Maria wrote in recently, and said this:
…I was perusing your site recently, fell in love with your current projects, and then fell down the rabbit hole of all things design. In particular, your bathroom in your past house. I adore the makeover and love your bathtub. We are about to take on a redo ourselves, and died laughing because we have the same emotions due to the not-so-fun water damage situation we have going on. Anyway I said all that to say, I love the look of a clawfoot tub, but I think I need something without feet. My husband is very particular and I just know me. I know that I wouldn’t be able to deal with the stuff (dust, hair) underneath, but I do want a freestanding bathtub. Do you have any suggestions for a solution for this that is also budget friendly? I feel like it’s all either drop in stuff or clawfoot and I was looking for a happy compromise. Any suggestions or advice?…
First things first… we get it. We really do. If you don’t like the look, ya just don’t. For what it’s worth, it really wasn’t bad at all to maintain. It was worth it to me because I’ve always wanted one. But while once upon a time I chose things because I thought they were pretty, the wiser {and older-shhh} me weighs the pros and cons in my head. One of the decision makers? How easy it will be to clean. It’s a thing. Sometimes I look at products in magazines and all I can see is me laboring away to make it not dusty. And sometimes, it’s still worth it.
I said all that to say… you should also know thyself. Know why you want to bring things into your home, and why you don’t. Do your homework. So major props to Maria for being proactive enough in her thought process to know that this isn’t what she wants. If there’s doubt, there’s no reason to talk yourself into something you know you won’t be happy with.
When Decoraport sent us a message about working with them on a little something, we thought this was a great opportunity to talk about and feature some of their product. It was like a happy marriage of perfect opportunities and smart products. We love the idea of beautiful, practical options for the bathroom that are also budget savvy. And this is definitely one of them.
Maria, meet your new best friend: The freestanding tub {without feet, of course}.
We wanted to take a moment and admire one of the most versatile tools in all things bathroom design creativity. It’s like a happy compromise between practical drop ins and the glorious clawfoot. So we rounded up some of our very favorite shapes to show just how pretty they can be. The possibilities are kind of endless with these puppies.
Aren’t these shapes gorgeously unexpected? There are so many awesome options out there, there’s never a reason to feel trapped or married to an idea, especially if you don’t like it. Yolo, y’all. Yes, we did just write that. Here’s a few tips we love:
• Measure, measure measure.
A freestanding bathtub can tuck away into smaller spaces, but also pack a lot of design punch.
You can also go large and in charge, depending on your needs.
The beauty is, that they have the same feel as a clawfoot, without the underneath hassle. And technically, {most of the time} more capacity. Just make sure you measure at least twice and then check again before going forward with your design. Heck, follow up as much as you can. It’s also nice to see with these fun links that they don’t have to break the bank.
• All those options.
Take it all the way with the streamlined look, or pair it with contrasting items for an eclectic vibe. A modern tub can have a completely classic feel, if given the right opportunity in the right space. From fixtures to tile, and even the accessories you place on that vanity, the possibilities truly are endless for a one of a kind look!
• Be fearless.
It’s awesome if you know yourself and know what you love. Take your ideas, and run with them once you find that one piece that inspires you. How fun to build a bathroom around the tub? There are no rules but the ones you place on yourself. And it’s awesome to know what you love. We say go for it.
• Think outside the box.
In our renovation, we wanted a tub that was a tad a bit larger than what our space allowed. So we were faced with option of shrinking the shower some, which Jamin refused to do, or going with a smaller tub, which I refused to do. So we began looking for solutions that were better. After thinking it through, and doing a lot of measuring and even placing tape on the ground to give us a better visual, we decided to turn our tub at a slight angle. This gave us the extra space we need and we both got ot keep the size we wanted. It was a win win. So don’t settle if you hit an obstacle. Think outside “the norm” {whatever that is}, and find a way to do what you want and love.
After all, it’s your bathroom and you’ll want to love it.
_______________________
I’m suddenly missing our old clawfoot again, but know that perhaps someday soon I’ll be soaking in it. Or a freestanding one, since these are so pretty.
In the meantime, I’ll be soaking in our new one, because we do love it too {and I’m not a total ingrate}. We’ll be living vicariously through you, Maria, and whatever you decide to do!
We hope this helps as a fun springboard in the right direction as you take on your new renovation! We can’t wait to see what you do!
:: This post was brought to you in partnership with Decoraport. All opinions are 100% ours. Please read our full disclosure pertaining to partnerships here ::
Anna says
I learn something new every time. Love this round up thank you!