Retain and reuse bath and taps?

10 years ago

last modified: 10 years ago

I've just bought a beautiful 1903 Edwardian house, with lots of original features, and is in need of a complete renovation. I'm planning to combine the separate wc and bathroom into one and would like to reuse the existing bathroom suite if I can make them look attractive. Less worried about the wc (though the black plastic cistern will have to go) and sink (might re-enamel or live with the crackling), but not sure how to bring the bath up-to-date. Would like to reuse the bath taps as a minimum and looking for ideas on how to make the bath look more modern without just adding new panelling and to have a rainwater shower. The bath will need re-enameled too. Thoughts?

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victorianbungalowranch

10 years ago

My WCs were tiny and had a totally cute tiny sinks in each. Villeroy and Bosch make some, and you can maybe get creative and add a DIY one downstairs at least.

I did find it inconvenient to not have a toilet by the bathtub, especially since the nearest WC was a half-flight below on the stairs landing. I lived in a quirky self-built post WWII house in Germany, that was originally two small units, one on each floor with both toilets in the stairwell! All the plumbing was original. My landlord sold it after we moved out and I bet all the character is gone now.

No appreciation at all for MCM in Germany, although modern style is very popular. I wish I could have carted home the tons of cool MCM stuff I saw by the curb as the younger generation took over. Still regret leaving the mosaic 1950s coffee table, but it weighed a ton!

If there is no assistance to maintain Edwardian style houses in Scotland, are there any programs to help improve their energy efficiency, short of replacing the windows. Studies in the US have shown that traditional wood windows can be almost as efficient as new replacement windows with proper maintenance and a storm (inside or outside).

I posted some suggestions for inexpensive energy upgrades at another post:

https://www.houzz.com/magazine/my-houzz-accessibility-with-personality-in-an-1870-home-stsetivw-vs~16646998

https://www.houzz.com/magazine/easy-green-9-low-cost-ways-to-insulate-windows-and-doors-stsetivw-vs~4929532

One thing I saw a lot in Germany and Northern Europe was very thick and heavy blanket-like covering for doors and windows. They also had built-in shutters called rolladen outside--built right into the very thick masonry walls. Never made it to Scotland though--do they have anything like that there?

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Comments (11)

mousemaker
10 years ago
i'm sure you will get lots of suggestions! my first thought is that I would take out the old plumbing fixtures and replace them with restoration pieces that look the way you want, but work better :) and more efficiently in terms of water use. It's possible the old plumbing is not up to snuff :)
I had one of those sinks in the basement and it drove me nuts! now I have a laundry sink and it's much more useful and no dripping!
victorianbungalowranch
10 years ago
They still make cistern type toilets although they are pretty pricey, but your might be able to get a replacement tank. I once had one and really liked it.

If you do a search, you might find some salvage companies in town and they can refer you to good resurfacing specialists. Even repro fixtures get pricey, and it is usually less expensive to refurbish the original, plus is authentic to the house. Not much of this stuff left these days. Even it you replace, you can probably find a market for the old stuff.

Separate WC can be practical--once lived in a house with two of them!

If the rest of the house is as intact as the bathroom, you might qualify for state residential tax credits. Really worth checking out before making any radical changes. FYI Kitchens and bathrooms are not normally required to be maintained, but it is a feather in your cap if you keep some features. Best check with your locality and state historic preservation office (depends on state for exact name) before you renovate to avoid disqualifying yourself. A premium is placed on original or historic (say a 1920s sunporch) elements and materials--replacement windows and artificial siding and materials can disqualify you, but depends on extent and age of alteration. Maintenance of the existing features is usually a safe thing to do from a historic preservation standpoint.
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I believe that most of the expense in refurbishing a bathroom is in the labour. You can buy a very cheap toilet and sink, but it will cost you a lot to fit it in. To spend as little as possible, I would suggest painting the room a darker colour and see what you think. This will make a big difference. Perhaps a darker grey in the same tone as one of the colours in the tiles. The best thing about paint is that it is easy to change if you don't like it. You can replace the sink taps cheaply and if you can find a towel radiator that fits in the same plumbing spot that will save you plastering. You can replace the shower hose with a shiny new one and get a new clip to hold a new shower head on the wall. You can put a long, silver towel rail on the wall above the radiator and hang a nice, fluffy towel there! If you get a bigger, more modern (plain) mirror on the wall and move all of your personal items out of there the room will look less cluttered. Give it a mega good scrubbing as well and you will enjoy using your new room. Let me know when you want to refurbish the whole thing but for now that will make a low cost alternative. Please show me a photo when you're done. www.saralevydesigns.com
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Hi, if this is a investment property (not your forever home) then whatever you do has to be an enhancement of the property to maximise your return, most property's are sold by the kitchen & bathroom !!! ( excluding location) If you take out the suite and try to sell it I think you would be surprised by how little value is left on it, now picture this left in the house when selling........ you are cutting your prospective buyers down as the que up for the ready to walk into house next door with the new bathroom/.kitchen ect Anyway if you look back at your own ideas pics I think you have made your own mind up as all your ideas are clean straight, white & bright !!
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That's one photo gone right :) Curious to see the rest (and the exact measurements). Using the original tile might be dificult as you've removed a wall. I'd also suggest insulating the exterior wall and windows, as it will pay itself back in the future. With special bubble foil and cement board it will not take up too much space (and the exterior wall can still breathe). A bath on the attic floor sounds like a bad idea, or an expensive on at the least. Our little boy preferred showers since the age of two, so don't base your decision on kids. They love those little plastic baths too. (Loads of dutch households don't have a bath.) Cisterns are great for modern bathrooms (but when they fail, it's quite a hassle), so the question is are you creating a somewhat 1920s bathroom or a modern style?
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Thanks Emanuelle. I do like those. I've got a high maintenance ensuite (my choice!) so easy maintenance in here is good particularly with the fun of cleaning under the bath! Thanks, the mirror was from Zara, I've just looked and it's on sale ATM for £50 :)
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rona38
Original Author
10 years ago
Thanks mousemaker! My plan is to replace the electrics and plumbing throughout, together with a new boiler. Hadn't really thought about whether the old fixtures would work well or not - good point!
mousemaker
10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago
good for you. you can't be too careful with an older home. The fun stuff will still be there to get done :) but things like old knob and tube wiring? gotta go!! :) I forgot to say congrats on the house!!!
will you be dressing like Downton Abbey? :)
rona38
Original Author
10 years ago
Thanks victorianbungalowranch! I'm in Edinburgh, Scotland. Lots of old houses here, so no government subsidies for preservation. I just took a look at architectural salvage at the weekend and was surprised how little there is available. Think I'll have to try ebay for a cistern. I'll have a toilet downstairs and the toilet and bathroom upstairs which is why I've been planning to merge upstairs. Can't get my head around not having a sink with the toilet. Seems there are some resurfacing places here, so will get quotes.

I'm trying to avoid making many changes. I fell in love with it it for all it's historical features so keen to preserve everything I can, and reuse both for authenticity and to be environmentally friendly.

Now just need to find a way to make the bath inviting.
rona38
Original Author
10 years ago
Now I have to look up 'old knob and tube wiring'...! The house is/will be wonderful. I'll be dressing like Downton Abbey with woollies on undernearth as it's a bit chilly already.
mousemaker
10 years ago
I may be wrong about the wiring, but it's good to check on it anyway :) Try not to overwhelm yourself with all the things you need and want to do. It will all take time and unfortunately, money :) It's chilly here too but I insist on hanging on to summer!! :)
mousemaker
10 years ago
http://downtonabbeyonline.com/downton-abbey-fashion/
rona38 thanked mousemaker
rona38
Original Author
10 years ago
Hi mousemaker, whatever the wiring currently is - it is being replaced, so I'll not worry about that one. To do list is never-ending, but I'm enjoying the journey.

Downton Abbey fashion is wonderful. Great series, roll on season 4.

Thought I should put a pic up (this is my first discussion entry) as I'm sure there will be plenty more to come. This is me outside my house on 1st October having just picked up the keys. I was jumping up and down with excitement.
rona38
Original Author
10 years ago
Hi victorianbungalow ranch, thanks for all the great ideas. We do get information on government subsidies as part of the seller's mandatory home report, but that focuses on wall insulation (and I'm in a terrace, so doesn't really help me).

No, we don't have anything like Rolladen here. Let's not talk about windows. That is one thing that was changed by the previous owner (who lived there for 40 years) - sash windows replaced by white upvc. Yeuch :-( My only consolation is that they're in good condition, so it's one thing I don't have to spend money on.

I'm off to look at tiny basins now ;-)

Retain and reuse bath and taps?

victorianbungalowranch

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Retain and reuse bath and taps?

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