Ask 10 people what would be in their dream bathroom, and it’s probably fair to say that at least half will start with a freestanding roll-top bath. Which might come as a surprise, because roll-top baths were created by the Victorians, and as such might be expected to be dismissed as old-fashioned and for fuddy-duddies.
“I think people like traditional bathrooms because a good many of us still live in period houses – our cities are full of Victorian terraces, for example. And we have a mindset that says a period house needs to be decorated in a style that is “in-keeping” with the architecture,” explains London interior designer Paul Warren.
“It’s not true, of course, but that view is deep in the British psyche and I think that’s why our love affair with Victorian-style products in particular just runs and runs.”
And because the Victorians were such prolific inventors and improvers, who put a lot of thought into bathroom design, we have never lost our respect for them, argues Paul. “Again, it’s subliminal, but we think of the Victorians as bringing bathrooms out of the Dark Ages and into the modern, hygienic world, with proper baths and flushing loos. So we have an enduring affection for them.”
Enduring appeal
And, of course, traditional products are lovely and have proved to be timeless. The attention to detail, the aesthetics, the solid materials, all combine to create a product that looks great and will last. A cast-iron roll-top bath won’t ever look cheap or degrade, unlike a cheap plastic model made in a factory in the Far East. And a substantial vitreous china pedestal basin can look grand and imposing, in the way a modern glass sink placed on a counter-top doesn’t.
Melinda Hill, senior designer at UK bathroom company Ripples, says what draws clients to traditional products is also their functionality and practicality: “A gorgeous Shaker-style, floor-standing vanity unit with a stone top and under-mounted basin gives you ample storage, a great surface area for your toiletries and a large basin to wash in.
“A roll-top bath is comfortable and generally rather large, giving you room to splash around. And traditional taps tend to be clearly marked with the words hot and cold, and they are separate, so can’t be confused.
“A lot of people do find modern bathroom products complicated and impractical. Clients tell me that they go to hotels and can’t work out how to turn on the shower!”
Key ingredients
In Melinda’s view, a traditional bathroom done well needs a large basin with a pedestal or set in a vanity unit. Traditional products tend to be floor-standing, so choose a back-to-wall or close-coupled WC, not a wall-mounted loo, because wall-mounted is a modern style. Where possible, choose a large free-standing bath, or if you prefer a built-in bath, have a Shaker panel surround. Cross-head handles for taps are, she says ‘defiantly traditional’, and she advises cladding walls in ceramic tiles or natural stone.
Where to look
You can go down the salvage route, or there is no shortage of excellent craftsmanship if you want to buy new. For roll-top, bateau and slipper baths, look at Drummonds, Catchpole & Rye, and of course, for the aficionado of Victorian design, Thomas Crapper. Thomas Crapper was a Victorian plumber who went on to manufacture plumbing products and sanitaryware, and his company lives on, though it is no longer owned by Crapper descendents. (And contrary to popular belief, Mr Crapper did not invent the flushing lavatory. The first patent for a flushing loo, was, in fact, issued in 1775 to an Alexander Cummings.)
High-level WCs with cisterns up near the ceiling and metal chain pulls are ideal for a Victorian-style bathroom and cloakroom and they can look fun. You’ll find authentic models at Thomas Crapper and Perrin & Rowe. For traditional taps, visit at Perrin & Rowe and Samuel Heath. Fired Earth and Porcelanosa also have superb products for the traditional bathroom, from basins to tiles.
For a Georgian-style room, consider having wood paneling instead of tiling the room, while for a Victorian room, choose a splashback made from tiles printed in the designs of William Morris, William de Morgan or Philip Webb. You’ll find historic designs at Shropshire-based Victorian Ceramics.
Combine old and new
But don’t be too rigid in your thinking, says Melinda, because unless you have a very large room, with perfect period architecture, and you have been meticulous in your research, it’s easy to create a bathroom that simply looks dated.
“I think it’s important to give a contemporary twist, even when using traditional elements, so keep your design clean and simple. You don’t want too much fuss and detail, so choose products carefully and don’t overdo it. There is a fine line not to be crossed when going down the traditional route.”
Paul agrees. ‘I think a traditional bath looks great in an otherwise modern bathroom, with a wall-hung loo and glass shower-enclosure. The thing to avoid is making the room look heavy and oppressive.”
