As I mentioned in a previous post, there are a so many freaking decisions to make when you renovate. This weekend, we spent a substantial portion considering various bath tub options. In doing some research, I came across this fabulous post by Holly at Things That Inspire. It basically sums up our dilemma.
I mean, you can't really deny the beauty of a free standing bathtub.
We've talked with our contractor and a freestanding tub is going to be substantially more expensive to install since you have to rerun the plumbing and change the drain. Neither of which are easy (read: cheap) to do on a slab foundation. And maybe in an attempt to rationalize keeping the budget in check, I've realized that, with a freestanding tub, there are two potential downsides: (1) there is no place to set my book, magazines, and/or wine; (2) the Inspector-Gadget-arm-reach needed to turn on the faucet. The width of our tub is 42 inches -- that's a long reach across to turn on the water -- or maybe I just have t-rex arms. Either way, I would probably have to stand in the tub just to reach the faucet. See what I mean?
So now our search has been focused more on drop in (and possibly under-mount) bath tubs. Even though we had jets in our last tub, I hardly ever used them. So this time around, we are just going for a deep soaker tub without all the bells and whistles. But we can't decide on whether to go with a rectangle shaped tub or an oval one.
We had an oval one in our last house and we liked it:
The tub is in an alcove in our new place, like these:
But there's something sleek and a little more modern with a rectangular tub:
The tub size we need to fill the space is 72" x 42". That's a big tub! I don't think I realized it until I saw this picture of a tub we were considering:
(photo: here)
I sure hope it's the angle of the photo that makes her look so tiny in there. I don't want to have to wear a life jacket to take a bath!
Here's Riley and me trying to recreate the above picture in our current tub. Okay not really, I was trying to figure out if I liked having those little arm rests inside the tub and Riley wanted to assist (he laid down shortly after this and got comfortable in the tub).
So what do you think? Do you guys have a preference -- rectangle or oval tub? Anything I'm missing that I should consider?
Go for the rectangle! I love all of your inspiration shots. We've just gone through the same thought process with my Mom's ensuite. As much as I love the look of a free-standing tub, the drop in just works better for their space. ps... you HAVE to post your video tour!!!
ReplyDeleteLove the last pic...real dog in a tub. Those a beautiful baths.
ReplyDeletei love the idea of a rectangular drop in!
ReplyDeletereal funny that it says zach left that post. ha!
ReplyDeleteI spent WAY too much time thinking about this. I would go for a rectangular tub and no arm rest. The arm rest are not usually very comfortable and take up space, plus in your case they would be too far apart. On thing I paid attention to is how deep you can actually fill the tub, some drains are just too low. I think you can tell I enjoy a bath. :)
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the new house Emily. Looks like we might have found our new house too!! I know yours will be beautiful once you make it your own.
ReplyDeleteWe have one freestanding (clawfoot) tub and one rectangle tub. While I love the aesthetics of the freestanding tub, it is really difficult to clean around it. Sad, but true. Sometimes pretty ain't pretty to clean. Our rectangular one of great for kid washing-we've had all the kids and cousins in it at one time. I'd go for the rectangular b/c eventually, that will happen!
ReplyDeletea rectangle tub sounds nice!
ReplyDeleteI'm your latest follower. Really enjoying going through your recent posts.
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Maria x
Just an FYI. The tub with the normal size lady. It is a huge deep tub. My daughter had the identical tub put into her new masterbath.
ReplyDeleteShe has yet to fill it. It would empty the entire water tank.
It's beautiful and she loves it and she can soak in it. But it is soooo bit.