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Original poster

Mixing traditional with modern bathroom design (photos)

49 replies

peranaka · 01/04/2022 19:35

We're having a new bathroom fitted, and I'd like to mix and match traditional and modern designs. It's an Edwardian house with lots of original features, and we've always had traditional-looking bathrooms in the past, but I'm a bit tired of the massive shower heads that are hard to clean.

I've decided to go for minimalist-looking overhead shower and handheld, but traditional-looking valve. The toilet will be traditional, but close coupled. See photos. Do these mix well together? Or just go for a more minimalist valve too?

Also, our plumber has recommended a tapless bath. Water will come out of the overflow. Has anyone got this? Are there any issues with this? Will be easier to clean! (Live in a hard water area, limescale everywhere)

Thank you!

Mixing traditional with modern bathroom design (photos)
Mixing traditional with modern bathroom design (photos)
Mixing traditional with modern bathroom design (photos)
OP posts:
Thread gallery
11
Original poster
peranaka · 01/04/2022 19:36

This is the toilet

Mixing traditional with modern bathroom design (photos)
OP posts:
Original poster
peranaka · 01/04/2022 20:21

Bump

OP posts:
LndnGrl · 01/04/2022 20:51

I don't think that shower goes with that toilet, sorry.

LndnGrl · 01/04/2022 20:52

How about the traditional metro tile style, black and white etc but with modern matt black or gold fittings?

Pegasushaswings · 01/04/2022 20:55

Rather than mix hardware styles, I’d go modern hardware and add in some vintage/antique tiles or pictures or soften with plants and maybe wooden shelves.

TatianaBis · 01/04/2022 21:02

I’d go one way or the other.

I don’t like those loos personally as they’re harder to clean and take up more room than back to the wall.

Original poster
peranaka · 01/04/2022 21:30

I feel like modern toilets are bigger/chunkier, aren't they? Can PPs suggest an alternative design that would go with the more modern hardware?

OP posts:
Original poster
peranaka · 01/04/2022 21:34

Tiles-wise, I'm going for black and white on the floor (see photo) and stacked brick tiles on the walls.

Mixing traditional with modern bathroom design (photos)
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Hebeee · 01/04/2022 23:24

I'm afraid I don't think they go together either. We've previously successfully - imho - mixed older with more contemporary styles in our bathrooms, for example having a back to wall toilet with oak arts & crafts style vanity unit and contemporary counter top basin. Then added Victorian style tiles and contemporary Hans Grohe taps/shower etc.

In our current family bathroom we have a gothic style toilet with high level cistern paired with a modern rolltop bath, vintage demilune table as vanity unit with oval basin and colourful encaustic style tiles. Taps are a contemporary take on period style. Much like the rest of our house, it has the look of a room that has evolved over time and whilst I thought it might look odd - especially as we've mixed metals too - it works really well.

TheDoveFromAboveCooCoo · 01/04/2022 23:29

We are having our en suite done at the moment with a similar theme. These are our tiles (I am so in love with them)

I really like your shower and toilet!

Mixing traditional with modern bathroom design (photos)
Mixing traditional with modern bathroom design (photos)
Yellownotblue · 02/04/2022 00:23

I’m a big fan of mixing old and new, I think the best designs have a mix of antiques and modern pieces. However, these items just don’t go together, sorry. The shower valves clash with the shower head and handheld. The toilet clashes with all of them - the flush isn’t the same shape as the valve handles.

If you want to introduce period elements in a modern bathroom, consider using encaustic tiles which can marry well with modern decors. Alternatively, have a wash basin mounted on an Edwardian wash stand, they can look very chic.

Also consider the lighting fixtures, this can be a way to introduce period touches.

Mixing traditional with modern bathroom design (photos)
Yellownotblue · 02/04/2022 00:25

Oh, and also, maybe go for taps and shower in a brushed bronze or brass instead of chrome?

Yellownotblue · 02/04/2022 00:31

@Hebee your bathroom sounds fab, but... “gothic style toilet” has me baffled. I am picturing a wooden bucket in the corner 😁

Original poster
peranaka · 02/04/2022 07:26

Ok ok I hear you all. What about I got a modern valve for the shower, so everything within the shower enclosure is modern. Then traditional toilet, and traditional tap in basin.

The trouble is, I don't like modern wall hung toilets or those close coupled ones with button flushes.

I'm not trying to deliberately mix modern and traditional to be 'quirky'. I genuinely don't like traditional shower heads or modern toilets! Sad

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hallwaypaint · 02/04/2022 08:31

We have a tapless bath. It's very easy to clean. It also means no one has to sit at the tap end if you've got more than two people in there.

stuntbubbles · 02/04/2022 08:33

I think you can probably find a modern loo with a flush handle and not wall hung, it’ll just take searching.

On the bath overflow filler: DO IT! They’re genius. My SIL has one you just turn for the water; I had one with the valve above to set temp. Both were wonderful and far easier to clean than taps – but look a lot more modern than, say, your loo.

On the other hand: it’s YOUR bathroom. Not everyone will love my pink floor and green tiles, I don’t love other people’s bland beige tiles. If you want these elements together and that suits you, do it. Easy enough to change a handheld shower head for a fiddly traditional-looking one when you want to sell.

TheDoveFromAboveCooCoo · 02/04/2022 08:42

@hallwaypaint

We have a tapless bath. It's very easy to clean. It also means no one has to sit at the tap end if you've got more than two people in there.
Bloody hell how big is that bath to get more than 2 people in there! 😂😂
girlmom21 · 02/04/2022 08:46

I've got a tapless bath. It's just a button and dials you can set to temperature and depth. It turns off when it's reached the preset water depth (you can change it whenever you want). It has a handheld shower head too and you just hold the button down to switch between the running water or shower head.

We've got buttons to turn on the shower too. One inside and one outside.

WhatAWasteOfOranges · 02/04/2022 11:58

I recently stayed at a lovely Airbnb that had v traditional style (but fresh) bathrooms but modern showers. It worked well….

Mixing traditional with modern bathroom design (photos)
WhatAWasteOfOranges · 02/04/2022 12:00

The pic didn’t show up…

Pic 9/60

abnb.me/CE0T21fGTob

Original poster
peranaka · 02/04/2022 12:19

@WhatAWasteOfOranges yes! That's exactly what I'm going for. Glad someone else has done the same, and I think it looks nice.

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Original poster
peranaka · 02/04/2022 13:36

@girlmom21 can I ask you what make that is? What I've seen so far are 3 outlet 3 handle valves, so 1 handle for temperature, 1 for on/off and 1 for toggling between overhead shower, handheld and bath.

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girlmom21 · 02/04/2022 13:39

[quote peranaka]@girlmom21 can I ask you what make that is? What I've seen so far are 3 outlet 3 handle valves, so 1 handle for temperature, 1 for on/off and 1 for toggling between overhead shower, handheld and bath. [/quote]
Ours is Aqualisa. Here's a picture. Ignore the water marks - it needs a clean Blush

Mixing traditional with modern bathroom design (photos)
girlmom21 · 02/04/2022 13:40

Oh our shower is completely separate to the bath so maybe that's the difference

Blossomtoes · 02/04/2022 13:42

@TheDoveFromAboveCooCoo

We are having our en suite done at the moment with a similar theme. These are our tiles (I am so in love with them)

I really like your shower and toilet!

Completely off topic but what the hell do you do with your left leg when you sit on that loo?
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