During London Design Festival I worked with Modenus to create a bespoke bathroom and kitchen showroom tour for the National Kitchen and Bathroom Association who were visiting from the US. They were keen to see the diversity of design talent that exists in the UK and I was more than up for the challenge. As you know all things “interiors” float my boat but I have a special place in my heart for bathrooms. Especially as I have been putting off renovating my own family bathroom now for a number of years. The reason? My design ideas need a bigger budget. This means I am always eagle-eyed about spotting something glorious for my own needs. The full day bathroom tour that I put together had more than 10 scheduled stops and included some standout associated products like tiles and hardware. At the end of the blog post, there is a link to a map if you too want to do this shortened version of the showroom tour. Do let me know how you got on! Here are my 10 best bathroom showrooms in London.
Starting at the Design Centre Chelsea Harbour you need to head to the top floor to visit Victoria + Albert Baths. The British brand has a worldwide reputation for creating beautiful freestanding baths and basins. The contemporary showroom is particularly known for its use of QUARRYCAST® and Volcanic Limestone materials.
Samuel Heath
The Design Centre Chelsea Harbour has a number of bathroom showrooms however if you are looking for impeccable metal hardware then you cannot miss Samuel Heath. The British manufacturer has been producing since 1820 and has a fantastic array of showerheads, taps and other bathroom and architectural hardware. I’m a big fan of their Bauhaus inspired Landmark collection, as it is incredibly tactile.
Roca London Gallery
Close by to the Design Centre is the Roca Gallery designed by Zaha Hadid. The inspiration for the design of the showroom was literally water. There are flowing curves of concrete, undulating white walls that snake through the interior and arched openings that are a sight to behold. The 100-year-old Spanish Bathroom Company specialises in contemporary bathroom collections and has a collaboration line with Armani
Many of the collections at Drummonds are as much at home in stark, minimal bathrooms as they are in traditional settings. And if you are after a freestanding tub then this showroom should be on your research list. During London Design Festival, Drummonds launched their latest range designed with Martin Brudnizki part of an ongoing collaboration producing beautiful bathroom furniture and accessories. The new Leawood tap and shower collection is rather pleasing in the hand and on the eye. The lighting I gushed over on IGstories and is on my list of potentials when I eventually renovate.
I didn’t include this stop on our tour because this US Company is well known to the NKBA. If you haven’t come across or visited Water Works on the Kings Road then I’d definitely recommend a visit. Starting out life as a plumbing supply business it has morphed into a luxury bathroom manufacturer. My favourite product at the moment is the Isla wall mounted tap in burnished brass with metal geode handles, which look like brass rocks!
This is a must visit showroom for copper baths and traditional cast iron roll top baths. They produce all of the cast-iron baths at their foundry in Kent using techniques that have barely changed in 100 years. The Fulham road showroom has all the very best of their traditional range including high-level metal cisterns. Perfect if you are doing up a period property.
The flagship C.P. Hart showroom in Waterloo is a sight to behold particularly if you’re in the market for contemporary bathroom fittings. Housed in Victorian arches the displays showcase the designs of the many brands stocked by CP Hart. The room sets have working showers, include hundreds of taps and baths you can actually get in and try out for size. They also have a materials and sample library for design professionals to access.
TOTO
This Japanese brand is the place to visit if you are after a “smart” WC. It’s the Godfather of smart toilets if you like. I’m not going to skirt around the issue here, these toilets wash your unmentionable, kind of like a bidet, but without the need for towels, toilet paper or hands to get involved. They come with heated seats – a real luxury as far as I am concerned and a remote control to activate the water. In Japan, 74 percent of households have a high-tech toilet, which is higher than home computer ownership! TOTO believes its innovations make people’s lives cleaner and healthier so the showroom includes a private “experience” pod. Don’t knock it till you’ve tried it (and I have!).
Aston Matthews apparently stocks the largest selection of new cast iron baths in Britain, alongside plenty of contemporarily designed items including shower trays and taps. They have a huge range in stock, which is a big help if you are up against a plumbing deadline. In fact, the taps in my downstairs cloakroom are from Aston Matthews when I needed nice taps pronto.
The Water Monopoly showroom is a tucked away gem in Queens Park. With 5000 sqft of space showing one off originals and reproductions, it will make your jaw drop. Aged just 19, Justin Homewood bought his first antique bath and the Water Monopoly story began. Each antique piece is restored in-house to bring it up to current plumbing standard by a team working in the workshop below the showroom. The reproduction pieces include the belle époque Paris collection and the candy coloured Rockwell. The Rockwell is pretty epic, to be honest.
So what do you think? Are these the Best Bathroom Showrooms? Have I missed any must see ones off the list?
Plumbing Vision is amazing!!!!!!!! He took my call and was so kind and caring He wasn't about getting the job for my money; he was super honest and genuine!! I lost my jewelry in the toilet š honest people that aren't just about making a dollar deserve much business at http://plumbingvision.com!!!
This is a really called the unique design. I love each and every bathroom vanities. I wish I have.