Country Bathroom

 

Modern bathrooms may be pleasantly minimalist, with clean lines and wall-to-wall tiling, however they can appear cold and somewhat characterless. It wouldn’t be difficult to convert your contemporary bathroom to a setting straight out of a country cottage.

Flooring & Heating

 

For a truly authentic floor, it’s best to have plain floorboards, however if you must have tiles for hygienic reasons, you can get some very realistic wood-effect tiles. This compromise gives you the warm look of wood, with a material that’s convenient to keep clean. Depending on the era you’re trying to emulate, a radiator may not be appropriate. Electric underfloor heating is ideal under tiles and will keep the ambient temperature cosy, however it can be expensive to run and won’t dry towels as effectively as a radiator. Vintage radiators are available, both original and reproduction.

Fixtures and Fittings

 

Depending on the size of the bathroom, you can either go for a separate shower and bath or combine the two. The bathtub needs to be metal, either cast iron or steel, and either roll top or a ‘tin tub’ shape. Cast iron is heavy, so your floor may need reinforcing. You can find these second-hand, although they may need re-enamelling. Claw feet are optional but avoid gilt or silver. If you go for a separate shower, the tray should be round, with a 360° shower curtain. A large shower rose with exposed pipes and valve will complete the look. You will need the same components for an over-the-bath shower, except for the shower tray. For the basin, choose a wash stand-type bowl, that you can fit onto a wooden piece of furniture, such as this exquisite ash dressing table. It adds an essential, warm touch to an otherwise cold room. The basin should come with a template for cutting the hole in the top of the wood. If any of the drain pipe will be exposed, fit chrome instead of plastic. Always opt for two separate taps and although brass looks good initially, eventually the coating wears off and they will tarnish; chrome requires less maintenance. A high level toilet, with the cistern near the ceiling is perfect for a Victorian bathroom, however you can still get that bygone look by using an old-style, wooden toilet seat and by boxing in the cistern.

Walls

 

You won’t see floor-to-ceiling tiles in an Edwardian bathroom, so stick to having two or three rows as a splashback for the basin. If you’re having the shower over the bath, it makes sense to tile that area completely. There are some fantastic reproduction vintage tiles available.

Accessories

 

Decorator pieces make all the difference. A wooden towel rail is de rigueur, as are old-style coat hooks. Display an antique shaving mug and razor (bladeless if young children are around). Visit an auction or car boot sale and pick up some vintage bottles for bath salts or bubble bath. For the window treatment, fit either a Roman blind or café curtain.

 

 

It’s lovely to relax in a warm bath at the end of the day, so why not give your bathroom a comfy and warm setting, that will allow you to completely unwind?