Some bathroom brands talk about quality. Perrin & Rowe just show it, right there in the weight of a tap, the feel of a ceramic handle, or the unmistakable shine of a real polished finish. For anyone who's ever wondered if the details matter, they've probably never stood in front of a Perrin & Rowe tap or tried turning one on. Once you do, it's easy to see why these are the fittings people want for the long haul.
There's nothing rushed about Perrin & Rowe. Each piece feels as though someone actually took their time, and in most cases, that's exactly what's happened, cast, polished and assembled in the UK by people who still take pride in getting it right. For a lot of homeowners and designers, the name Perrin & Rowe means just one thing: something built to last, that'll probably outlast most of what you put it next to.
So, how did we get here, and why does it matter for your next bathroom or kitchen project?
If you want the story of Perrin & Rowe, you start in East London, late 1970s. Two friends, Bob Perrin and Greg Rowe, kicked things off in a workshop, surrounded by bits of brass and more than a few ambitious ideas. They weren't trying to build a brand empire; they just wanted to make things that worked better, felt better, and, this part was non-negotiable, looked better than what you'd find in your average builder's merchant.
By the time the '80s rolled around, their taps and fixtures started building a reputation among people who cared about the details. The business grew quietly at first, fuelled by word of mouth and a relentless focus on old-school British manufacturing. No gimmicks, just solid materials, skilled hands, and a level of finishing that most manufacturers left behind decades ago.
Things really shifted in the early '90s, when they came up with the world's first three-in-one Triflow tap, hot, cold, and filtered water from a single spout. That's the sort of innovation that makes other companies take notice. It set a tone: Perrin & Rowe weren't just repeating what came before. They were out to set new standards for brassware.
Fast-forward to the 2000s, and the company's moved operations to larger factories (think Rainham, Wolverhampton, Tamworth), bringing more apprentices into the fold and keeping everything, right down to the last washer, under the same watchful British eyes. Even now, when "British-made" is more of a buzzword than a promise, Perrin & Rowe still do things the hard way: casting, machining, polishing, and assembling right here in the UK.
Their products haven't just stayed in the UK, either. They're found in luxury hotels, high-end homes, and even the odd stately property across Europe, North America, and the Middle East. But the real core of it hasn't changed: two blokes, a big idea, and an obsession with getting the details right.
Perrin & Rowe aren't one-trick ponies. Their collection spans from essential kitchen taps to ornate bathroom mirrors, all tied together by obsessive quality and thoughtful design.
They offer everything from classic bridge mixers to modern pull-down rinse taps. For instance, the Juliet monobloc mixer blends clean modern lines with a functional pull-down spray, ideal for prep work. All crafted in Britain, these taps use low-lead brass and thick plating for longevity.
The Etruscan three-lever mixer swaps novelty for substance: traditional design meets filtered water and side spray convenience. Ceramic disc valves and insulated handles make it both stylish and practical.
From hot taps to dedicated filtration taps, they have options to support purer drinking water straight from the countertop.
Their kitchen sinks, including stainless steel and single bowl options, pair beautifully with matching soap dispensers and basin racks. Accessories fall neatly under built-in functionality as well as aesthetic cohesion.
Covering everything from two-hole mixers to four-hole bath sets, their bathroom taps come in series like Edwardian, Georgian, Deco, and Holborn.
Each range has its own personality, from refined curves to crisp minimalism.
Their shower portfolio is extensive: shower roses, thermostatic valves (concealed and exposed), sliders, handshowers, parking brackets and more. With around 90 shower items, you can tailor everything in one finish.
With over 35 bath fillers and mixers, you've got deck, wall, four-hole decks, and even free-standing sets, all styled to complement their taps.
Think robe hooks, towel rings/bars, soap dispensers, shelves, toothbrush holders, toilet roll holders, grab rails and baskets, all crafted from solid brass and hewn to match the main fittings.
Let's get one thing out of the way, when you're holding a Perrin & Rowe tap, it's the finish that first catches your eye, but it's the underlying material that gives the weight and feel. The company doesn't cut corners. Everything starts with low-lead brass, cast and machined in Britain, which is about as good as it gets for plumbing hardware. You can feel the difference. This isn't the kind of tap you toss in a skip after five years; it's the sort of thing you end up leaving for the next homeowner, still working as well as the day it was fitted.
Now, about those finishes. There's a bit of an art to how Perrin & Rowe does it. Here's a run-down of what you'll find:
The real magic, though, is in the details. The thickness of Perrin & Rowe's plating is above industry standard, much thicker than you'll find from mass-market brands. That means their finishes don't just look good out of the box; they last, holding up to years of cleaning and daily use.
A finish is only as good as how you look after it. Most only need a soft, damp cloth. No harsh abrasives or strong chemicals; just a bit of TLC. Aged and unlacquered finishes are meant to evolve, so let them change over time. If you want a mirror finish forever, chrome's your best bet.
You could sum it up by saying Perrin & Rowe is for people who'd rather buy once and get on with life, rather than fiddling with leaky taps every few years. But that would be selling them short. Here's why so many designers, renovators, and, frankly, people who are just a bit fussy about their homes, keep coming back to them:
These aren't mass-produced in a far-off factory. Each piece starts life as a lump of brass in a British foundry and passes through the hands of real craftspeople, people who have been doing this for years, sometimes decades. Every stage is checked and double-checked. Even the final assembly and testing is done by hand.
It's not just for show. Taps and valves are tested to 500,000 cycles (that's more than a lifetime of use for most people), and the components inside are over-engineered rather than built to a price. The cartridges are ceramic, the seals are made to last, and even the finish resists wear far longer than the industry standard.
Whether you're doing a kitchen, a bathroom, or a whole house, the finishes and design language match throughout. You don't get "almost the same" chrome in the bathroom as you do in the kitchen, it's identical. Everything feels coordinated, which makes a real difference if you're after a pulled-together look.
Some brands chase trends. Perrin & Rowe simply outlast them. Whether you go for Georgian curves, the more angular Deco look, or something like the Armstrong's industrial vibes, you're buying something that'll look right for years to come. You can update your paint or your tiles; the taps will still feel current.
It's not just homeowners who trust Perrin & Rowe. Their brassware turns up in high-end hotels, top restaurants, and all sorts of exclusive places where failure isn't an option. Think Claridge's, the Savoy, even private clubs and country houses. If it's good enough for them, it's probably going to handle anything your family throws at it.
This might not be glamorous, but it matters. The parts are all replaceable, and you can actually get spares if you ever need them. Plus, with their manufacturing all in the UK, there's less shipping, less waste, and a smaller footprint than most.
Every time someone's standing in a showroom, eyeing up a Perrin & Rowe tap, or searching for the right finish for their new bathroom, the same questions tend to pop up. Here's what people ask most, and what you'll want to know before you buy.
It doesn't take much to keep Perrin & Rowe taps and showers in good nick, but a little regular attention goes a long way, especially if you want that "just-fitted" look to last for years.
Most finishes need nothing more than a soft, damp cloth. Wipe away water spots before they have a chance to dry, and you'll keep the shine for ages.
Resist the temptation to reach for strong cleaners. Harsh chemicals and abrasives can strip or dull the finish. Stick to mild soap and water, and skip the scouring pads.
If you've chosen an aged or unlacquered brass, expect it to change colour over time. That's the charm. If you want to speed up or slow down the process, there are specialist polishes and waxes, but honestly, letting the metal age naturally is part of the appeal.
If you're in a hard water area, unscrew the aerator every now and then (that's the little mesh at the tip of the spout) and give it a clean to keep the flow steady. If you do get a drip, replacement ceramic cartridges are easy to fit and readily available.
Mirrors and glass just need a gentle glass cleaner and a microfibre cloth. For accessories in brass, treat them the same as your taps, gentle cleaning, nothing abrasive.
If you ever run into something odd, discolouration, a stiff handle, a part that needs replacing, Perrin & Rowe's support is responsive, and there are loads of local plumbers familiar with their kit.
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