Member Article

TAKE A TRIP BACK IN TIME IN YOUR

Many of us have gazed in awe at our friends’ beautifully designed and equipped traditional bathroom. However, with the right advice and a bit of carefully planning, stunning authentic period style and charm can easily be achieved, so says Sebastian O’Connor, Retail Sales Manager at [Victorian Bathrooms.](http://www.victorianbathrooms.com/? target=)
Here Sebastian offers his top tips on creating a traditional style in your bathroom which won’t cost the earth.
1. What era do you want to replicate?Once you have decided on the era, then it is worth doing a bit of research around the popular styles for baths at that time. Bathing for many was done downstairs in front of the fire until well into the 20th century, when many homes still did not have rooms dedicated to bathing and certainly didn’t have central heating! Previous to this, it had been as infrequent as once a week, and was more about getting people clean rather than something you did to relax. That said, some of the most stunning bath designs still hark back to the Victorian era. Take, for example the French Bateau de Bains, a style still in popular use today in many period properties – indeed our own Epoque bath replicates this trusted and eye-catching style.
Once you have decided on the era, then you need to take into consideration both the style and the material of the bath._2. Choose your materials_The great thing about cast iron baths is that not only do they offer a spacious bathing experience, they also look stunning. There is a huge amount of choice out there, so it is important that you do your research first before buying. Roll tops have always been popular, as have claw feet to replicate a more elegant era. However, the ‘Scotsman Skirt’ or Bateau bath style as mentioned previously, is again enjoying a resurgence. Many people prefer its simple sophisticated style and the fact that it is so simple to clean, both inside and out.
3. Personalise your tubAnother great feature about cast iron baths is that they can be painted on the outside to suit your own particular style. For a very traditional look, it is a good idea to go for a classic white or black. All you need to do is to choose an oil-based paint of your choice and then you can personalise it to complement your bathroom suite. You can normally paint the feet too, so claw feet can be as subtle as you like to blend in with the floor coverings or decorated in silver or gold to add a more elegant look.
4. Try to achieve perfect symmetryDouble ended baths are not just for those who enjoy sharing bath-time, but were designed to introduce perfect symmetry into the bathroom. Many traditionalists welcome the fact that the taps are centred, which many consider to be more aesthetically pleasing and complementary to the classic home.
5. Showers & shower mixersDespite not being associated with the Victorian era, showers were actually invented by the Greeks and first employed by the Prussian military in their barracks around 1879. Nowadays, there is a wealth of choice for those wanting a traditional-style shower. [Victorian Bathrooms](http://www.victorianbathrooms.com/? target=)’ Grand Exposed three quarter valve for example, is a huge beautiful shower with large head, exposed pipes & valves and separate hand shower. Available in chrome or a more traditional gold finish, this would be a perfect choice for any Victorian bathroom style. Another model, the Invincible, offers the same qualities but in a wide variety of different shapes and styles.
6. Carefully choose your toilet styleTraditional Victorian style toilets had a high level cistern, which was designed to give greater flush power, in an era when water pressures were generally lower. They also had polished plumbing and fittings and many modern ranges such as our Royal Fluted range have this to add extra period charm. To complete the effect, many customers paint the clawed feet on the bath with the same polished silver effect to create a stunning coordinated and authentic Victorian look.
7. Choose period style finishes on storageTo create a truly [Victorian bathroom](http://www.victorianbathrooms.com/? target=), choose dark wood storage units such as dark oak or mahogany. Most quality bathroom retailers should offer these types of finishes as they are important in creating the final touches to your beautifully traditional bathroom.
8. Heated towel rails offer traditional luxuryYou would never think that heated towel rails were first used in the 1920s. During this time they were hugely popular but were phased out during the war. However, recently they have started to make a comeback and are once again becoming part of the traditional bathroom. If you still want your traditional bathroom to have all the luxuries, then our Thorium heated towel rail which has a cast iron design along with polished silver rail is perfect. Although our heated towel rails have a traditional design, they are compatible with all the modern heating systems.
Seb O’ Connor concludes, “A lot of people assume that creating a traditional style bathroom would typically be expensive but that couldn’t be further from the truth. If you have set your heart on creating a traditional style, it is important to know first and foremost what space you have to work with and then, shop around to find the right bath, brassware and accessories to achieve that goal. It really is that simple.”
For more information on Victorian Bathrooms visit their website at:www.victorianbathrooms.com or call the showroom on: 0845 130 6911

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Victorian Bathrooms .