HOW TO… CHOOSE BRASSWARE Valuable advice on bathroom styles

5th Avenue shower set in brushed brass, £1,781, West One Bathrooms

HOW TO... CHOOSE BRASSWARE

LOUISE ASHDOWN, HEAD OF DESIGN AT WEST ONE BATHROOMS, GIVES VALUABLE ADVICE TO GET YOUR SELECTION RIGHT

PHOTOGRAPH PAUL CRAIG FEATURE LINDA CLAYTON STARTING POINT The options can definitely be overwhelming. Begin by narrowing down by finish and general design style – ie contemporary or classic. We also try to establish a rough budget. I always advocate spending as much as you can afford because brassware takes the strain in the bathroom and poor build quality at lower price points can end up costing more in repairs and replacements in the long run.

PLUMBING ISSUES A lot of brassware is made for European homes on mains (high) pressure. If you have an older home with gravity fed water you can get a pump for the shower, but the basin and bath taps will need to be designed for low pressure use. Consider upgrading to mains pressure if you are renovating throughout. Expectations play a big part though. For some, a really powerful, skinstripping shower is essential, others are happy with a gentler flow that doesn’t guzzle lots of water.

INSTALLATION Wall-mounted taps look stylish but require space behind for pipework and the right style of basin/bath, without pre-drilled tap holes. The length of spout projection is crucial – allowing room for handwashing beneath. A floorstanding tap must be firmly affixed to the floor so it won’t budge if you knock into it.

FIND YOUR FINISH There are lots of finishes available now and, of course, the look is important but also consider care and longevity. If you want something pretty indestructible, 316 marine grade stainless steel is the best bet and looks amazing in a modern space. PVD finishes are built up in layers and much more durable than traditional plating or sprayed finishes. We like polished nickel for classic bathrooms; it’s warmer than chrome but not as bling as gold. Living finishes, like unlacquered brass, bronze and copper, will age in random ways so are not always great for perfectionists.

SUCCESSFUL SHOWERING Think

about who is using the shower and their height. A riser rail is a smart move in family bathrooms. If you have a fixed head, add a hand-shower for days when you don’t want to wash your hair and for cleaning the enclosure. Thermostatic controls are the norm now, but some European brands still make manual mixers so do check. Also position the shower controls near the shower entrance, so you can turn the water on without getting sprayed by stone cold water.

MATCHY-MATCHY Matching brassware across basins and showers is more desirable in smaller bathrooms, where you can see everything in one glance. The easiest solution is to buy all your brassware from one manufacturer. In bigger bathrooms, you can mix up finishes more freely, without disrupting sleekness. While I wouldn’t put copper and brass finishes too close together, there are finishes, like black and white for example, that pair really well with others.

AFTERCARE One of the biggest issues we have is customers using the wrong soaps and cleaners. Chrome and stainless-steel taps are fine but anything with acid in can damage brass and bronze. Organic cleaning products, which you’d assume were safe, contain citric acid – so always check the ingredients. Black is a nightmare in hard-water areas and nickel needs to be polished to prevent dulling. You might be happy to put in the extra effort for the look you want but it’s good to know what you’re signing up for. &

■ westonebathrooms.com

SOURCEBOOK: GO-TO BRANDS

GESSI

We love this high-end Italian brand, especially for its luxury wellness shower systems. Each piece is engineered to ensure brilliant performance. gessi.com

LEFROY BROOKS

A great manufacturer for classic British bathrooms.All taps are hand-cast, hand-forged, hand-polished and hand-assembled. uk.lefroybrooks.com

SAMUEL HEATH

This Birmingham-based manufacturer offers seriously good products and exceptional quality. They tick all the design boxes, from industrial to classic. samuel-heath.com

VOLA

Offering solid and well-made bathroom accessories, this Danish company takes a paredback design approach that’s timeless and unpretentious. vola.com