Bath Tub Series Part Three: Free Standing Bath Tubs

Bath Tub Series: Part Three

Which Free Standing Bath Tub is Your Favorite?

Are you feeling clean yet? You should, because in this series on bath tubs, I have shown you thirty-two photos of bath tubs with sixteen more in this blog. The bath tubs are all free standing tubs; the last three are soaking tubs. Get ready to marvel at the beautiful bath tubs shown below. Don’t be shy, jump on in!

photo one^

^This photo with a Victorian-ish bath tub and two dozen long stem roses oozes romance. It makes me think of Valentine’s Day. Don’t miss the details on the floor.

(^Photo one from Bathrooms by Chris Casson Madden)

photo two^

(^Photo two from Bathrooms by Chris Casson Madden)

photo three^

^That is a hand painted band around the bath tub above. I would like to see a matching band of color going around the tub base.

(^Photo three from Bathrooms by Chris Casson Madden)

photo four ^

(^Photo four from Villa Decor by Betty Lou Phillips)

photo five^

^Look! The champagne has been poured and there are bubbles in the tub! What are you waiting for?

Note: This bath tub appears to be identical to the bath tub in photo two, though a handsome handrail has been an added to the side of this one giving it a totally different look.

(^Photo five from Unmistakably French by Betty Lou Phillips)

photo six^

^Doesn’t this stone bath tub look inviting?

(^Photo six from French by Design by Betty Lou Phillips)

photo seven^

^Tile that compliments the floor in this bathroom has been applied to the sides of this free standing bath tub creating an upscale look.

photo eight^

^I love how the tile on the floor is shaped to create an area for this free standing bath tub. What is interesting, the bath tub does not touch the floor since it is mounted into a wooden base. Don’t you love the mirror and the tiled wall on which it is hung? Also the great candles. We just need to borrow the champagne and bubbles from photo five!

photo nine^

^The iron feet on this bath tub gives it an old-fashioned/Victorian look.

photo ten^

^Who wants a very chic, transparent, and pink free standing bath tub? I am not sure it is actually pink or if the color changed during the printing process. What a great design shape for a tub.

photo eleven^

^You can even have a free standing infinity tub as seen above.

photo twelve^

^In the photo above, I love the niche created for this free standing bath tub with a convenient shelf at each end of the bath tub.

photo thirteen^

^The bath tub above reminds me of the shape of a laundry room sink that is on legs. Do you know what I am talking about? Though I like having a sliding glass door leading to a deck, photo 13 is my least favorite of the sixteen bath tubs.

Below are examples of three soaking tubs which have gained popularity in recent years. Photo 14 is my favorite of the three. I love the thickness of the wall of the tub. photo fourteen^

photo fifteen^

photo sixteen^

Thanks for viewing my blog. I have one more post left in my bath tub series. It will focus on mistakes to avoid. If you are so inclined or maybe no so inclined, please leave a comment and tell me which bath tub is your favorite.

I have not added the source of some of the photos I posted in this blog because I do not know where it came from. If you will email me and tell me the source or ask me to remove the image, I will take care of it.

Bath Tub Series: Part Three Free Standing Bath Tubs

(Photo from Villa Decor by Betty Lou Phillips, p. 60)




(Photo from French by Design by Betty Lou Phillips, p. 122)

(Photo from Unmistakebly French by Betty Lou Phillips, p. 79)

(Photo from Bathrooms by Chris Casson Madden, p.15)

(Photo from Bathrooms by Chris Casson Madden, p. 123)

Shower Shelves, Which do you prefer?

Today's blog includes a dozen photos of shower shelves. Please leave a comment telling me which is is your favorite one and why and anything else you might want to say about shower shelves.

SIZES There are many sizes, shapes and materials to use when designing your shower shelf. The size should be determined by the number of products you expect to place on your shelf. Usual items might include several different shampoos and conditioners, shaving cream and razor, shower gel, a soap dish, and a sponge. If you buy these products in bulk sizes, makes sure you measure the height and diameter so that your specific product will fit.

SHAPES Shown below are different shapes to consider. Some shelves are square, others are rectangular. There is even two, three, and four stories tall shelves and one shelf is an arch. Your shelf can be inset into the shower wall or applied to the outside wall.

MATERIALS You will notice a wide array of materials used. Some materials match the stone or tile used on the wall, other material compliments the stone or tile used on the wall. Some materials are stone or tile pieces and some use custom slabs. There are even glass shelves in two of the photos.

Please realize there are many choices in size, shapes, and materials from which to choose.



To the left is a two story shower shelf inset into the shower wall. The actual shelf is made of glass. Of interest, note the small bench attached to the wall below the shelf.
















I find this shower shelf to be way too small. I do like the actual shelf protruding out a bit from the wall. I also like the stone depending on the type of home in which it is used.
















This photo show multiple sheves made of glass. I cannot tell if they are adjustable. They used a different tile for the wall behind the shelf which compliments the other stone nicely.















This homeowner used custom slabes of stone as an accent stone for the shelf as well as the back wall of the shelf. These match the custom slab used for the bench. I like the contrast between the dark marble and the lighter stone.

What you cannot see is the floor is also made of a matching piece of custom stone that has been shaved and scored with lines to allow water flow towards the drain. Although great looking, I think large tiles or a slab on a shower floor is dangerous because there is no grip for you foot and you can easily slip.

I find this long narrow shelf to be quite stunning. However, I think it loses out in the function over form department. The shelf does not appear tall enough for many products found in a shower.
I do like what I assume to be is a fogless mirror that was added to the wall.
I do like the design of the bench below the shelf.
My tear sheet from a magazine is so small, I cannot make out what the two vertial bars are at the end of the shower. Do any of you know?

Here is another photo taken at a friend's home to demonstrate size and materials.












This is a friend of mine's son's shower. I like how the inset for the shower shelf is the exact size of the slate tile. However, I think this 12" square size is too small and there should have been two shower shelves. I noticed the slate absorbs quite a bit of water which is what the dark rose color is beneath the shower shelf.

This is a tear sheet out of a magazine showing multiple shelves which are different heights. I like the added depth to these shelves as well as the overall clean look. I would have liked to have seen the shelves fit into the exact size of the pieces of tile on the wall.

Note the small diagonal bench. I find the crown molding just above the windows to be in an interesting location. Not sure why it was not applied to the top of the wall. I think the dampness of a shower on the wood, unless this is located in a dry climate will create extra maintenance for the homeowner.

Quite a nice statement with the decorative tile framing the shower shelf.

The design of this shower shelf with the basket weave pattern for the back wall of the shelf and the arch or cathedral design of the cut out for the shelf is a wonderful touch. However, I do think the amount of shelf space is too limited.

Another friend's shower, the size was determined by the two 12" square tiles used for the back wall of the shelf. This shelf has a generous depth as well.

Yet another friend's shower, she chose to apply her shelves outside the shower wall in the corners using an accent piece.