In Focus: The Classic Bathroom Trend

WORDS Robyn Alexander PHOTOS Dook; Greg Cox/Bureaux; Micky Hoyle; Supplied; Courtesy of The Hoxton Southwark; Brittany Conerly/The Chloe New Orleans; Courtesy of The Hoxton Rome; Elsa Young/Bureaux


Welcome to the resurgence of old-school style in the bathroom, where combinations of traditional fixtures and modern elements have made it all the rage to be hooked on classic.  

CLASSIC REVIVAL: THE ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS  

classic bathroom styles – The monochrome colour scheme and old-school fittings in this bathroom provide a classic backdrop that is amped up and modernised by the brilliantly bold yellow cabinet – find a similar version at Popstrukt.
The monochrome colour scheme and old-school fittings in this bathroom provide a classic backdrop that is amped up and modernised by the brilliantly bold yellow cabinet – find a similar version at Popstrukt.

The re-emergence of a classic feel for bathrooms might have its roots in nostalgia for some, but is a deliberate style choice for others. This trend takes many forms of expression: on the one hand there’s interest in old-school black-and- white flooring for bathrooms – from chequerboard marble to penny tiles with monochrome patterns – while on the other, sleek updates to footed bathtubs and fresh takes on traditional pedestal basins abound. Tapware combines a completely convincing vintage feel with the latest in water technology, while interior detailing can include bespoke cabinetry or vanities, and half-height tiles or wainscoting for walls. The chicest colour scheme for this look is monochrome, but we’re also seeing it in conjunction with pastels, especially soft greens. This is an updated take on the classic bathrooms of the early 20th century – and a style that, on some level, appeals to just about everyone.  

YOU KNOW YOU’RE READY FOR A CLASSIC REVIVAL IF…  

  • You prefer reading printed books to scrolling your phone. 
  • London’s Burlington Arcade is your ideal window- shopping experience . 
  • Your dream table setting features a set of Royal Copenhagen’s White Fluted crockery. 
  • Casablanca remains your all-time favourite film. 
  • You’d choose a Pierneef painting over a Kentridge etching, every time.

PERFECT MATCH  

classic bathroom styles – As this elegant combination of eau de nil tiles, retro sanitary ware and brushed-brass accessories demonstrates, it’s possible to create a Classic Revival feel without resorting to a fully monochrome scheme.
As this elegant combination of eau de nil tiles, retro sanitary ware and brushed-brass accessories demonstrates, it’s possible to create a Classic Revival feel without resorting to a fully monochrome scheme. And while this is a hotel bathroom – at The Hoxton in Southwark, London – it’s a look that will work perfectly in a contemporary home.

“Homeowners are becoming creative with their design choices,” says Jonothan Goodale, director of Victorian Bathrooms. “The classic chrome finish on tapware is being replaced with polished or aged brass, nickel or even matt black. These special finishes are increasingly popular – and with the addition of colour and texture via wallpaper and tiles, bathrooms are fast becoming a space for creative expression.” We asked Jonothan to share his expertise about bathroom makeovers.  

What’s the one piece of bathroom advice you offer to all your clients? 

Bathrooms are a long-term investment. Designing a new bathroom is not an annual affair, and should therefore be considered with longevity in mind. Trends come and go, so it’s imperative to select sanitary ware that is timeless. You want to be in love with your chosen bathroom for years to come.  

What’s the most common mistake people make when renovating a bathroom? 

A bathroom is a specialised space. There are many factors to consider before purchasing and installation, which is why it’s beneficial to consult with an interior designer or an architect. A homeowner might not necessarily consider the plumbing points or the electrical wiring concealed within the walls, and this is where things can easily go wrong. A professional is able to practically plot and place your chosen fittings within the space, and ensure that plans are drawn up for the plumber or contractor 
to follow, resulting in a smooth installation.  

When it comes to bathtubs, is comfort more important than style? 

Definitely. An avid bather, who spends a long time soaking in a bath, will prioritise comfort over style almost every time. However, comfort does not mean that style will be compromised. Our freestanding baths have soft, rounded contours and pleasing aesthetics – true modern classics. | victorianbathrooms.co.za  


MORE THAN A FEELING  

classic bathroom styles – The Chloe boutique hotel in New Orleans
The Chloe boutique hotel in New Orleans is housed in a renovated Victorian mansion – and in keeping with the hotel’s updated-vintage vibe, each of its 14 rooms sports unique details, like this custom marble-and-wood washstand.

How do you create a classic bathroom without making it look old-fashioned or staid? According to Victorian Bathrooms’ Jonothan Goodale, it’s a balancing act. “We consider ourselves leaders in the modern- classic style,” he says. “We like to play on the contemporary edge while staying true to our classic roots. The majority of our products are designed in the classic style, paying homage to a bygone era – but when they’re paired with a modern element, you achieve a look that is timeless.”  

There are many ways to keep a bathroom current and classic, says Jonothan – and the images on these pages illustrate this. “Marble vanities or walk-in showers with classic tapware will prevent a staid design,” he says. “Colourful paint or wallpaper can achieve the same result, while illuminated mirrors or wall lighting will also shift a space into the 21st century.”  

The modern bathroom is a far cry from those of a century ago in terms of comfort and usability. As Jonothan says, one of the great luxuries is, simply, “Heating: being able to climb out of a hot bath or shower, step onto a floor that is warm, and graba fluffy towel that has been warming ona heated towel rail.”  

Mark Bennett, sales and marketing director at Jeeves, concurs, adding, “Although many believe that the core function of a heated towel rail is to offer warm towels – which we will admit are heavenly – they’re in fact designed to dry damp towels, and to keep them dry. An independent testing laboratory has found that damp towels hung on a heated towel rail for three days contained 94% less bacteria than damp towels hung on a non- heated towel rail.”  

What’s more, heated towel rails are a lot more energy-efficient than many people imagine. “Electric heated towel rails that feature automatic heating technology (AHT) do not draw unnecessary power,” says Mark. “Their intelligent cyclical consumption pattern results in impressive energy savings – the electricity consumption of an average-sized model is equivalent to that of a standard light bulb.” victorianbathrooms.co.za | jeeves.co.za  


TIME HONOURED  

classic bathroom styles – The Duravit 1930 series includes washbasins, toilets, bidets and accessories.
The Duravit 1930 series includes washbasins, toilets, bidets and accessories.

A genuine bathroom design classic, the Duravit 1930 series of sanitary ware has been around for more than 90 years, and is a great foundation for a Classic Revival scheme. The series, says Duravit, was designed during the golden era of the 1920s, and presented to the public for the first time in 1930. “Over time, many pieces were added to the 1930 series to create the complete collection as we know it today.”  

The 1930 series’ aesthetic might be timelessly elegant, but the technology that drives its contemporary systems is bang up to date. “However consistently classic its look,” says the brand, “the 1930 series epitomises cutting-edge technology – as exemplified by its wall-mounted bidet and toilet. And the bidet and toilet in the floor-standing version with ceramic cistern are available with 6-litre and dual-flush systems.”  

Replacing your existing sanitary ware with something more special, design-wise, is a relatively simple way to update the look and feel of your bathroom – but that said, a word of related design warning regarding doing so comes from architect André Krige of Two Five Five. Many homeowners make the mistake of thinking that “You are simply going to replace the tiles and sanitary fittings, and be done,” says André. “But this often means there is a missed opportunity to improve on the layout while you are doing so.”  

Like all of our experts, he insists that planning and more planning is the key to combining superb functionality with great design in the bathroom. “There are many complicated uses that need to function together in the relatively small space of a bathroom, and there are several individual user considerations to take into account,” says André. “How do you get in and out of the shower? Where do you hang your towel? Does your head always get wet when you turn on the shower?  

“In short: if a bathroom is uncomfortable, it won’t matter how good it looks!” duravit.com | twofivefive.co.za


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