Also, she is attempting to use her current cabinets and the sink base is the standard.... so she doesn't have much room for the "apron front" (about 8 1/2 inches, and that is counting the countertop).... is there any way to "retrofit" an apron front into an existing cabinet? There is no way to modify the doors, as there is a routing type design that frames the inside of the door.

Any suggestions on a shallower apron front sink that may work in this application?? Stainless steel would be preferred, but she is open to cast iron and fireclay (of course, the less expensive, the better! ;) )

Thanks for any advice that I can pass along!

You can retrofit any sink base for an apron sink; you just need to construct a cradle or sturdy shelf for it to sit on, and if not the exact size, you would just need to trim it out on the sides. You can order doors from many different replacement door companies. She might have to shop around, if her door style is not a common one, but she could probably find it. These doors are custom made to any size.

Also I re-read what you wrote about your friend's doors, and it sounds as if they have the 3/8" edge profile, which I have seen at replacement door vendors. There are also many that will work to your specs; they just need a photo or a prototype. She could also just hang a pretty curtain, instead.

Thanks for the info.

Good luck!

I'm just concerned about the edges of the laminate getting water damage.....

There aren't any "edges." The domsjo has a lip that sits on the laminate, just like the skirt on a drop in sink (only it's only on three sides rather than four, because those are all that make contact with the counter. You'll see when you see the sink in person.

Also, has your friend considered butcher block? Ikea sells it, and many here and on the Ikea fans site recommend using Waterlox (in areas where food will not be put onto the counters.) Mineral oil also works well (I like adding melted beeswax to my oil.) I am mentioning this because it is very reasonable at Ikea, fairly straightforward to cut using the right tools, and looks wonderful. If you friend is painting her cabinets white, it would look fantastic - there is even a deeper piece of butcher block that she could cut for a bump out. But I also really love the idea of using Shelayne's idea of using fabric. Very pretty.

Because of the depth of most sinks, I really think that it is going to be impossible to get the apron front that she really likes (unless a shelf is built to hold the sink and as someone mentioned.... using fabric to cover the space).

Here's a pic with the doors back on - we just had to move them down a bit. I'm sure that will depend on your friends cabinets. Good luck.

And the aftermarket company is called CounterSeal (http://www.counter-seal.com/ - it's a sealing system that prevents water from getting to the sub-strate of the counters (the mdf or plywood).

Either of those is probably a good option. And yes, you can have a carpenter retrofit a cabinet, but you'd have to cut down the doors, buy new doors, or use a curtain as suggested above.

starlightfarm it looks like the Ikean overmount sink may be what your friend needs. I'm not going for that look, but it's great to know laminate owners have some options! Good luck, and please post pics after her sink is in.