In a room as hardworking as the bathroom, a practical approach to the fixtures is vital, they need to be ergonomic and hardy. But that does not mean a bathroom needs to be sterile and impersonal, either. And with so many styles and finishes to choose from, it’s no wonder we get stuck. Should you go for a wall-mounted mixer or a more traditional pillar tap? How about un-lacquered brass for a lovely patina? What about the water marks? And is it ever okay to mix metals? We spoke to asked the experts who had plenty of advice. Whether you're embarking on a full renovation or simply refreshing the room, getting to grips with the particulars from craftsmanship to finish can help you make choices you’ll be happy with for years.
How to choose the right taps
Just as with almost every other element of a bathroom, finding the appropriate taps is question of honouring personal taste and facilitating easy usage.
Certainly for Chloe Willis, Associate Director at Sibyl Colefax & John Fowler, considering the end user is just as important as considering aesthetics. ‘Cross heads or knob turns are harder for certain hands,' she points out. One could argue it does not really matter how beautiful the taps are, if they are a nightmare to use every day. In the same vein, upkeep is something one must consider. Will the taps need a daily polish to remove the evidence of splashes? Would a stainless steel be best? ‘Polished nickel or un-lacquered antique brass look wonderful and warm but are much higher maintenance,’ says Chloe.
So how, then, to choose what finish to opt for? For Kate Earle of Todhunter Earle, the patina is part of the charm. ‘We prefer live brass, which tarnishes beautifully over time,’ she says ‘but if you like your taps bright and shiny, that may not be for you!’ Chrome and polished nickel provide a sleek gleam, that's experiencing a revival and are more accessibly priced and easier to keep clean. Kate recommends CP Hart and Lefroy Brooks for affordable options as well as Drummonds and Water Monopoly from where she sources for country houses. If you're looking for an alternative to metals, both also offer wooden tap handles made of walnut.
For Chloe, the type of taps chosen also depends on the wider architectural context of the building. ‘A more contemporary scheme or building calls for a streamlined and simple form tap - e.g. Vola, whereas more traditional shapes such as those by Barber Wilsons, or refurbished antique taps work better in a country house or period building,' she says. But she is not at all against mixing pieces from different periods and benefitting from the range of shapes, textures and colours that such an approach would offer. For Chloe, a historical perspective is just a ‘helpful launch pad’ for those looking for a place to start searching.
The mixing and matching of periods is an approach Todhunter Earle embraces. ‘We sometimes use taps from reclamation yards that have been reconditioned,’ says Kate. ‘We also enjoy adding basins to antique chests of drawers or cabinets—ideally with old marble tops. These can look great with more contemporary taps in bronze.’
Can you mix metals?
So you can mix historical periods, but how about finishes? For Tiffany Duggan, Founder of Studio Duggan and its product arm, TROVE by Studio Duggan, it doesn't matter how many different metals are present in the bathroom, as long as there is harmony. ‘In a room like a bathroom where there tends to be a lot of metal finishes from different suppliers (from toilet roll holders to taps to wall lights), it’s important to ensure all work well together,’ she says. ‘Not everything has to match perfectly but we like to keep items of the same type the same – ie. all taps and bathroom fittings – in one finish such as un-lacquered brass, but then ironmongery could be in something complimentary such as bronze.’
Interior designer Clare Gaskin agrees: ‘don’t feel like you need to buy all your fittings from one brand,’ she advises. ‘Mixing finishes within a bathroom can add character and depth, such as blending antique brass with bronze tones for a more layered and bespoke look.’
How to approach baths, showers, sinks and basins
Freestanding bath or built-in? A walk-in shower or an enclosure? A pedestal sink or a vanity? It comes down to many factors, space being one of them.
If space is at a premium, and a shower enclosure isn't possible, Kate recommends the hybrid that is the shower-bath. This will also involve thinking about whether you want the shower to be built into the wall, or to be attached to the tap. At House & Garden, we have previously asked interior designers about the best ways to design a shower-bath. Once installed, there are plenty of fun ways to customise their appearance. ‘We like to use plain tiles laid on the diagonal for a prettier look,’ Kate adds.
‘Trying out bathtubs in person is always a good idea – and if you are quite short like me, do not opt for a large bath or you will be forever sliding down it when your feet don’t touch the end!’ says Tiffany. ‘When it comes to showers do check your water pressure with the plumber and sanitary ware supplier to ensure it is compatible with the fittings and consider adding a pump if not. There is no point getting a large rain shower head and then finding only a dribble of water is coming out of it!’
Chloe advises being clear about where a bathtub will be situated in the room. What may look incredible at first glance, may turn out to be a maintenance and cleaning nightmare. ‘A giant free-standing claw foot bath might be all one has ever dreamed of, but it is a pain if shoved in the corner - not nearly as glamorous and with impossible to reach damp dust traps to boot,’ she says. ‘I personally like a fitted bath with a large surround for all the sponge and soap paraphernalia.’
Making sure the bath can get into the room in the first instance, is an important factor, as Kate points out. 'If you're using a cast iron bath, make sure the floor is strong enough to take the weight when it's filled with water,' she says. ‘Cast iron retains heat longer, but these baths are very heavy and typically need four strong men to carry them upstairs!’. At House & Garden, we've heard more than one tale of a marble bath being forklifted through a window: an expense, and a faff, worth thinking about.
For sinks and basins, just as with each previous element, it is important to think about who is going to be making use of them. ‘Marble vanity tops are less ideal for children or teenage bathrooms’ says Chloe. She opted for a ceramic basin and surround on a bespoke vanity unit to make cleaning up for the children much easier. ‘Boring but reassuring,’ she jokes.
How to approach lighting
Lighting is also a bathroom fixture, and its affect on the room cannot be understated. For safety, bathrooms need IP-rated lighting in several areas close to and inside the shower/bath and sinks. But there's no need to start envisioning clinical stark lighting that shocks the sleep out of you in the morning.
‘Treat lighting in the bathroom as you would any living area’ says Charlie Bowles, director of Original BTC. Just as interior designers often advocate for the use of layered lighting around the rest of the house, so too can a clever placement of different styles of light create a wonderful effect.
‘Asking your electrician to install several circuits means you’ll be able to introduce texture and depth, which is particularly useful in smaller bathrooms where there is often little natural light,’ advises Charlie. ‘You need two types of illumination: shadow-free task lighting for functional tasks such as shaving and applying make-up and ambient lighting for when you simply want to lie back and enjoy a soak.’
