A Bathroom Fit for a King

A Bathroom Fit for a King

The upcoming Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla is one of the most historic moments in our lives. It will be the first time that most of us have seen the coronation of a new monarch in the UK. As we move away from the new Elizabethan age of Queen Elizabeth II and move into the New Carolean Age, we reflect on ideas that make a Bathroom fit for a King and Queen.

When we think over the historic reigns of British Monarchs and the lives of the Royal Family, we can pinpoint changes to the design of the bathroom to different eras of Kings and Queens. It was believed that the first person in England to own a flushing toilet was Queen Elizabeth I. Look how far we have come in technology and convenience now we enter the reign of Charles III. Yet, as the British public, we have an increasing love and pull to old-fashioned design and a nod to the bygone eras that once revolutionised how we see and use the bathroom.

Here at Showers to You, we have researched and brought together bathroom ideas that are still on trend today and will give you inspiration on how to design your bathroom to be fit for a king and have a truly regal feel about them.

Victorian Era of Bathroom Designs

Despite us often referring to Victorian Style Bathrooms, Bathrooms were not commonplace in the Victorian Era, with many homes not including a bathroom until the late 1800’s. It wasn’t until well into the 20th century that working-class homes started to feature a bathroom.

Despite memories of the Privy Toilet and knowledge that there was a lack of sewers and mains water in the early Victorian Era, our vision of a traditional Victorian Era Bathroom takes us to think about those in stately homes and those of Royalty.

The key elements of a Victorian Style Bathroom would be:

• • High-Level Cisterns with Pull Chain Flush
• • Ornate Wrought-iron Washstands and Brackets
• • Slipper Style Baths (or Roll Top Baths)
• • Designer Bath Feet such as a Claw or a Lion’s Paw
• • Florally decorated sanitaryware with colours such as blue or pink
• • Gold or Brass Faucets

Victorian Basins & Wash Stands

Traditional Victorian Basins feature refined contours and delicate edges, with stunning pedestals for the basins or washstands in chrome, brass, gold or nickel. To add that element of elegance to your bathroom design, then why not add one of the Burlington Victorian Basins & Wash Stands to your bathroom design, and pair it up with complementing Toilets and Traditional Freestanding Baths to give your bathroom that Victorian make-over?

Edwardian Era of Bathroom Designs

The Edwardian Era was under King Edward VII Reign (1901-1910). Advancements in flushable toilets, simple design and styling, and pastel colours are all features of the Edwardian Era Bathrooms. The reign of King Edward VII lasted only a decade. Still, the design influences and advancements in sanitaryware over this time went on to influence many more decades of bathroom design and interior design today!

If you are looking for a traditional bathroom design with an Edwardian Style, then here is a checklist of some of our fixtures & fittings that we would suggest you include in this period, turn-of-the-century bathroom ideas:

• •A large, grand, Freestanding Bath
• •High-Level Toilets will Flush Chain
• •Patterned Tiling on the Floor
• •Ornate Styled Lighting
• •Geometric Pedestal Basins
• •Ornate Mirrors
• •Pastel Colours
• •Towel Rails
• •Wallpaper

Freestanding Baths with Ornate Feet

At ShowerstoYou, we have over one hundred baths in our Freestanding Bath Range. Some of the more period-designed bathtubs come from one of our leading suppliers of traditional, exquisite, purely elegant tubs, Royce Morgan.

Offering a pure, unique centrepiece to your bathroom, capturing elements of both the Edwardian and Victorian era, for luxurious bathing, a Royce Morgan Freestanding Bath is a high-end, quality choice, especially when paired with freestanding bath & shower mixer taps.

What options are there for Period Inspired Lighting?

In the Edwardian Era, lighting for the bathroom became hugely influential, with ornate decorative fixtures & fittings. Burlington’s range of Bathroom Lighting is one of the premium lighting options you could buy to complement any period-style bathroom. Each lighting option has design features to emulate the period eras. From pleated lampshades to Edwardian-styled pull cord globe lighting, from vase clear glass to chrome and nickel finishes.

 

Edwardian Basins

Traditional at its very best, the Edwardian Basin has angular designs and structured corners. One of the best examples that can be found is from the range of Burlington Edwardian Basins and Wash Stands, which stand out as being purely remarkable.

Due to the introduction of ornate features in authentic Edwardian bathrooms, elegance pulls you in.  You will find that this style of basin features ornate upstands, creating a stunning centrepiece for the bathroom space.

What are the bathrooms like in Buckingham Palace?

With our new monarch, King Charles III and Queen Camilla taking up residence for periods of time in Buckingham Palace, it is interesting to learn the history of bathrooms at this worldwide known residence of the British Monarchy.

Interestingly, Buckingham Palace has 78 bathrooms, with many readers being surprised to learn that it wasn’t until the late 1800’s (towards the end of Queen Victoria’s reign) that Buckingham Palace was equipped with toilets.

In times before the installation of toilets, the royal residents would use chamber pots instead of the familiar WC. In the Tudor era, royals would use privies, containing a wooden seat, and the contents would fall into a cesspit. Thankfully, with the flushing toilet and advancements, Buckingham Palace now boasts luxurious designs with bathrooms fit for a King. Gold Plated handles, toilet seat hinges, and ornate decorations are design features that can be found throughout Buckingham Palace.

If you wish to re-create some of these styles, the High-Level Toilets that are supplied by ShowerstoYou feature additional extras such as gold seat hinges & handles, traditional throne toilet seats, and ornate cistern & cistern brackets to match that period era. For additional height and comfort, the Regal Height Comfort Toilets allow comfort for taller users or the elderly.

What Bathroom Furniture would be fit for a King?

Many different furniture ranges offer elegant and period-style designs, oozing the grandeur and style we expect from our British Monarchy.

One of our bestselling ranges comes from Hudson Reed in the Hudson Reed Old London Bathroom Furniture range. This furniture perfectly complements period-style sanitaryware and fixtures with shaker-style doors, decorative plinths, and an exquisite timeless Twilight Blue. The Twilight Blue finish strikes a bold statement whilst keeping within the traditional theme of era’s gone by. Whether you pair it with gold handles and gold fittings or opt for wall-mounted or freestanding. This stunning furniture range from Hudson Reed will inspire you for your bathroom to re-create one fit for royalty.

The comprehensive range of vanity units, WC units and storage space for your bathroom can be echoed by our most infamous traditional furniture brand Burlington Bathroom Furniture. Extensive choices of size, colour and finishes give you plenty of flexibility and choice. Whether you opt for a marble style worktop to nod to the Georgina Era or pair up your vanity unit with the famous and popular Burlington Claremont Gold Tap Range for that added etiquette and elegance. The choice at ShowerstoYou is second to none.

Why buy my vintage bathroom from ShowerstoYou?

For over 40 years, ShowerstoYou has provided a wide range of quality bathroom & shower products at unbeatable discount prices while offering the service you deserve. We live and breathe bathrooms and strive to ensure we provide our customers with the best. Whatever your budget, styles and personal preferences, we have choices for you. Our close relationships with top suppliers mean that we can offer some of the best and most affordable prices.

Whatever Vintage Bathroom Style you have in mind, whether flamboyant or majestic. Celebrate the royal eras of bye-gone years or feature that flair of our King Charles III and Queen Camilla. At ShowerstoYou, we have the knowledge, the expertise and products to help you bring this royal dream alive.