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Tuesday, December 1, 2009

The tub poll


Thanks to the feedback from my readers after my bathtub post (reinforced by a discussion with my architect and designer), I have decided to go with the standalone tub option. Doug from Tracery Interiors noted that most of my pictures feature the Kohler Vintage tub and the Waterworks Empire tub. Either tub is fine with me (the Waterworks tub is slightly smaller, but is more expensive; the Kohler tub is slightly larger, and costs less), but the real question is how it will look in the space. There is plenty of room to do what I want, and the tub will have a nice south facing window behind it. So, the question is - set it closer to the walls, or allow for more room?

Here is a standalone tub in a cozier setting.




Here it is with a bit more space between the tub and the walls, which creates an entirely different look and feel.

For the first time ever, I have set up a poll on the right sidebar. Which look do you prefer? Your votes are of great interest to me!

Email subscribers, click here to vote (see right sidebar). Thank you! I can't wait to see what you think.

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Posted by Things That Inspire at 7:35 AM

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38 comments:

  1. I really like the look of both, but the cozy setting is slightly more appealing to me! I love the thought of a bath in a cocoon like setting.
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  2. I like the idea of sitting the tub in a nook. The feel reminds me of a window seat -- cozy and the perfect place to read and relax!
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  3. I like the look of the cozy tub but voted for more space for functioning reasons. If there is ever a drip behind it to the floor it is easier to see and to fix with some wiggle room all the way around.
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  4. I agree with Laura Casey the tub looks better in the cozy setting, but much more functional with more room to clean up any water and to mop and dust.
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  5. The second picture is my choice....and exactly what I have done in my bathroom. I will let you know when I post my final pictures in a week or so, so you can see the results.
    Penny
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  6. good luck makign your decision - both options are lovely and you will get so much enjoyment out of your new room!

    the spacious photo is appealing to me...but somehow i have always loved tubs tucked in nooks. cozy is important when you are bathing and want to feel safe and relaxed.

    xo terri
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  8. I think you should strive for cozy feeling but have decent space all around to clean easily and so you can pick up the soap or washcloth if they fall on the backside or you don't have to get into the tub to clean a splash on the window. I'll bet your design team can do both. The hand sprayer is an essential, not necessarily for bathing but for cleaning and rinsing a big tub.

    It's like a bed in a niche, it can look great but is very hard to "make."

    Both your pictures look cozy to me but I'd prefer views all around to cozy, as if it was an outdoor tub.
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  9. That Doug, he is so sharp! First, I think you should go with the larger Kohler tub; a large tub will contribute to creating a luxurious and relaxing environment. Second, I have to vote for cozy and am taking for granted y'all will leave enough space so as not to create this bespoken functional difficulty. I vote for cozy because, to me, a nook is comfortable (would love to sit within all those windows!!), but that's a personal preference. So the best choice is your choice. And I am developing a weakness for these polls...
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  10. I have the Kohler tub and it's gorgeous. We have placed it with some breathing space too.
    If you want to see it go here: http://www.blackandspiro.com.au/gumdalehouse.phpand click through to the second last image of the Gumdale House and you can see it!
    x
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  11. I like the free standing tub. I think Terry brings up valid points though, so if you can not have adequate space around it then I would reconsider. I am sure what ever you decide it will be beautiful.
    x-Gina
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  12. Both are beautiful choices. You have already put much thought into this decision that I am sure which ever choice you make will be the right one for you!
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  13. Both looks are beautiful, but while the spacious one may seem slightly more elegant, I prefer the cozy. One feels somewhat vulnerable lying in a tub naked, and being tucked in on three sides gives an illusion of privacy--even with a window behind it. It's like your own little world. That said, allow enough space to run a mop on the outside wall and a little table to hold your book and towel close by. Your photo of the spacious version still had a window wall behind it and perpendicular walls around it -- just a little farther out, so it did not have the feeling of a freestanding in the middle of the room, which I think would make one feel too exposed. It's about what makes you feel relaxed and comfortable.
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  14. This is staying on my mind. 2 things: How you get cozy: I think your back should be "against the wall." I think it fits Pattern 114: "...people always try to find a spot where they can have their backs protected, looking out toward some larger opening, beyond the space immediately in front of them."

    2. I think you need a bit a privacy from inside too. It's in the same sense that I don't like totally transparent shower walls. As beautiful as these tubs are, you shouldn't be able to see the bather from the bathroom door, at least not the whole bather. So it seems many designs are for showing off the tub rather than for the bather's modesty. (speaking for my older self: "I have a lot to be modest about.")

    Lock the door? Sometimes your bathroom mate needs to be in there too.
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  15. Although both set-ups are appealing, I just think about the difficulty of cleaning around the nook - especially if you might have a dog that sheds...
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  16. I like the tub with the space. Space is such a luxury and lends a bit more formal and "spa" like feel.
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  17. I love my readers and their comments! When I spoke to my daughter's class about blogging, I asked how many people in the room cared about bathtubs. One person raised their hand (a teacher). I told the class that the wonderful thing about blogging is that there are people out there who actually are interested in these kind of things - what kind of bathtub, where it should go.

    Thank you! I love these comments. Right now I have a glass wall shower, and I am going to change that in the new house. I am thinking sandblasted glass for the door, and no glass sides.

    As far as privacy - I don't think that baths and privacy necessarily go together in a master bathroom. The privacy definitely needs to be a consideration to the outside, though - I adore a window over a tub, but my current house overlooks a nature preserve and there is no one who can look in. The new house - fairly private, but there is a house next door (not close, but it is there).
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  18. Terry, I have been in both of the bathrooms in these pictures - they are both, for all extensive purposes, in a nook - but one of the nooks is cozier, the other is more spacious. But, now I am thinking about what you see when you walk in the bathroom. I don't think you would immediately see the bath in either scenario - it is really all about adding another foot or two of space.
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  19. Have you considered doing a reclaimed tub? I LOVE both the options you have chosen... I am currently building a custom home and we really were convinced by the idea of being sustainable and refinishing an old pedestal tub. Turned out beautiful and saved something from ending up in a landfill!! Just a thought.
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  20. Definitely option #2 (Atlanta Christmas House). The first picture looks like it would be claustrophobic. The charm in picture #2 is from there being some room on either side to place some items as well as not having the feeling of being boxed.
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  21. They are both quite beautiful. How I long for a standalone tub.
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  22. I love both looks. I think, the first is a bit modern and the second is just one word: Lovely. I guess you may now know what I would do. I also feel the scale & proportion, the second one fits that bill also.
    Either way...ENJOY!!
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  23. I love both options, but finally decided on "cozy"--it is a little more private with still enough room for a few plants, petit bench and intimacy. (But definitely leave enough space to clean around.)
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  24. My favorite tub had a 2'clearance on the windowed wall side. It was extremely practical for all the reasons Terry mentioned. While it had a luxurious feeling of space, I never felt that it was less cozy.
    The one I have now has tub decking that abuts the windowed wall. Instead of cozy, I feel cramped even though the tub is large. And, it is so much more difficult to clean.
    My architect knows our new plan must allow the 2' of space that I miss so.
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  25. hi! you are moving along on this project! i think the smaller one might be warmer, and i do love the paneling in the photo, but the larger one is more graceful and evokes a blissful bath experience. i'd go with that one and run the hot water as needed (!) i'm evolving from my last entry!! haha! what a great thing to have these choices. let us know the decision! jkj
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  26. I think the nook option looks best and will be the most functional... it will be warmer and you won't be wasting space around the tub for nonessential furniture/decor. I wouldn't worry that you won't be able to clean around the tub... afterall how much room is there around a toilet???
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  27. To me, it would depend on when I most often take a bath: in the morning/daytime or at night? If the former, I would opt for the airy version - I like to be able to see out, have lots of light, etc. If the latter, I would choose the cozier nook version.
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  28. Since I saw bathroom #2 in person, it is hard for me to be impartial, as that was THE most gorgeous bathroom I have ever seen!

    I also like the shape of that tub better.

    Make sure you sit in each of them first. That may be your deciding factor.

    Kristen W. in Atlanta
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  29. Leave enough room for a small table to stack towels and bath salts etc. Space for the cleaning part too! It will still be cozy!
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  30. I have the empire by waterworks and the one thing I would ask is have you sat in both of them? The back on the empire is straighter and the kohler is slanted more. Make sure you are comfortable sitting for your long soaking.
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  31. The look of both is great, but I think a stand alone tub needs a little space. Just my opinion.

    xo,
    Cristin
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  32. Well, guess I should weigh in since I got a shout out in the post...I've used the Empire probably five or six times now for clients and I love it everytime...it's so classic and beautiful. Mary Beth is right though, the two have very different slopes to their backs so both are worth 'test driving' in person
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  33. oh my gosh--- you're so lucky!! (i've been behind on my reading from Thanksgiving!!) what a treat to have!

    I think it really just depends on which way you're more comfortable bathing... Both are beautiful & I'm sure you'll make both functional... The question is will you be happier all out in the open and being able to see the whole room or would you rather be a bit tucked away & a little more nestled?

    Both sound wonderful & beautiful to me but I think just picture yourself actually taking a bath on a typical day & you should have your answer.

    good luck!!!
    xoxo,
    lauren
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  34. TTI!
    I like the idea of cozy, but I do like the tub that has more room around it the best. I agree with Karena about putting a small table for bath accessories.
    I agree too, that the "sit" test is indeed a must!
    xx
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  35. Both are quite lovely, but I prefer the second! I like too how the decor makes the tub seem a bit cozy but not blocked in.

    Fun, fun!
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  36. I never really liked tubs like that.
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  37. Bonjour! Just found your lovely blog via Trois Rois blog and so glad I did. This is my favorite bathtub - like you said both are in nooks, one is cozier, but the larger will probably be better in the long run. I'll be following along from now on.
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  38. I agree that the second picture still looks like a nook...just a more spacious one. Please don't overlook the reality of cleaning around the bottom of the tub (and perhaps painting someday). We had a tight squeeze in a house we just moved out of, and with a taller tub, we could never clean properly and it drove me nuts. I could vacuum and mop, but never reach the floor with my hand and that's really what a bathroom needs sometimes, especially around a focal point.
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