and prevents an excessive amount of water from splashing in your woodwork. For those who desire a extra streamlined look, you would possibly wish to go for for an inset or undermounted ceramic sink (Shaws has an excellent vary).
Patrick William designed this lovely wood sink stand for the kitchen of a former vicarage in Tub, sensitively revived by inside decorator Anna Haines.
Mark Anthony Fox
Regardless of being recognized colloquially as farmhouse sinks, each designs are believed to have city origins. ‘The butler sink originated in Victorian London, the place water was scarce and water waste discouraged,’ says Neptune’s design director Fred Horlock. ‘It’s usually shallower, with a wider basin, however with out an overflow to make sure minimal water is used. The Belfast sink appears to be like very related, however because it originated in a coastal metropolis the place contemporary water was extra available, it has a deeper basin and an overflow to catch extra water.’
As its title suggests, the butler or butler’s sink was designed for cleansing crockery and different home items within the butler’s pantry, whereas the Belfast sink is believed to have been created to be used in Belfast’s booming linen trade. ‘Each are outcomes of the economic revolution when plumbing turned extensively out there,’ provides Anthony Earle, lead idea designer at Artichoke. ‘Earlier to this, a farmhouse sink often would have been carved out of a single block of stone.’
A Belfast sink in Matthew Rice’s kitchen at house in Oxfordshire, with the big overflow seen on the right-hand facet.
Dean Hearne
Must you select a Belfast or a butler sink?
‘We discover the Belfast is in style for its historically deeper basin, with more room for giant pots and pans, making it an amazing alternative for hardworking kitchens and household properties,’ says Fred from Neptune. In the meantime, Nigel reveals that Shaws’ bestselling fashions are the traditional ‘Butler 600’ and ‘Butler 800’ because of ‘their craftsmanship, versatility and suitability throughout each conventional and fashionable kitchens’.
Nevertheless, as they each go on to elucidate, the variations aren’t all the time so clear lower. ‘Butler and Belfast sinks have modified over time to additional their attraction, from seeing deeper basins within the butler model, to double sinks ideally suited for busy household properties,’ says Fred. ‘The 2 kinds are actually very related and infrequently mistaken for one another.’ Nigel agrees: ‘Initially Belfast sinks tended to have deeper bowls, however at the moment you may get each kinds in several sizes, so the selection is a matter of non-public style.’
These traditional sinks can work simply as properly in a contemporary area, as proven by this instance in inside designer Pallas Kalamotusis’ mansion flat in west London.
Michael Sinclair
For those who want a very sturdy end, Nigel recommends on the lookout for a standard fireclay sink quite than one product of vitreous china. ‘They’re fired for longer, at larger temperatures, making them more durable for heavy-duty kitchen use,’ he explains. ‘Shaws is the oldest producer nonetheless producing these sinks utilizing conventional strategies, providing a spread of butler, Belfast and different authentic fashions. Each is made out of a singular mix of French clay and English “Devon Ball” clay – the precise system is a intently guarded secret.’
Anthony from Artichoke additionally highlights the significance of context when selecting your sink. ‘We begin by trying on the age of the home with longevity in thoughts, guaranteeing it should endure visually and be there for generations to come back,’ he says. ‘It’s additionally essential to think about the operate of the area and the sink – be it a kitchen, boot room or pantry. For a boot room, large-scale sinks are helpful for arranging lower flowers, washing contemporary backyard produce, cleansing Wellington boots or washing down the canine. Whereas an announcement sink within the kitchen is one other approach so as to add materiality, curiosity and presence.’
Are there completely different kinds of Belfast and butler sinks?
If you’re trying to make an announcement, there are quite a few variations to think about, notably with regards to supplies and ornamental finishes. ‘Fluted edging particulars actually elevate the sink’s profile,’ says Neptune’s design director Fred and Nigel recommends the ‘Bowland’ or ‘Ribchester’ fashions from Shaws, each of which have fluted apron fronts. For a recent various, there may be Shaws’ Gallery assortment of nature-inspired art work that may be utilized to 5 of its sinks, together with the ‘Butler 600’ and ‘Butler 800’.
A fluted-front double bowl sink from Shaws is paired with a standard brass mixer faucet from DeVol on this Sixteenth-century West Sussex cottage designed by Holly Vaughan.
Chris Snook
Swapping conventional fireclay or china for a extra uncommon materials is one other nice method to combine issues up. ‘We like to have fun the domesticity of historic homes with vernacular, pure supplies,’ says Anthony from Artichoke, who often works on particular bespoke designs. ‘For instance, we just lately designed a stable fluted Carrara marble sink for a kitchen in Italy – we selected a lower-grade Carrara for its character, honesty and connection to the area.’ He goes on to explain an unbelievable Belgian blue soapstone sink carved from a single block for a personal Regency nation property – ‘it weighed 1 / 4 of a tonne and we referred to as it the megalith’. Different choices embody timber and even enamelled forged iron, which Anthony says ‘is just about bullet proof and appears nice over time’.
For those who’re utilizing an fascinating materials, contemplate extending it onto the encompassing work surfaces. On this New England home designed by architect Gil Schafer, the deep sink and counter tops had been custom-made from slabs of black granite, which contrasts with the pale painted cabinetry.
Eric Piasecki
Lastly, take into consideration the place of your sink. Anthony recommends putting in the sink ‘on a stand or plinth of the identical materials – there are some unbelievable reclaimed items on the market too’. Artichoke has additionally had success with gently slanted designs that make the sink extra snug to face at, which is especially essential if you’ll be spending longer intervals of time washing up or finishing up different family duties. As with every key component of your kitchen design, it’s all about discovering the proper stability between performance and elegance.
