CasaSugar

What Is This Style of Tub Called?

CasaSugar — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 06:15:40 -0700

Aside from "dreamy," one word is used to describe this style of bathtub. Can you name it?

Do You Float Candles in Your Bathtub?

CasaSugar — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 10:00:46 -0700

I think that floating candles in a bathtub is absolutely romantic, but when it comes down to it, who has the time? I can imagine doing so on a romantic vacation, but it's not my style for a weekly bath at home.

Source: Flickr User Monsieur Gordon

Do You Have a Clawfoot Bathtub?

CasaSugar — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 08:00:55 -0700

I love the look (and depth) of clawfoot bathtubs, but I certainly don't have room for one in my small bathroom. It's definitely on my wish list though, if we ever renovate. Do you have one at your home?

Photo by Paula Illingworth

Love It or Hate It? Books and Bathtub

CasaSugar — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 14:00:33 -0700

While this corner looks absolutely sumptuous, the bookworm in me really worries about the humidity level in this nook. I'd hate to have those antique book pages curl thanks to too many bubble baths.

Source: Photo by Andreas Trauttmansdorff

Casa Beta: Method's Le Scrub

CasaSugar — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 09:00:17 -0700

While I usually clean my bathroom (or, ahem, I should say, my husband cleans the bathroom) with vinegar, baking soda, and Bon Ami, I decided it was time for a switch. And to be completely honest, this switch was pressured by the hubz's complaints about the overwhelming vinegar smell in our small bathroom space during cleaning. And I agree, it's definitely a pungent scent. So, when Method sent over some cleaning products for me to test, I immediately grabbed the bathroom products. I started off testing Le Scrub ($6), a mild abrasive cleanser.

I needed to use the Le Scrub because I'd dyed a silk dress in a bucket, which I'd placed in the bathtub. And when I poured the dye water out, the tub was stained with the fuchsia dye. It looked positively crime scene-like in our porcelain tub, since the bottom and sides of the tub were stained and speckled a reddish pink. The hubz was not pleased. "Great, we have a pink tub," he groused.

Thus, the dye situation led me to put the Le Scrub to a stringent test. To see how it did, read more.

I'm not going to lie to you: this job took a little elbow grease. However, I'd much rather put a little oomph in my scrubbing than breathe in bleach! And wow, does the Le Scrub smell good. It uses eucalyptus oil for its scent, and it smells absolutely dreamy. I could've sworn I was on a hike in a local park's eucalyptus grove instead of in my pink-stained bathroom.

My method with this Method product was to immediately scrub with the Le Scrub after I'd poured out the dye water. Then, I sprayed the product over the bottom and sides of the tub and gently dry-scrubbed the product onto the porcelain. I let this sit overnight, and scrubbed it out the next morning. I doubt that you'd have to employ the same technique on a normal, dingy tub, but for a big job like this, it worked splendidly.

Method's site reveals that none of its products use nasty cleaning agents such as phthalates, parabens, ammonia, or triclosan, and the Le Scrub's ingredients seem pretty natural to me. I definitely liked this product, and while I'm a pretty staunch supporter of vinegar and baking soda, I'll be restocking Le Scrub for dealing with the tub in the future.

Source

Casa Verde: EcoDrain

CasaSugar — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 06:15:46 -0700

I'm not going to lie and say I don't love a hot, hot shower. And, I'll admit, I fancy myself a long, hot shower sometimes, too. But I pay for it, and so does the environment. Unfortunately, every time I shower, that hot water disappears down the drain, instead of being harnessed for another purpose. Thanks to the EcoDrain, that needn't any longer be true. The unique heat exchanger transfers the heat from hot shower waste water to cold incoming water, cutting water heater use down by 25 to 40 percent. This small handy device is easy to install directly in the shower drain line, and separates the fresh water from the waste water to prevent them from mixing. Unfortunately, it's currently only available in Canada, but I hope one day to see it in homes worldwide.

How-To: Considerations Before Buying a Clawfoot Tub

CasaSugar — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 04:30:41 -0800

Who isn't enchanted by clawfoot tubs? Just staring at this photo makes me want to fill one full of bubble bath and relax with a good book. However, if you're thinking about adding one to your home, here are some things to consider beforehand.

If you use an old clawfoot tub, prepare for a very heavy tub, since it's made from cast iron.
You should take this heaviness into consideration before buying an older tub. Are your floors sturdy enough to support the added weight?

To hear the rest, read more.

A reproduction clawfoot tub may be a good option for you. Try Vintage Tub and Bath for different acrylic models.
Besides their lighter weight, acrylic models do not rust.
How will you deal with the pipes? Since clawfoot tubs are freestanding, the pipes will be exposed. Does the look of exposed pipes bother you?
Clawfoot tubs will require non-abrasive cleansers, which won't damage the tub's finish.

What tips do you have for living with a clawfoot tub?

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Midday Muse: Bathtub Envy

CasaSugar — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 13:00:25 -0700

There's a lot I love about my bathroom, from its vintage blue-and-white floor tiles to its ample storage. However, one thing I'm not so in love with is our bathtub. It's deeper than most tubs, but it's still nothing as luxurious as this silver-leaf freestanding tub. Everything about this room is so darn alluring, which isn't something I can say for most bathrooms. I've got serious bathtub envy going on right now.

What would you change about your bathroom?

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Midday Muse: Vast Bath

CasaSugar — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 12:00:23 -0700

In this Tuscan farmhouse, the architect designed the bathroom like a lounge, blending styles and eras as you might a living room. The old clawfoot tub is centered in front of the window for a relaxing view, and there's little else, aside from a tall cabinet shelving essentials and an armchair, to clutter up the space. While the blue walls and tub, terracotta tiles, and rustic copper faucet certainly create a beautiful palette, it's not the style or color of the room that attracts me - it's the size. I'd easily sacrifice some square footage in my bedroom or living room to claim this vast bath.Of course the cool tones create a soothing atmosphere, but the room's magnitude puts me in a happy place. In most homes, our bathrooms are not much bigger than a coat closet, and there's something so claustrophobic about that. I suppose in a way the composition of our homes speaks to what we value in our society; in most cases, our garages and living rooms are the largest spaces. Are cars and TV what's most important? Sometimes I think we need to reassess. Forget prime time, if I were the owner of this home, I'd take a nice long soak and curl up with a book in this private retreat any day.
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Crave Worthy: Neiman Marcus Albright Bathtub Set

CasaSugar — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 04:30:03 -0700

I can't think of a more idyllic way to warm up this month than soaking in the Neiman Marcus Albright Bathtub Set ($6,489). Made of AcraStone, a chip- and wear-resistant material with a porcelain-like surface that is warm to the touch, it's a smart splurge if you're a life-long bath lover like me. Its Old World copper tub feet, faucet, and accessories have a classic appeal that will stay in style as long as its lifetime manufacturer's warranty. If that weren't enough to wash over you with heartache, it has a thermostatic valve, which maintains your desired water temperature to within 1°F, regardless of changes in the temperature or pressure of the water supply. Forget love, this is ever-lasting lust.