mental_floss magazine
SUBSCRIBE >
GIFT SUBSCRIPTIONS >
DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTIONS >
subscriber services >
Last week, I wrote about bathtubs in history. This week, let’s take a look at modern bathtubs that come in an amazing range of styles. And prices.
1. Illuminated Tub
The LTT illuminated bathtub by Jan Puylaert is a work of art, but it’s also a functional tub you can have in your bathroom for $1,499.00. The models with halogen lights are available in orange, yellow, pink, red, and white. Strange that it’s pictured in green. Oh, and for an extra $1,000, you can get programmable multicolored LED lights.
2. Mobile Tub
Swedish designer Marie-Loise Gustafsson created this mobile bathtub for those who want a change of scenery when bathing. The tub us made from laminated fiberglass, and the front wheel swivels for steering. You’ll have to fill it from some other faucet. Interior art by Elin Melberg.
3. Wooden Tub
I can’t really wrap my mind around how a wooden tub will last over time, but there are plenty of wooden tub designs for sale. This Danish tub by Teak Tubs is made of teak wood treated with linseed oil.
4. Glass Tub
The Glass Tub is made of glass and stainless steel. The product page tells us that each unit is inspected for five hours with a magnifying glass. I would love to interview the person who has that job! Right now, this tub is on sale for half price, just $3,199.00.
5. Sunken Tub
Ah, the cache of a sunken tub! The Sorgente Bathtub from the Italian company Teuco implies luxury because of the space that must be allotted underneath the floor. A household with children and pets might have a free-for-all sliding across the floor into it!
6. Amethyst Tub
Italy takes bathing seriously. I found the finest luxury bathtubs at several Italian companies. There are plenty of fine expensive stone tubs made of granite and marble, but this one is pure amethyst! The Amaltea bathtub by Baldi will cost you $190,000. Then there’s shipping.
7. Pod Tub
From yet another Italian company comes the Jacuzzi Morphosis Alpha. This two-person tub features hydrotherapy and hydromassage, meaning water jets. The arch that runs over it has lights, but no shower.
8. Bathtub Sofa
This is not exactly a tub. OK, it is, but it’s used as a sofa, since it won’t hold water in its current incarnation. Upholstery and pillows are included. Flavor Design makes these from antique tubs, so no two are alike.
9. Waterbirth Vessel
The item that inspired this post is not exactly available to the public. The Waterbirth Vessel is a conceptual specialty tub designed for obstetric wards for women to occupy during labor and delivery. It’s a part of an entire birthing suite for hospitals. The tub, er, I mean vessel features an adjustable seat, grab bars, programmable water jets, and a jump seat for daddy. Designed by the group Darling Dushinka S.Gonzalez-Duskin.
10. Antique Tub
My dream bathtub is still the classic porcelain-glazed cast iron clawfoot tub, which I still don’t have. But someday!
See also: Notable Bathtubs in History
Comments (15)
Comment
- Follow mental_floss
I’m not really a tub person, but mostly because they are never deep enough. Even when they make them bigger, they often don’t make them deep enough.
posted by Karen on 11-11-2008 at 10:12 am
All I need is a clean tub!
posted by beth on 11-11-2008 at 10:20 am
Oh, how I too long for a clawfoot bathtub. Though it would never fit in my current bathroom. Being tall even as a child I’ve always longed for the days when I could have a big tub to stretch out in and just soak for hours. My husband just doesn’t get it asking whenever I drool over them, “Why would you want a big old bathtub?” or “Home Depot has one that looks like that.” (which is NOWHERE near the size of the antiques) It must be a girl thing.
posted by nihil on 11-11-2008 at 11:16 am
I moved into an apartment with a clawfoot tub. I adore it!
posted by Liz on 11-11-2008 at 11:54 am
How about the tubs that look like a pool. Like the one in “Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure”.
And Claw Foot Tubs are the best tubs in the world. Ahhhh, I now want a bubble bath in one.
posted by ella blue on 11-11-2008 at 11:59 am
nihil, when you go shopping, take a tape measure. Those old tubs came in all sizes!
posted by Miss Cellania on 11-11-2008 at 12:05 pm
I know what you mean, Karen. I dream of having a real N&N soak (only nostrils and nipples above the waterline!) Only time I found a deep enough tub was when I went to England.
posted by VM on 11-11-2008 at 12:11 pm
I’ve wanted a bathtub sofa ever since first seeing Breakfast at Tiffanys – Holly Golightly had one, along with that silly sleeping mask and earplugs.
posted by Keeker on 11-11-2008 at 12:26 pm
Not really a bathtub kinda guy but I’ll be happy to wash your back.
posted by DUKE on 11-11-2008 at 1:28 pm
My gram’s house had a claw footed bath tub. I was the original tub that they put in when they put in the plumbing..way before my gram bought it. it was wikid nice to relax and read in. she even had this little shelf that would flip down from the side and sit across you. I liked it cause then my goosebumps books wouldn’y get wet…. Now i only have a stall shower in my apartment……*sigh of longing*
posted by alicia on 11-11-2008 at 6:36 pm
I love bathtubs – esp clawfooted ones! We love our apartment, and can’t see moving for a while, but we have no bathtub here. So, whenever we travel, I insist on getting a hotel room with a huge bathtub!
posted by Dawn on 11-11-2008 at 6:47 pm
That is the fanciest birthing tub I’ve ever seen. Water birthing is gaining popularity among naturally birthing mothers as water acts as a relaxant and gives mild pain relief for the laboring woman. I’ve seen pictures of lots of them from kiddie pools to jacuzzis, but never anything that technical. I’ll bet it has some really great bells and whistles.
posted by Andrea on 11-11-2008 at 8:25 pm
I generally go for showers, but baths are nice once in a while. The amethyst one is sweet-looking (who wouldn’t want to bathe in a big, hollowed-out rock?!), the glass one would be totally sexy, and I’d love to see what the illuminated one does with bubble baths. The clawfoot would be cool, especially if the clawfeet moved, like in “The Nightmare Before Christmas.”
posted by Sillstaw on 11-12-2008 at 12:02 am
Antique tubs are overrated.
At least the genuine antique kind.
My apartment has them and the feet are rusty, and the porcelain ground down to a chalky finish at the bottom. I’m told they used to be white.
posted by Brammi on 11-13-2008 at 2:05 am
Dear Editor. The link “Amaltea bathtub” for the tub #6 is no longer the good one. Could you please use luxuo.com/interiors/luxury-italian-bathtub.html instead ?
Thanks a lot
posted by Luxuo on 1-24-2009 at 11:05 am