A: Beth, there's an old saying that "What's old is new." (Come to think of it, that may be a new saying!) In any case, that saying applies well to cast-iron sinks.

Even though cast-iron plumbing fixtures have been around for close to a hundred years, they are making a huge comeback due to several reasons.

First reason: believe it or not, most cast-iron sinks are made from 93% recycled materials. That is an incredible percentage of reclaimed materials used in a product, and the "eco-friendly" movement has caught on to the benefits of cast-iron materials.

Also, new finishing processes have improved the look and durability of enamel coatings on today's cast-iron fixtures. The finish is bright and vibrant with a rainbow of colors to choose from. And, just like cast iron itself, the new finish coat on a high end cast-iron sink is very strong. Dings from heavy pots are a thing of the past if you look for a cast-iron sink that carries a limited lifetime warranty, with a guarantee not to chip, scratch or burn.

Finally, the cast-iron kitchen sink styles have changed from the basic two-bowl design to just about any configuration you can imagine. One style I like is called a "smart divide." A smart divide kitchen sink has a lower divider between sink basins allowing for most pots and pans to sit flat at the bottom of the sink to be fully submerged.

Speaking of smart, it sounds like your designer knows her stuff, and if she feels cast-iron fixtures will go best with the style of your kitchen, I also cast my vote for cast iron!