Blimey, talking about a 1700 bath, you\u2019ve really sent me down memory lane! I was just thinking about this the other day, actually. I was helping a mate sort out his Georgian-style townhouse in Bath\u2014yes, the actual city, funny enough\u2014and we got into a right old chat about what you can and can\u2019t do.<\/p>\n
Honestly, if you\u2019re dealing with a proper 1700s bath space, you\u2019re not just slapping in a fancy freestanding tub and calling it a day. Oh no. It\u2019s a whole different ball game. The proportions, they\u2019re\u2026 intimate, let\u2019s say. We\u2019re talking about rooms that were often an afterthought, tacked onto the back of the house or squeezed under the eaves. I remember once, in a cottage in the Cotswolds, the original bathing area was barely bigger than a modern wardrobe! They used a tin bath by the fireplace, of course. So your first guideline is this: don\u2019t fight the cosiness. Embrace it.<\/p>\n
Space-wise, you\u2019ve got to be clever. Think \u201cfitted\u201d rather than \u201cfreestanding\u201d. A 1700 bath corner might only be, I dunno, 1.5 by 2 metres if you\u2019re lucky. You can\u2019t just bung a huge modern basin unit in there. I made that mistake early on, trust me. Bought this gorgeous marble-topped vanity for a project in Spitalfields, looked smashing in the showroom. Got it up the narrow staircase\u2014what a palaver!\u2014only to realise it swallowed the whole room. Felt like you were washing your hands in a furniture shop. Had to sell it at a loss, gutted.<\/p>\n
So fittings? They need to be scaled down. Look for a petite, wall-hung basin. Saves floor space and gives you that lighter feel. Taps? Go for cross-head or lever taps in a unlacquered brass or pewter finish. Those modern mixer taps with their sleek lines\u2026 they\u2019ll look like they\u2019ve landed from Mars, they really will. I found a supplier in Shoreditch that does beautiful reproductions, they even feel a bit stiff to turn, just like the old ones. Adds to the charm, even if it\u2019s a bit annoying when you\u2019ve got soapy hands!<\/p>\n
And materials\u2014this is where you can have a bit of fun, but you\u2019ve got to be authentic. Forget large-format porcelain tiles. Small, hexagonal floor tiles in limestone or terracotta. They\u2019re cold underfoot, mind you, so a wee rug is essential. The walls? Traditional lime plaster or simple tongue-and-groove panelling to about waist height. I painted some in this deep, inky blue for a client in Edinburgh, Farrow & Ball\u2019s \u2018Hague Blue\u2019, I think. With the candlelight from a sconce\u2026 oh, it was magical. Felt like you were in a different century. But you try keeping that plaster looking pristine with all the steam! It needs to breathe, see. Modern vinyl paint would just trap the moisture and cause no end of grief.<\/p>\n
Ventilation is the silent killer in these projects. Those old rooms often had just a tiny sash window. You can\u2019t rely on a noisy extractor fan that sounds like a helicopter taking off. I always try to preserve the original window and make sure it opens properly. Maybe add a discreet trickle vent above it. There\u2019s nothing worse than that damp, mildewy smell creeping in after a few months. Ruins the whole experience.<\/p>\n
Storage is another headache. They didn\u2019t have cabinets full of lotions and potions back then! I tend to use a simple, open wooden shelf above the loo, or a small, painted cupboard that looks like it\u2019s always been there. Hide the modern necessities, but don\u2019t try to hide the fact it\u2019s an old room.<\/p>\n
At the end of the day, the guideline isn\u2019t really a rulebook. It\u2019s about respecting the bones of the place. Don\u2019t try to make a 1700 bath behave like a 2024 spa. It\u2019ll fight you every step of the way. Let it be what it is\u2014a bit quirky, a bit cramped, but full of character. You\u2019re just the caretaker for a little while. My biggest lesson? Sometimes the best thing you can add is\u2026 nothing at all. Just a good clean, some sympathetic repairs, and a really fluffy towel.<\/p>\n
Right, I\u2019ve gone on a bit, haven\u2019t I? Hope that\u2019s given you a few ideas. It\u2019s all about the feel of the thing, really. Cheers<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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