Soaking It All In - Traditional Bathtubs with a Twist

As we head into what is supposed to be a harsh Winter in British Columbia, my thoughts started turning to luxurious ways to keep warm; namely a good long soak in a big tub.  My natural tendency is toward a modern aesthetic, but I've found some more traditional looking tubs that would easily get you through a snowy afternoon.

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The Toulouse from Victoria & Albert is a terrific spin on the classic French boudoir tub.  Made from V&A's ENGLISHCAST® composite (volcanic limestone and resin) the Toulouse is cast as a single piece measuring 72" long, 31 1/2" wide and a relaxing 28.5" deep.  ENGLISHCAST® is also a natural insulator, so all that water stays warmer, longer.  

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The Grandtour from Rapsel is a great example of blending traditional shape with modern design.  While the outside of the tub reflects the profile of some very detailed crown moulding, the inside features gentle curves creating a relaxing bathing environment.

At the 2011 IDS West Show, Vancouver, BC

At the recent IDS West Show in Vancouver, there was a lot of buzz over this new tub from BLU Bathworks.  Made from their proprietary Blu-stone composite, this free-standing oval tub may not be traditional in shape, but the detailed embossing on the side certainly is!

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From Lapicida comes this ode to "old-school" limestone carving.  Yep, it's carved out of limestone.  And if the tub doesn't bring enough stone into your ensuite, there are matching vanity basins available as well!