How to buy an electric blue faux crocodile skin bath

What’s the point of a cast iron bath? Surely plastic ones are lighter, cheaper and come in a range of colours, including avocado. You can even get imitation woodgrain side panels to add instant sophistication. So why choose cast iron?

Well, there’s a host of reasons, apart from the obvious ones hinted at above. The Victorians were the first to popularise the classic roll-top tub. It was immensely strong, retained the heat of the water for much longer and lasted for generations.

Expensively manufactured for the great houses and grand hotels, it gradually became more accessible as the wonders of indoor plumbing slowly spread to the rest of the population, but was eventually edged out when moulded plastic baths became available.

Times change, however, and the cast iron bath - which never fell out of favour with the discerning few - is now rightly recognised as a classic design icon. In a luxury bathroom there is no more powerful statement than a beautiful roll top bath, but for the scheme to achieve maximum fluency it’s important to choose the right one for its setting.

In a market crowded with mass-produced reproductions, bathroom furnishings specialist acajou stand out for creating stunning cast iron baths that are built to a standard, not to a price.

Each of the freestanding roll top designs is hand-finished with porcelain enamel, and features ball and claw solid brass feet with a choice of gold or chrome plating. Designs range from the traditional slipper style to those with a contemporary twist.

Acajou is probably unique in offering clients virtually unlimited choice in terms of finish. Whether the preference is simply to acquire a porcelain cast iron bath or one painted in a particular colour to suit your bathroom decor, the company is able to help.

Acajou has worked on a number of bespoke projects involving the hand-painting of client-commissioned designs on the exterior of cast iron baths. One particularly fun commission called for an acajou bath to be upholstered in a striking electric blue faux crocodile skin fabric!

Acajou baths really are something special. Flowing, fluid lines, craftsman built to last a lifetime, hand-finished and available in a range of styles and an infinite number of bespoke finishes, they start from £1550. All colours can be commissioned. Even avocado.

For further information visit Acajoudesign.com.