Retro Style Bathroom

Retro style is a very abstract concept. When we say that an object or phenomenon belongs to the retro style, it means that it has something to do with the past. But is it possible to call "retro" dresses you wore in the last decade or objects of nobility of the 17th century? Opinions of experts in the field of fashion and design on this matter differ. According to the most popular point of view, retro includes recognizable fashion and style of the late 19th - early 20th centuries. Anything older is already antiques, and everything younger is vintage.

Speaking about the bathroom, decorated in the style of retro, we will have in mind exactly this time period. In this article, we will tell you about the characteristics of retro style and how to equip a modern bathroom, preserving in it the spirit of antiquity.

The interior in the retro style is characterized by the use of a large number of things from past eras. It does not necessarily have to be real vintage things taken out of grandmother's trunks (although they are certainly welcome), because we are not tasked with collecting a museum of historical artifacts. What we need is modern furniture, plumbing, and accessories stylized for antiquity.

As for the decorative elements, in the retro-bathroom they are present to a much lesser extent than in the classic interior of the 19th century. Abundant curls and floral ornaments gave way to strict geometry. Drawings in the form of stripes, rhombuses or checkerboard in the retro style are quite popular. This does not mean that the decor in a retro interior is completely absent: almost mandatory elements are mirrors in classical, lush frames and chandeliers with crystal pendants.

Soft, muted tones prevail in the retro style, but it should not be exclusively brown-gray-beige color scheme (because artificial dyes had already been invented by that time). However, bright saturated colors are rarely found in the decoration of the walls or floor. As a rule, light tones are used for this - white, milk, beige, coffee, light lemon. Also popular is the combination of light walls and dark floor, such as the contrast of white and black.

The central place in the bathroom, furnished in the retro style, of course, takes the baptismal font itself. Its selection should be given special attention. Below we will consider the characteristic features of a retro bathtub.

In a retro interior, a freestanding bathtub looks harmonious, as recessed models of sanitary ware - this is a sign of our days. The bathtub must be installed on decorative legs - in the form of lion's feet or neat curls.

Some fans of retro style manage to find authentic old bathtubs. Since such exhibits are usually not less than 50 years old, they are not designed to be connected to modern communications. Before installing such a bathtub in the apartment, it will have to be modernized.

In the time period in question, sanitary ware was made mostly of cast iron, so the most correct decision would be to buy a bathtub made of this material. The problem is that modern cast iron bathtubs are not at all like the authentic ones used by our ancestors. Of course, the fashion for retro-style has also reached the manufacturers of sanitary ware. That is why there are cast iron baths on sale, stylized as antique fonts: of unusual shape, with a brass coating or colored enamel. But such products cost quite a lot.

Another possible option is an acrylic bath. It is considered more budget-friendly, because it is much easier to work with light, plastic acrylic than with solid cast iron. Acrylic can be given any shape, so manufacturers make acrylic bathtubs that exactly replicate antique designs. Acrylic bathtubs can be decorated with metallic spraying or trimmed with wood. The performance of acrylic sanitary ware is at the highest level, so the comfort of bathing will be ensured.

This is a large American corporation, which was founded back in the 19th century. It produces bathtubs not only from modern materials, but also from the traditional retro style cast iron. The baths invented by the company's designers and designers combine the spirit of antiquity with the latest manufacturing technology.

This English company employs true admirers of antiquity. They do a great job, completely recreating the samples of antique sanitary ware, which has survived in palaces and museums. In the collections of the company you can find bathtubs identical to those that were in the homes of the noble English in the era of Queen Victoria or King Edward.

This is a German company that is not yet well known to our customers. Its products are characterized by true European quality in everything from the enamel coating to accessories. The company produces original baths made of cast iron. The lineup is very diverse: retro tubs on legs or resting on a solid base, white or with a metallized coating - lovers of retro style will have plenty to choose from.

The main requirement that is made to the faucet for retro baths - it must be in harmony with it in style. Therefore, we must forget about massive, chrome faucets with a long spout. Our choice is a miniature drop-shaped faucet with a valve control. In terms of color, the faucet should match the decorative elements on the baptismal font itself (e.g., supporting legs). Preference should be given to models with an aged metal finish, such as copper or brass. Showerheads should be a classic pattern: they are shaped like old telephone handsets.

When decorating a bathroom in the retro style, preference should be given to natural materials not only in the finishing, but also in the furnishings. The retro style is characterized by elegant wooden furniture. This is not bulky chests of drawers, countertops and cabinets for linen storage, but small light nightstands, tables, funny stools. Small hollow chests of drawers and chests of drawers on legs perfectly fit into the interior "under the old times". The furniture can have a natural wooden texture or be painted in light, bright colors.

A mirror is a mandatory element of any bathroom, not just a vintage-decorated one. Large mirrors inserted in wooden or metal frames should be purchased for a retro bathroom.

In the decorative design of the retro bathroom, you can safely use authentic antique things that have no practical value, but are only needed to form the overall style. For example, candlesticks, porcelain figurines, paintings and posters. All sorts of hooks, soap holders, towel holders and other things can be both vintage and stylized retro. For more chic, you can set on a graceful table a real retro phone or a table lamp from an antique store.

• Choosing finishing materials for the bathroom in the retro style, you should give preference to everything natural. If wood finishes are too expensive for you, then take a closer look at finishing materials that imitate real wood. The classic solution, which looks harmoniously in almost any interior, is ceramic tiles.
• Trying to recreate a vintage interior, you should not ignore the achievements of technology, sacrificing your own comfort in the name of aesthetics, otherwise the bathroom will be beautiful, but completely unsuited to the needs of the family. Modern, high-quality sanitary ware, handrails and headrests, whirlpool panels - this is what makes our life more pleasant and comfortable.
• In order to create a harmonious interior, not only the bathtub, but all the other plumbing equipment - sink, toilet, bidet, etc. should be made in a retro style. Choose accessories appropriate to the chosen style. So, you should abandon the lever faucets and choose the valve "thumbscrews".