SHAWS OF DARWEN WIN HIGHLY COMMENDED INTERNATIONAL TRADE AWARD

Shaws of Darwen, the renowned hand-crafted fireclay ceramic kitchen sink manufacturer based in Lancashire, won a Highly Commended International Award at the “North West Insider magazine International Trade Awards” ceremony, held in association with UK Trade and Investment.  Shaws was entered in the ‘International Company of the Year’ category with a turnover of up to £10m. 

When the Awards were first launched five years ago, there was a big push for companies to go global, to seek growth outside a slowing and stagnant UK market.  Since that time, Shaws have grown enormously and continue to celebrate their export success across the world, proving that British made quality products, are desirable worldwide.

This Awards event celebrates import, export and international business right across the North West of England.  Successful entrants were interviewed over a three day period by the team of judges and Rupert Cornford, features editor of Insider commented: “These Awards have gone from strength to strength and it’s great for local companies to be judged and rewarded for their successes”.

David Dare, CEO of Shaws was delighted with the Highly Commended Award and celebrated with some of his distributor partners, who were his guests for the evening.  “It’s always good to receive recognition for all the hard work put into running a successful company.  We are all very proud to be a British manufacturer with an international customer base”.

Belfast Sink Basket Strainer Proves a Storm

Since its introduction last year, our 1.5 Inch Basket Strainer Waste has proved to be very popular, outselling the conventional Slotted Waste (Plug & Chain) by 150%.

The majority of our Handcrafted Sinks require a 3 Inch Basket Strainer, but the Pendle and Belfast Sinks are fitted with a 1.5 inch accessory.

Previously, the only 1.5 Inch option was the Slotted Waste Plug & Chain and while this traditional look is still very popular for these kitchen sinks, the elegance of the Basket Strainer Waste has enhanced the accessory range to provide customers with more choice than ever before.

Our Basket Strainer Wastes are handmade in four colour options using the highest grade stainless steel and feature a ceramic indices with a bespoke Shaws insignia.

To find out more, please view our Accessory Range by clicking the link below.
http://www.shawsofdarwen.com/sink-accessories.cfm

ARE YOU A PROUD OWNER OF A SHAWS OF DARWEN SINK?

Thank you to Maggie Glover from Western Australia for sending us this picture of her fantastic kitchen and #Ribchester 800.

This image will be used on our website www.shawsofdarwen.com and as a thank you, a free accessory bundle is on its way to Maggie.

If you are a proud owner of a Shaws of Darwen sink and you would like us to display a picture of your kitchen on our website, then please send your photos to sales@shawsofdarwen.com

HOMEOWNER KITCHEN DESIGN INVESTMENT CONTINUES

Kitchens continue to solidify their place as the centre of the home with many homeowners choosing to invest while the housing recovery continues.

The American Institute of Architects’ (AIA) Home Design Trends Survey for the fourth quarter of 2014, which focused on kitchen and bath design trends.

Kitchen design is increasingly devoting more emphasis toward the space being a gathering spot for family and entertaining.

“The kitchen has become what we call the ‘activator,’ the main space in the residence, and the design requirements often include high functionality to accommodate multiple activities,” said James Walbridge, AIA, chair of the AIA’s Custom Residential Architects Network.

Material composition is also becoming an essential focal point of the entire design. Natural products are becoming a lot more desirable as consumers consider personal environmental responsibilities within their home.

According to the survey, popular kitchen features continue to include LED lighting, a computer or recharging area, larger pantry space, a double island and high quality appliances.

ORIGINAL SHAWS OF DARWEN SINK MANUFACTURED IN 1903

This Shaws of Darwen sink was manufactured in 1903 and is situated in a private house in Ireland. The history of each of our sinks can easily be found by viewing the date stamp underneath, along with the name of the craftsman who made it.

If your Shaws sink is older than 1903 email us some pictures and we’ll send you a free Accessory Bundle.

THE SHAWS OF DARWEN BUTLER FAMILY

There are three sizes of handcrafted sinks in the Shaws of Darwen Classic Butler family, ranging from 600 to 1000mm. All Shaws sinks are designed, created and made in Britain and manufactured from the finest fireclay ceramic. They are designed to look and feel cool to the touch and beautiful to look at. The three heavyweight Butler sinks are of a deep Victorian style and feature a round overflow and central 3½” waste outlet suitable for basket strainer or waste disposer and are produced with a durable glaze designed for years of usage.

Shaws traditional style sinks, like the Butler, are always in vogue – they never go out of fashion and they complement all styles of kitchens, whatever the design and decor. Due to their weight it is recommended that bespoke cabinetry is in place prior to installation.

All of our sinks are available in white and biscuit colourways and are both acid and alkaline resistant. They are all hand finished and each sink is signed with the impression of its craftsman maker and delivered with a certificate of authenticity, verifying the products handmade quality.

Visit www.shawsofdarwen.com to see our full range of sinks, taps and accessories.

Taps and Faucets for Belfast, Butler and Farmhouse Sinks

Taps or faucets depending on which side of the Atlantic you're from are the obvious necessary addition to your Belfast , Butler or Farmhouse sink.
 

Shaws Hambleton Deck Mounted Faucet

Belfast Sink or Butler Sink: What is the difference?

Butler sink or Belfast sink what is it that makes these sinks different.

Basically both are in fact Butler sinks. That is to say that both sinks were designed to be used below stairs in the Butler’s Pantry. However the Belfast sink has the benefit of a weir overflow and therein lays the difference.

The Belfast Sink showing the weir overflow

The Traditional Ceramic Kitchen Sink

Each of our artisans serves a 10 year apprenticeship before he can call himself a Shaws of Darwen Master Craftsman and he can personally emboss his name into one of our quality porcelain sinks.



This video brings to life the proud heritage and demonstrates the traditional skills and effort that goes into every one of Shaws of Darwen’s quality kitchen sinks.

To find out more about Shaws kitchen sinks and quality sink accessories go to dedicated history page.

The Waterside Kitchen Sink; an Elegant Alternative to the Belfast Sink.

An elegant alternative to the traditional Belfast kitchen sink from Shaws of Darwen is the Waterside sink.

What is a Belfast Sink?

The Oxford Dictionary defines a Belfast sink as: a type of deep rectangular kitchen sink, traditionally made of glazed white porcelain. 

Belfast Sink in Biscuit Galze Finish

Handcrafted Fine Quality Kitchen Sinks

Since 1897, Shaws of Darwen,  have manufactured ceramic heavy duty fireclay Kitchen Sinks employing the same traditional materials and time-honoured techniques that have been used by our Lancashire based craftsmen for over 115 years.