Taps/showers/brassware question

[james_y]

Hi all,

So, I am due to renovate a place, and so I am thinking about the bathroom. I've noticed that a lot of the newly produced "period"-influenced taps/brassware for bathrooms look very mass-produced and lacking in any character. Some of them even look a bit on the tacky side.

Can anyone please recommend me some companies that provide tasteful products? Maybe even some good companies for restored/reclaimed taps/showers as well.

Thanks!

 

[a twig]

It broadly comes down to how much you want to spend I’m afraid. Once you get into the regions of £200 upwards for a pair of taps then all your issues with the mass produced / cheap look go away.

If you’re wanting to pay more everyday prices then you have to trade off against that. You don’t specify any particular period you are after so can’t really help further I’m afraid.

 

[a twig]

This place might be a good start for you:

Period Bathrooms - Add Classical Elegance To Your Bathroom

Period Bathroom Products - Cast Iron Baths, Burlington and Arcade Bathrooms at discounted prices and free delivery.

www.periodhousestore.co.uk

 

[malcolm]

I've used a lot of Heritage taps. Quite expensive new but they can be found on eBay often attached to a nice sink or bath for much less.

 

[stuart45]

When I did out kitchen about 20 years ago, I got a pair of Perrin and Rowe Mayan bibcocks online brand new, but quite cheap. After about 6 months one of them started leaking from behind the tap, so I rang up Perrin and Rowe, and they sent me out a new set, no questions where I bought them.
I gave the old set to a friend, who later found out they were probably fakes, as the new cartridges didn't fit them.
The ones I've got in the kitchen are still in good condition, so I guess they are a quality tap, although when you look at the prices new they should be.

 

[mims&pip]

We installed Hansgrohe Axor Montreux in the main bathroom of a previous (period) house. Fab quality and looked lovely but definitely ££££ We've also been happy with Heritage and Crosswater brands. Arteform is owned by an old friend but I confess we've not tried those as many of the designs are too trendy for our sensibilities!

Here we have Utopia (Regent) in the family bathroom and planned to use brushed brass Gessi (for a slightly more contemporary look plus it's the 'Mimi' which happens to be me ) in the cloakroom, but as we're now looking to sell that's coming with us.

In previous kitchens we've used either Perrin & Rowe or Barber Wilson but here we went for a super spendy (£900 ) articulated pot-filler style from Hornbeam Ivy/Steamvalve Originals. Again, amazing quality....

Mims x

 

[mardinor]

Perrin & Rowe
Czech & Speake
Catchpole & Rye
Thomas Crapper

 

[jamest]

Most taps etc are made in China these days, some are very good quality (like Crosswater or Lefroy Brookes), others not so much. You need to get an idea of the quality of what you're buying. This site provides a reasonable overview of companies (though from a US perspective):

Best Independent Reviews of Over 250 Faucet Brands

The most comprehensive independent review of over 250 Faucet brands.

www.starcraftcustombuilders.com

The good ones are expensive, you have to pay for quality. Refurbished taps are also expensive, but not nearly as much as, say, new Perrin & Rowe or Samuel Heath. These guys, for example, have some nice looking taps:

For Sale – Tap Refurbishment

If you want to spend big on new taps and you like brass, these guys are good:

Taps

From unique, heritage-inspired designs to contemporary, minimal models, our range of taps at Bespoke Taps is built to suit almost any decor style and set-up. Take your pick from wall-mounted, deck-mounted and floor-mounted models with highly customisable elements for your bathroom, kitchen or...

bespoketaps.com