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In this blog post, we're sharing the development of our latest tap head design. This tap head pays homage to our original Proper Copper Design logo, originally designed by Charlie, back in 2016.
The logo itself features a classic red gate valve, a design synonymous with plumbing and a part that fit well with our business branding. We felt it was fitting to take inspiration from this iconic design whilst bringing something new that fit in with our existing range of products.
Our vision was to create a contemporary interpretation of this classic fitting, casting the tap head as a single piece in solid brass. To ensure versatility, we plan to offer this new head across our entire product range, available in a variety of finishes including copper, chrome, and bespoke options.
Above: A range of imagery showing the different design variations and 3D printing process.
The design process involved exploring numerous iterations, with 3D printing prototypes to evaluate their form and function. Our team tested each prototype, testing the visual appeal and how each felt in the hand.
Following successful testing, we proceeded with picking our favourite design and casting a series of these heads in solid brass. Now that these are cast and ready, we are excited to soon be introducing a new range of products featuring this distinctive tap head.
Above: The final cast tap heads in solid brass.
We hope you've enjoyed this glimpse into the development of our new tap head design. Stay tuned for the official launch of our exciting new product range in 2025!
Above: An example of a recent custom tap head that was cast for one of our recent customers.
If you were interested in a custom tap head or design, please do get in touch and we'll be more than happy to offer our assistance!
For this project, a client approached us with a request for a unique and eye-catching tap to complement her kitchen. The challenge lay in designing a tap that not only replaced an existing fixture but also featured a bold, unconventional style that harmonized with her kitchen's aesthetics.
Collaborating with our client, we created a completely new design inspired by elements from our existing tap range. The result was a striking horizontal tap, combining verdigris copper with an aged copper finish. Throughout the process, we provided detailed renders and technical drawings to ensure the design aligned with the clients vision and would be installed correctly within her kitchen.
This project reflects one of the things that we love about working on custom projects. As all our products are made to order, we can offer a wide range of customisation options to bring our clients’ ideas to life. Whether it's combining finishes in a new way or adapting one of our designs to suit an entirely different space.
Thank you for reading about this project! If you have a custom design in mind, feel free to reach out—we’d love to help bring your idea to life.
Above: The shower went through a number of different changes before the final design was decided upon. 3D models and technical drawings were drafted in order to finalise the design.
We were provided a sample of the desired finish: a deep, almost black shade of brass. While we had previously achieved similar finishes on copper, this was our first time working with this particular finish with brass. Achieving the right shade and consistent coverage required experimenting with various techniques.
The final design featured a unique horizontal layout, complete with drainage to allow outdoor use and ensure proper water runoff during cold winter temperatures. This custom shower is now showcased in our new Farmhouse bathroom collection. As always, all specialist finishes are available upon request.
We recently had the pleasure of creating a custom copper shelving unit for a client’s kitchen, collaborating with designer Sarah from Salt Design to bring this project to life. The aim was to manufacture a shelving unit that integrated polished copper with a glass shelf, creating a centrepiece that would fit perfectly within the customers kitchen.
This post focuses on a behind-the-scenes look at the development of our 'Titanica' shower, one of our latest product releases. This shower showcases an impressive scale, featuring oversized pipes and components that give it quite a bold presence.
Inspired by the vintage brassware found on luxury cruise liners, the design reflects the elegance and strength of nautical aesthetics. The handle was designed to evoke the large valves seen on ships and submarines.
We wanted this shower to be bold and fun to use, to be something that would be striking, whether used indoors or out. The shower itself has be designed so that, whilst the main piping is very large in size, all inlets have been reduced to be usable with standard plumbing inlets. The Titanica can also receive water from either wall-fed or ground-fed inlets, making it a versatile addition to any space.
We recently completed a project for a customer who required several freestanding garden taps with a custom set of requirements. These taps needed to be securely mounted to the ground and easily connected to a garden hose for practical use.
While we’ve crafted a variety of freestanding taps in the past—from custom bath taps to those mounted on wooden posts—this project required a few new features. It was the first time we designed a tap to be fed entirely by a garden hose, which required us to rethink and adapt our existing free-standing tap design.
Above: A selection of freestanding taps that have been crafted for our customers in the past. These include custom taps for baths, taps mounted to outdoor posts and a wide range of other options.
Our workshop put together the new design so that it is easily mountable to a ground-fixing surface, and with the design including a fitting that allows for a standard garden hose to be easily attached and used to power the ground-fed tap.
We've recently worked on several exciting projects where customers requested bespoke brass castings, including custom tap heads and unique handles. These projects are always a rewarding experience, allowing us to collaborate closely with our customers from concept to completion.
Above: We can work with our customers to produce 3D designs and design mock-ups prior to proceeding with manufacture. These images show potential tap head designs.
Typically, this process begins when a customer brings us an existing design, a 3D model, or just an idea. Together, we refine the concept through sketches and 3D prints before casting the final piece in brass, copper, or a chrome-plated finish.
Above: A selection of examples of past 3D printed designs and their brass cast counterparts.
Once a design is finalized with our customer, meeting all specifications and requirements, we produce a 3D-printed prototype. This prototype allows us to test the object's real-life scale and proportions and serves as the basis for creating the brass casting mold.
Above: An image showing the initial 3D printed tap head, leading to the final brass shower design.
With the mold in hand, we can produce multiple castings of the design. We believe that customisation through new cast parts adds a unique character to any project. Thanks to the accessibility of 3D modelling and printing, this level of customisation is both affordable and achievable. In the end, the process not only enhances the project but also ensures that the final product is truly one-of-a-kind.
A client recently approached us with a custom request: they needed a set of custom shelving units tailored to integrate into their shop's fit-out. The project called for a total of four bespoke shelves, each designed to fit specific areas within their retail space.
Our client provided us with a collection of reference images and design ideas. The envisioned shelves were to feature a variety of decorative elements, including valve heads, brass pressure gauges, and reclaimed wooden boards with a weathered, aged look. These details were crucial in capturing the industrial, vintage aesthetic the client wanted to achieve.
One of our customers required an extended shower spout that went beyond standard dimensions. To meet this unique request, our workshop team custom-designed a specialised spout with an extended reach. Recognising the need for enhanced stability due to its length, the workshop integrated a support bracket, ensuring the spout's durability and strength over time.
To complete the piece, we applied our bespoke Verdigris finish, giving the shower an elegant, aged and characterful patina. This project was a great opportunity to add new functionality and possibility to our shower range.
Above: The extended copper shower spout with support pipe and finishes in our verdigris copper and brass finish.
We were approached by a customer with a particular vision for her home that featured a range of our shower and faucet units in a custom, aged finish.
This customer desired a bespoke touch, so we incorporated several customisations into our existing designs. Among these was an adjustable shower head, and a rail hand shower that could be adjusted to suit varying heights and preferences. Additionally, we crafted custom-sized fixtures to fit her space and personal requirements.
This project provided us the opportunity to test our aged copper and brass finish on a number of new pieces!
