When I had my plumbing meeting, I picked out a 36×60 rectangular soaker tub for the master bath. I liked the modern rectangular shape and how deep it was. Our plans were drawn and the budget was set for a drop in tub option since stand alone tubs are significantly more. This tub worked with plans and budget so easy choice….
About a week later, Nick and I swung into the Old Home Supply. It’s an incredible store in Fort Worth that sells vintage lighting, hardware, and all things home. We saw these stand alone tubs. We fell hard. We wanted one from the get go but didn’t make it a priority since we were being budget minded (you know smart).
The tub on the left wasn’t much more expensive that the soaker I picked out. It was a reproduction. The one on the right was cheaper but on hold for someone else. It was vintage and recently refinished.
I will say that Pinterest has been amazing through the entire design process. It’s helped us gather our thoughts and see our rooms come together. (You know get inspiration.) I looked through my bathroom board and guess what I found? Bathrooms full of stand alone tubs.
Way to go Pinterest. Stab the knife a little deeper. I knew that compromising on the master bath was something I didn’t want to do. Thus it was my turn to do internet research and get myself the tub/master bath I really wanted.
We found out vintage tubs that have been refinished aren’t as strong and chip easier. It didn’t think going that route (although slightly cheaper) was smart with kids. I started looking around Vintage Tub.
Here are a few free standing options. I think we would be happy if we bought a house with any of them, but since we get to choose I wanted to be a little picky. They all are around the same price.
We decided on a 66″ double ended clawfoot. I liked the lines and symmetry of this tub more than the other options. (I hear slipper tubs are uncomfortable. Plus they remind me of old western movies.) The pedestal would have offered a similar look, but the clawfoot was more classic. The price difference between a cast iron tub and an acrylic one was $10 so negligible. We went with the acrylic tub because it wasn’t on back order. The durability is comparable. The acrylic tub is lighter which is probably best for us in the long run if we decide to change the flooring in there later on we will be able to move the tub without much problem.
Also we are having it custom painted black with white clawfeet. It was Nick’s idea. I was sold on it immediately. Later I found this that I’d pinned over a year ago. Our faucet will be oil rubbed bronze, but it reads more black than bronze.
So what does this mean for plumbing? Well we have to reroute the drain and plumbing by cutting into our foundation slab, moving the lines, and patching the cement. It’s an additional $500 (quoted so we will see what it actually comes in at). A cost that could have been avoid if I would have just never compromised from the beginning.
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Moral of the story is really think about your nonnegotiables before you build. I thought I could live without having a statement tub in the bathroom. Okay technically I can live without it, but I don’t want to. In the end I decided it was worth it to spend more to get what I really wanted. Also we paid for the tub out of pocket, so like with all our other plumbing fixtures we are technically came out ahead of what was budgeted. It isn’t the budgeting win the faucets were, but there was a little more emotion and style invoked in this choice.
This is something that couldn’t/wouldn’t have been done later. It was now or never (for this house anyway). We had the cash to pay for the tub and went for it. No regrets.
Love the claw foot tubs. Painted black is going to look pretty sweet. We have a soaker tub in our master bathroom and we never use it. It’s all builder grade up in there though, so when we renovate it, we’re selling the tub and I’d love to get a claw foot. You guys have good taste.
We talked about doing a pop color, but instead went a bit safer with black. I think it will be great.
Gorgeous! Your point about thinking about nonnegotiables is so true. I settled for the way our staircase ends because I didn’t want to spend an extra $700 to have them end it how I wanted. I thought that was way too much since they would be using less materials to do it my way and it wasn’t even framed out to begin with but they wouldn’t budge on the price. Sigh. I cringe every time I walk up/down the stairs now! Still kicking myself for being cheap haha
It’s tough balancing out those decisions especially when you are looking at things on paper or in the very beginning stages. We just keep thinking well if we can pay for it out of pocket and it’s something that can’t be done later then go for it. It won’t affect our final loan amount.
I love free standing tubs but will never have one (I think). Love that you picked a symmetrical tub because I’m a symmetry kinda girl.
We love them too. I was surprised at how much Nick pushed for it. I got pretty frustrated with the process, but he kept reminding me about the end result until I made it work from finding the tub to coordinating with the builder/plumber. It will be worth it. Plus I’m looking forward to giving the kids a bath in it!
Stand alone tubs make my heart beat fast. Yeah. I know. You made the right choice! I feel like when doing these HUGE projects (in your case, ya know, a whole HOUSE. in our case, main level open concept) it takes a good balance of high and low budget items. And I completely agree, that there are something things you just DONT compromise on. But on the flip side, there are definitely places to cut back and save on. Your bathroom is going to be SO LUX. I can’t wait to feast my eyes on it.
Hopefully we have a few tricks up our sleeves for saving money in other places around the house and even in the bath. I think we counted the faucets as win that offsets this too. I can’t wait to see it in the space. It hasn’t arrived yet, so I’m anxiously awaiting.
I love clawfoot tubs but I just fear cleaning under them… they’re so pretty though, especially white inside + black outside!! Love it. I completely agree with you on not compromising in some things. You’ll just end up regretting it later.
I didn’t think about cleaning underneath until last night when I was writing the post! I was like oh crap what have I got myself into! I will let you know how well I manage that!
I’m so excited that you went with the double ended claw foot tub! And in black?! *swoon* You guys have mad style
Thanks! I think it was the best choice especially when we looked at how the rest of the bathroom was going to be coming together. I can’t wait to see it!
Love, love, love freestanding bathtubs and yes acrylic is the way to go. Great choice! (p.s. did I mention that I love freestanding bathtubs….)
Well you will just have to come over and behold the beauty herself!!
I love it. I have a special place in my heart for clawfoot tubs. We had one in the early 1900s house I grew up in until I was 11. I love the idea of painting it black. Can’t wait to see all of your plans come together!
Thanks! After we placed the order we were wondering if the tub would be a thing of wonder to the kids when they got older! I think we need a 221 post about the early 1900s house you grew up in. Do you think the new owners would let you house crash it?
About 10 years ago it was gutted and renovated to look like a modern home. :/ So house crashing it wouldn’t be very fun. After college Brad and I moved to my hometown for a year. We rented a house that was also built in the early 1900s (there was a watering trough in the attic). But the house wasn’t in the best shape. My dad lived in the most historic house in my hometown for a while when he was younger. After falling into the wrong hands the house deteriorated for years. It’s since been restored and is owned by the town historical society. I had my bridal shower in the house back in 2011 (http://www.twotwentyone.net/2011/04/hometown-bridal-shower/).
Boo on the crappy reno. We ran into that when we were house hunting such a shame! Your shower looked amazing! What a great space and that’s crazy your dad lived there when he was young.
I think your pick and color is absolutely wonderful. I was thinking the exact same with the slipper tub: Western movie. ha ha… glad you said it first
Okay glad to know I’m not the only one who immediately thinks John Wayne or whore house bathroom in a western!
love clawfoot tubs! if we ever make it to the fantasy complete bath gut job I want to do (i.e. not the make the bathroom not completely horrible one that’s in the queue now), I’m definitely going to get one. love the idea of painting it black
Check out vintage tubs when you do, so far they have been great to deal with and reasonably priced. I would go with a new tub rather than a refinished one just so you know it won’t chip!
No regrets for SURE, especially after you get that beauty installed! We’ve been considering a standalone for our master bath reno, so it was super helpful to hear that vintage refinished tubs aren’t as sturdy. Love your ideas!
I was really surprised to learn that especially since the savings isn’t that much and in some cases none at all. Can’t wait to see what’s in store for your bathrooom reno!