Selecting the right taps for a traditional home is about more than simply echoing a period aesthetic. True traditional interiors are defined by their unmistakable sense of character, crafted through considered materials, timeless finishes, and meticulous detailing. Your choice of tapware should complement and enhance that ambience, not detract from it. The right design becomes a natural extension of the room’s heritage style, adding quiet sophistication while preserving its classic charm.
This guide walks through the key choices that matter when selecting taps for a traditional setting. Every home is different, but the principles are consistent. It is about choosing materials that feel authentic, shapes that suit the architecture, and finishes that age in a way that feels natural.
At Francone Bespoke Taps, we specialise in solid brass, unlacquered finishes, and enduring engineering. These qualities sit effortlessly within period homes, reflecting the artisanal techniques and material integrity that shaped historic brassware. By honouring these traditional methods, our pieces bring an authentic sense of craftsmanship to classic interiors while delivering performance that stands the test of time.
1. Start With the Architecture of Your Home
Before considering finishes or tap styles, it’s important to look at the space surrounding your tap. Period homes often feature distinctive architectural details - deep skirting boards, timber sash windows, stone flooring, cast iron radiators, and original joinery.
These elements establish the room’s character and help guide the choice of tapware. A tap that feels perfectly at home in a Georgian townhouse may not have the same impact in a Victorian cottage, even if both are traditional spaces.
In classic interiors, rounded forms are generally more sympathetic than sharp, contemporary lines. Softer curves pair beautifully with heritage materials such as oak, marble, cast iron, and plaster. You don’t need every detail to match, but the overall aesthetic should remain cohesive.
If your home showcases strong period features, a traditionally inspired design—such as a classic crosshead tap or an elegant lever handle—will typically harmonise better than a modern silhouette. Choosing luxury brassware crafted from solid brass ensures authenticity, longevity, and a timeless presence within any traditional setting.
2. Choose Materials That Feel Honest
Traditional interiors rely on natural, long-lasting materials. Solid brass is one of the most established metals used in historic homes, and for good reason. It ages well, it is easy to maintain, and it can be repaired rather than replaced.
All of our taps are made from solid brass and left unlacquered. This means they develop a natural patina over time, which helps the tap settle beautifully into the room.
Instead of remaining flat and uniform, the finish gradually develops depth and character. In a period home, this feels inherently appropriate. Original timber, plaster, and stone all reveal subtle signs of age and craftsmanship, so the tap should avoid appearing overly manufactured or artificial beside them. A beautifully made piece of luxury brassware with a living finish complements these natural materials, allowing the entire space to feel harmonious and authentically timeless.
3. Understand How Finishes Affect the Look of a Traditional Room
The finish you choose has a strong effect on the atmosphere of the space. Some finishes feel bright and refined, while others feel aged and grounded. In traditional homes, the most popular finishes tend to be:
Unlacquered Brass
Unlacquered brass finishes are warm and bright at first, and gradually mellow overtime. This is one of the most natural fits for traditional interiors because it matches the brass found in historical fittings. As it ages, its changes feel completely at home in a period setting.
Satin Brass
Also unlacquered, this finish features a soft, brushed texture that gently diffuses the light. Its understated surface pairs beautifully with natural stone and handmade tiles, creating a calm, tactile feel. As a subtler alternative to polished brass, it offers a refined balance, making it an excellent choice for transitional interiors where classic character meets contemporary elegance.
Tumbled Brass
This finish carries a subtly lived-in character from the very beginning. It complements homes with established age and texture, where materials already tell a story of time and craftsmanship. Tumbled brass integrates effortlessly into cottages, farmhouses, and heritage interiors, offering an instantly harmonious look that feels authentic, natural, and quietly luxurious.
Bronze and Gunmetal
These darker finishes introduce strength and architectural presence to a room. They pair beautifully with traditional materials such as slate, dark timber, and black ironwork, grounding the space with a refined, understated richness. Because we leave these finishes unlacquered, they evolve gently over time—softening at the edges and developing a deep, authentic patina that enhances their timeless appeal.
Polished Nickel and Brushed Nickel
Nickel provides a cooler, elegant tone that suits Edwardian and early twentieth-century interiors. Polished nickel is bright, crisp, and highly reflective, while brushed nickel offers a softer, more muted texture. Both finishes age gracefully, gaining subtle variations that add depth and character. Their versatility makes them an excellent choice for luxury brassware in heritage and transitional homes alike.
4. Pick the Right Tap Type for a Traditional Layout
Once you’ve selected the finish, the next consideration is configuration. Traditional homes sometimes have varied or unconventional plumbing layouts. So the style of tap you choose may be influenced by the basin design, wall depth, and existing pipework. Taking these details into account ensures that your luxury brassware not only looks authentic but functions seamlessly within the architectural fabric of the home.
Wall-Mounted Taps
Many period bathrooms use wall-mounted taps, especially above basins set into marble or timber surrounds. They save counter space and give the basin area a clean look. Wall-mounted designs also highlight traditional shapes well.
Deck-Mounted Taps
These mount directly onto the basin or worktop. They are common in older homes with ceramic basins that already have tap holes. Deck-mounted taps often work best with crosshead or lever handles that match the age of the basin.
Bridge Mixers and Bib Taps
Bridge mixers feature a raised connecting bar between the hot and cold feeds. They have a distinctly traditional look and suit farmhouse kitchens and period bathrooms. Bib taps, which project from the wall or the side of a basin, are also typical of older properties.
5. Choosing Handles That Match the Era
Handles can change the whole character of a tap. Traditional homes often suit:
- Crosshead handles – embody classic elegance and timeless charm.
- Droplet or ceramic lever handles – offer a softer, more refined look, ideal for interiors that favour subtle detailing.
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Edwardian handles – capture early twentieth-century sophistication with distinctive period style.
Crosshead handles tend to work in spaces with strong period features. Lever-style handles feel appropriate in Edwardian-style rooms or kitchens with shaker cabinetry. Matching the handle style to the surrounding joinery or hardware can help create a cohesive design.
6. Consider How the Tap Will Age in Your Home
Since all Francone finishes are unlacquered, every tap will develop patina. In a traditional home, this ageing is a benefit. The way it ages depends on water hardness, light, humidity and how often the tap is touched. It will never be identical to another tap, even if they started with the same finish.
If your home has antique furniture, aged timber or natural stone, the patina of an unlacquered tap sits comfortably alongside it. Over time, it looks like it belongs there. Many customers find that the tap feels more authentic after its first year than it did when it was brand new.
7. Match the Tap to Other Hardware
Traditional homes often contain a mix of metals, but they usually follow a consistent theme. You do not need to match every finish exactly, and slight contrasts can actually look very natural. What really matters is that the finishes feel related.
For example, brass pairs well with warm-toned timbers, cast iron, aged bronze and pewter. Nickel suits cooler rooms with greys and whites. Darker tones such as gunmetal or bronze can help ground a room with deep slate or dark wood.
Try not to introduce too many different finishes in one room. One main finish and one supporting finish are usually enough.
8. Installation Considerations in Period Properties
Installing taps in a period home can present unique challenges. Walls may be uneven, plumbing may have been updated multiple times over the years, and access behind basins is often limited.
These factors make careful planning essential. Selecting the right tap for your space and understanding its installation requirements can save time and ensure a seamless fit.
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Wall-mounted taps typically require a clear cavity behind the wall.
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Deck-mounted taps may involve creating new openings in marble, timber, or other surfaces.
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Bridge mixers sometimes require slightly wider spacing than contemporary basins.
Traditional homes reward meticulous installation. By providing precise measurements, we can guide you to the most suitable luxury brassware models or create a bespoke solution tailored to your space, ensuring both aesthetic harmony and flawless performance.
Conclusion
Choosing the perfect tap for a traditional home isn’t about simply replicating a period style. It’s about understanding what gives older homes their warmth, authenticity, and timeless character. Solid brass, unlacquered finishes, classic forms, and enduring engineering all contribute to that sense of comfort and continuity. When selected with care, a tap becomes a natural part of the room, as though it has always belonged there.
At Francone Bespoke Taps, we create brassware that embodies this philosophy. Every piece is crafted from solid brass, finished by hand, and designed to age gracefully over time. Whether you’re restoring a period property or enhancing a space with traditional charm, we can help you choose or even create a tap or shower that perfectly complements your home.
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