Retro Style Shower Tap

This wall-mounted tap does not look like today's square mixers. Two curved arms leave the wall to join the central body, topped with a fluted dome and a teardrop-shaped curved lever. The polished chrome highlights every curve.

It suits a period bathroom, with cement tiles, panelling or a cast-iron bath, but also a renovation that wants to keep a classic nod. Its silhouette is recognisable at first glance, and it is what sets the tone for the room. Chrome reflects the light and goes with silver accessories.

Despite its old-fashioned look, it is a mixer: a single lever at the top of the body. You lift it to open, turn it left or right to warm or cool the water. The temperature is set by hand; it is not a thermostatic.

In the photos, the body has a spout at the front and a threaded outlet underneath, to screw on the hose of a handset. A rod under the body, the diverter pull, switches the water from one to the other. The hose and handset do not appear in the contents: allow for them.

The exploded photo shows the tap, two eccentric connectors, two chrome rosettes and two seals. The body is stated to be brass, with a 1/2″ (15x21) connection.

The tap fits onto two water inlets that come out of the wall, hot and cold. The eccentrics screw into these inlets, with PTFE tape or hemp, and take up a few millimetres of gap between them; the rosettes then hide the thread. On an existing installation, a DIYer can manage; if the inlets need to be created, call a plumber. Remember to check for leaks with hot water as well as cold.