Do you enjoy the classic appeal of a porcelain free standing bath? Do you like architecture that tells a story? Do you prefer natural materials like stone, marble, and wood? Well, then, you just might be a fan of the traditional bathroom design.
A traditional bathroom design offers an elegant, yet simple, template for a bathroom remodeling project. Although the design is often based upon Victorian themes from the nineteenth century (traditional
bathroom designs sometimes also employ early and mid-twentieth century themes), the relative oldness
does not necessarily translate to stodgy.
Instead, think vintage and eclectic - two keywords that will help you refine your search for your preferred design elements and bathroom fixtures.
Read below for a brief history as well as preferred design elements and materials for this, most classical of all bathroom designs, the traditional bathroom.
Today, a traditional bathroom design offers effortless style, but Victorian bathrooms were built first for utility. Indeed, in the early nineteenth century, most homes did not even have bathrooms; instead, a free standing wash stand and wash basin were often placed in the bedroom for washing the hands, arms, and face. Although wealthier homeowners enjoyed more elaborate fixtures, the simple design we know today prevailed in most homes. After all, without a dedicated bathroom, the wash stand and wash basin were simply meant to be unobtrusive elements of the bedroom.
Before the nineteenth century, only the wealthiest homeowners owned free standing tubs. Thankfully, the Victorian Era saw a bathtub renaissance
with more and more middle class homeowners installing tubs in the bedroom. These tubs rarely enjoyed the benefit of plumbing; instead, hot water was supplied by the bucket from the kitchen range. The middle class homes enjoyed roll top baths with ball and claw cast iron feet and tap holes at one end. For ultimate utility, lower class homes often simply put a tin tub in front of the fire in the kitchen. Of course, for both utility and style, it's the roll top tubs that remain popular today.
For most of the Victorian era, the toilet's ancestor, the outhouse, was located outside. The first modern flush toilet was invented in 1885, by Thomas Twyford (and not Thomas Crapper, as is often assumed). Uniquely, Twyford's toilet was ceramic, and not the more common metal or wood. Crucially, too, Twyford's toilet was a single piece - a design that remains today.
It wasn't until the early twentieth century, when scientists discovered the role of bacteria in human health, that the bathroom become a permanent fixture of most houses. By then, the crucial design elements were already in place: simplicity, free standing fixtures like a wash stand, wash basin, and claw foot tub, and the ceramic toilet.
One essential fixture of the traditional bathroom offers a clue to the keys element of the design: the claw foot tub. Although claw foot tubs quite often employ claw
feet, the design of the foot is often based upon smooth curling lines.
Today the curling aesthetic dominates traditional bathroom renovations. Why curls? Well, homes of the Victorian era often included arched doorways and sloping walls. Homeowners also often placed layers of crown molding on the top of wall cabinets, and sometimes even around doors. To carry the smooth, arched shape through the bathroom, most homeowners chose bathroom furniture with curls supported by substantial, heavy legs. Sometimes even the legs themselves employed a curly design. Indeed, the curly design could be found in most bathroom accessories. Faucet handles and door handles, for example, often displayed curls.
To create the eclectic ambiance of a traditional bathroom, then, focus on smooth lines and curls. Leave the angular fixtures with straight lines for those who prefer a modern bathroom makeover.
Natural Materials: The Hallmark of Traditional Bathroom Design
For a timeless feel, a traditional bathroom renovation should employ sturdy natural materials. Think porcelain and ceramic for your tub and toilet. Think marble or natural stone for your wash stand and wash basin. We often see wood trim and fixtures in traditional bathroom renovation projects, too. For a traditional bathroom upgrade, when in doubt, think natural.
Kitchen Remodeling
Master Kitchen & Bath Design has set the standard for kitchen remodeling in the Bucks County area for over thirty years. A rare find in the kitchen remodeling industry, MKBD excels in both in-house design and construction. We never use subcontractors, all of our team members, from our lead designer to lead carpenter, take ownership of each project.
Bathroom Remodeling
Master Kitchen and Bath Design designs beautiful bathrooms to complement both older and newly constructed homes. For over thirty years, MKBD has distinguished itself as the leading bathroom remodeling company in the Philadelphia area. When you work with MKBD, you partner with the most innovative and skilled talent in the bathroom remodeling industry.
Finished Basements
In many homes, the basement is a neglected space, a hideaway for moldering storage boxes, discarded furniture, and outdated supplies. A remodeling project can transform your basement into a functional living space. From recreational rooms to guest suites, Master Kitchen & Bath Design excels in the design and construction of finished basements.
