Clawfoot tub sentimentally attractive, seemingly impractical

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Life is a progress from want to want, not from enjoyment to enjoyment.” Samuel Johnson (1709-1784), English poet, essayist and biographer quoted in “Boswell’s Life of Samuel Johnson” (1776).

Q: We like the look of the old clawfooted bathtub, but are not particularly enamored with the old cast iron ones. I know there are newer ones on the market, but we’re even unsure about the sensibility of purchasing one. What are your thoughts on that style of bathroom fixture?

A: As with anything in our homes, there are so many choices. And you are correct, there are many free-standing tubs on the market that are much more user friendly than the old tubs. Also, if you find an old one at a salvage place, you will spend considerable money to refurbish it.

If you are truly a bath person, as opposed to a shower person, choosing a freestanding tub makes more sense. If not, having a standard tub in your space makes more sense. You can generally get more options, including the whirlpool action on a standard tub.

The appeal of the claw-footed bathtub is that it harkens back to a time gone by when folks actually had time for bathing in a more leisurely, luxurious sense. And there’s a certain romance to the old-style tubs. The picture that most often comes to mind is the body submerged with piles and piles of bubbles around them. Who has time for that?

As far as aesthetics, the tubs have a lot of style and class, however, they do take up considerably more space. Being a freestanding unit means the tubs become more like a piece of furniture, usually placed out from the wall with space to walk around.

In reality, it just depends on what you like. If you wouldn’t use them for that luxurious soaking bath at least a couple of times a week, I don’t think they would be that practical. But, if you are a bath person, go for it. Keep in mind that you are sure to still want a shower and maybe even the Jacuzzi, and the costs keep adding up.

Give your choices serious consideration.

Q: I have heard a lot about walk-in baths and have concerns about their practicality and, quite frankly, how they work. Can you offer any advice? My parents have just moved in with my family and the ease of a walk-in would be very helpful. I’m just unsure of the technology.

A: Walk-in baths, just like most other products, are continually improving. When the walk-in bath first appeared on the market, I was very skeptical. But I have since seen different models and have talked with people who use them, and they are very pleased.

The walk-in feature is perfect for older folks, or people who may have trouble climbing into a bathtub. And, surprisingly, that includes a lot of people, not just older individuals. Hospitals and rehab facilities use them for patients recovering from joint surgery or who are partially immobile for whatever reason.

The bathtub doors are the main feature, using seals, hinges and latches to prevent leakage, and also to prevent water from spilling onto the floor after the bath when the door opens. Most are equipped with seats and handrails to make bathing a pleasure once again. If people have been unable to bathe in a tub and are suddenly able to enjoy a bath again, the walk-in tubs are a blessing.

Shop your local bath stores or browse online to see new product introductions.

Carolyn Muse Grant is the editor of Southern Nevada Home & Garden magazine. Her Inside Spaces column appears weekly in the Home & Garden section of the Las Vegas Review-Journal. Be sure to check out other decorating tips by Grant and others in Southern Nevada Home & Garden magazine, which is published the first Saturday of each month. Send questions to cgrant@reviewjournal.com.