Because of our business, we like to consider ourselves experts when it comes to bathroom design. That being said, we still like to acknowledge those that came before us. Those who pioneered bathroom design and functionality (shout out to the inventor of toilet paper), and that’s exactly what we’re doing here with a little trip into the bathrooms of history.
For this installment, we’re featuring the bathroom of one of history’s larger than life characters. The one and only King Henry VIII. While you might not have guessed by looking at him, Henry VIII was quite the innovator when it came to hygiene in Tudor, England.
When the monarch elected to make Hampton Court Palace (pictured above) his primary residence he demanded - in true kingly fashion - that a new “royal throne” be built within his stately tower. The room consisted of a beautifully constructed window seat, a gold-patterned ceiling and an imposing copper tub...high style even by today’s standards.
Perhaps even more famous than the bathroom itself was the king’s personal toilet within his Privy Chamber. While certainly an interesting feature as it stands, it’s what the king kept with his toilet that makes the story so interesting. The room was served by a personal attendant known as the Groom of the Stool. That’s right. And owing to the “close and personal” nature of the job, the position was highly coveted by courtiers of the period.
So there you have it. From us, the people that make bathroom design their business, we proudly honor Henry VIII and the room he fashioned to do his business.
For this installment, we’re featuring the bathroom of one of history’s larger than life characters. The one and only King Henry VIII. While you might not have guessed by looking at him, Henry VIII was quite the innovator when it came to hygiene in Tudor, England.
When the monarch elected to make Hampton Court Palace (pictured above) his primary residence he demanded - in true kingly fashion - that a new “royal throne” be built within his stately tower. The room consisted of a beautifully constructed window seat, a gold-patterned ceiling and an imposing copper tub...high style even by today’s standards.
Perhaps even more famous than the bathroom itself was the king’s personal toilet within his Privy Chamber. While certainly an interesting feature as it stands, it’s what the king kept with his toilet that makes the story so interesting. The room was served by a personal attendant known as the Groom of the Stool. That’s right. And owing to the “close and personal” nature of the job, the position was highly coveted by courtiers of the period.
So there you have it. From us, the people that make bathroom design their business, we proudly honor Henry VIII and the room he fashioned to do his business.
