This post is for you if…
- You’re renovating an older home and are choosing the “just right” toilet
- You want a toilet that looks good and works great
- You’d prefer to start with a classic toilet shortlist
Hate the story but want the exact sources?
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Toilets Are the Tires Of Home Design
Let’s face it, toilets aren’t a topic most people want to think about for any amount of time. And that is exactly why I spent so much time choosing a new one for our bath renovation.
For the primary bathroom water closet, I wanted something that felt traditional, elevated, and intentional — not modern, not trendy, and definitely not builder grade. The existing one was…fine. Unfortunately it was damaged on reinstallation, which forced the decision: Repair a “fine” toilet for hundreds of dollars, or bite the budget bullet and buy a new one.
Aaaaand here we are. Because once a toilet is installed, I don’t want to think about it again for a long, long time.
After researching reviews across multiple retailers and comparing both design and performance, I narrowed the long list down to four “shortlist” options.
Here’s what I considered for our Old House primary bathroom renovation, and why I ultimately chose the Toto Promenade II.
Step Zero: Define What Matters Most In a Toilet
Before comparing models, I defined my decision criteria:
- first and foremost, strong reliability reviews
- traditional styling that works with older home aesthetic
- not overly modern or minimal
- nothing that looks builder grade
- proportional for the space
- easy to keep clean
- readily available (no special order delays)
- reasonable price for “no drama” quality
Once those filters were clear, eliminating options was easy.
Quick Traditional Toilet Comparison At-a-Glance
| Model | $ – $$$ | On the Shortlist Because… | Why I Passed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kohler Memoirs Stately Comfort Height | $$ | beautiful classic lines | concerning customer reviews |
| Kohler Tresham One-Piece | $$$ | classically traditional look | priced significantly higher |
| Toto Drake Two-Piece | $$ | reliable & affordable, no builder-grade look | slightly simpler design |
| Toto Promenade II One-Piece | $$ | traditional look + excellent reviews | this is my new toilet! |
Option 1: Kohler Memoirs Stately Comfort Height Two-Piece Toilet
This was the toilet that initially caught my attention.
The Memoirs collection has beautiful architectural lines that work really well in traditional homes. It feels timeless but isn’t overly decorative.
I looked at several different Memoirs line toilets, including the Complete Solution Chair Height model available at major retailers.
But after reviewing feedback across multiple sites, I saw consistent less than glowing reviews reporting:
- Finish inconsistencies
- Flush performance
- Delivery damage issues
- Higher-than-average negative reviews
For something I don’t want to think about again after installing, reviews felt like unnecessary risk.
Even though this was my very top favorite visually, ultimately a no drama water closet matters more.
The Decision: passed due to review concerns.
Option 2: Kohler Tresham One-Piece Compact Elongated Chair Height Toilet
I really loved this one. It ticked every toilet box I didn’t know I had.
Kohler’s Tresham toilet has a similar traditional feel to the Memoirs line, but in a one-piece configuration with a skirted base and soft-close seat.
It looks elevated and refined, and had really strongly positive reviews across retailers.
The primary drawback? Just one:
- Price
At the time I was shopping, this model cost more than double of the Memoirs toilet I was considering and was the most expensive toilet on my list, overall.
Yes, it’s as beautiful as a traditional toilet can be, but I couldn’t justify the cost at the very end of a “many things went unexpectedly over budget” renovation.
The Decision: an unfortunate ‘No’, due to price relative to other shortlist alternatives.
Option 3: TOTO Drake Two-Piece Elongated Toilet
The TOTO Drake is widely considered one of the most reliable toilets available.
It gets consistently excellent reviews, can be found all over the place – sometimes in stock (!), and comes in at a very reasonable price point (I found options around $372).
Design-wise, it’s in the not-too-traditional, not-too-modern column, but doesn’t look builder grade.
It’s clean, simple, and practical.
So why didn’t I go with the Drake? It’s a feeling thing:
- Ultimately, I didn’t pick the Drake for the primary bathroom because I wanted something slightly more architectural to connect with the rest of the design.
That said, I will absolutely consider using the Drake in other bathrooms in this house.
The Decision: This one’s a strong, drama-free, highly reliable contender I may use in the future.
“THE ONE”: TOTO Promenade II One-Piece Elongated Toilet
This is the toilet I ultimately selected.
The TOTO Promenade II delivered the best balance of traditional design, impressively strong reliability reviews, and long-term practicality.
It gives me the classic detail I liked in the Memoirs collection but with TOTO’s reputation for performance.
Key features that got me to ‘YES’:
- TOTO’s CeFiONtect ceramic glaze to help keep the bowl cleaner
- One-piece design (fewer crevices = easier cleaning)
- Tornado Flush system that plumbers and homeowners call the “Rolls Royce” of flushing technology
- The soft-close seat is included
I paid: $712
Two “be on the lookout” themes mentioned in customer reviews:
- The flush is on the loud side
- The included seat feels flimsy in comparison to the toilet itself
Neither of those things felt like a deal breaker. This toilet will be in a private water closet, and upgrading a seat later is low-ish cost and simple, if I need to later.
Overall, this one was the best combination of aesthetics, performance reputation, and price.
The Decision: I bought it! Getting it installed might be the last step to (finally) moving back into my bathroom. And I can NOT wait!
Old House Rules: Making the “Rightest” Choice When Choosing a Toilet
I try to balance aesthetics with long-term reliability. Some of the questions I ask:
Will it look appropriate in the room over time (or is this a trend-led decision)?
Does this brand have a strong reputation for quality?
Are reviews consistently positive across multiple retailers?
Does the price line up with the value?
Will it require maintenance or replacement sooner than other options?
Does this item support the overall feeling I want in the space?
The Toto Promenade II checked every box.
It will look at home in the bathroom design, and has a performance reputation that gives me what I really want most of all. A drama-free bathroom zone.
Which is exactly what most of us want first and foremost from our toilets.
Shop this project
Some links may be affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission.
- TOTO Promenade II The Rosemont winner!
- TOTO Drake will probably be in other bathrooms around here as we upgrade
- Kohler Tresham my overall looks good, great reviews favorite, but the cost was too spendy for me on this project
- Kohler Memoirs is it weird to call a toilet classically beautiful? This is the look that started it all.
