As my boys get older, we’ve been considering redoing their bathroom. They currently shower regularly in our master bath, and you will see why:
See that cool, funky, yet kind of totally nonfunctional tub? It’s a square tub, which was kind of lovely when they were little and were bathing; the extra large ledges provided play space and it was easy to bathe them.
But you’ll notice that there’s no shower curtain. Or doors. Nothing to enclose the tub for a shower. And no easy way to accomplish this feat.
The other problem with this tub is that it’s peeling. Badly. See?
When we moved in 8 years ago, we had that tub refinished since it was peeling at that time, too. Holy hell, I’ve never smelled anything that pungent or powerful before or since. Even after three days of open windows, fans, and wishful thinking, that smell was nearly unbearable. So I’m not sure that we want to go through that again.
However, I do kind of like this tub, its uniqueness, and it fits perfectly in there. Now I’m discovering that it’s a period thing, that, depending on the source, anywhere from the 1930s to the postwar period saw a flourishing business in these “Cinderella tubs.”
How can you get rid of a Cinderella tub? Even if you do have boys?
Do you all have any ideas? We could probably solve the shower curtain issue, if only with a rather labor-intensive solution. But the deglazing. Should we suck it up and hope that the second reglazing will last until they leave the house? I’m stumped.
But in the meantime, I’m putting together an inspiration board for things I’d like to change up in there. If we’re doing something with the bathtub, might as well fix it up so it better suits what will eventually be teenage boys, right?
- Washroom Typography, Etsy: I find this sentiment both hilarious and useful. I’d maybe want it without the “love, Mom.”
- The Bowie Wall Sconce, BarnLight Electric. I just discovered this company and I am in love.
- Marimekko Rasymatto Towels, Finn Style. Marimekko, ’nuff said.
- Peyton Shower Curtain, PBTeen. Love this pattern.
- V & B Central Line Double Vanity Unit, Villeroy & Boch. Two sinks would be awesome if we have the space. And I like how it attaches to the wall and leaves space beneath, so that right now we can put stools there since the 6 year old still needs one to reach, and later we could use it to store extra toilet paper or whatever.
- Alphabet Hook, Anthropologie. Hooks seem so much more appropriate than towel bars. Space saving, they each get their own, they don’t have to fold a towel.
- Cirrus Grey Bath Rug, CB2. This rug looks so plush and squishy.
- License Plate Surfboard Custom Art, Etsy. I absolutely love this piece.
So, what do you think? Any suggestions? And what to do with that crazy Cinderella tub. (I almost called it a Princess tub.)
The birthplace of the naked polka!!!
If you switch to a handheld shower fixture, you don’t need to reposition the space or get doors or a curtain. You can just rip out the tub and slope the floor into a drain. It’s pretty common in Europe to see open showers like that.
I love them. They’re easier to clean and make the bathroom seem bigger.