Black retro shower system with round rain shower head and handset

The rain shower head isn't a flat disc: it has a domed, bell-shaped profile, like the shower heads of old. The 32 cm arm moves it away from the wall and the rain falls above your head.

Everything is matt black, from the tube to the rosettes. Against a grey wall, polished concrete or white tiles, the column draws a clean line. It suits an industrial-style bathroom or a period-style renovation.

The hose itself is black, which avoids the silver pipe that so often spoils the effect of a dark column. The round rosettes at the foot of the mixer follow the same colour.

The single-lever mixer has a short spout beneath its body. The water comes out of the spout or goes up to the shower, depending on the position of the diverter on top.

The spout fills a bath placed right below, or a bucket. The black handset, with its retro handle, sits on a sliding holder.

On the dimensioned photo, the spout projects about 15 cm and the adjustable height runs from 81 to 120 cm. The mixer is operated with one hand: lift the lever to turn on, turn it to balance hot and cold. A child understands the movement straight away.

The mixer screws onto two wall water supplies, using the eccentric connectors supplied. The tube is then fixed to the wall: allow for a drill and wall plugs suited to tiles.

Matt black doesn't shine, but it does show limescale. After the shower, a pass of a squeegee or cloth over the tube and the mixer is enough to avoid white marks.

Avoid harsh descalers, which can dull the finish. The boxed set shown in the photo also contains the rosettes and the connectors needed for fitting. Keep the fitting instructions to hand during installation.