Okay, so maybe you haven’t heard that I have a design issue to work on in my master bathroom yet (back-story here), but it did make me think a little about bath tubs and what type of tub would I like. I get to work one some really nice projects so I’ve been exposed to some tubs that look and perform great. I thought I would put some of my favorites on display here. The prices run the range so these wouldn’t all be appropriate for the same project or budget but since this is my fantasy list, I’ve included whatever I wanted to – neener neener.
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This tub is from the ‘Premium Collection’ manufactured by Albert + Victoria but I couldn’t really tell you what that means. It seems to me that all their bath tubs would be in the premium collection. This is a very low, body friendly bath tub that is shockingly comfortable to lie it. Despite its low profile, it still holds a respectable 74 gallons, enough to slink down into and submerge yourself. One of the reasons I like this tub as much as I do is that the shape of this tub is designed to let you face either direction. That might sound obvious but the profile is not uniform so facing one way will allow you to lay slightly more inclined in a seated position while facing the opposite direction lets you recline back to a far greater degree. I have used this tub before and it looks great but is absolutely one of the more comfortable tubs I’ve ever been in.
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Really? I totally want one of these for myself!! I think these are amazingly amazing. They aren’t cheap, around $6,000 for just the tub and there are extras like winter lids and hand carts you can buy for some additional money.
Made in The Netherlands, this handmade portable hot tub requires no electricity, hot water, or plumbing, and provides ample soaking space for up to four adults. Made of durable polyester, the tub rests on four sturdy feet spaced evenly to prevent tipping. Once filled to its 200-gallon capacity, a stainless steel heating coil system uses burning wood to provide hot water for the tub; water from the tub flows through the tub’s lower pipe into the heating coil full of burning wood, and is naturally circulated using convection, emptying hot water through the top pipe into the basin, heating the tub to 104° F in 2 1/2 hours. A stainless steel basket holds firewood within the coil, allowing you to adjust heat level by raising or lowering the basket. The tub’s floor has a raised convex dome that allows you to stretch out your feet as if sitting on a chaise lounge, and the tub has a built-in ledge with a bottle holder. Includes a cover for faster heating. 36″ H x 60″ Diam. (165 lbs.)
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Yes, I know at almost $12,000 this tub might not really qualify as a tub for regular people but I have specified this tub before and it is amazing. You have to consider it as an indoor jacuzzi tub and not just a bathing vessel. Sized for two with separate variable speed pumps and two 1.5kW heaters, along with 20 Body massage back jets (10 for each bather) and 6 Flexjet whirlpool jets. I also like the simplicity of the shape and the fact it can be mounted under a deck or installed as a drop in. It’s one drawback is the two access panels that are required to service the individual pumps – I understand why you need them but it can limit your design options because the access panels aren’t accessed on the same side. It doesn’t present a challenge too often but it is a consideration. The tub is acrylic but since it is enclosed (not a freestanding unit) we foam insulate the cavity to help the hot water stay hot.
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This is one of our go-to tubs – great size, clean design, practical and very comfortable. This tub lists at $2,125 but you can find this tub readily on sale for around $1,450 which is really good for a cast iron tub this size. I also like that it’s 24″ high which give the bather a little more soaking room which I think is overlooked too often. People generally try and solve that problem by going longer when they should be going deeper. They also make this tub as a whirlpool (K-856-GCO)
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Okay – so this isn’t really technically a bath tub so you can’t go out and buy one. But, this is the bathing area at Swiss architect Le Corbusier’s ‘Villa Savoye’ in Poissy, completed in 1929 and located just outside Paris. This is the now famous house that he used to illustrate his ‘5-points’ of his new aesthetic of architecture promoting the machine for living ideal within the International style . While I’m not trying to suggest that my bathroom is on par with the one Le Corbusier designed, I think it supports my idea to not throw the bath out with bath water. Maybe all I am missing is the concrete and tile chaise lounge in the shower…..