These Tubs Do More Than Bathe You

In the 1950's the traditional cast-iron, claw-foot tub was tossed out in favor of the pastel greens and blues of the emerging TV Generation. Many of these old "soakers" ended up being remelted along with the old cars while others were found as flower pots, animal feeders and garbage receptacles.

Twenty years later the 1950's styles followed suit, hitting the scrap yards as homeowners became enamored with showers, especially all-in-one, fiberglass shower-tubs.

Later, spas and whirlpool baths hooked us on bubbles and swirling water but, again, it was the deep soak that haunted us.

Then, about 20 years ago, someone decided that these deep-soak, claw-foot tubs were nostalgic and began a craze of re-glazing them and installing them in new homes. Some even had the old shower curtain rack attached to them so that the bather could also shower in the same space.

Now, the tub and shower are treated as isolated fixtures. The tubs are huge and even have a tub-within-a-tub to avoid getting water on the floor when getting in and out. They can include color-changing LED lights which turn the water a myriad of shades and, with soft music, can transport the bather into another realm.